New vs. Used: What's your experience?

[Mech]

OK...amongst all the recommendations/opinions on what tractors to buy, some people suggest new and others say used. I've bought both new and used cars over the years and have to say that while new -- with a good warranty -- offers some peace of mind, used offers often substantial savings and allows getting "more" for your money. Of course the trick is how can you avoid the headaches that come with wear and tear of used equipment?

So my question is, for those of you who have bought used: do you regret it? Would you do it again? Are tractors different than cars -- better built -- so that buying used (with low hours) isn't as much of a risk?

OK, that's three quesitons, but they's all trying to get at the same issue: new or used, which way do you lean based on your experience (not just your opinion).

Thanks!

Dave

I bought a gray market Yanmar, without seeing it, from a "dealer" in Texas. I have a long thread in the Yanmar section titled "If you are thinking about buying a gray market tractor" if you want to read about it. I got most of my money back and bought a new 790, a Yanmar also but I now have a dealer 20 miles, not 1000 miles away. I was very lucky, some have not been, and some have had good experiences. My previous 2 tractors were all used, Ford and John Deere and they were great.

 

[greggh]

I bought my first tractor a JD 2020 used. The one thing that I did do was take an experienced person along to evaluate the tracror. It was a great purchase, it was soooo good that someone borrowed it and forgot to bring it back.

 

[mwb]

I looked for a used machine for a long time; I found that prices were too high for a reasonable machine with a loader.

When the dollar value changed last fall and tractor prices dropped in Canada I took the plunge and bought new. I could have purchased a TC33 with 1500 hours for $16K or a brand new Montana 3940HST for $19. Plus the perk of real 0% financing made it a no brainer. I think it is a buyers market right now; people selling used machine have to compete with the much better prices (now) of the used ones.

I have no fear of buying used, tractors are built to last and with a little homework you can be sure of what you are getting.

 

[N80]

I bought new but looked at new and used. As a new buyer a 'fixer-upper' was not appealing to me and anything with low hours and/or in good shape cost nearly as much as new. Throw in Kubota's 0% financing and that sealed the deal. In some cases this made it cheaper to buy new.

After a few years of experience and a lot of reading here at TBN, I'd be a lot more willing to buy an older tractor that was a bargain but might need some work or at least TLC. I at least feel like I know what to look for in a used machine. But if a good, low hour used machine costs a few thousand less than a comparable new one, and there is a low finance deal on the new one, then I'd still go for the new one. (All of that presumes that I'd be borrowing money to pay for either one. If I were paying cash, the used one looks a lot more appealing.)

 

[AlanB]

I buy used, (and often rough) as I usually want more machine then my wallet can handle. For me it works well as I can usually repair what goes sideways, WHEN, not if it does.

I have a close freind that is not mechanicly inclined, and pays others too work on his equipment. New is a good way for him, as when he buys used, it often costs more (paying someone else to repair) then the machines are worth.

I think it depends greatly not only on the particular machine in question, but the operator, and the repairer of the machine, and it's intended use.

 

[flusher]

OK...amongst all the recommendations/opinions on what tractors to buy, some people suggest new and others say used. I've bought both new and used cars over the years and have to say that while new -- with a good warranty -- offers some peace of mind, used offers often substantial savings and allows getting "more" for your money. Of course the trick is how can you avoid the headaches that come with wear and tear of used equipment?

So my question is, for those of you who have bought used: do you regret it? Would you do it again? Are tractors different than cars -- better built -- so that buying used (with low hours) isn't as much of a risk?

OK, that's three quesitons, but they's all trying to get at the same issue: new or used, which way do you lean based on your experience (not just your opinion).

Thanks!

Dave

I bought my first tractor in May 05, a new Kubota B7510HST (21 hp engine, 17 hp pto, 4WD) with the LA302 FEL (4-ft bucket). Looked at used Yanmars, but decided to go with the Bota since I needed a reliable tractor for work around my new house (excavating for paver block walkways and patio, plowing and rototilling the landscaped area, general material hauling with the FEL).

In July06 I bought a 1964 MF-135 diesel (45 hp engine, 37 hp pto, 2WD) in good running condition, but in need of a lot of cleanup, rewiring, new gauges, repainting. Learned a lot about tractors refurbising that 135.

In Mar08 I traded the Kubota for a new Mahindra 5525 (55 hp engine, 45 hp pto, 2WD) to have more hp for haying (plowing, discing, baling). Assuming that the 5525 is reliable and trouble free, I'll probably not be buying a new tractor again. But I'm always looking for a used tractor as a restoration project (e.g. Farmall Cub, Farmall H, Allis Chalmers WD).

 

[jaybrad]

I found it impossible to find a used tractor set up like I wanted - and with the 0% financing on new ones (and dealers not willing to give much of a 'cash sale' discount), I bought a new tractor.

I don't usually buy new cars, but I do look for cars that have been well maintained and carefully used - things that are difficult for me to assess on a tractor.

Of course, now that I have bought and paid for a new one, that should mean a significant drop in selling prices for the rest of you.

Jay

 

[Mickey_Fx]

The answer is going to be different for all of us. One issue is availability of used machines to choose from, another is ones personal ability to evaluate a used model and if buying used, ones ability to turn a wrench if/when needed.

Personally I've had 5 tractors if one includes the GT's (garden tractor). Only the current GT was new and that was due to the insurance Co paying for it.

Still have my first GT a 70 model. Still gets used every yr. Bought a used JD 318 and had it for about a doz yrs. Both the used models were relitively trouble free.

Now have a CUT and long time ago had a full sized Utility model. Bought a MF 165D when it was about 10-12 yrs old, worked it hard for the few yrs I kept it. Had a leaky PTO seal when purchased and that is the total problems I had with that machine. Seem to recall it had about 1800 hrs on it when purchased and about 2400 when sold. For the CUT, my Yanmar, late 80's model, have had it 3 yrs and no problems so far.

Never had a need to hire someone to turn a wrench so this has never been a issue for me.

Personally, I've saved a bunch by buying used.

 

[EastTexFrank]

I bought both my tractors new because at the time I was looking (B2400 and L4740), the used market for both models was very scarce and if you could find one, the price was almost the same as new. The Compact market is a little more populated now but not many of them come up for resale used. Around here you can get a much better deal on used utility tractors, especially in the 50 - 100hp range with anything from 500 to 3000 hours on them. In that case I would be tempted to buy used if I could save a buck or two and it looked as if it had been well cared for and not abused.

 

[yankee7]

Hey Mech! I just noticed you're from Pine, CO my old stomping grounds! Small world! I lived off Sunset Dr. for about 5 years before moving to Collbran (so my wife could be closer to her folks). I don't know if we ever crossed paths, but you never know. Thanks for your experience. I've been warned about "gray market" deals and plan on staying away from them if I decide to go used. One of the previous posters made a good point about the cost of newer used tractors are so close to the new ones that with the dealers offering 0% financing, there's really no difference, if any. Don't know how I'll finally decide, but everyone's input has been very helpful.

Dave

I bought a gray market Yanmar, without seeing it, from a "dealer" in Texas. I have a long thread in the Yanmar section titled "If you are thinking about buying a gray market tractor" if you want to read about it. I got most of my money back and bought a new 790, a Yanmar also but I now have a dealer 20 miles, not 1000 miles away. I was very lucky, some have not been, and some have had good experiences. My previous 2 tractors were all used, Ford and John Deere and they were great.