Short Term Tractor Purchase

[Iowa Boy]

I have kind of a weird situation. I need a compact loader tractor to do a bunch of work on a neglected property that I purchased, but once that work is done I won't really need the loader anymore. Therefore, I am thinking about buying a used tractor this spring, using it all summer, and then either selling it in the fall or next spring. I am looking at used, since I don't want to take the depreciation on a new tractor for such a short term need. It needs to be a model that has decent resale potential, so I am kind of leaning away from the off-brands, even though I know people love some of them. I am looking at a Deere 1025R, Kubota BX2680, or similar. I deck would be nice but not necessary since I have a Deere GX345 for mowing. Any suggestions as to what models or manufacturers I should include in my search? Thanks, Joe

 

[Eagle1]

Once you have a loader you will never be able to live without one.........

 

[big bubba]

maybe define the specific tasks for your new property to determine tractor type

 

[2manyrocks]

If you forsee owing property for any length of time, owning a good tractor is a definite benefit because it will enable you to do things that you can't do without it. And tractors aren't getting any less expensive to buy. If you find a good one that fits your needs, you might be better off keeping it.

 

[nybirdman]

Those models are sub-compact and very limited.I would advise a true compact;I.E. Kubota L,LX or B series or similar.Do not buy with-out a loader.
Under 25HP don't have the pollution controls(new),older higher HP before 2014 shouldn't have it either.

 

[big bubba]

yup, & a larger model might sell better too.

 

[tradosaurus]

I have kind of a weird situation. I need a compact loader tractor to do a bunch of work on a neglected property that I purchased, but once that work is done I won't really need the loader anymore. Therefore, I am thinking about buying a used tractor this spring, using it all summer, and then either selling it in the fall or next spring. I am looking at used, since I don't want to take the depreciation on a new tractor for such a short term need. It needs to be a model that has decent resale potential, so I am kind of leaning away from the off-brands, even though I know people love some of them. I am looking at a Deere 1025R, Kubota BX2680, or similar. I deck would be nice but not necessary since I have a Deere GX345 for mowing. Any suggestions as to what models or manufacturers I should include in my search? Thanks, Joe

Check the used vs new prices. There maybe more of a gap now but in the past few years that gap wasn't far off unless you were buying a 30 yo tractor with lots of hrs on it.

How much property did you buy? What is the most you want to spend on a tractor? I would plan on keeping the tractor as long as you own property so buy accordingly.

 

[Yander]

I don't think you're wrong and trying to stick with the Kubota or JD. However, you can get other off brands significantly cheaper because they do not hold their resale value quite as well.

But you can still get them sold because there are other people out there that want a tractor but they don't want to spend JD or Kubota prices.

My point being, find a good deal on a decent tractor regardless of make and model and you will be able to sell it later, trust me.

Try to stay under a thousand hours and make sure it's not been sitting outside and neglected. Appearance does affect resale quite a lot.

 

[Iowa Boy]

Here are more specifics about my needs:

It is a half acre residential lot in town. 1) There are quite a number of overgrown scrubby bushes that I don't want to hand dig out. 2) I need to plant 45 arborvitae trees along one of the property lines, and would like a post hole digger to help dig those holes. 3) there is a large, 1000 square feet area of the yard that is gravel, I want to remove the gravel and plant grass. 4) there are three areas that are currently dirt/gravel, maybe a combined 1,000 ft², where I want to pour concrete, so I need the tractor to remove the existing dirt and gravel, and move in clean gravel to compact for under the concrete. What's the bushes are removed, the trees are planted, the grass is planted, and the concrete is poured, I don't anticipate needing a loader tractor after that.

 

[RustyA]

Have you considered renting a skid steer for these tasks as needed?

 

[tradosaurus]

Here are more specifics about my needs:

It is a half acre residential lot in town. 1) There are quite a number of overgrown scrubby bushes that I don't want to hand dig out. 2) I need to plant 45 arborvitae trees along one of the property lines, and would like a post hole digger to help dig those holes. 3) there is a large, 1000 square feet area of the yard that is gravel, I want to remove the gravel and plant grass. 4) there are three areas that are currently dirt/gravel, maybe a combined 1,000 ft², where I want to pour concrete, so I need the tractor to remove the existing dirt and gravel, and move in clean gravel to compact for under the concrete. What's the bushes are removed, the trees are planted, the grass is planted, and the concrete is poured, I don't anticipate needing a loader tractor after that.

Not sure I would buy a tractor for this small lot unless you have other larger land you are living on.

Get an estimate on hiring out all your tractor needs vs renting.

 

[ArlyA]

Buy a used skid steer?

 

[Iowa Boy]

Good question about the skid steer. I thought about that, but I ruled it out for a couple of reasons. First, it would do more damage to my lawn, and second, I have a very busy job so I only have an hour or two here and there to work on the yard, so the work will be spread over several weeks or even months. It would only be practical to rent a skid steer if I could hit it hard for three or four days or a week and get it all done, but that is not an option for me. I'd rather have a piece of equipment sitting around that I could do a little bit here and there as time allows.

 

[2manyrocks]

Hire it done or rent a machine.

1/2 acre--very hard to have enough space to work in, yet for sod and scrub removal and moving gravel a skid loader or maybe even a ride on skid machine would get it done depending on your operator skills.

 

[DaBear3428]

I would find the least expensive used tractor that will do the job and complete the work as fast as possible, then sell it, or contract the work out. in this environment i would not hang on to an expensive tractor for the short term, and i would defiantly not let one sit around.

 

[jeff9366]

Here are more specifics about my needs:

It is a half acre residential lot in town. 1) There are quite a number of overgrown scrubby bushes that I don't want to hand dig out. 2) I need to plant 45 arborvitae trees along one of the property lines, and would like a post hole digger to help dig those holes.

Buy a Bucket Spade for your FEL, rather than a Post Hole Digger.

LINK TO T-B-N ARCHIVE: Bucket Spade: tractorbynet.com site:www.tractorbynet.com


Deere has it's manufacturing heart in Waterloo, Iowa. I would favor Deere in Iowa for resale.

 

[ArlyA]

Good question about the skid steer. I thought about that, but I ruled it out for a couple of reasons. First, it would do more damage to my lawn, and second, I have a very busy job so I only have an hour or two here and there to work on the yard, so the work will be spread over several weeks or even months. It would only be practical to rent a skid steer if I could hit it hard for three or four days or a week and get it all done, but that is not an option for me. I'd rather have a piece of equipment sitting around that I could do a little bit here and there as time allows.

We found the same thing. Rentals bits when you like to work on the job here and there. Buying the tool has its benefits.

 

[2manyrocks]

But which tool to buy? 1/2 acre isn't that big, especially if there is a house and other improvements like driveways, fences, and sitting areas you have to work around. This sort of sounds like a job for a mini skid steer which are very expensive to buy unless he imports one from aliaba.

 

[ArlyA]

But which tool to buy? 1/2 acre isn't that big, especially if there is a house and other improvements like driveways, fences, and sitting areas you have to work around. This sort of sounds like a job for a mini skid steer which are very expensive to buy unless he imports one from aliaba.

He already said he doesn't want the grass torn up from a skid-steer.

 

[2manyrocks]

It won't sound right when I say this, but tracks are easier on turf than tires.