I've outgrown my tractor

[Indydirtfarmer]

Re: I\'ve outgrown my tractor

From what I remember, the 2150 is an "up-gunned" 2040 which is/was a good solid little tractor.

If I might make a suggestion.... You're almost through the "season" now. Many folks do their tractor trading after the sumer busy season. Used equipment is easier to come by from November to March, from my experience. If you can, get a copy of U.S. Farmer. It's published in Kentucky, and has a number of dealers in Kentucky, Tennessee, Southern Indiana, Southern Ohio, and Southern Ill. If you expand your search a bit, I'd bet you find a few more options. I'm digging around on my desk right now for my road atlas..... (My desk qualifies as a HAZMAT situation.....) I'm trying to find out where Ohio County is.... I might be able to steer you towards a few possibilities then. (I've been known to buy/sell/trade a few tractors myself... Have a few buddies that do the same.)

I'm heading to a local NH/Deere dealer later today. He takes in a lot of good low-hour trades (From local horse farms) I'll do a little checking around the Louisville area too.

Always glad to help a fellow TBN-er!

 

[Tim_in_IA]

Re: I\'ve outgrown my tractor

I think soundguy had a good idea keeping your usefull smaller machine and getting an old workhorse. As long as it is just straigt fieldwork it don't have to be pretty, and you can find an old 50+ hp field tractor starting at around $2500. My dad just picked up a IH 560 for $2350 and that is a 55-60 hp machine. Start looking around, get an idea what the older stuff is going for, and find a bargain. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif With a little TLC it'll run another 40-50 yrs /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

this is also a good used equip site:

http://www.ironsearch.com

 

[Spiffy]

Re: I\'ve outgrown my tractor

I had to re-read your oringinal post, and I'm still not quite sure. You're saying your exact budget is the sale of your current machine? What percentage of tight places do you have to get into "around the farm"? Do you do any FEL work right now [didn't notice whether you had one now or not]?

If the answer to the middle question is "0"; then you'll be real happy with an ag tractor, and the value of the loader can just factor in to the value of the total package [i.e. you can often get a newer, or better cared for machine with no loader: on the same budget].

Else, I think keeping your current tractor and scrounging up a few $K for a solid but ugly machine is the right answer.

Like Tim just said if you don't need to get too fancy, the HP is out there. Actually, I really like the International Harvester 4 & 560s, and if you're looking for drawbar or FEL work; I think you'd be quite satisified. Side note, these [and over 20 years both directions] are the orginal "die hard" Farmalls the new DX's are named after.....still not sure whether I'm estatic or disappointed in CNH for reviving the name without some revolutionary technology to go with it /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[oh well, fodder for a different forum!]

The caveat is I think you mentioned 3 point. With the circa 1960's IH machines, you'll likely need to spend several hundred for a 3point conversion, find some IH fast hitch implements [maybe some old farmer would throw them into the deal], or go "old school" [not an entirely bad option for 3-16's; maybe small tandom disk, etc] with drawbar attachments.

If you can make a few sacrafices you can get by cheap: maybe age, ugly, obsolete options [like the IH fasthitch], maybe narrow front. I use an IH H around the house; a little unweildy, but $1K with FEL. I'll tell you though, with no PS, no live power, and the NF: my wife is downright scary on the thing. Maybe a IH 400 would suit you. Really, there were some real die hard tractors made by each brand in the '50s, '60s, & '70s (as well as before [pretty early for your purposes], and probably later & still [but the $$$ go up])

Let us know what you find!

 

[jlbash1]

Re: I\'ve outgrown my tractor

Thanks for all the input.

My budget is just what I can sell the current tractor for, I don't have a FEL now, and I don't have too many tight spaces. I really don't have to come close to squeezing my tractor through anything now. I would love a FEL, but think I would be better served with a nicer tractor without a FEL.

I would love to keep the current tractor and get somthing else for the AG type work, but the current budget can't handle it. The other thing is that I am leary of some of the old machines. I'm sure there are lots of great old ones out there, but my personal experience is that everything I own breaks. I spent some $$ on my current tractor (before I was married) and it was a great move, never had any problems and I love it. I'm just afraid of break downs down ther road costing more $$ and time if I buy a really old machine

After looking at the JD 2150 yesterday I don't think the work around here I do would be hindered much by its size. It wasn't that big, but big enough to be more AG oriented. The biggest concerns I have about getting a new tracor are lack of 4wd and the transmission choices. I don't think the 4wd will be a big issue with a tractor with more weight, and I am afraid I'm completely spoiled by the GST transmission I have now. I'd love to find something with a shuttle shift, but who knows.

Thanks again for the advice, I appreciate it all.

I'll keep you updated with what I can find.

Jarrod

 

[Soundguy]

Re: I\'ve outgrown my tractor

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I would love to keep the current tractor and get somthing else for the AG type work, but the current budget can't handle it. The other thing is that I am leary of some of the old machines. I'm sure there are lots of great old ones out there, but my personal experience is that everything I own breaks. I spent some $$ on my current tractor (before I was married) and it was a great move, never had any problems and I love it. I'm just afraid of break downs down ther road costing more $$ and time if I buy a really old machine )</font>

Ok.. lets re-cap. You have your current machine.. need bigger... want to stay new as you can't/won't turn a wrench. Your budget for this new/bigger tractor is equal to what you can sell the new/small tractor for?

I'd say you are stuck.. that would be like trying to make change for a 20 dollar bill and hope to get 25 bucks back /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

As others have mentioned.. if you could scrape up as little as 2500$... you can get something in the 50-60 hp range... as an extra tractor.. then not have to worry about being tractor less due to a breakdown.. plus you won't have a wad of cash tied up in it..

Soundguy

 

[jlbash1]

Re: I\'ve outgrown my tractor

By old I mean that I would rather not get anything older than say the mid 80's. I can do that, many tractors I have seen on the internet sites sell for less than but close to the $10K mark. The problem, so I'm told,is that the size tractor I want to buy aren't that easy to find. It is a popular size and they are snatched up quickly if they are in good shape.

 

[Soundguy]

Re: I\'ve outgrown my tractor

Yep.. mid 80's tractors will still be high $$.. you have to get back into the 60's and 70's to hit the big discounts on $$.

good luck with the search. If you have enough time.. you might turn up a gem that is still new enough, and fits in your budget. Good deals DO come along.

Soundguy

 

[BarryinMN]

Re: I\'ve outgrown my tractor

Cash & timing talk when looking at good deals.

Capacity to write a check on the spot helps close the deal.

If you trade to a dealer he will want your tractor at wholesale. At the end of the day you still may have to come up with 20% cash to close the deal.

A 20 year old horse will need repairs just a matter of how much. You may want to consider doubling or tripling your maintenance budget, especially if you have to hire the work done. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[jlbash1]

Re: I\'ve outgrown my tractor

So there is a 1980 M4000 Kubota in the paper, approx. 2000hrs and in "good shape." I called and it's a one owner that has done nothing but pull a bush hog. He's asking $5500, which sounds a little high, but is this a good tractor? Big enough? I've never seen a M4000 in person so any thoughts, I'll have to drive about an hour to go look at it, so if it's not worth the time and effort I'll just skip it.

Thanks

Jarrod

 

[BarryinMN]

Re: I\'ve outgrown my tractor

Can't help on Kubotas nearest dealer is 80+ miles away & no neighbors have one.

I came at a tractor from the opposite direction: old unreliable stuff to newer. Local market for utility class is strong even auction prices are high. I settled on a JD 5420 MFWD class tractor as the one & found a used JD6300 MFWD larger & cheaper but clumsy (turning radius.) Then found a Zetor new, tight turning radius. Cheaper on fuel & don't break when I called around talking to area owners.

Ended up buying a new tractor made by a manufacturer good enough to be a sourcing supplier to JD, higher lifting capacities & avoided spending $10's of thousands more.

My Zetor is 55 HP PTO & 10,000 lbs, it has taken a serious beating in the past year & a 1/2 and not broken yet. Runs in extreme temps -40 to +95. I have been able to bend or break most of the implements I've scrounged at auctions. I found a cheap 4 bottom 18" plow that will make it snort & smoke at full power.

Attached is a pix of a rock the plow dug up /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif the rock fork under it is custom made from truck axles salvaged from my original $50 auction bale fork that collapsed on another rock. Weight is over 5500 lbs.

The old tractors are still in the barn and still break but having a reliable tractor to get stuff done keeps me on schedule.

How big is big enough is your fun job /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I was at a local auction some months back where a JD 4020 went for $10K and a JD 5020 same condition with cab & duals went for $5K. The 5020 is easily 2X the tractor & probably guzzles 10-20 gallons of diesel per hour.

If one of your tasks is baling a baler can make a 4020 buck & snort, add weather, hills, slopes & a wagon if squares, more tractor is better & safer /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I studied the market & test drove used tractors for 2 years off & on, never thought I'd buy a new tractor.