New Tractor or Used

wmonroe · Aug 31, 2014

How many acres is the wooded area you want to brush hog to keep open? How many acres is the open area you want to plant for food plots? How much time do you want to spend? 100+ acres of open tillable field can take a long time on a small machine, but a big 150 hp cab tractor won't work in the woods so well. We need more details.

Gary Fowler · Aug 31, 2014

If you are just bush hogging under hardwoods to keep the scrub brush at bay then a 40-45 HP tractor would be ideal. It would be big enough to take on some tough brush and still small enough to get under the limbs. You may have to put on a brush guard similar to what dozers have for clearing, slide bars from front to rear to raise limbs up and over the operator platform. There are some pretty nice ones built by TBN members, just do a search.
This size tractor would handle an 8 foot disk also for your small food plots. 4 WD will allow a 45 HP tractor to perform like a 60 HP or larger 2 WD. I would also look for something with an FEL. When I bought my first tractor with FEL, I was a bit skeptical of the need, but it is an invaluable tool for a tractor.
I also use my back hoe a lot and wouldn't want to be without it. Some folks claim that they are too expensive and should be rented when needed. I use mine just about every time I get on my tractor. I have used it to remove dead trees & stumps, thin out trees in a thicket, dig up rocks (you likely don't have that problem in Florida), dig trenches for irrigation/water lines and drainage, clean out silted in ponds and plant trees. No more shoveling for me. This fall's chore is using it to dig out a bunch of rocks from a new garden spot, they just keep appearing so now I am digging down about 12-18" and getting as many as I find out. I am sure I will have to contend with some missed small ones but getting out the softball to basket ball sized ones that harass my tiller is the priority.

Used can be just a good as new if you find a bargain. Rarely do you find someone selling a slightly used machine in good shape that is not as much as a new one. IF financing the purchase, I would surely go with new rather than new. Many can be had for 0% interest financing AND you can add your equipment needed in on the same payment @0% interest also.

newbury · Aug 31, 2014

louis2244 said:
I have 100+ acres of recreational land in North Florida that is a combination of hard woods and open and cultivatable land that I want to manage for deer, turkey, duck and dove hunting. I need to mow/bush hog the hardwoods to keep the land open for the turkeys, plant food plots for the deer and turkey, and disk and cut in brown top millet for the doves. I have a small floodable area (3-4 acres) that I would like to plant annually with corn or other crop that I would flood in the fall to attract waterfowl. I will need to do some light road maintenance with a box blade. What size tractor would be ideal for these requirements and should I look for a new or used tractor. Since the property is about 1.5 hours from my home I want something reliable that I can count on with minimal maintenance. Looking for recommendations.

So fairly level land, some planting and road work. No hills or snow.

paulharvey said:
I'll go counter to that and say a full sized 2wd, used tractor. Maybe a ford-4000 or MF65/165, for discing, bush hogging, ect. I would assume you want to use 6 ft bush hog and 6-7 ft disc.

Edit: I mean counter to the 30-40 hp newer model

I'd agree 2WD and 40-50HP should fit your needs.

/pine said:
IMO...there are two key factors...your budget and your mechanical ability/incentive...

Would you be servicing the tractor yourself? or relying on a dealer etc...?
If you are a capable mechanic etc...you can save a lot of $ comparing new to used...

Tractors are generally quite reliable...once minor issues get resolved...

Good Luck...

Other key factors: distance from dealer if it has to go there, frequency of use (weekend warrior?), to have a cab or not? How soon do you need it? WIll there be a trailer it fit's if needed to get it to the dealer?

Gary Fowler said:
If you are just bush hogging under hardwoods to keep the scrub brush at bay then a 40-45 HP tractor would be ideal. It would be big enough to take on some tough brush and still small enough to get under the limbs. You may have to put on a brush guard similar to what dozers have for clearing, slide bars from front to rear to raise limbs up and over the operator platform. There are some pretty nice ones built by TBN members, just do a search.
This size tractor would handle an 8 foot disk also for your small food plots. 4 WD will allow a 45 HP tractor to perform like a 60 HP or larger 2 WD. I would also look for something with an FEL. When I bought my first tractor with FEL, I was a bit skeptical of the need, but it is an invaluable tool for a tractor.
I also use my back hoe a lot and wouldn't want to be without it. Some folks claim that they are too expensive and should be rented when needed. I use mine just about every time I get on my tractor. I have used it to remove dead trees & stumps, thin out trees in a thicket, dig up rocks (you likely don't have that problem in Florida), dig trenches for irrigation/water lines and drainage, clean out silted in ponds and plant trees. No more shoveling for me. This fall's chore is using it to dig out a bunch of rocks from a new garden spot, they just keep appearing so now I am digging down about 12-18" and getting as many as I find out. I am sure I will have to contend with some missed small ones but getting out the softball to basket ball sized ones that harass my tiller is the priority.

Used can be just a good as new if you find a bargain. Rarely do you find someone selling a slightly used machine in good shape that is not as much as a new one. IF financing the purchase, I would surely go with new rather than new. Many can be had for 0% interest financing AND you can add your equipment needed in on the same payment @0% interest also.

Bargains are out there. I've posted frequently of bargains I've seen and gotten at Public Surplus auctions.

Example:
1991 Kubota L3450 Tractor $4,400
John Deere Tractor Loader 4WDmdl 5300 $9,700
Ford Tractor 3910, $5,200
2002 Massey Ferguson Model 271XE 4x4 Tractor, red and white, 994 hours, with AC unit on top. <12k
2000 Kubota L35 tractor with Front bucket and backhoe attached$10,702 (I should have bought that one!!)
1994 John Deere Tractor with Post Driver $8,900 (or maybe that one)

Or mine -

$11,500. 50HP and 2 rear remotes.

There are other auction sites, CL, local ads and Barlows. If your young, have the money, and are going to be able to work it several hundred hours a year new will be worth it IMHO. But I only hope to be able to use mine for another 20 years.

Used will likely require some maintenance, I've had to replace 4 hoses or so and front tires on my M4700 and front tires on my B7610.

If your like many of us you will soon want things like a post hole digger (PHD), tiller, discs, etc. For every grand you don't spend on on the tractor you have a grand for equipment.

Try and determine what dealers are near where the tractor will be located and on your 1.5 hr route from home to land.

Good luck and keep us posted

louis2244 · Aug 31, 2014

I'm very appreciative of all the advice. 50 HP and 4WD with FEL are a couple of features I will put at the top of the list. I have a few friends that have tractors that I plan to contact. I will start talking with the local Kubota Dealer to a sense of what a new tractor with the implements I need will cost. I will keep my eye on Craig's List. I like the idea of a backhoe and a front end loader but that may have to be in the nice to have column for now. The suggestion to protect the driver from branches with a protective cage while bush hogging was a good one. What will be best about having a tractor at my disposal is being able to jump on it for an hour or two when I have the time instead of having to dedicate a couple of full time days when I rent one.

I still welcome further ideas and suggestion.