rent or buy?

[TripleR]

We have to have tractors with as much property as we have but it is cheaper and handier to rent a skid loader, mini excavator, backhoe etc. for a week at a time.

 

[tractchores]

I do think when you have a tractor you find all kinds of uses for it. For a single project it makes no sense to own one, but if you have property you will always have projects and the real value is when you need it for 5 minutes and its there. I use mine a fair bit and its great when I need to lift something heavy, clean up after a storm or help out a neighbor. It seems like every few weeks I find a new thing to use it for. If I had a rental I'd let all the tasks pile up (at least the ones that could wait) and then rent one and run around like crazy for a day to try and get everything done. The good news is tractors last a long time and over the long run hold their value very well, so if you get a reasonable used one now it won't cost a lot to own over the long run.

 

[Ron JD670]

As I ponder the purchase of a "B" Kubota, I have thoughts about the advantages of renting.

Once a person buys their first tractor, they are in essence, committing themselves to being a "tractor having person". So, you need a place to protect the tractor, you need the attachment, etc.... and you have spent quite a bit of money.

So, if I were to use a tractor for a year.....and I can imagine putting maybe 200 hours on the thing within a year maximum (clearing my woods of underbrush)..... and then decide that I don't really need a tractor after that, how much would I lose on the used market selling the tractor?

So, I spend 20,000 for the setup..... in a year, with 200 hours on it, what's my loss? ... and how does that loss compare to renting something for a minimum of two weeks? (and two weeks would be rushing it)

As noted by others I'd suggest looking used. I picked up a used Jd670 with 40hrs attachments for 10K. I've put 55 Hours in 9 months doing weekend cleanup and projects. Can't imagine not having it now. It move 3 times the volume I could in my wheel barrel. I've got 4.5 acres I cut wood on and roads my neighbors do not maintain. I'm probably going to offer the house with the tractor when we decide we need to move to town.
Good luck with your decision.
RoN