Need First Tractor. . . I want to learn! ! !

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

rScotty makes a compelling case.

I'll make the opposing case best as I can.

As a brand new tractor owner (3 months in) who knew nothing 3 years ago when I joined TBN, and now know just a little, and who is not mechanical and has little interest in spending my time scraping my knuckles on an engine (except the bare minimum of checking things, tightening things, maybe adjusting a few things) I will simply state: There is nothing like a shiny bran' new tractor with a 2-year bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 7-year powertrain warranty and a good dealer at the other end of the line, ready to help me if any kind of problem arises.

I really think a lot of this comes down to how mechanical you are, or want to learn to be.

One more thing: I tend to hold on to capital with a kung-fu grip, so a $200 monthly payment vs. $16k cash was a no-brainer for me.

 

[rScotty]

rScotty makes a compelling case.

I really think a lot of this comes down to how mechanical you are, or want to learn to be.

One more thing: I tend to hold on to capital with a kung-fu grip, so a $200 monthly payment vs. $16k cash was a no-brainer for me.

I couldn't agree more about the mechanical thing. Tractors are perfect for mechanical type people. Big and simple and inexpensive. Plus an enjoyment of mechanical things gives a person the option of buying used on many things: cars, tractors, houses, and so on. Buying used can save big capital bucks with essentially the same result - decades of enjoyment without paying much for repairs.
But if playing with mechanical things is not enjoyable for you then it just isn't. No point in forcing it. I would never advise someone who isn't already mechanically inclined to buy used, so I'm preaching to the choir. If it is your "thing", then you probably already know and enjoy the advantages. All I can do is point out that the advantages extend to tractors just as with other things.

Uh...I do disagree on payments vs cash. I believe that ultimately, buying for cash will save you money.
rScotty

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

I couldn't agree more about the mechanical thing. Tractors are perfect for mechanical type people. Big and simple and inexpensive. Plus an enjoyment of mechanical things gives a person the option of buying used on many things: cars, tractors, houses, and so on. Buying used can save big capital bucks with essentially the same result - decades of enjoyment without paying much for repairs.
But if playing with mechanical things is not enjoyable for you then it just isn't. No point in forcing it. I would never advise someone who isn't already mechanically inclined to buy used, so I'm preaching to the choir. If it is your "thing", then you probably already know and enjoy the advantages. All I can do is point out that the advantages extend to tractors just as with other things.

Uh...I do disagree on payments vs cash. I believe that ultimately, buying for cash will save you money.
rScotty

Agree 100%

There is no wrong or right here, or one best answer. Diff'rent strokes.

Now houses are a different thing. Give me a shack, I can turn it into a mansion. Engines just aren't my thing.

However, I agree again that if you *have* to learn to wrench on something, do it on a tractor. They are truly rather simple, though it's still a learning curve for someone who has never even done an oil change.

Used vs new, I would have a completely different opinion if the difference between new and used were greater. Used tractors command ridiculous prices IMO. I calculate the value of a 2-3 year bumper-to-bumper warranty plus 7-8 year power train to be several thousand dollars over the lifetime of the tractor. For the non-mechanical this is important. The value of having the tractor properly and regularly serviced from "birth" is hard to quantify, but I like it.

As far as the capital thing, I guess I'm just a pessimist..... I always like having plenty on hand.

Again, no right or wrong answer here IMO. If I were mechanical I'd probably buy an old (and better-made) beast, pay half the price, bring it up to perfect condition, and love every minute of it.

 

[rngrrymd]

Looks like Kioti, Kubota and NH Boomer had backhoe price built in, will have to sit down and figure out the prices less backhoe and re-post.

Might take a bit for that FEL project I'm working on. Requires dealer visits...passed by Wytheville, Va on way down to see grand-kids today...maybe going back home I can hit the RK dealer there. Still have LS, Kioti, Kubota, Massey and Yanmar to check as well. Kioti, LS and RK are the hard ones. Don't think I will get Branson in.

I stopped by dealer this morning on way to see grand-kids down south and behold I finally have a Woods Backhoe but sans the 24" bucket which is still on b/o from Woods until September 9th. Going to be a challenge to get the tractor barn built before December with the time I have available and steadily losing daylight hours. I've lost 1-1/2 months of construction time because of the Woods back-order situation. Will just have to make it happen. In the meantime I'm off to make my 2nd payment on it.....Yeah :smiley_aafz:

 

[Tractorable]

I enjoy mechanical work and all kinds of machines. There isn’t much that I can’t fix. My problem is time, I just don’t have enough of it. Between the full time job, the commute, travel, and family, I just need to press a button and go. Time is my most precious resource.

 

[rScotty]

I enjoy mechanical work and all kinds of machines. There isn稚 much that I can稚 fix. My problem is time, I just don稚 have enough of it. Between the full time job, the commute, travel, and family, I just need to press a button and go. Time is my most precious resource.

That time crunch is one I know well. I grew up doing physical labor & that's what I did for about 35 years. My best talent was that I could always fix most anything & if I didn't have the parts I'd figure out how to either make the parts or make it work some other way. That made me a valuable worker, but it wasn't doing much for myself or my family.

Then sometime in my mid 40s it gradually occurred to me that I might eventually have more time if I tried something completely different.....like working smarter instead of harder.
rScotty

 

[kenmac]

I bought a used 2013 Kubota MX5100 HST 4WD / loader with 380 hours last yr for 24K.
I have had no problems and don't regret buying used one bit.

I wanted nothing to do with the new emissions on new tractors.

You can buy a quality tractor used. With used, most of the problems have already been fixed.

The MX5100 has worked well on my 50 acres

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

I wanted nothing to do with the new emissions on new tractors.

Enjoy the diesel fumes!

 

[jezreel]

Wow! ! ! I have so enjoyed reading the replies. This is exactly what I need to hear. So much experience with owning new and used. It sure would be great to go with the new tractor with all the bells and whistles. And, I might/probly will end up there, but I sure like what rbstern and Erik M have to say about used. By this time next summer, the wife and I will have built a new house and shop, put in a water well, laid a 1300 road and run the electric that far. So. . . The $7k to $10k range sounds REAL good. 16 years ago when we built our house on our 6acres of trees, I really liked the work around the place. I know I値l really enjoy doing the things I have planned for this place. If I thought I could get a good used tractor for under $10k, that would be a good start. And like rScotty suggested, start there and then move on after learning first.

My biggest problem right now is, I知 chomping at the bit! ! !

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Good Evening. . .

I am retiring on Dec. 31 after 30 years in Federal Law Enforcement. The wife and I bought 20 acres in the sticks to build a house, and enjoy the country. Approximately 9 acres of pasture, 11 acres of trees. The land has very sandy loam soil. I plan to have a road laid with "recycled asphalt." Water will be from a well. The pastures have old matted dry grass with large weeds that have taken over (pics will be attached). The sandy soil is, how do I describe it, "bumpy?" Kinda like you might have wet muddy pasture that was driven thru with a tractor, and then it dries with the tire tracks. But this is very sandy, so the bumps could easily be smoothed out. I really want to get the pastures under control with some coastal Bermuda.

Main topic of this thread it to understand what kind of tractor I will need, and what implements.

Questions I will need answered about buying a tractor. At least these are the questions I know of, but I am sure I need advice that I'm not even aware of.

1) What size tractor will get the job done
2) What implements do I need
3) New or Used - I have to spend a lot of money on a house, long road, water well, shop and electricity back to the house, so I have to be careful with my funds. I am ALWAYS more than willing to spend a bit more for new, to have the confidence that it will not break. I just don't know how reliable a moderately priced used tractor is. But, $8,000 for used tractor, implements and trailer vs. $19,000 for a new Package Deal is quite a difference. I am just worried about spending the money on the used tractor, only to find it breaking on me within the first year.
4) New Tractor and Used Implements? ? ?

My brain has absolutely NO tractor knowledge. I have read many threads, and have tried to learn. One thing I have learned is that I need to decide what I want to do with the land, and then decide on a tractor.

So. . . Here are the things I plan to do with the property.

1) Build House
2) We will have no livestock of any kind
3) Will want to plant numerous fruit and pecan trees
4) Will want a decent size garden
5) Will want to rejuvenate pastures from weeds to Bermuda grass
6) Will need to drag some dead fall to the pasture for burning.

Okey Doke. . . I think that is it. I know I am starting a thread that is like opening up the flood gates, but I am ready to start learning. Reading the other threads help, but I reckon I need some dialogue.

Thanks for help. . .

John

Pic of property

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Pic of Weeds and Pasture

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What worked well for us with 15 acres was a $7K John Deere 310B back hole and a $5K Ford 3600 tractor. I grew up with old iron so buying used was not that hard for me. Best of success which ever route you go in retirement.