Buying Advice Priorities?

[Tractorable]

The John Deere 750/790/850 series tractors are affordable Yanmar's painted green that are bulletproof. You may be able to find a decent deal close to your budget on a machine with 4WD and a loader.

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listin...-than-40-hp/manufacturer/john-deere/model/790

 

[Atchuuu]

I have a similar situation but without the snow so I can't speak to whether or not you must have the 4wd in snow. For me, I am glad I went larger and not subcompact. It was my first tractor purchase but I knew right away I would not have been happy with the subcompact. I would take an older, heavier, tractor over newer lightweight for my use.

Check Facebook marketplace. Our local area has very limited selection on CL but a fair amount on FB.

 

[Atchuuu]

Subcompact tractors have only 7" to 9" ground clearance. Not enough ground clearance to work in woods.

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers.
Heavier tractors are built with thicker steel to withstand greater stress. Heavier tractors have larger diameter wheels/tires, increasing ground clearance. Heavier tractors with large diameter wheels/tires have more tractive power pulling ground contact implements, pushing a loader bucket into dirt and pushing snow. Larger wheels and tires permit heavier tractors to bridge holes, ruts and tree debris with less operator perturbation.

Subcompact tractors only have two-range HST transmissions. You need a three-range HST or a gear transmission for a low range/low gear transmitting enough power to pull logs.

VIDEO: Kubota BX Series VS. B Series - YouTube

I recommend a heavier tractor vs. a subcompact tractor.

If you add your LOCATION to your T-B-N PROFILE, so it shows in every post you author, a member in Michigan may inform you of a quality used tractor for sale reasonably near. This happens regularly.

I'm glad I took Jeff's advice and went with a larger, heavier, tractor then I originally planned but we don't agree on adding location to the profile.

 

[shooterdon]

I waited 6 years before getting my 1998 JD 855. I paid $3500 for it with a lot of attachments but it was in rough shape. Spent another $2000+ on repairs. Like you, I could not afford a newer or better tractor.

The used machines I found, that were in decent condition, were close to the price of a new tractor and I gave up my dream for a while.

In hindsight, I wish I had purchased a new machine with the low interest financing many brands offer. Tractors do not depreciate much and sell quickly so there is little risk. And I could have enjoyed using it the last six years.

If you are patient, you will find something but budget for repairs. A 2WD machine will work but you may need chains for snow and pulling trees trunks. 4WD is much preferred and almost a must with tHe FEL.

Again, if you will be using the tractor regularly, and you can afford the payments, financing gets you a machine immediately and you have fewer compromises, a warranty, and reliability. If it is mostly a toy, shop around.

 

[rScotty]

The John Deere 750/790/850 series tractors are affordable Yanmar's painted green that are bulletproof. You may be able to find a decent deal close to your budget on a machine with 4WD and a loader.

Also don't overlook the Yanmar YMxxx series tractors painted red that were imported into the USA while Yanmar still had dealers here - mostly in the 1980s. That era was over by 1991.

Those particlur JD models you mention from 650 to 1050 were actually made 100% by Yanmar. The JDs were a combination of the the red 1980s vintage YM Yanmar engine & frame with the older green YM Yanmar transmissions..... i.e. without the powershift tranny but including PS and better filters etc... But the powershift turned out to be bulletproof as well, so the red USA YM series Yanmars are just as good as the older green ones. Simple, bulletproof, easy to work on, ample parts available.

I think you should be able to find what you are looking fo - i.e. a perfectly decent medium size tractor with PS, 3pt, and loader in the 5000 to 7000 dollar range. It might be 2wd, because 2wd vs 4wd is where the biggest "price vs features" break occurs. It may well be an older US make. Yes, 4wd is preferable, but on anything medium size and up, 2WD has tremendous traction, will do lots of work, and your money will buy a better machine. So I'd advise that is where to compromise.....maybe because we did exactly that to get started..... .

BTW, if you have a loader, you MUST HAVE POWER STEERING for what you want to do. Most of those older tractors were front-end heavy to start with, and a loader with a full bucket makes them just too difficult of a beast without power steering. Other than that I'd look for any model that has been decently maintained - or at least not abused. A good 3pt hitch, comfortable seat, lots of gears, and starts easy in cold weather are all clues to a good machine.

You may have the best luck posting a notice on the bulletin board at the local feed and seed ag store or reading the advs in the local farm newspaper. I'd start by driving to a local rural area - I had to go 100 miles - and then walking into the local feed and seed store and asking where to look for a good used tractor for what I wanted. Then go get lunch where the farmers eat. I did that once and by the time I left I had several leads and a couple of invites.
good luck, rScotty

 

[Turbys_1700]

Patience is your friend. Gonna be tough to find what you want for that budget but it can be done. Around here every once in a while you can find an older New Holland/Ford in the 10 series with FEL for 7K-10K. Smaller compacts are typically newer and harder to come by. Condition, history of ownership, and maintenance will be your guide. Not really any great deals out there. The market is the market. Good to great deals don't last. Give Tractor House a look see to get a feel for the market asking prices in your area. It is a good guide.

 

[Jchonline]

Patience is your friend. Gonna be tough to find what you want for that budget but it can be done. Around here every once in a while you can find an older New Holland/Ford in the 10 series with FEL for 7K-10K. Smaller compacts are typically newer and harder to come by. Condition, history of ownership, and maintenance will be your guide. Not really any great deals out there. The market is the market. Good to great deals don't last. Give Tractor House a look see to get a feel for the market asking prices in your area. It is a good guide.

I agree you are going to have to be patient and persistent. Check local dealers, newspapers, classifieds, estate sales, auctions, CL, tractor house daily. It may take 6 months, but you should run across a suitable used machine. Patience and persistence are key.

 

[Atchuuu]

I agree you are going to have to be patient and persistent. Check local dealers, newspapers, classifieds, estate sales, auctions, CL, tractor house daily. It may take 6 months, but you should run across a suitable used machine. Patience and persistence are key.

Don't forget Facebook. It is the new Craigslist for shopping

 

[TimberHole]

I had a JD 950 2WD that would do everything you listed. The tractors are worth about 5K give or take and a FEL will add about 3K. Add another 2K for 4WD and power steering. They are a simple geared tractor. Buy a tractor configured the way you need it. It’s not very practical to add loaders and such as good loaders are hard to come by.

 

[PILOON]

If a FEL is on your list be sure to buy only a tractor that already is equipped with it.
Adding later will be as costly as the original tractor price plus labor to install.