Buying Advice Planning to buy used.... got some questions.

[J.Wal]

I recently used my uncles Kubota L4400 to bush hog my back yard area. I am on 5.5 acre. I plan to buy a used tractor in the 35hp range. I am located just outside Memphis TN and want a brand that has a dealer within a hour drive. I for sure have to have 4x4 and a FEL.

My first question is, how many hours are reasonable to have and still expect plenty of life left in it.

I plan to pull a 5' bush hog. Don't want a mower wider than my back tires, so what would be some good models / brands to be on the look out for that will have dealer support near me?

I know kubota, mahindra, and New Holland tractors are some good brands.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Hard to say for sure. Up to a thousand should be good. Two thousand if well maintained. Plenty with a lot more that still work fine. I would compare a car with 100,000-125,000 to a tractor with 2 thousand hours. Some would say that 100,000 for a diesel is just broken in.

 

[jeff9366]

I plan to buy a used tractor in the 35hp range. I am located just outside Memphis TN and want a brand that has a dealer within a hour drive.

What would be some good models / brands to be on the look out for that will have dealer support near me?

Your location should appear as part of your T-B-N Profile, so it shows in every post you make.

You know the Memphis area better than 99.999% of writers here. Determine proximate tractor dealers yourself.


The reliability of any tractor, new or used, is primarily determined by the experience and prudence of the operator(s). Consistency of service is second determinate of reliability. Brand/Model is third.

FIFTY-FIVE USED TRACTORS NEAR MEMPHIS: Tractors | eBay

 

[J.Wal]

Your location should appear as part of your T-B-N Profile, so it shows in every post you make.

You know the Memphis area better than 99.999% of writers here. Determine proximate tractor dealers yourself.


The reliability of any tractor, new or used, is primarily determined by the experience and prudence of the operator(s). Consistency of service is second determinate of reliability. Brand/Model is third.

FIFTY-FIVE USED TRACTORS NEAR MEMPHIS: Tractors | eBay

Locations don't show for people using the Tapatalk app, so my purpose of mentioning location was to make it easy since I have seen in many other threads I have looked through on here, people have been asked where they are located.

I agree care makes a difference in the life of the tractor. But as the one mentioned above, a comparison of hours to miles on a car helps me know what is a reasonable area of hours to try and stay near.

Thanks for the help fellas.

 

[Rmart30]

To me its hard to go wrong with a kubota in the 30-40 hp range. Down here they have the market covered up from 40hp and down.
Several used Kubota on memphis craigslist and surrounding area with low hours with a decent price. Local credit union or banks will finance used at about 4% if you have good credit.
28-38 hp are going to take a 5' cutter and be about the same width as tires. Nice little kubota in the link below. Prices will be better on them in dec and jan if you arent in a hurry to get one.
Kubota L36 4x4 with loader - farm & garden - by dealer - sale

 

[J.Wal]

I will surly be waiting.

Got to pay off my car before I take on the tractor. Only own 6G on it so no big deal.

 

[J.Wal]

I will surly be waiting.

Got to pay off my car before I take on the tractor. Only own 6G on it so no big deal.

 

[J.Wal]

Here is an idea of what I am maintaining / recovering. Some areas need work. Once it's all recovered, then it will just be maintain.

This is just the small part of the back. If you look, I go back about 2 more acres from the top of the hill. It is not as clear and needs work.

I want something strong enough that I. An cut trees down, cut them in half or 3rd's and drag them to the ditch I have in the back.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I sort of never look at the price of something but what I can sell it for. To me, most good used equipment really doesn't cost anything, except to maintain and run. That, is if you got something that was high quality, cared for, and you will do the same. This does not apply to new, where you can't recover that initial depreciation.

A cared for Kubota will never lose its value like a car or truck. And they will only become more expensive.

 

[J.Wal]

I sort of never look at the price of something but what I can sell it for. To me, most good used equipment really doesn't cost anything, except to maintain and run. That, is if you got something that was high quality, cared for, and you will do the same. This does not apply to new, where you can't recover that initial depreciation.

A cared for Kubota will never lose its value like a car or truck. And they will only become more expensive.

Thanks! I am hoping to find low hours, but from what I gather here, good care goes a long way!

Mid winter I hope to be making a purchase! 35- 40 Hp Kubota probably.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Time is always on your side, but you have to be vigilant in your search.

I know a guy that buys nothing but new, beats the crap out of it, would never repair anything cosmetic, and then is appalled that he gets nothing on trade in. Duh!

 

[newbury]

Thanks! I am hoping to find low hours, but from what I gather here, good care goes a long way!

Mid winter I hope to be making a purchase! 35- 40 Hp Kubota probably.

Well give us an idea of EVERYTHING you want to to do with it and a price range and we will try to help.

Your timing is right on for buying used, I've been looking for 8 years now and late fall to early winter seems to have the best prices for buying used.

Maintaining 5 acres should not take much tractor as far as HP goes.

 

[jeff9366]

I want something strong enough that I can cut trees down, cut them in half or 3rd's and drag them to the ditch I have in the back.

Tractors are geared LOW. With a 3-range HST top speed seldom exceeds sixteen miles-per-hour.

Large rear wheels of traditional tractors provide additional mechanical advantage.

Most tractors discussed here have 4-WD.

Even a 2,000 pound tractor can drag heavy trunks. However, if you intend to saw after dragging, imbedded dirt will dull saw chains and saw blades rapidly.


Consider enough tractor weight and FEL lift capacity so you can carry, rather than drag, your payload. You need tractor weight and wide wheel stance for tractor stability. Also required, Three Point Hitch counterbalance.

Photo #1 Kubota B3300SU, 2,200 pounds.

Photo #2, #3, #4 Kubota L3560, 5,400 pounds operating weight, FEL lift 1,800 (+/-) pounds.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I will never forget what an old Woodsman, friend of my Dad once told him. When you are going to the Bush, take the biggest machine you have.

I would sooner have a large frame, lower hp tractor (as I have) than a small tractor with higher HP.



This tractor has only 68 or so PTO HP, but is quite capable. There arn't many snow falls where you still can't just drive where you want.

 

[mapper]

Keep in mind that a high hour machine that has been well maintained and not been abused too much will be a better value than a low hour tractor that has been poorly maintained and beaten up. If the FEL is twisted and broken, the sheet metal banged up and the general look of the tractor is of hard careless use, stay away. All used tractors are likely to show some wear and tear, we all have run into something we didn't intend to but an abused machine will show it.

 

[fried1765]

I sort of never look at the price of something but what I can sell it for. To me, most good used equipment really doesn't cost anything, except to maintain and run. That, is if you got something that was high quality, cared for, and you will do the same. This does not apply to new, where you can't recover that initial depreciation.

A cared for Kubota will never lose its value like a car or truck. And they will only become more expensive.

A totally VALID concept!
Not followed by many here on TBN though.
The general consensus seems to be: buy new, get warranty, dealer 0% financing, etc.
You must be an old guy like me.

 

[J.Wal]

I will be using it to assist in moving trees that fall, a grapple bucket to gather limbs and stuff. I will be moving the trees and limbs all the way to the back of my land and pushing them into a gully.

Once I have the property fairly cleaned up. I will be maintaining the area. Bush hog and tree clean up will be the majority of the jobs done with it. I want good lift and push abilities. I might get a 3 point finish mower at some point to maintain some of the back in the photos below but won't be maintaining the entire property with a finish. Rough cut will be fine for the top of the hill and further back.

I feel the L4400 did a good job. I had no issues pushing much of the trees and stuff like that that I was moving. ( note pile of trees in one of the above photos I attached.) I cut down 4 trees. I was able to drag them and push them into a pile.

Another major question is at what year did regeneration process engines come into play? I prefer not to have one that has to do the regenerate process.

 

[jeff9366]

If you intend to push tree debris into piles plan on purchasing a Ratchet Rake bucket attachment. Good for multiple woods tasks.

 

[J.Wal]

If you intend to push tree debris into piles plan on purchasing a Ratchet Rake bucket attachment. Good for multiple woods tasks.

100% something I have considered!

Just not sure if I will need it if I get a grapple bucket.... but an awesome product till I can get the grapple.

 

[J.Wal]

Transmissions.... I believe I want a gear on gear ( shuttle) style. I read it has more pushing power?

Anyone able to outline the pro/con of the hydro trans?