Comparison More hours or More Years

[Jay4200]

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.

For your example, I'd choose neither - a year or a 100 hours means nothing - I'd go with what I felt was in better condition and better maintained. Check out the sellers other stuff - if everything in his garage is immaculate, buy that tractor. If there's broken stuff all over the place, look elsewhere. Now, if choosing a few more hours over something that is, say, 5 years older, that would be a consideration.

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?

For trouble-free, 2000. I consider 2000 hours equivalent to 100k miles on a car. OTOH, my tractor (L4200GST) has 2600+ and runs like a top. I hope to get a solid 4000 out of it, but I have had to fix a couple of minor things.

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?

No - just about all CUTs have FELs. It is not fair to compare them to plows on trucks, which bend frames and harass transmissions. A plow on a FEL could bend the FEL arms, however. Besides, who wants a CUT that doesn't have a FEL? I wouldn't buy a tractor w/o one.

JayC

 

[teg]

It's a chance that the 2005 could actually have an older Serial Number vs. the 2004. Tractors can "sit" on dealer lots for some time. I don't think those hours are too low either (and that *is* just because I only have 320 hours on my 2005!!!). I don't think that's a problem at all.

I would go over and look at those tractors and not just look at the tractor but the house and garage area... if everything is kept in perfect condition, the tractor is most likely kept the same way. If everything looks like a junk yard... well, you get the point. :2cents:

 

[5030]

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.

At least in my perspective, when I buy a used piece of equipment the final deal breaker-maker is seeing firsthand where the equipment came from and who owned it. you can tell volumes about equipment by observing the equipment's previous home.

Like my new to me 575 NH. I knew the previous owner, knew what he ran through it and knew his maintenance program. He traded in the bailer for a newer one while I was contemplating buying an upgrade. he wouldn't be able to finance me but NH credit was (at a really good rate I might add).... so I bought his bailer from a dealer. I knew what I was getting into beforehand, knew what it needed (nothing) and knew how it was maintained.

The same thing worked for my old bailer. I traded it, but provided the maintenance records to the dealer, who had it sold before I even turned it in. The new owner is happy, has the records and my telephone number if a problem arises, whuch, it won't. I'm happy becaue I got top dollar for it.

My only comment about a FEL is so long as the tractor came with the FEL new, from the factory, with all factory gussets and stress plates and appropriate mountings, then it's a no brainer. An aftermarket loader, would cause me concern.