Thinking about buying a new/used compact

[WIshane]

Hi Guys/Girls I am back to this board after a 2 year hiatus. I used to visit this board a fair amount but I got to the point where I thought it would be quite awhile before I could see the need to buy one of these machines. Alot has changed for me and my family in the past 6 months the sale of my house on 27acres of farm land and the purchase of our new home with 40 acres of woods. I live in north central Wisconsin and we have bought a home that has an outdoor wood burner so I have a new hobby (making wood). I currently own a 1964 Ford 4000 gas tractor with a FEL and a fork-set that I made this past summer. While this tractor does the job I find that I would like to have something a bit more reliable/agile in the woods and 4wd would be a plus. My future plans are to start a small christmas tree farm, I also have numerous creeks on th property that I would like to work on along with some trails that could use some work. I have been told that it does not pay to have a compact under 35hp for what I would like to do out here. I currently load 8ft logs on to the hydraulic dump trailer that I built this past summer and bring them up to the house to be cut/split that is the main task that this machine will need to preform. Everything else will be for fun or like I tell my wife bettering our investment. I would like to buy something in that 12-18k range I think but I am just starting to kick tires right now. I am interested in any suggestions in brands, attachments anything that you fine folks can help me out with Thanks in advance!

 

[Thomas]

Morning WIshane.
"I would like to buy something in that 12-18k range I think but I am just starting to kick tires right now."

You may want to check out TractorHouse.com...there are dealers which offer many type models old and new both 2WD & 4WD,plus offer magazine once you sign on there mailing list.

 

[roxynoodle]

Is your new tractor going to have a loader too? I'm thinking it might be hard to come up with a new tractor over 35hp with 4wd and a loader in your price range. I haven't shopped for one that big, so I'm not sure. Perhaps a Mahindra or Kioti would fit the bill nicely. Of course there's always the Chinese tractors if you don't mind working on them (Jinma or Kama). You might be able to find a Yanmar 3110D. As long as you buy it from a reputable dealer that would take care of your needs and get you a reliable tractor on the cheaper end.

I'm guessing you would like a 3ph log splitter if you don't already have a stand alone type that is doing a good job. Several people on my road heat with firewood at least as much as we can to save on propane costs. One of the neighbors has a good gas powered stand alone splitter so he does splitting for me, but there have been a lot of threads on TBN lately about 3ph splitters. Check those out if that interests you.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Sounds like you know what you want. Your price range would be for a used "major" brand or possibly new chinese tractor. While your 4000 is not a huge tractor, a 35 hp or more compact would be a "younger brother". You mention nimbleness, the JD large compacts turning circle is maybe a foot bigger than the midsize. For hilly slopes, I recommend hydrostatic tranny, R1 tires and 4wd. These will keep the price at the high end of your budget. I think a JD 4710 would really fit your bill but I don't think they have come down that low yet, you might get lucky.

 

[wolc123]

If you could scrape up another $5K, a JD 4120 with R1's and loaded rear tires would be just right for you. A new JD 990 would be a couple grand less but you would be marginal on hydraulic lift capacity and tractor weight to handle logs of significant size. I would look at Mahindra which has earned a reputation for quality rivaling JD, Kubota, NH, but may get you into a heavier tractor with the hydraulic power of a JD 4120 for around the cost of a 990. For many jobs, 4wd will let a smaller tractor do the job of a larger one, but for making heavy lifts, you need a heavy, proper balasted tractor. Obviously however, 4wd makes a huge improvement in manuverability with a front loader because you gain traction instead of lose it as you add weight to the front end. Concerning tires, many will argue that R4,s are better for use in the woods as they have somewhat greater resistance to puncture damage. This slight advantage is greatly outweighed by much reduced traction in mud and soft ground. A 4wd with R4's would not have much more traction ability in these conditions than your 2wd 4000 with R1's. I think you would be sorry if you pay a lot for a new 4wd and are not able to pull any more than you could with your 4000, so getting the right tires is a critical part of your purchase, especially because 75% or more of the CUT's out there have R4's.

 

[IslandTractor]

I don't know if they have released pricing on it yet but Kioti just announced a CK35 which might fit the bill. If you don't need hydro then the DK series are pretty good deals if the dealer discounts reasonably. Like Roxynoodle said, Mahindra would also be worth checking out.

 

[coasterez]

Isn't Kioti now offering the 45 in hydro now? Not sure about price. Would expect it to be very close.

 

[lhfarm]

I replaced my '64 Ford 4000 w/FEL for a NH TC40DA. The 4000 was a real work horse, but I'd never go back. The only thing I lost was running my baler. Based on advise here, I won't be doing that. Everything from the hydraulics to the way the tractor handles in the woods is such a vast improvement - and your Ford is a great old tractor.
As you already know, there is great information on all the brands here. I won't be afraid to look at used to stretch your budget a little.

 

[Agro-oti]

With your price range,I'd look for a new CUT in the 30-50 hp area. The Kioti CK and DK along with Deutz-Fahr Agrokid are all within reach. You'll get a warranty,and financing if needed also by buying new vs used.

 

[Glowplug]

I love New Holland tractors. That way it could be more closely related to the Ford you already have. It could be its newer, bigger, stronger cousin. Everyone on this board has their views on tractors and you will likely receive numerous recommendations on what you should get. But you have to get what works for you, what brand you feel comfortable with, what dealer you feel comfortable with, and what specific tractor you feel comfortable driving.

Good luck! Don't forget to update your "Public Profile".

 

[Doc_Bob]

I would like to buy something in that 12-18k range I think but I am just starting to kick tires right now. I am interested in any suggestions in brands, attachments anything that you fine folks can help me out with Thanks in advance!

Look around. Don't get locked into a tractor choiced based upon price. Find what fits and then work on the price. Don't let price force you into a tractor that does not do the job, you will only be unhappy and have to buy another when you decide it cannot do the job.
Bob

 

[N80]

I got my Kubota L4400, 4wd, 45hp and FEL for about $18,500 new with 0% financing. I do similar types of things with mine including a lot of work in the woods and on small trails. It is _very_ nimble with a tight turning radius.

There is one thing that would probably rule this tractor out for you though: it does not have an option for a cab.

 

[WIshane]

Thanks for all of the input so far I find my self thinking of sticking with a Deere New Holland or Kubota just based on the simple fact that is all that is around up here. I also have decided that I am probably going to be buying used based on my price range. My problem is with so many different models out there it is hard for me to know which ones I should be considering. Even on this board reading everyones input on here its hard to figure out which models will have the horsepower and loader capabilities that I need. New Holland seems to be the only company that puts their hp right in their model number of the big 3. I know this may sound funny to you guys/girls that have spent alot of time here but I would appreciate model numbers for what you people think would accomplish the tasks that I am looking to perform. Thanks again and I apologize for my ignorance.

 

[machmeter62]

WIshane: You could swing by your local Kubota Dealer and checkout the performance numbers on the L4400; Gross hp.45.3/ net 43.0/ pto 37.5. It's a lot of tractor for the money, and will squeeze into your price range; plus the benefit of a new tractor. It is a no frills tractor, Sliding gear and Constant Mesh: 8 forward and 4 reverse gearstransmission.

I'm sure you can get some testimonials from others on the L4400 on the Kubota forum. The L3400, which is under 35 hp. might work also, but the weight might be a negative factor for your use. It also has the option of an HST transmission. Good luck in your search.

 

[roxynoodle]

A good dealer should understand your needs and be able to recommend the right size tractor. They may even be willing to bring you a demo to try on your property. Of course people on this forum who have similar uses and types of property will hopefully chime in here about what they have.

 

[onsight]

I wouldn't be afraid to look at the Montana line. There are a few dealers around your area. My 4944HST is an awesome machine and I would recommend it. It would be a little more money but I think it would be worth it. Check out Montana's website (Montana Tractors: Tough Compact, Utility Tractors and Implements) to find a dealer. I would recommend Sylvester Repair over in Lena. Thats where I bought mine.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Montana is a lot of tractor for the money. Take a look.
Bob

 

[flusher]

If tree farming is in your future, you might look at orchard tractors. Up here in the North Valley we have lotsa olive, almond, walnut, peach, nectarine orchards. Folks generally use 30-50hp John Deeres, Kubotas and Massey Ferguson.

Last July I bought a 1966 MF-135 diesel orchard tractor that's pretty nimble. My son is driving it through what's left of the old almond orchard on my place. The trees are planted on an 20-ft grid. Don't know how much separation you would have in your tree farm.

 

[Glowplug]

"A good dealer should understand your needs and be able to recommend the right size tractor. They may even be willing to bring you a demo to try on your property."

Oh man Audrey!! If my dealer did that to me he'd probably never get his "demo" back!! LOL. That would be a good selling ploy though. Give you a little sample taste and get you hooked.

 

[roxynoodle]

Well, I went to meet the guys in the local Case/IH dealership last Saturday to see how friendly they might be about getting parts for my new H when the need arises. We all talked tractors for awhile and they were trying to talk me into trading in my Yanmar (NOOOO!!!!) for a new Kubota. They not only offered to bring me a demo but offered to mow my lawn for me if I wanted them to! They even offered to mow it weekly if I was too busy to do it myself. Apparently these aren't the tractor dealers I keep reading about on here that ignore people who set foot on their lot.