New member seeking tractor wisdom

[nmextex]

I was referred to this site as the most grounded and reasonable tractor knowledge site on the web. I'd appreciate your comments and advice on the following two questions. We have made a decision to move back to the country and have acquired about 46 acres. The primary use is will be hay production and livestock grazing. I have been researching used, 50hp utility tractors (FEL, 2WD), with moderate hours for purchase. This is my first tractor and it will not be used to cut/rake/bale hay as that is happening through family but it will be used to put out round bales, mow, misc/general clean up/bucket work, etc. Do you have any advice on a particular brand in terms of price/performance or best channels in which to purchase. I have been using tractorhouse.com, classifieds, auction websites, etc, to search for tractors.

Last question (and I apologize for the lengthy post), I have found a seller that has the following for sale: Long 1998/99 2510,50hp, 3 cyl diesel, 960hr, 2wd, rear weights, rear dual hydraulic, joystick loader, canopy, FEL and bucket is quick attach., 5220lbs total weight. I am not familiar with Long other than the FarmTrac dealers state they will service Long. He is asking 8500.00. Do you have any feedback on the pros/cons of investing in a Long tractor and/or if 8500 is a fair asking price? Thank you in advance.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

I have found a seller that has the following for sale: Long 1998/99 2510,50hp, 3 cyl diesel, 960hr, 2wd, rear weights, rear dual hydraulic, joystick loader, canopy, FEL and bucket is quick attach., 5220lbs total weight. I am not familiar with Long other than the FarmTrac dealers state they will service Long. He is asking 8500.00. Do you have any feedback on the pros/cons of investing in a Long tractor and/or if 8500 is a fair asking price? Thank you in advance.

Welcome to TBN! I don't have any advice on your current needs or the Long 2510, but I did a search for that tractor using the Search utility on this forum, and found several threads including this one: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/all-other-brands/75461-long-tractor-pricing-reliabilty-parts.html?highlight=long+2510. They do mention parts availabilty being an issue, and that the 3-pt lift is kinda weak for the HP.

Since you have family doing farming in the area you're moving to, did you ask them for advice on a tractor?

Good luck!

 

[EddieWalker]

Deciding on what brand of tractor isn't nearly as important as being able to survice it and keep it running. This is especially true if you need it for work, as compared to allot of us who have tractors for fun.

Talk to neighbors and ask who the best dealer is in your area. Kuboto makes a very good tractor, but if the dealer isn't very good, then the tractor is useles to you. The same is true for all brands of tractors.

I would avoid the grey market tractors due to your need of the tractor for the farm. They have there place and are fine for those who can wait for parts to arive, but not for you. Tractors break down. Used tractors break down more then new ones. It's a fact and a big part in what to buy.

Find the dealer you want to use, then come back here and ask about specific models. Used or new, it's a good discussion. HP and features are also good to talk about, but the brands are too dependent on support to recomend one over another.

Eddie

 

[weldingisfun]

Welcome nmextex.
From your name, is it safe to assume you are up in the Panhandle, Amarillo or Lubbock area? If so a 2wd will probably satisfy your need. It is flat in most of that area. Don't totally rule out 4wd tho'. If you plan on using the FEL very much the 4wd is a real advantage.
Eddie, spelled out some good things to consider before buying. And, BillG_in_TX recommendation to talk to the family who will be doing the cutting and baling is right on the mark. What kind of equipment are they using? If they are happy with it, find out why. Then if that all make sense to you, look at for same manufacturer they are using. A side benefit to using the same type of equipment is that they can help you fix it since they use it too and will have some experience.

 

[mark4Jesus]

Again welcome to TBN!
My suggestion is to look, touch, drive and play with all the name brands that are available in your area within a distance that you don't mind driving. Then make up your mind which brand/model you like the best and find the best used one that you can. Be patient, you can find a good used tractor at a good price, it just may not be immediately. There are many factors that will influence your decision on what to buy, comfort, how easy are the controls to get to for you, noise, etc. Make sure that you are happy with the tractor AND the dealer. There are many posts on TBN where someone wished they had bought another tractor because of lousy dealer support. My experience when I looked at tractors that individuals were selling was that they were wore out and needed maintenance. Although that won't always be the case.
Hope this helps, welcome and good hunting!

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Eddie hit the nail on the head. Take a consensus from neighbors about local dealers and then pick a tractor that they'll support. You seem to be in the right zone about the size and Hp, but don't rule out 4WD. It will cost more up front but will give much, much more usage and if you sell it, you'll get the difference in cost back. 2WD is cheaper and less moving parts, but in my case, I'd be cussing it more times than not. 2WD is great for row cropping in mostly dry conditions. A big ag tractor with 2WD is very capable due to the rear tire size but, ask anyone who has switched to 4WD how they like it....I bet you'll get the same answer over and over. Shear love....

 

[thcri]

I don't think I can add to what others said. Your in the right HP range. I can only emphasize that dealer support and service is most important. Do some research and get to know your dealers well. Which one do you think is going to give you the best service after the sale? Anyone can sell you a good tractor cheap. Very few can give you a good deal and good service.

murph

 

[flusher]

I was referred to this site as the most grounded and reasonable tractor knowledge site on the web. I'd appreciate your comments and advice on the following two questions. We have made a decision to move back to the country and have acquired about 46 acres. The primary use is will be hay production and livestock grazing. I have been researching used, 50hp utility tractors (FEL, 2WD), with moderate hours for purchase. This is my first tractor and it will not be used to cut/rake/bale hay as that is happening through family but it will be used to put out round bales, mow, misc/general clean up/bucket work, etc. Do you have any advice on a particular brand in terms of price/performance or best channels in which to purchase. I have been using tractorhouse.com, classifieds, auction websites, etc, to search for tractors.

Last question (and I apologize for the lengthy post), I have found a seller that has the following for sale: Long 1998/99 2510,50hp, 3 cyl diesel, 960hr, 2wd, rear weights, rear dual hydraulic, joystick loader, canopy, FEL and bucket is quick attach., 5220lbs total weight. I am not familiar with Long other than the FarmTrac dealers state they will service Long. He is asking 8500.00. Do you have any feedback on the pros/cons of investing in a Long tractor and/or if 8500 is a fair asking price? Thank you in advance.

Welcome to TBN.

$8500 is about right for that 2510 without the FEL. It's what a dealer would ask for a clean tractor (everything works OK, sheet metal not too banged up, not a rust bucket, no major fluid leaks, etc.).

It's a failry low-hour tractor, but you need to find out how it was used (mostly for mowing, mostly for plowing/tilling, etc). That will tell you something about how hard the engine and transmission has been worked by the previous owner(s).

The FEL is probably worth at least $800-1000, so if the tractor works OK, then I'd go for it.

Don't know anything about Long's reputation for reliability. I assume there's a Farmtrac dealer in your area. At about 4200 lb the 2510 is not very heavy and could be toted to the shop for service via a twin axle trailer and an F250 class pickup.

Don't know how many of your 46 acres you plan to farm, but if it's more than 20 acres, I'd look for something in the 70hp (engine) range.

 

[nmextex]

Thank you to all who replied. I am unable to buy a new tractor at this point so I am searching the used market. It looks like parts & service availability/focus is one of the key decision criteria for my situation. I appreciate the help and look forward to learning more through this site.

 

[Soundguy]

Find a good used one by a major brand that had high production numbers. the higer the production number.. the better the chance you can get parts and service for it..

Soundguy