Setup for maintaining 5 acres

[pruntyc]

If you haven't noticed, most of the guys are trying to steer you to a new tractor. For 5 acres, I don't think that makes much sense, unless you have money to burn. Of course its not their money, they are trying to spend for you. I have 7+ and woundn't even think or buying a new one, unless it was one of the cheap Homier or Farmpro, but I think a good used one is better than they probably are. Although I'm sure some that have them would disagree with me on that. So go with what you can afford, and most are pretty good, and I'm sure you will be happy with whatever you buy, most are. You don't find many unhappy tractor owners.

 

[Hambone]

New: Warranty and financing options, time
Used: Cash out, cheaper, repair cost possible.

That's how I see new versus used. Time is a big issue for me. I am gone from home 12 hours a day during the week. I just did not want to spend any time working on the tractor. My luck is that I would have too, not saying that every used tractor will have to be worked on.

If I were to buy used I would look at a late model trade in or something with lower hours.

 

[Sammyh]

I think the Sub-compacts may be too limiting and the name brands that make them are EXPENSIVE, I could go to a 25 horse chinese for ALOT cheaper than an 18 horse sub-compact. I am always the type to buy something to grow into.

I will lose my ability for a belly mount mower though, I don't think the NorTracs have a mid PTO. I do like the fact that the rear mount covers your tire tracks though.

Could a 25HP handle a 72" finish mower? Or should I stick with a 60"

Thanks again for the insites

 

[pruntyc]

Yes I believe you could handle the 72 inch real good, you said flat land, and even if you had some hilly, it should still do it. That is a finish mower, not a 6 ft brushog, the finish can be bigger than what you could use in a brushog. Did you talk to the guy that had the 1802D Yanmar. That is a 4 wheel drive, and sounded pretty good, although I don't know what he wanted for it. They don't often need repair, real well built. I personally would rather take a chance on it than on the chinese tractors. Don't think they are as well built. And with them you know you have to retorque the head bolts at around 50 hours. That is another reason, I don't think I would want one. They tell me it hard to get a socket on some of the bolts.

 

[Neophyte]

Sammyh,

Stvman made a good point in the following post about tractors outside of the big 4. I'm not sure how true it is but it's something you should be aware of.

Stvman Post

 

[frank_f15]

yep! 25 hp will handel 6ft. FINISH MOWER as long as u don't let the grass get way too tall.

 

[chrisjbell]

If you want to take care of lawn, you want a smaller tractor without ag tires. I keep my B7300 off my lawn - the ags don't do the turf any good (although they don't rip it to shreds) but mostly I don't want to compact the soil.

Mowing nice flat land - you don't need a big tractor for that. Even one of the small tractors can handle a 60" mower. Go above 20hp and a 72" shouldn't be a problem (this is mower, not brush hog / rotary cutter).

It is possible to find good deals on used tractors but my personal position (you'll find that lots don't agree /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif) is that for an investment of that size that buying new made sense. Your point about resale value is correct, and furthermore you have no idea how the tractor was used / maintained and while these are tough machines, if they aren't properly fed and cared for they can break, with expensive results.

I understand that the 0% financing will probably be around for a while, too...but whatever you decide, this is a good place to form your opinions.

 

[pruntyc]

I am here to retract the last post I made to you. I kind of knocked the Chinese tractors, like the FarmPro. Well, I understand it is made by Jinma, and if you read the post on here today, this guy is very happy with his Jinma. So I guess I have to admit they must be a lot better tractor than I thought they were, and it might be the best buy for you. Sorry about that, I talked to quick I would have to say. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Docsknotinn]

Dick, I havent seen those but they are selling them not too far off the path on the way to my camp ( jinma). I am assumeing after looking at Northern tool co that Nor Trac is a Jinma with different decals. I am going to have to go take a look. I think personally after seeing what you paid that you got an exceptional price. I did not see any units at that price that were in decent shape. I saw many grays that were several thousand. I honestly think thats why some of us lean towards new Vs used, due to the high prices of used in different regions. I dont think your "knocking" chineese models by saying that many feel the japaneese have better quality but at a slightly higher price. It sure seems like a sub compact is more suited in this case. Dave

 

[pruntyc]

Dave: I had to go 300 miles to get the tractor and had to pay to have it brought to me. So he sold it to me, he said wholesale. And from what I saw at other places I think he did. Not everyone is going to find a dealer that will do that, so yes I believe I got a real good price. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif