Ok, first I learned a nice $5000 used tractor is more likely a $10000 one

[Lelandwelds]

cheap plastic stinks, sometimes literally. Quality plastic is a superior product. Ever handle a gen 3 glock?
Emissions stuff was sub par on cars in the 1970s and 1980s. Today? Who even mentions the stuff?

Ever hit a gen 3 Glock against a tree? Plastic has it's place, tractor fenders and hoods isn't one of them.

Emissions on diesels (mainly DEF & regens) just started 10 years ago give or take a couple, go talk to any diesel mechanic and ask them what the biggest problems they have these days.

These are just personal preference on my part. If you buy a smaller tractor chances are it won't have emissions on it anyway. If you don't plan on going through trees etc. then plastic is okay. Plastic fenders wouldn't last long with what I use my tractor(s) for.

Actually,lol, I have seen a Glock hammered against more than a tree. I have seen motorcycle accidents where the helmet took an impressive hit and a lot of road rash. I have seen a fist around a plastic tape measure survive bouncing a 12 inch I beam knocked off sawhorses against a concrete floor. I have seen plastic stop a 7.62 x 39 round at 10 feet.

I don't know how good JD is at building fenders.

Today's biggest problems (or most exasperating ) seem to be regens, sensor, or computer related. Problem seems to be solved by swapping parts until it quits. Lots of guessing and doubts.

 

[ch1ch2]

Swapping parts can be expensive. But if you do not swap more than 3 you can usually save some money over the cost of hauling your tractor to the shop and paying the excessively high labor rate.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Swapping parts can be expensive. But if you do not swap more than 3 you can usually save some money over the cost of hauling your tractor to the shop and paying the excessively high labor rate.

There is a lot wrong with that idea. I have known guys who like a motoguzzi, or Carmen ghia who buy one to drive and extras to work on and as part donors.

I am unwilling to start a tractor collection. Or, a tractor part collection.

 

[kthompson]

I would say if you want to be safe on all these then buy you any major brand say from before 2000 and you will find parts, metal and no computer.

I have two Kubotas and one JD. JD has plastic fenders and have to have replaced and have had to replace the plastic part of the fenders on my M Kubota. Both have plastic and wood and metal will shatter both brands of plastic and will bend any brand of metal. The Kubota has more metal than the JD and also more rust. JD few years new but Kubotas hasve little rust spots all over them, if you will just stop and look. I like the JD hood, think it is fiberglass but not sure.

No experience with the other brands that are minor players in the US market so have no real idea on anyone of them but Yanmar would not be scared of. Farm Trac and Long were brands in my general area for good many years and now where are they? That is my concern with any brand that is not a major brand. I think there are too many labels in the US market for all to make it.

 

[ch1ch2]

Which idea is there something wrong with?
Swapping part being expensive or swapping 3 or less might be worth it.?

 

[ch1ch2]

I would say if you want to be safe on all these then buy you any major brand say from before 2000 and you will find parts, metal and no computer.

I have two Kubotas and one JD. JD has plastic fenders and have to have replaced and have had to replace the plastic part of the fenders on my M Kubota. Both have plastic and wood and metal will shatter both brands of plastic and will bend any brand of metal. The Kubota has more metal than the JD and also more rust. JD few years new but Kubotas hasve little rust spots all over them, if you will just stop and look. I like the JD hood, think it is fiberglass but not sure.

No experience with the other brands that are minor players in the US market so have no real idea on anyone of them but Yanmar would not be scared of. Farm Trac and Long were brands in my general area for good many years and now where are they? That is my concern with any brand that is not a major brand. I think there are too many labels in the US market for all to make it.

I agree. My tractors are major brands before 2000.
Most problems can be identified with just a little trouble shooting.

When I was employed, we fixed our own forklifts until we got the new fancy forklifts with computers. Then we had to call in outside help when a forklift had issues. Maintenance cost quadrupled.

 

[ericm979]

Tractors under 75hp do not have DEF. The emissions requirements are less stringent than trucks. The SCR system that uses DEF is not needed. A DPF is enough Most CUTs with DPF and regens have no issues. Regens are no problem if they happen while working the tractor. There's been a few models that have issues, most notably the Kubota B3350. Other than the few problematic models, people who have problems are often not running the tractors hard enough often enough. It's meant to be worked.

If you're looking at a tractor with DPF check the specific forum for that make and see if people have had problems with that model.

 

[Tractorable]

Diesel emissions systems aren’t as mature a technology as gas emissions systems. Give it another decade and you should be good LOL.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Which idea is there something wrong with?
Swapping part being expensive or swapping 3 or less might be worth it.?

I dread the guessing. Further guessing is worse. Unsure if you made wild enough guesses or quit guessing too soon is wrong.

Diesel emissions systems aren稚 as mature a technology as gas emissions systems. Give it another decade and you should be good LOL.

If I keep having unplanned expenses , that may become the plan by default.

I agree. My tractors are major brands before 2000.
Most problems can be identified with just a little trouble shooting.

When I was employed, we fixed our own forklifts until we got the new fancy forklifts with computers. Then we had to call in outside help when a forklift had issues. Maintenance cost quadrupled.

My mechanical skills are spotty. Sometimes I am brilliant and my friends are impressed. Sometimes, I can't get the last spark plug out.

Tractors under 75hp do not have DEF. The emissions requirements are less stringent than trucks. The SCR system that uses DEF is not needed. A DPF is enough Most CUTs with DPF and regens have no issues. Regens are no problem if they happen while working the tractor. There's been a few models that have issues, most notably the Kubota B3350. Other than the few problematic models, people who have problems are often not running the tractors hard enough often enough. It's meant to be worked.

If you're looking at a tractor with DPF check the specific forum for that make and see if people have had problems with that model.

The Bobcat has 75 hp and that is plenty. I guess the DEF complainers are more strident or just a more interesting read?

Good advice but I am having a little trouble narrowing down to a single model to follow the brand specific threads. To bad I don't have some family team brand loyalty.

 

[MickeyDBC]

If you post your location (central Texas is pretty big) you will probably get some good input on dealers and maybe even a decent used machine for sale. When I started my hunt last year (wanted a utility tractor with MFWD) all I found were over priced over worked machines. Some had suspected flood damage from the hurricane, others cost within 10K of a new one and had major problems. Ended up going new on the tractor and used on most of my implements and it has worked out well. Other than one small hydraulic leak (they put in the wrong o-ring when they added a hydraulic remote) the tractor has been flawless so it gives me time to fix all of the other stuff that breaks (implements, fences, house, etc...).

Good luck on your hunt.