Buying Advice Questions about potential purchase, not sure where to start

[2manyrocks]

It would help all of us if you could post a picture of what size of wood you'd like to be able to move or the bramble patch that needs clearing, etc. so we all have a better understanding of what you really want to accomplish.

 

[WVH1977]

I currently have a New Holland TC40 that I bought new in 2006. Used it on 6 acres for years. Only worked 3 acres of it. It has been an outstanding tractor. You can find a good used one for around 17K. If you can afford to buy used, I would be looking at 30 to 40 HP tractors by Deere, Kubota, Massey, New Holland from the early 2000's with low hours. JMO. Good luck.

 

[ning]

Quick hitch may be handy if you swap rear implements much.

Personally I usually have a backhoe on - for digging or for ballast to offset a big load on the front, but most commonly because it's still on from the last time I used it.

Very occasionally I swap to the rotary cutter, but that's pretty much a one-and-done job, and there no point in having a quick hitch with just one implement. Once a year I might get up the rototiller, or occasionally the auger.... the auger won't with with a QH at all, and none of the other implements are at all difficult to hook up or make using a QH an improvement - especially as the QH has to come off for the backhoe.

If I ever find myself switching between two 3ph implements more than every few days, I'll look at getting a QH. Until then, it's just another thing to deal with - would not advise unless it actually solves a need.

 

[WinterDeere]

I have a quick hitch (Deere iMatch), and I love it. I'll go weeks without switching implements, but then will have a single day or weekend when I switch implements 5-6 times, such as when aerating and seeding and fertilizing. They're a great convenience once set up, but may require slightly longer driveshafts or other mods to some implements, to work with them.

Ironically, I switched implements far more often on my prior tractor, which didn't have a quick hitch. It worked fine, but I'm a relatively strong guy, and moving an implement an inch or two to line up with the tractor wasn't a huge deal for me.

If the OP is only buyng 4-ft implements, then those are probably not a big deal for a female operator to shove around and line up. But if going larger, then it may become more important, depending on the strength and willingness of the operator.

 

[airbiscuit]

My tractors have extendable links and telescoping arms. No need for a quick hitch. Also a 5' pipe will line up 4' implements easily enough.

 

[aesanders]

One other thing to check out would be YouTube. I would suggest looking up Tractor time with Tim. He mostly uses a small 1025r Deere for most work (not all though), so you could get a good idea what you can do. The 1025r is quite capable for a small machine.

 

[airbiscuit]

I'm usually a bigger is better sort of guy, but in this case, I think a Sub-Compact Tractor would be a good choice in this case given the size of the property, the nature of the tasks, and the experience level of the owner. Also a new Bobcat tractor and loader for less than $14k is good for the budget.

Like, I said, I usually think bigger is better, but this video shows what you can do with a SCUT.

 

[WinterDeere]

My tractors have extendable links and telescoping arms. No need for a quick hitch. Also a 5' pipe will line up 4' implements easily enough.

Definitely. But once you've done a few implement changes without even leaving the seat of the tractor, you'd fall in love with the quick hitch.

If I raise my 3 point near max, I can release the levers and swap implements from the seat. Even easier if I draw the hydraulic top link in, it's not even a stretch! Only one of the implements I still own today has a driveshaft, since I've sold my rear-mounted snowblower and brush hog.

 

[rScotty]

I have a quick hitch (Deere iMatch), and I love it. I'll go weeks without switching implements, but then will have a single day or weekend when I switch implements 5-6 times, such as when aerating and seeding and fertilizing. They're a great convenience once set up, but may require slightly longer driveshafts or other mods to some implements, to work with them.

Ironically, I switched implements far more often on my prior tractor, which didn't have a quick hitch. It worked fine, but I'm a relatively strong guy, and moving an implement an inch or two to line up with the tractor wasn't a huge deal for me.

If the OP is only buyng 4-ft implements, then those are probably not a big deal for a female operator to shove around and line up. But if going larger, then it may become more important, depending on the strength and willingness of the operator.

I've never used a quick hitch. I can see the advantage - especially when many tractors had the old "economy" type of 3pt hitch that used chains and turn buckles for side sway, threaded rod for the lifting arms, and one piece draft links.

Those economy 3pts required muscle and leverage to maneuver an implement into position to hook it up.

An alternative that some brands offered was an optional upgraded 3pt hitch with leveling boxes, telescoping draft links, and rigid sway bars. Those make hooking up an implement much easier. No wrestling required.

Still, I wouldn't make a tractor decision based on the type of 3pt hitch it has. They all work, and are easily changed.

rScotty

 

[fattylumpkins]

.....Just back from a camping trip. Lets see what I can add, if anything.

Limiting your search to those two brands...Seems wise to me. Both are good. Kubota would be my first choice in the small/medium size tractor just because that is their area of concentration.

Dealer New vs Nice but Used? It all depends on the person doing the selling. You absolutely need to have someone you trust on your side to give you advice and help with this search. And that person needs to to be there in person. If you have such - neighbor or relative - and that person understands mechanical things, I would have no qualms about buying used.

You should be able to find an excellent machine in your price range. That is a reasonable price and should get what you want. You want something wide and stable. It should have a front end Loader, 3pt hitch, 4wd, power steering, and be in nice condition with under about 1500 hours and not over ten or so years old - though he age is less important than the condition. HST would be a bonus because HST makes a tractor so easy to use. A well maintained used tractor like that should last a lifetime with little or no repairs. Maintenance and condition are the keys.

If looking at used, make price secondary. What you want is one that the previous owner appreciated and enjoyed.

I don't know anyone who faithfully follows all the maintenance in the owner's manual. But try not to get too far behind. Frankly if I keep to half the factory recommended schedule that feels about right to me.

BTW, weather is hard on tractors. A shed is best, though I use a lightweight treated tarp covering the tractor down to about half way down the tires. Not perfect, but sufficient. It keeps sun and moisture off while letting it breathe. Cover it every evening and tie it at the corners so it doesn't flap.

Yes, you can get by without a tractor. We did on our place for years. Almost anything a tractor can do you can do with hand tools and manual labor. It just takes longer.
The big exception is picking up something heavy and moving it. That is what the front end loader does, and for us that was the most important labor and body saver.

Good luck,
rScotty

This is excellent insight, thank you for your reply. Also, hope camping was fun!

These basic tenants are a good break down for something to look for. I have a 2 car garage that houses my mower and believe a tractor would fit in there next to it.

As an update for anyone interested, I did talk to my dad about coming with me. Due to hours of operation of some of these locations and my own work hours, I'm going to have to get a day off from work to visit the dealers in person.

For context, he's not mechanically savvy but seems to have become obsessed with the idea of tractors, wanting one of his own (just doesn't have the space nor right property for it) and watching YouTube about them for the past year rather obsessively.
He did, however, convince himself that it is not a tractor I need, but rather, a skid steer. Probably out of my budget at the cursory glance (woah so expensive), but I would love everyone's thoughts on the matter. Clearly, you all are tractor people, and I am stubbornly in the position it is a tractor that would suit the different needs I have - and falls more within my budget. And I just like it more? I don't know. He seems more caught up on the lifting power of a skid steer, which I don't think is really the point of this purchase for me personally. I'm not going to be moving pallets of bricks around construction sites.

What are your thoughts on a tractor versus skid steer?

Also, questions about wood: it's manageable right now. I think, if I had a tractor at my disposal today, I would have used it to move about 30 split logs from the top corner of my property to a burn pile rather than carry them. I think that would be the extent of it. If one of the big firs that I had around me were to catastrophically fall, then...I would probably chainsaw them up to manageable pieces to move them and also, probably get hired help.

The question about brambles: I've done a pretty okay job with managing them with a heavy duty weed wacker. Just blew out the clutch on this today annoyingly when I caught it in a buried steel cable though, so no more of that until I fix it (which, now thanks to you folks, I am going to fix it myself ). If I keep them under control, that's all I would need to do - that being maintenance. If I don't, I would need to cut them back with a powerful implement. The location of the brambles are now in tough ledges built out by rocks, along fence lines, and around a pit that the previous owners were using to burn trash (that I have now removed the trash and need to fill the hole).

In addition, what is your position on a brush hog versus flail mower - another distinction that my dad asserted was better - and I didn't have enough information to refute other than a brush hog was the implement that was always used when it was cleared.

Thank you everyone for the insight and discussion. I'm reading through everything that is being posted and am learning so much!