Is this a good (short term) deal for 3K?

rww_94 · Mar 30, 2003

I have been getting cold feet on buying a new cylinder diesel that will cause me to be locked into payments for 4 years. granted a hydrostatic tranny would be nice.....

I came across an opportunity yesterday. A 2wheel drive 16 HP Bolens/Iseki diesel that the owner bought new in 1986. Hour meet is claimed to stop working a year ago and reads 626 hours give or take. (I suspect is has 1000 or so). She shows obvious wear but appears to be mechanically sound and started up on the second hit of the glow plugs. I did notice that it did not like to idle - it wanted to stall. Comes with : <ul type="square"> [*]48" Deck -fair condition [*]4' JBar brush hog - good condition [*]60" rear woods blade - fair condition [/list]

One thing I could use some feedback on it the reliability of this (cold weather?) and how difficult it is to take the deck on/off. Looks to be a 'bugger'. 3K is the asking price and would save be approx 12K - at least in the next few years.

rockyridgefarm · Mar 30, 2003

It would be a safer bet with 4WD. Even on level ground, my Yanmar 18hp really bogged down when in 2WD. I mowed with a 4' BushHog.

Of. course, $12000 is a big differance, but maybe this is a indicator that you would do well to look around a bit for another good used tractor.

Steelfan · Mar 30, 2003

Hi,
Your own needs should be your deciding factor. It seems like you want an overall tractor from your other post. As stated here already, there will be a lot of things that the $3000 tractor will not do. Owning a tractor in about the same range that you were looking at, I can tell you mine was worth the money. Also consider looking more into the used tractor market, if you are on a tight budget. I saved around $2500-$3000 by buying a tractor that was a year old. I think you are really trying to talk yourself out of the two wheel drive used tractor anyway. Good Luck. Believe me its not easy tractor shopping sometimes.

Kent

thcri · Mar 30, 2003

rww_94

I am afraid that you will be dissapointed by buying the 3k tractor. Yes it may get you by but all it will have to do is break down once and you may find some hefty expenses to repair. I know you are set on the Kubota, and it is a good tractor. But did you check in your area for some of the other brands out there. Mahindra, Century, Branson to name a few. I test drove a Branson a while back. If I had not already purchased my New Holland I think I would have done some more research before buying it. Another one is Kioti. Go into some of the other discussion groups and ask a few of the guys there what their experience has been. Go out on the web and find a local dealer for some of them. Get one of them under your seat and test drive it. You may be surprised on how nice they actually are??

But I feel spending 3k on something that is not 4 wheel drive, doesn't run very good as you said, and the mower deck your not sure how easy it will go on and off would only end up being a dissapointment for you. Now if you want to spend the 3K and only use it for a year and then trade it in on a new one that might work out. I guess what I am trying to say is you are buying someone else's problems with one that it used to that extent.

murph

Woodbeef · Mar 30, 2003

If you can live with an older used tractor after checking out the new ones,I'd say pony up some more $$$ and get a 4wd gray market tractor.

WCarlson · Mar 30, 2003

rww_94,
In your first post you stated: "I am currently on 2.25 acres with trees, hills, mud and a huge garden."
IMO a 2x4 isn't going to meet your requirements, regardless of the price.
Bill

bgott · Mar 31, 2003

It wants to stall, eh? I would give about $500 for it. Stalling can be a very expensive problem in a diesel engine. You could have low compression. You have no way of telling without a compression test and that's a PITA to check on a diesel compared to a gas engine. If you verify it has good compression you're looking at the injection pump and injectors. Marty, in a thread in Parts/ Repairs, just paid $795 for a rebuilt injection pump. Call an injection shop and price injectors to go along with the pump, if the pump is shot you need to have the injectors benched, too. That tractor should have started on the first glow plug cycle. There's a good chance they aren't working and that points to glow plugs, a relay and who knows how much abuse on an expensive starter. It won't be something cheap like a filter, they usually idle O.K. on a plugged fuel filter and lose power when you load 'em. A dirty air filter will make it smoke like he11. It's your call but I think that this tractor is just going to be your introduction to the wonderful, extremely expensive world of diesel engine repair. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

SteveM · Mar 31, 2003

I am a bit of an iseki fan, but I think you should pass on this one. 16hp is small for one thing, so we are talking about a light weight 2wd which will be tough in the mud and pulling things. The biggest problem is the idling thing - I have never operated a diesel that wouldnt putt along at a low idle. It is a very bad sign to say the least. To give some perspective, there is a bolens G212 for sale in my area for $3,000 with 21 hp and 450 verified hours, no attachments. I may pick it up if still available because it is a nice mowing machine. Anyhow, I would keep looking.

On the issue of new vs used you have to decide if you like tinkering. Do you have a lot of tools? I can usually tell a used tractor buyer by the garage /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

That said I have never paid more than $5,000 for a compact tractor and have spent very little time making necessary repairs. For 3 grand you usually are relegated to small, 2wd grey market or oddball tractors. Or, antiques. Pick your poison.

Here's another idea - with 2.5 acres and gardening you might look for a kubota B4200 or B5100. These are really more garden tractor size, with 3pt hitch and PTO. There is a sweet, clean B4200 up here with low hours, stored indoors, 4wd and 48" MMM for $4500. Nice rig with ROPS and 6spd manual - perfect for a small tiller.....I could go on and on.

froggy · Mar 31, 2003

I had a similar experience, the question was whether to buy new or used. Personally, unless you have the time, tools and inclination, buy new, but that is just my opinion.

I ended up buying old (1970s) IHC (no FEL or 3 pt) with belly mower from an individual for next to nothing. It was a good running tractor. No problem starting it, even when it has been sitting for a couple of months.

I knew it needed work, but not as much what it ended up needing. Would I do it over again, no. I have spent way too much money repairing it.

Am now in the process of saving for a new tractor.

Doyle

Soundguy · Mar 31, 2003

I'm guessing that that is a bit small. I paid 3k for my ym1700.. and it was something like 21hp.. 17 pto hp.

Also you can get an older domestic model on the 20-30 hp range for that money.. Like an old ford or IH.

Don't get me wrong.. any tractor is a help.. but don't go too small unless you want to get another one later to do the big chores.

Soundguy