Comparison More hours or More Years

[BStraight]

Hello everyone!

I'm in the market for a small tractor, one of those purty orange ones. I few questions for those who have alreade gone there...

1) Would you choose a tractor with more years of age or more hours? For example a 2004 B7800 with 400 hrs vs a 2005 B7800 with 500 hrs.

2) How many hours useful life do these size tractors really have - I want to do minimum wrenching on this equipment. For example: my rule of thumb for cars is 100k; rider mower with small gas engine is 500 hrs. What do you use for 3 cyl diesel on a small tractor?

3) I know Front End Loaders are really useful/popular but do they take a toll on the tractor like a plow on a pickup truck does? I know that there are those who can drive a pickup and use a plow every year and not bust up their truck, however if I'm buying a used pickup I would choose one that has never had a plow over one that has had a plow, even if I'm going to put a plow on it. Are FEL on a tractor like this also?

 

[Verticaltrx]

I'd rather see a new unit with lots of hours than an old unit with very few hours. There are things that go bad with age (seals, etc) and in cases like that sitting around a lot doesn't do them any favors. Also oils deteriorate sitting around, condensation build up in things, etc.

With good care an regular maintenance I'd expect at least 5000hrs out of a B-series Kubota. Some things will have some wear at that age, but it should still run well and be plenty useable. If I weren't using a tractor every day, and I knew it had been well taken care of I wouldn't hesitate to buy one with 2000hrs on the clock already.

As for the loader, you are right in that a tractor without one will generally be in better shape. They are harder on the front end and related components. There are various types of FEL users though. Some just use them to move mulch and garden materials around, whereas others use them commercially for dirt work, loading trucks, etc. With that said, if you are going to be wanting a loader it is much cheaper to get a tractor with one already on it and deal with the related wear items. A new loader for most of these tractors will run about $3000 or more.

 

[johnrex62]

1) Would you choose a tractor with more years of age or more hours? For example a 2004 B7800 with 400 hrs vs a 2005 B7800 with 500 hrs.

Hours are usually more important than years, generally. In this case the two are so close as to be essentially equal. It would be more useful to examine the condition of the two tractors and pick the one in better condition or better maintained and forget the hours or years in this specific case.

2) How many hours useful life do these size tractors really have - I want to do minimum wrenching on this equipment. For example: my rule of thumb for cars is 100k; rider mower with small gas engine is 500 hrs. What do you use for 3 cyl diesel on a small tractor?

I am new to these as well and do not have a good answer to this. I saw a thread on engines specifically and the general response was in excess of 10,000 hours was not uncommon for the engines. I do not know about the rest of the tractor. I am sure we will hear some informed opinions though.

3) I know Front End Loaders are really useful/popular but do they take a toll on the tractor like a plow on a pickup truck does? I know that there are those who can drive a pickup and use a plow every year and not bust up their truck, however if I'm buying a used pickup I would choose one that has never had a plow over one that has had a plow, even if I'm going to put a plow on it. Are FEL on a tractor like this also?

I feel safe is saying the comparison is apples to pit bulls. Trucks were never designed with the intent to hold a plow while these tractors were designed with that use in mind. I think a FEL will put more stress and wear on the front axle than a tractor without one will see, but it is not unplanned stress. I think the front end of a truck can be modified or supported to deal with those stresses a plow can add, but the other supporting parts need to be considered and excess stress can do more damage to a truck.

I would not worry about a CUT that has a FEL as a standard attachment. I would be more concerned about one that has an aftermarket FEL because it was not marketed with one, but even those I think are better able to withstand the stress than a the truck/snow plow scenario. I don't think you have anything to be concerned about in this department.

 

[crazyal]

For me it depends on the tractor. If it's a HST then either lower hours or I would want to know who has done the work and that it's had all the maintenance done when it was suppose to be done. Servicing tractors tend to be expensive. If you've invested $30k or more a $250 DIY or $400 dealer service is something you accept. If you are talking a tractor like the 7800, a great tractor that didn't cost a lot the owner could have been tempted to stretch things out.

 

[5030]

My 2 tractors don't have a bunch of hours on them. They actually accumulate less than 100 hours per year and the 105 is closer to 50 hours per year.

I would be more concerned about being able to see the maintenance records, something I always include when I trade in a tractor and request if I buy used equipment.

Seals and such only go bad from sitting for extended periods with no use whatsoever and newer materials (in seals) will go a long time without problems.

I've seen firsthand, dormant, unused equipment that sat idle for 3 years, put back into service with no problems whatsoever.

It's all about maintenance and how the equipment was taken care of.

 

[art]

It's not a old wifes tale when they say that the worst thing is to start your engine for wear! The more times you are starting it and the less that it runs in duration the worse it is for your engines lubrication system. To run a diesel cold can cause cylinder glazeing.

The engines with high hours are running for longer periods with less starting and operating at proper temperature for more hours. That is how there are these high hour engines. Normally in these applications they are serviced at proper intervals and might even have extended service protection programs on them.

About the years on a tractor! Older tractors might have a few more leaks of most any kind. On another note, many cars are designed for ten years or 100,000 miles which ever comes first, Where will a tractors electrical system be?

I don't mean to scare you of a kubota tractors electrical system but some times people don't splice in the lights or other attachments right and with time it will show up.

 

[whistlepig]

If the tractors I were choosing from had the same features I would pick hours over years.

 

[TripleR]

In looking at a used tractor, I consider a variety of factors. An older tractor kept in a garage is going to be better than a bit newer one left in the weather. I like to know how the hours were put on, ie., type of work. Maintenance is also a consideration.

Of the two, hours v age, hours are more important to me, but I really focus on overall condition.

My brother and I have done pretty good buying tractors in less than ideal condition as he is a mechanic, but if I am buying for myself, I go new or one in excellent condition.

As to the FEL, I pretty much agree with johnrex62 and especially if it is a MFWD.

 

[bigbull338]

some people buy a tractor to play with,meaning they use it less than 50hrs a year.an others buy a tractor to work putting alot of hours on it in a year.most CUTs are older low hour tractors.my tractor is less than a year old an it has over 80hrs on it.

 

[BStraight]

My thanks to everyone who replied to my question. My conclusion is that I will look for a unit up to about 10 yrs with less than about 1000 hrs preferably used every year (not parked for the last 5 yrs) and I will ask about maintenance performed.

Hopefully I can resist the 0 down and 0 interest for 60 months I just saw listed on new units long enough to zero in on a good used machine.