Buying Advice Orphan tractors - savvy bargain or sucker's bet?

[Rowdy Redneck]

Hello tractor experts, I would greatly appreciate some advice.

I'm looking at USED tractors in the 40-50hp range. A heavy machine and strong front end loader, along with a hydro transmission and four wheel drive are my priorities. A skid steer type bucket would also be nice, as would rear remotes. Don't want a cab. All of the big brands are a bit more expensive than I can handle. I am searching the dealer classified sites and all of the Craigslists within about 300 miles.

I missed out on a couple of sweet deals before I got my money in order, but now that I actually have the cash in the bank there are no great deals in sight. And now I am really needing a machine pretty soon for an upcoming construction project.

Which brings me to the point of this post - "orphan" brands, specifically Montana and Bobcat. I have seen several decent bargains on them, especially Montana, but am wondering if it is worth it. I have done lots of research in regards to the quality of the tractors, and do appreciate that they were made my LS and Kioti, but am wondering if it is foolish to buy one given the lack of direct dealer support, and lack of parts availability. I plan on keeping this tractor for 20 plus years.

These brands seem to be about the only way I can afford a big, powerful tractor. Otherwise I am probably in the 30-35hp range, or getting something incredibly worn out from the bigger companies.

Thanks for your thoughts, RR

 

[Industrial Toys]

I had used equipment that I always hoped I would make money with. The first job I went on, I blew a hydraulic hose on my way there!

I have had contractors that have used equipment that often broke down. Not good.

Many contractors just rent good, nice equipment and lets the customer pay for it. Let the rental people deliver it and pick it up. Sure, you don't get that revenue, but you don't have the problems either.

Or maybe rent, and then when you have made enough money on your jobs, buy something better, like name brand, well supported, almost new, low hours. Or even new with favorable financing and warranty.

As far as the orphans go. Personal use, yes, business no.

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

Hey IT, thanks for the quick response! I can now see that my initial post was lacking some other relevant information. Although I will be using this tractor for my construction business, the primary reason for purchase is for use on my small farm and my dad's small farm. About 11 acres total. So I will be mowing, doing some tilling and other implement work too. I have rented in the past, I would just really prefer that the money go towards my own machine this time. Thanks again!

 

[Industrial Toys]

Sure. Totally get that. I hate renting! But I have seen very successful contractors that were in the earth moving business that didn't own a stick of equipment. They were good sales types. Equipment is nothing but a hassle and expense. Plus, they got the best equipment for any given job. They didn't use a tractor, when a skid steer was better suited.

 

[newbury]

Hey IT, thanks for the quick response! I can now see that my initial post was lacking some other relevant information. Although I will be using this tractor for my construction business, the primary reason for purchase is for use on my small farm and my dad's small farm. About 11 acres total. So I will be mowing, doing some tilling and other implement work too. I have rented in the past, I would just really prefer that the money go towards my own machine this time. Thanks again!

What's your budget and mechanical capabilities?

 

[DanHen]

Looked for a lightly used tractor/loader/backhoe for a long time and could not find anything even close to what I wanted within a days drive of home, nor with a reasonable savings over new. But I was very specific about wanting a mid size TLB to do a lot of the same jobs you mention. AG tractors may not do what you need on construction projects as removable loaders do not have the capacity for heavy work (in mid size units) same for 3pt backhoes. After scratching my head and looking at a few used units I decided it made more sense to buy new using Kubotas finance rather than pulling that large chunk of change out of the bank. No repair worries for 6 years and I know exactly how it’s been used. New Kubota L-47 TLB in my barn for around $900 a month, which includes replacement insurance in case I do something boneheaded or someone takes it. Made sense for my situation.

 

[Industrial Toys]

It always helps if you have that one first project personal or business that gets you well on your way toward paying for it.

 

[CMV]

I recently went thru pretty much same thing. Save up $$$ while scouring clist, local dealer websites, equipment trader, etc. What I noticed was in the 'mid' HP range - where you are looking - there simply wasn't much out there used. And what was out there had a zillion hrs on it. Seemed like 15 <30HP and 5 >70HP to every 1 around 50HP.

For a JD or Kubota, it was either go with 4000+ hrs or else pay too close to new machine price for it to make sense to buy used vs new. The one exception seemed to be New Holland. I know nothing about those other than same folks who made mine make some of their smaller ones too. But I did frequently see those pop up in the ~50HP size and lower hrs. Enough that it made me wonder why so many people seemed to be getting out of those in that size but nothing else. Could just be that they're more popular around here so more on used market.

For 11AC divided between 2 properties would a smaller machine work? Or is that not enough oomph for business needs too if it has to do double duty? Much easier to find 25-30HP in good shape, low hrs, and good discount compared to new in the smaller size. Auction would be another place, but I didn't feel comfortable enough knowing what I was looking at to go that route.

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

Thanks for the continued replies!

Newbury - budget is about $15k, absolute max. Would really prefer to be closer to 12. I'm not really going to be able to do much repair work myself.

DanHen - I have considered a new or demo unit. That would restrict me to one of the 25hp "no emissions" tractors, several of which look great, but are a bit weaker than I would prefer.

IT - Like you I hate renting, but will do it when I have to. I should have mentioned that the construction project that I referenced on my first post is at my own property, so the customer is a non-paying deadbeat! And it's a fairly long term project, so rental fees would be pretty high. And a nice tractor would work perfectly, not to mention the fact that I need one longer term anyways.

CMV - Wow, your post feels like it was written about me...lol. Everything is just beat to pieces or priced pretty much the same as a new machine. I am used to buying ten year old cars with high miles for pennies on the dollar. Not the case with tractors! A couple of weekends ago I drove two hours to an auction but forgot the checkbook. Since it was single digits cold I didn't stick around to see how much the machine I was interested in sold for. Realistically I could probably get away with a smaller machine, and for transport that would probably be a benefit, but I had a tractor years ago that was quite underpowered for what I wanted to do, and I swore that would never happen again. Basically I want to be able to pick up anything I could ever dream of, short of my house!

 

[fried1765]

Hello tractor experts, I would greatly appreciate some advice.

I'm looking at USED tractors in the 40-50hp range. A heavy machine and strong front end loader, along with a hydro transmission and four wheel drive are my priorities. A skid steer type bucket would also be nice, as would rear remotes. Don't want a cab. All of the big brands are a bit more expensive than I can handle. I am searching the dealer classified sites and all of the Craigslists within about 300 miles.

I missed out on a couple of sweet deals before I got my money in order, but now that I actually have the cash in the bank there are no great deals in sight. And now I am really needing a machine pretty soon for an upcoming construction project.

Which brings me to the point of this post - "orphan" brands, specifically Montana and Bobcat. I have seen several decent bargains on them, especially Montana, but am wondering if it is worth it. I have done lots of research in regards to the quality of the tractors, and do appreciate that they were made my LS and Kioti, but am wondering if it is foolish to buy one given the lack of direct dealer support, and lack of parts availability. I plan on keeping this tractor for 20 plus years.

These brands seem to be about the only way I can afford a big, powerful tractor. Otherwise I am probably in the 30-35hp range, or getting something incredibly worn out from the bigger companies.

Thanks for your thoughts, RR

I had time....lots of time to look for my medium size TLB!
You apparently do not!
I went to a Ford dealer, and told him what I was looking for.
He said I'll find you something good, but it may take a while.
It took him 22 months, but he came up with a (1970) then 16 year old, 48HP gas, Ford TLB with 10' hoe, and 1350 hrs., that had been a cemetery machine.
I bought it for $10,000.
Fast forward 32 years.
The TLB is now 48 years old with less than 2000 hrs. I completely refurbished it two years ago, and it looks like new.
I am now 77 years old.
I call it my yellow wheelbarrow (CAT yellow).
It is absolutely the most wonderful tool I have ever owned.