Looking for my first tractor! Can anyone recommend a nice little CUT?

[Fartbreath]

So ive been doing research for my first tractor and Im still doing research on the makes and models and all that. Hoping someone can answer a few questions for me!

First off, I'm looking for something small to do loader work. Mainly just moving soil / snow and the like. I dont have a huge budget, maybe 3500 max. From what I've seen out there, Kubotas and Mitsubishi variants from the late 70s to early 90s fit the bill and they seem pretty common. A kubota b7100 for example would be perfect, but the Mitsubishis are a bit more affordable.

I don't mind getting a fixer upper, but I am a bit worried about parts. What brands or models have the best part support? Are most of the parts available for models readily available? What brands / models should I avoid? Also, there's some hydrostatics out there that I see. Are they generally reliable or would I be better off getting a gear transmission?

Any other model recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[jeff9366]

Kubota and Deere are way ahead in parts for older models.

This is partly because parts for older models are a corporate priority and partly because these two brands dominate the compact tractor market, so they have some volume of demand for vintage parts. Deere has one plant in Waterloo, Iowa dedicated just to vintage tractor replacement parts.

(Kubota has almost 50% compact tractor market share in USA; Deere has 20%.)

That said, it becomes very expensive to set up small runs of low demand parts for vintage tractors so prices of low volume vintage parts are often breathtaking.


The old 2-WD Ford gas tractors, models 8n, 2n, 9n etc. generally produced from 1939 - 1955 in huge volumes when men were conscripted off farms during WWII, are available for $3,500. Parts are readily available from non-Ford suppliers at somewhat reasonable prices. Very few have loaders. You must be very careful operating early tractors or they will bite you or worse.

 

[Fartbreath]

Kubota and Deere are way ahead in parts for older models.

This is partly because parts for older models are a corporate priority and partly because these two brands dominate the compact tractor market, so they have some volume of demand for vintage parts. Deere has one plant in Waterloo, Iowa dedicated just to vintage replacement parts.

(Kubota has almost 50% compact tractor market share in USA; Deere has 20%.)

That said, it becomes very expensive to set up small runs of low demand parts for vintage tractors so pricing of low volume vintage parts are often HIGH.

Gotcha. I do have a john deere garden tractor and I generally have no issues wth finding parts for it. Ill have to check out the JD compacts.

 

[Fartbreath]

Loader work - you want a hydrostatic.
Parts - Kubota and Deere are probably the best choices.
$3,500 budget - that's going to be very difficult.

Yeah. I see nice gear kubotas for around 3500 with loaders but the hydro models jump up in price big time. I really don't mind working gear but I hear hydro is the way to go with loaders.

 

[jeff9366]

HST transmission tractors have been refined over the last twenty years. 90% of new compact tractors are sold with HST transmissions. Minimal demand for clutch & gear transmissions today, NEW or USED.

Considering tractors older than 15 or 20 years I would go with gear over early HST, if you are competent at operating clutch & gear vehicles.

Considerable loader work on a contemporary tractor? HST for sure.

 

[shooterdon]

Look at the 655, 755, 855 John Deere. These are decent machines with Yanmar engines.

I bought one last year with HST in your price range but put $2k into it. I had the dealer do the work so figure half that if you do the wrenching. It came with FEL, MMM, tiller, blade, rake and brush hog.

You will need to be patient to meet your budget

Good luck

 

[cholland]

I was thinking and searching like you 2-3 years ago. Good deals will come up, but they are few and seemed like I missed them by 15 minutes every time. I kept saving money and looking. Eventually I decided with the right implements a new tractor could do so much for me on 20 ac. it would be worth the investment to just purchase a new one. Assuming the reliability would be more satisfying than down time repairing things on a decades old tractor.
By the time I figured that out, I had saved a good down payment and took the plunge. Everyone's situation is different. For me it's turned out to be a great choice.

Deere will have the best parts availability, but you pay a premium price for that security. Most brand names you recognize will have decent support. Proximity to and a good relationship with a dealer and service or at least a source for parts would be high on my list in determining what brand of tractor I might consider.
My experience is limited to Case, Deere, Kubota and Kioti. I think you will find more tractor for the money with a Kioti or Kubota.

Whatever you do, don't buy something to small for your needs. Once you do have one you will wonder how you got along without it.

 

[searcyfarms]

heres 2500 in our neck of the woods

1982 Kubota 71hst Tractor - farm & garden - by owner - sale