Opinions on a good, cheap, work horse 35HP or so?

horstuff · Apr 2, 2004

Hi. I just arranged for delivery of a new NH TC24D, for $19,700 TLB. I was thinking of going with a NH TC29 or 33D, but decided that the 24 will better suit what I have going on right now (landscape detail work). So, I had a thought - the extra $4000.00 or so it would have cost me to go with the 29 or 33 will go a long way towards purchasing a second tractor, one that is just bare bones but solid and powerful, maybe 35hp or so. I would probably want a FEL on it also. Any opinions about cheap, dependable work horses out there, Chinese or Grey or ???? I'm not too mechanically adept, but if need be, I'm sure I could get by. Thanks.

Bobby

KiotiJohn · Apr 2, 2004

I don't know that going gray would be your best bet as you will pretty much need to do all the work yourself. Most dealers won't even sell you parts for their gray market counterparts let alone work on them for you. Of course there are lots of other mechanics who would. Parts are findable, but difficult at times, and usually expensive. If you go gray market, Yanmar is a great tractor and parts are usually fairly easy to find. I'd try to find one that was originally sold here under their brand. YMxxx instead of YMxxxx. A major supplier of parts is Southern Global in MS. A person there said to stay away from Hinomoto and Shibaura as parts are harder to find. Most any other brand of tractor originally sold in the States will do a good job for you. John

Bob_Skurka · Apr 2, 2004

I think you might be surprised how much work a 24hp tractor can do.

Just my 2-cents, but I would play with your new tractor for a month or two, maybe even 3 or 4 and then decide if you really need another unit. I'm not against owning multiple tractors, in fact I have a Ventrac coming for a test drive and may buy it on the spot, which would make us a 4 tractor family plus the antique tractors that I buy/restore and then sell at a loss /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif (but I have fun doing it and it keeps me out of the bars or out from behind bars).

slowrev · Apr 2, 2004

You might want to check out older US tractors. IE MF 135, IH 2444, JD 2010 , etc . I picked up an IH 1244 a couple of years ago for 4,000. With PS, 3 point, 2 remotes, diff lock, and an industrial grade FEL and separate front pump for the loader. If your "beater" tractor has to have 4WD then you will pay quite a bit more. But if 2WD is ok then about 4-5 K should get you one in good working order.

ljh2 · Apr 2, 2004

horstuff,
Congratulations on your order for the TC24D.

As to the second tractor. Do you actually need 2 tractors, or do you think that the TC24D isn't up to some of your tasks? If it is the latter, you might want to wait until you take delivery of your tractor and try to see if you can do what you need with it.

A 35hp tractor isn't that much larger than what you have on order, and I don't think it will allow you to tackle jobs that are that much bigger. It will just allow you to finish the same type of jobs a little faster. If the bulk of that work is loader work, you might want to just rent a larger loader/TLB or skid-steer for the work that you need to do.

If you actually need a second tractor, you might want to look at an older/used tractor.

You really don't say what your needs are, so it is hard to offer specific advice. Your profile states that you are on 1.5 acres. You'll take up a good part of that just storing 2 tractors. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Only you really know what you want to do with the tractors, but I think from what I can guess, the TC24D will handle anything that you have on 1.5 acres. The $4000 will rent a skidsteer quite a few times if there is heavy loader work to do on an occasional basis.

Good luck with your new rig. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

SPIKER · Apr 2, 2004

The CHINA JINMAs are pretty strong work horses but are gear drive and as such are more situated for long term use such as mowing and or brush hogging and ground engauging equipemnt. I have a 284 28 hp 4 wheel drive and I love it, got a bach hoe and fel with mower and tiller for less than 12K but I assembled it myself. check in the china forum down below for more info and such.

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

rockyridgefarm · Apr 2, 2004

I'd be looking at 45Hp or so, something that can safely handle round bales. As was said, in 2wd they are easy to find cheap. I'd add something like a Ford 5000 ro those already mentioned. It will be far easier to get an older util tractor worked on, than many new or greys.

Machinefinder is a great place to look...

SteveM · Apr 5, 2004

Is it correct that you have just 1.5 acres? two tractors on that lot will have to fight for parking space, maybe I read it wrong. Anyhow i agree to wait and assess your needs first. If you had a bunch of field mowing to do 10 acres or so, a big old US tractor with a 6-7' brush mower would make perfect sense. Since you already have a great compact, the only other types of tractors that make sense would be a lawn tractor for tight mowing, or an aforementioned farm tractor for large area field work.

Poncho · Apr 5, 2004

horsestuff..... I picked up my Massey Ferguson 135 diesel for $3400. It had just had the hydraulics rebuilt and new front bearings installed. It ain't the purtiest out there but it gets the jub done... I've put a lot of wear and tear on it and it's never let me down. I've seen some coparables advertised locally for about the same price.