Sub compact new vs used advice

[Rookie22]

Hi there.
Just joined your forum and this is my first post so hopefully I have posted correctly

I am interested in purchasing a subcompact tractor w/ backhoe. I started by visiting dealerships w/ the intention of purchasing a new unit to take advantage of 0% financing and a warranty. The 25hp kubotas, JD’s, and MF’s were all in the $25k-$30k range.

The MF dealer has a used 2018 gc 1720eb w/ 98hrs that appears to very well maintained. It appears to have been garage kept bc there is minimal uv damage or rust and eng compartment looks great. It actually looked better than some of the newer units that have been sitting outside at the kubota and mahindra dealerships.
I can get this 2018 gc1720eb for $14700 otd. Dealers agreed to throw in a full service to change all fluids which they said was valued at $500.

Do y’all think think this is a good deal? I just don’t know if I should spend the extra money to go new and get the warranty or roll the dice on the used one. Are there any things I should check or be concerned about since it is almost 7 years old? This would be my first tractor so I could use some advice. Thanks

 

[IndyIan]

With no emissions stuff, that used machine seems like a better idea. Do you trust the dealer? No bad google reviews where they sold someone a lemon? They shouldn't sell you a problem machine, but some dealerships might. Do some research on that model as its old enough to have any common problems well known already.
Look it all over, bottom to top, lay on your back and see if anything is cracked or any bolts loose, scraped off paint, lines bent. Drive it around in all the ranges, 4wd, 2wd, no odd sounds or clunks, try the backhoe, dig a hole. Pins in the loader and hoe should be tight, no slop. Look at the bucket edge, for any big dings or flat spot where someone had taken a run at a rock. Ask the sales guy what they do when they take in a trade in? I imagine they go over it pretty thoroughly.

 

[oldnslo]

98 hrs is just getting broken in so like Indy said look it over trust your gut.

 

[MarkMac]

98 hours is like a used car with 4,000 miles. Still near new.

That used one is half the price of new. I’d get it if it met my needs. Give it a thorough look-over before you buy. The odds of it grenading on you are pretty slim.

It’s become a buyers market, so try to negotiate with the dealer.

 

[Rookie22]

IndyIan​

Thank you for your reply. I am new to the area but dealer seems reputable w/ no bad reviews. I really appreciate your advice. I’m a sportfish captain on a rig w/ twin 2600hp mtu diesel engs, so I have a bit of experience looking for evidence of leaks and potential problems, but absolutely no experience w/ tractors. I like that you mentioned getting on my back to check beneath bc I did just that. She looks very well maintained. I saw no visible leaks or rust on the motor or any of the hydraulics. Could you please elaborate more on what I should be looking for w/ regards to the pins in the loader. Please let me know your thoughts on these pics. Looks like a solid machine but I’m a bit nervous purchasing an older unit as a newbie operator w/o a warranty. Appreciate your time and advice thank you

 

[Rookie22]

98 hrs is just getting broken in so like Indy said look it over trust your gut.

Cool thank you for your input

 

[Rookie22]

98 hours is like a used car with 4,000 miles. Still near new.

That used one is half the price of new. I’d get it if it met my needs. Give it a thorough look-over before you buy. The odds of it grenading on you are pretty slim.

It’s become a buyers market, so try to negotiate with the dealer.

 

[Rookie22]

I really appreciate your input. Thank you

 

[Rookie22]

98 hours is like a used car with 4,000 miles. Still near new.

That used one is half the price of new. I’d get it if it met my needs. Give it a thorough look-over before you buy. The odds of it grenading on you are pretty slim.

It’s become a buyers market, so try to negotiate with the dealer.

 

[Rookie22]

Thank you for your reply

 

[rScotty]

My first step would be to use the search function on the upper right hand of this TBN home page.
Search for that particular model and read what other owners have said.
BTW, I didn't have any luck until I searched under the full model name: GC1720eb
rScotty

Here is a similar model today. New price with Warranty. $18.9K
The similar size Kubota is quite a bit more expensive, but is a model that has been in production now for a decade or two. The JD1025 is even more money and has also been around a while.

 

[Rookie22]

Thank you for your input

 

[lsgreg]

I have nothing to add regarding your choice other than what has been provided by others more experienced than me.

But, I will ask - are you sure a sub-compact will meet your needs?

 

[Rookie22]

Appreciate your reply. I think sub compact meets my needs. Newly acquired 3.5 acres w/ approximately 1.5 acres already sodded. Remaining 2 acres has been cleared w/ majority of pine tree stumps removed. Plan to use tractor / backhoe to clean up, rake, grade, and seed the remaining 2 acres. Also plan to establish small garden, fence, and shed foundation. Already have ex mark zero turn for established yard so thinking the used gc 1720 could be valuable. Please let me know your thoughts? Also considering a box blade to help clean up the cleared 2 acres but not sure if it’s the correct implement / approach bc of numerous sub surface and semi exposed roots. Thinking box blade could help level the ruts? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks you!

 

[rScotty]

I have nothing to add regarding your choice other than what has been provided by others more experienced than me.

But, I will ask - are you sure a sub-compact will meet your needs?

I'm glad you brought that up. Subcompacts are best on smooth or improved ground. They just don't have much ground clearance, and both loader and hoe are secondary to use as a mowing machine.
Of course even the subcompact will outdig, carry, and outlast several big men working at full speed. .

Moving up slightly in size from a subcompact to the smallest compact tractor gets a sturdierr frame and a lot more ground clearance on a tractor where mowing is not the primary use. It also weighs another thousand lbs. The downside is more expense for a large jump in capability.

An excellent resource for the novice is comparing models using TractorData.com.
search on: "Massey Ferguson GC1720eb data"

Once there, go over to "attachments" and you will see that the 1720eb came with either of two different loaders ond/or backhoes and how they differ in their specs.

TractorData.com Massey Ferguson GC1720 backhoe-loader tractor attachments information

www.tractordata.com

 

[Rookie22]

Wow. Really appreciate your advice thank you.

 

[jyoutz]

I'm glad you brought that up. Subcompacts are best on smooth or improved ground. They just don't have much ground clearance, and both loader and hoe are secondary to use as a mowing machine.
Of course even the subcompact will outdig, carry, and outlast several big men working at full speed. .

Moving up slightly in size from a subcompact to the smallest compact tractor gets a sturdierr frame and a lot more ground clearance on a tractor where mowing is not the primary use. It also weighs another thousand lbs. The downside is more expense for a large jump in capability.

An excellent resource for the novice is comparing models using TractorData.com.
search on: "Massey Ferguson GC1720eb data"

Once there, go over to "attachments" and you will see that the 1720eb came with either of two different loaders ond/or backhoes and how they differ in their specs.

TractorData.com Massey Ferguson GC1720 backhoe-loader tractor attachments information

www.tractordata.com

I agree that the OP should consider a small compact for the land cleaning and other chores he mentioned. Especially since he has a zero turn for mowing.

 

[Rookie22]

Rsc

I'm glad you brought that up. Subcompacts are best on smooth or improved ground. They just don't have much ground clearance, and both loader and hoe are secondary to use as a mowing machine.
Of course even the subcompact will outdig, carry, and outlast several big men working at full speed. .

Moving up slightly in size from a subcompact to the smallest compact tractor gets a sturdierr frame and a lot more ground clearance on a tractor where mowing is not the primary use. It also weighs another thousand lbs. The downside is more expense for a large jump in capability.

An excellent resource for the novice is comparing models using TractorData.com.
search on: "Massey Ferguson GC1720eb data"

Once there, go over to "attachments" and you will see that the 1720eb came with either of two different loaders ond/or backhoes and how they differ in their specs.

TractorData.com Massey Ferguson GC1720 backhoe-loader tractor attachments information

www.tractordata.com

good call on the different loader capacities. The unit I’m considering has the higher rated DL 95 loader w/ the higher load capacity. As much research as I’ve done, I never realized that. Thank you

 

[Rookie22]

I agree that the OP should consider a small compact for the land cleaning and other chores he mentioned. Especially since he has a zero turn for mowing.

Thank you for your input much appreciated

 

[airbiscuit]

I usually think bigger is better, but 42% of your 3.5 acres is already domesticated, and it doesn't sound like the rest is all that bad. I think a SCUT would fill the bill for you. Here is a good video of the capability of a SCUT.

That Massey Ferguson looks like a good deal, and I don't see new being worth all the extra $$. At that price, you would probably get your money out of it if you decide to change horses later.

Finally, do you really need a backhoe? I know others will differ on this point.