dieselcrawler
Elite Member
Check out the website 'tractorhouse.com'. Lots of used equipment of all makes and models sorted by mfg and mdl. I daydream there a lot!
Proud owner of 60 acres. Now need a tractor.
- Thread starter torchrider
- Start date
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houstonscott
Elite Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2010
- Messages
- 3,167
- Location
- Oglesby, Texas
- Tractor
- Kubota L3800, Kubota GR2120, Kubota RTV1100, Kubota 5100sc
Stop by RCO in Austin. Look hard at an LS 5030u.
HS
HS
flusher
Super Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2005
- Messages
- 7,555
- Location
- Sacramento
- Tractor
- Getting old. Sold the ranch. Sold the tractors. Moved back to the city.
Mowing that 30 acres will size your tractor. Depending on how quickly you want to finish that job, you can go small with a 6-ft brush hog and spend probably 15-20 hours or go with something like a 10-ft dual blade mower and get the job done in 10 hours or so. Depends on how much you value your time for a job like this. A 6-ft mower will cost $1.5-2.5K new.
Here are some prices for a 10-footer
http://www.tractorhouse.com/list/list.aspx?ETID=1&Manu=BUSH+HOG&Mdltxt=3210&mdlx=exact
If you go big, you'll need a tractor with 60-70 pto hp to spin that mower. I'd start looking at new and used tractors in this size range at local dealers.
Good luck.
Here are some prices for a 10-footer
http://www.tractorhouse.com/list/list.aspx?ETID=1&Manu=BUSH+HOG&Mdltxt=3210&mdlx=exact
If you go big, you'll need a tractor with 60-70 pto hp to spin that mower. I'd start looking at new and used tractors in this size range at local dealers.
Good luck.
High Brook Hills
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2011
- Messages
- 66
- Tractor
- Case Farmall IH 60
I would add to think through the need for MFWD/4WD. If you are mainly flat and are buying an older tractor you will more easily locate 2WD in that region. Family used a Farmall B in Junction for decades and the ground was NOT that level. Lots of pucker factor. I used the same tractor near Waco in rather level ground with no issues whatsoever.
I would tend to higher HP with the older machines. Perkins engines are generally well regarded and more fuel efficient. Older Deere engines seem to be well regarded and less fuel efficient. My Case is more fuel efficient than the old Farmall was and it is also three times the HP! I had a MF180 in the interim and REALLY liked the tractor but hated the transmission.
Several of the old tractors can go for thousands of hours so look more at current condition than 3,000 hours versus 1,000 hours. A well maintained unit with 3,000 hours might be a better buy than one slopped around with only 1,000 hours on the clock.
It would also be good to know your price range. I paid $2,100 (no FEL) for the MF180 and would still have it if I had known more about the mechanics of the PTO and how to work on the unit. The gentleman who has it now uses it for a 12 foot (I think) cutter and in hay operations alongside his JD4020 and a newer NH.
I would strongly suggest you stick to tractors with FEL already installed and working! You will definately want that option.
I would tend to higher HP with the older machines. Perkins engines are generally well regarded and more fuel efficient. Older Deere engines seem to be well regarded and less fuel efficient. My Case is more fuel efficient than the old Farmall was and it is also three times the HP! I had a MF180 in the interim and REALLY liked the tractor but hated the transmission.
Several of the old tractors can go for thousands of hours so look more at current condition than 3,000 hours versus 1,000 hours. A well maintained unit with 3,000 hours might be a better buy than one slopped around with only 1,000 hours on the clock.
It would also be good to know your price range. I paid $2,100 (no FEL) for the MF180 and would still have it if I had known more about the mechanics of the PTO and how to work on the unit. The gentleman who has it now uses it for a 12 foot (I think) cutter and in hay operations alongside his JD4020 and a newer NH.
I would strongly suggest you stick to tractors with FEL already installed and working! You will definately want that option.
jenkinsph
Super Star Member
I agree with shopping the used market for a 75 hp tractor with fel and rear remotes. Shop condition and price before brand as long as there is a dealer close enough to get parts for it. What you wind up with is dependent on the deals you can find. Most of the tractors in this size are good so post what you find here before buying to get opinions. Good luck with the search.
econometrics
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2013
- Messages
- 689
- Location
- East Texas
- Tractor
- Deere 5075E MFWD OOS w/PR, 540E; Gator 825i
I was in a similar position as you recently, with much of the same "tasks list" that you have here. The difference is that I already had a 50hp 2wd JD 5103 with FEL and attachments. That actually helped me see that I needed something bigger.
I would suggest getting nothing smaller than a 60hp tractor. That will enable you to really grow into the tractor as your needs diversify and grow in the future.
Just like you, I was really set on buying something in the used market. I have never purchased a new vehicle, because I like the economics on the slightly used vehicles a lot more. I've never been burned buying a vehicle with under 30K miles, and I've saved a lot of money. So I was pretty set on NOT buying new when it came to a tractor.
However, as I started researching, I was finding that most used tractors that I was looking at were not really all that great of a value. I was looking for a 60-75hp open-station tractor with FEL and rear remotes in MFWD. Most of the nicer tractors I could find had 150-300 hours on them and I wasn't that impressed with the prices.
So I went to the local JD dealer and got a quote on a brand new one. It was basically $3K more to buy something with ZERO hours (vs 300) and that I would be the only owner of.
I kept my 5103 in my shop and in really good condition. It's hard to find used tractors out there who have had the same kind of owner as I am. Most of them were really "sunkissed" and looked pretty well worked - even for low hours.
With John Deere doing 0% for 60mo, I decided to buy something new. When I made that decision, I built the tractor just to the specs that I wanted. I'm very glad I did this, as I plan to use this tractor for a good while, and can't see a need for it that it would not fit in the next 3-5 years.
Just my $0.02. Here are the threads I started in debating some of the very same things you are wondering about here. Maybe they can help you sift through some of the thoughts / ideas / questions you have.
Help me choose my next John Deere tractor
New John Deere 5075E Open Station w/PowrReverser package
New 5075E with PowrReverser Delivery
***NOTE: The JD 0% for 60mo on utility tractors ends in 2 days - October 25, 2013.
Also, I am in no way saying "You need to get a John Deere E series!" There are a LOT of great utility tractors out there to choose from. The JD 5075E is the one I decided on that works best for my needs.
Let us know what you come up with, or if you have other questions! :thumbsup:
I would suggest getting nothing smaller than a 60hp tractor. That will enable you to really grow into the tractor as your needs diversify and grow in the future.
Just like you, I was really set on buying something in the used market. I have never purchased a new vehicle, because I like the economics on the slightly used vehicles a lot more. I've never been burned buying a vehicle with under 30K miles, and I've saved a lot of money. So I was pretty set on NOT buying new when it came to a tractor.
However, as I started researching, I was finding that most used tractors that I was looking at were not really all that great of a value. I was looking for a 60-75hp open-station tractor with FEL and rear remotes in MFWD. Most of the nicer tractors I could find had 150-300 hours on them and I wasn't that impressed with the prices.
So I went to the local JD dealer and got a quote on a brand new one. It was basically $3K more to buy something with ZERO hours (vs 300) and that I would be the only owner of.
I kept my 5103 in my shop and in really good condition. It's hard to find used tractors out there who have had the same kind of owner as I am. Most of them were really "sunkissed" and looked pretty well worked - even for low hours.
With John Deere doing 0% for 60mo, I decided to buy something new. When I made that decision, I built the tractor just to the specs that I wanted. I'm very glad I did this, as I plan to use this tractor for a good while, and can't see a need for it that it would not fit in the next 3-5 years.
Just my $0.02. Here are the threads I started in debating some of the very same things you are wondering about here. Maybe they can help you sift through some of the thoughts / ideas / questions you have.
Help me choose my next John Deere tractor
New John Deere 5075E Open Station w/PowrReverser package
New 5075E with PowrReverser Delivery
***NOTE: The JD 0% for 60mo on utility tractors ends in 2 days - October 25, 2013.
Also, I am in no way saying "You need to get a John Deere E series!" There are a LOT of great utility tractors out there to choose from. The JD 5075E is the one I decided on that works best for my needs.
Let us know what you come up with, or if you have other questions! :thumbsup:
TSO
Elite Member
Good post by Econometrics ... Your views on buying used & new align with my own for the most part. Most of my vehicle purchases are good used cars/trucks.
But torchrider ... We still need to know your budget. That will vastly change and direct the conversation.
But torchrider ... We still need to know your budget. That will vastly change and direct the conversation.
High Brook Hills
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2011
- Messages
- 66
- Tractor
- Case Farmall IH 60
I would also add to not be scared of average brands like LS. We do not all drive a Mercedes, well, at least, WE do not drive a Mercedes 
Read up on some other brands. My neighbors Branson is the same age as my Case/Farmall and there is night and day difference in what we have done to them (his has multiple repairs/parts/breakages mine has had filter and fluid changes).
Read up on some other brands. My neighbors Branson is the same age as my Case/Farmall and there is night and day difference in what we have done to them (his has multiple repairs/parts/breakages mine has had filter and fluid changes).
TSO
Elite Member
I've never heard LS (or other brands) described as "average" ... interesting. But speaking of LS... the XUxxxx series have some great pricing, and are tough tractors. The XU5030 has 55hp and I think guys can usually pick them up for around $25,500. That's with shuttle & loader. And if you need more HP, they just came out with a new model, the XU5065PS (power shuttle) which has 65hp. But I haven't seen prices for them yet.
lonegunman
New member
I just had the same problem and hopefully it is fixed. I own a 120 acres of the flat, dry , nothing west of my home. We needed a tractor to improve the road, till some of the pasture, mow and generally do a few things to improve the property. It also had to be easy to trailer and not to big to work on the 3 acres around the house. Fitting in the shop during the winter was a consideration.
We ended up with a Kubota L-3200 w/FEL and a 60" brush mower and back blade. We looked at used equipment and kept finding tractors with issues. As far as a bigger tractor, I really wanted to be able to transport it without problems and carry extras on the trailer with it. The statewide population of meth-head thieves would make parking equipment in an unsupervised location a bad idea. Being able to load up and leave at the end of the day is important.
We tried the John Deere dealer, We called ahead and drove out about an hour before closing time to take a look at a tractor and pick up some information. The guy saw us pull in and as we were walking to the door he stepped in the front door and locked it, switching off the "Open" sign. It was 4:45pm and they "closed at 5:30", according to the guy on the phone.
The New Holland guy could not give you a price. While standing there looking at the tractor he kept looking at his shoes and "guessing" what it would cost.
In the end, the local Kubota dealer won the job. They had inventory, the tractor runs great and it does the job. The promised delivery and arrived with the tractor and implements on the trailer, 20 minutes early. 0% interest and 0% down for 60 months worked fine, we out a decent down since I am not planning on taking five years to finsih off the payments.. I am looking forward to getting some of the, "if we had a tractor" projects done before snow flies.
We ended up with a Kubota L-3200 w/FEL and a 60" brush mower and back blade. We looked at used equipment and kept finding tractors with issues. As far as a bigger tractor, I really wanted to be able to transport it without problems and carry extras on the trailer with it. The statewide population of meth-head thieves would make parking equipment in an unsupervised location a bad idea. Being able to load up and leave at the end of the day is important.
We tried the John Deere dealer, We called ahead and drove out about an hour before closing time to take a look at a tractor and pick up some information. The guy saw us pull in and as we were walking to the door he stepped in the front door and locked it, switching off the "Open" sign. It was 4:45pm and they "closed at 5:30", according to the guy on the phone.
The New Holland guy could not give you a price. While standing there looking at the tractor he kept looking at his shoes and "guessing" what it would cost.
In the end, the local Kubota dealer won the job. They had inventory, the tractor runs great and it does the job. The promised delivery and arrived with the tractor and implements on the trailer, 20 minutes early. 0% interest and 0% down for 60 months worked fine, we out a decent down since I am not planning on taking five years to finsih off the payments.. I am looking forward to getting some of the, "if we had a tractor" projects done before snow flies.