Thinking about down sizing to save some $$$

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I mow with a John Deere 455 (60in deck) and my tractor is a Cabbed 2005 4320.

I am contemplating selling both the 455 and 4320 and buying a open station 2038R with loader and 72in deck. To mow with and do tractor work.

If you have a 2032R or 2038R and do both let me know how it does mowing.

My property does have some fairly steep hills I mow which the 455 is stable on if I lean over the fender.

I have at times maxed my 4320 out on loader capacity and wished I had a bigger tractor. But as I knock out these projects I believe I can get by with a smaller tractor.

My main use for the loader is feeding my cattle round bales. It’s a hobby farm and I have gone down to just 1-2 head, my pasture can keep up with the demand threw the grass season.

So right now other than mowing stuff around at the house the 4320 is sitting in the barn. My property is around 3 acres but the tractor travels as it’s needed.

I have a 78in BB I use on my 4320, I’m curious if a 2038R would pull it, I have to be in 4x4 with the 4320 on any kind of hills pulling the BB full of material.

The only reason to condense down to the 2038R would be to knock off $10,000 in debt and have a used 2038R paid off. I’m around 3-4 years away from paying the 4320 off. 455 was bought with cash.

I would really like the auto connect MMM deck on the 2038R, I haven’t really seen the specs on the loader but would need it to lift around 800lbs. My 4320 lifts 1750lbs to fill height, I have maxed it out just this year but that was from lifting a car and a truck that was wrecked out of the mud and moving hay equipment I was selling.

Those are loaded up and were scrapped.

Idk, what are your guys thoughts? Not many here go smaller on the tractor, I was thinking about it.

 

[mike48130]

Well, I would say that you will not be too happy with the 20xx tractors unless you are mainly mowing and doing landscaping. I guess the question is what is the 455 and 4320 worth in your area? Never used a 20xx series, but from what I have looked at at dealers and online, they are a lighter duty tractor with higher HP for cutting and tilling and such. Great if you only do that, but the loader is limited to about 800Lbs it seems. Not a lot of lift capacity in a farm environment. I don't have a farm, but I max out my 1300 Lb 4410 lift quite a bit.

I would ask why you went to the 20xx series? I would not consider them a cheap tractor by any means, so not sure what you would save. What about a 4410 or a 3320, 3520 or 3720? You can still get 1300Lb lift on the HD loader and they are the heavy frame tractors. You can still get belly mowers for them to cut with. They will pull the rear attachments well. I think that 78" BB will give the 20xx a hard time. With the smaller tires and lighter tractor, I find the bigger attachments seem to push the rear end around. I had issues with too big of a snow plow on my 4410, and the rear tires would slide sideways, even weighted.

I think the question is, can you really live with going that low on the loader capacity? Otherwise, you can get the HP out of the lighter tractors. Have you considered a ZT for mowing? I have a 60" ZT for mowing, and the 4410 for the tractor work. Gets me by pretty good.

 

[mike48130]

Did you see this thread?

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...210-jd-2032-review-after-2-a.html#post5442586

 

[crashz]

I think you may be disappointed in the performance drop, but the real question is: can you accomplish your goal of selling the big tractor and 455, pay off your note and buy the 2038R cash? I have no idea what the current market prices are for any of those models, but if it were me, I'd want to make a sweetheart deal and maybe even put a few bucks in my pocket for the loss of capacity. So carefully research prices and make sure that you are not costing yourself money by doing this. Best of luck.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Well, I would say that you will not be too happy with the 20xx tractors unless you are mainly mowing and doing landscaping. I guess the question is what is the 455 and 4320 worth in your area? Never used a 20xx series, but from what I have looked at at dealers and online, they are a lighter duty tractor with higher HP for cutting and tilling and such. Great if you only do that, but the loader is limited to about 800Lbs it seems. Not a lot of lift capacity in a farm environment. I don't have a farm, but I max out my 1300 Lb 4410 lift quite a bit.

I would ask why you went to the 20xx series? I would not consider them a cheap tractor by any means, so not sure what you would save. What about a 4410 or a 3320, 3520 or 3720? You can still get 1300Lb lift on the HD loader and they are the heavy frame tractors. You can still get belly mowers for them to cut with. They will pull the rear attachments well. I think that 78" BB will give the 20xx a hard time. With the smaller tires and lighter tractor, I find the bigger attachments seem to push the rear end around. I had issues with too big of a snow plow on my 4410, and the rear tires would slide sideways, even weighted.

I think the question is, can you really live with going that low on the loader capacity? Otherwise, you can get the HP out of the lighter tractors. Have you considered a ZT for mowing? I have a 60" ZT for mowing, and the 4410 for the tractor work. Gets me by pretty good.

The reason to downsize would be to condense machines I have to maintenance and to lower debt, so buying a smaller tractor and zero turn would defeat what I’m trying to do.

The hills on my property limit me to tractor size, I fear a 3 family tractor would be too unstable to comfortably mow with regularly. I would prob mow with my 4320 if the hills weren’t so bad with either a belly mower or rear finish mower. I’m not mowing big steep hills, they are small but are steep enough to upset a tractor.

I looked into a 2720, but the loader is even weaker at around 750lbs. The 2038 is around 1100lbs which I could work with.

In my area, if I sold my 4320 and 455, I would get around 28k for both machines, I owe 12k on the 4320 so I would be looking for something around the 14-16k range. Doesn’t look like I can get a 2038R for that kind of money, I found a few 2032R’s in that price range with around 500 hours.

The mahindra’s have great loaders, just they are still a bit too high on price, I would need a 1533 or 1538 with loader and belly deck, haven’t found one in the price range. Most likely I’ll just keep my 4320, but I would trade if I can find something to do the tasks I need for around my price point.

 

[4570Man]

Why limit yourself to a little tractor? You could find a bigger machine with the budget. Or if you can afford the payment just keep it?

 

[mike48130]

The 4410 isn't much bigger than the 2038R. Weighs less, but basically the same wheelbase. With the quick attach loader, you could drop the loader before you mow if you have any issues. I would think a 4420 would be in the 15k - 18k range. You can get a 4400 or a 4310 a little cheaper. Both good tractors. I think they will be more affordable than the 2038R.

 

[bigtiller]

I had a 455 years ago and now have a 2720.

The areas where you needed to sit on the fender to mow would be to steep for a 2720....aka 2032R. There is to much stuff in the way for any position other than squarely in the seat. My areas like that have a nice brome grass growing there or I weed wack it.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I had a 455 years ago and now have a 2720.

The areas where you needed to sit on the fender to mow would be to steep for a 2720....aka 2032R. There is to much stuff in the way for any position other than squarely in the seat. My areas like that have a nice brome grass growing there or I weed wack it.

That’s what I was afraid of and the reason why I didn’t want to mow with anything bigger than about a 2 family tractor. I can very comfortably mow those grades with the 455.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Why limit yourself to a little tractor? You could find a bigger machine with the budget. Or if you can afford the payment just keep it?

Just to go down to 1 machine for mowing and tractor work. On a get out of debt (except for the house) kick. Build up the 3-6 month emergency fund etc.

I can afford the payments. I can’t afford the tractor (can’t pay it off early enough).

I thought about going down to just the 455 for awhile. Then more lately thought about going to a compact and selling the 455 to still keep a loader.

But I just like the 4320 too much lol, I like the size, it’s never gave me problems, I’m up to date on its maintenance etc. it’s the one thing I’m having troubles with letting go. The cab is nice but I can easily do an open station.

 

[Zebrafive]

I would NOT try and get one tractor to do TWO very different jobs. I would KEEP the 455 and sell the 4320 and replace it with something used if you want to reduce your debt.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I would NOT try and get one tractor to do TWO very different jobs. I would KEEP the 455 and sell the 4320 and replace it with something used if you want to reduce your debt.

I made another post but I decided to drop the idea of one machine and keep the 455. Sell the 4320 and buy a more economic tractor.

Ford 340B was in my sights. Loader as strong as my 4320

 

[CADplans]

How do you sell a 14 year old tractor,, then buy another tractor ,,, and save money?

IMHO,, 99% of the time,, the tractor you own is the lowest cost option,,
it's gotta be,, the dealer has to make $$$$$,, that is life,,
someone is paying that salesman's weekly paycheck,, it is the guy trading tractors,,,

 

[CADplans]

Sell the 4320 and buy a more economic tractor.

Ford 340B was in my sights. Loader as strong as my 4320

How is trading from a 14 year old tractor,, to a 34 year old tractor going to save $$$$ ??
The 34 year old tractor will need MORE repairs,, and, the 34 year old tractor has WAY less features,,
The 340B the guy down the road is selling is for sale for a reason,,, there IS a problem,, or HE would be using it as the better option,,,

Keep what you got,,,

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

How is trading from a 14 year old tractor,, to a 34 year old tractor going to save $$$$ ??
The 34 year old tractor will need MORE repairs,, and, the 34 year old tractor has WAY less features,,
The 340B the guy down the road is selling is for sale for a reason,,, there IS a problem,, or HE would be using it as the better option,,,

Keep what you got,,,

Getting out of a 20k+ tractor that I owe one and buying one for around 7k with cash.

I just need 3pt, PTO and stout loader. I have also considered and posted about selling the 4320 and not having a larger tractor for awhile. If the tractor was paid off, would be diff. I still owe 13k on it (4 years of payments).

 

[CADplans]

Getting out of a 20k+ tractor that I owe one and buying one for around 7k with cash.

I just need 3pt, PTO and stout loader. I have also considered and posted about selling the 4320 and not having a larger tractor for awhile. If the tractor was paid off, would be diff. I still owe 13k on it (4 years of payments).

So,, you want to buy a $7K tractor,, that will need $6K in repairs (clutch, and tires) ,,
then,, in 5 years,, you have a tractor that can be sold for $4K, instead of a $15K ,,,

The numbers say,,,, KEEP YOUR TRACTOR!!,,,, keeping your tractor will PAY YOU $11K,,,,

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

So,, you want to buy a $7K tractor,, that will need $6K in repairs (clutch, and tires) ,,
then,, in 5 years,, you have a tractor that can be sold for $4K, instead of a $15K ,,,

The numbers say,,,, KEEP YOUR TRACTOR!!,,,, keeping your tractor will PAY YOU $11K,,,,

Keeping the tractor might not be a option. I’m trying to pay it off by selling things but idk if I’m gonna make it or not. I need the tractor off the books.

 

[kthompson]

I have a brother in law who has a 3000 series JD that is two years old. I used in on their land in Texas last year some and it was amazing how stable it was on slope. I was running it slow and think that is one area people really have roll over issues, too fast especially making turns up hill. I have only had slope problem with two different ztr mowers and issue in both were sliding down sideways and due to being well aware of the potential was ready to turn mower down hill and prevent a roll.

But, can you not widen the tractor and or add rear wheel weights? How about your rear tires are they empty or filled? Our farm land has only slight slopes but on steeper slopes I think you may be better off to fill to about axle lever and not full (3/4) but no doubt others can answer that from experience.

I have done some of your thinking a few months back and considering stopping with my farming operation and selling three tractors and buy something about the 3or 4000 series with fel and cab and when I did the math and really thought about all aspects realized at this time not a good move. Hope you well in your decisions.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I have a brother in law who has a 3000 series JD that is two years old. I used in on their land in Texas last year some and it was amazing how stable it was on slope. I was running it slow and think that is one area people really have roll over issues, too fast especially making turns up hill. I have only had slope problem with two different ztr mowers and issue in both were sliding down sideways and due to being well aware of the potential was ready to turn mower down hill and prevent a roll.

But, can you not widen the tractor and or add rear wheel weights? How about your rear tires are they empty or filled? Our farm land has only slight slopes but on steeper slopes I think you may be better off to fill to about axle lever and not full (3/4) but no doubt others can answer that from experience.

I have done some of your thinking a few months back and considering stopping with my farming operation and selling three tractors and buy something about the 3or 4000 series with fel and cab and when I did the math and really thought about all aspects realized at this time not a good move. Hope you well in your decisions.

Thanks for the response. When I figure out how to delete this thread I will.

I decided to sell the 4320, keep the 455 and buy a old loader tractor or buy another tractor and use the 3pt to lift or move what I need.

I’m gearing more towards antique tractors. I’m trying to get my step grandma’s massy 98 bought. It’s a really rare tractor. Rarer than my 1929 JD GP.

 

[crashz]

Don't delete it. It still a good topic.

I think the majority of folks on here are older people, well established, with a good financial situation. But life can change quickly and things can get to be too much. I'm fortunate to be able to support my home and lifestyle right now, but if times got tough, I would not hesitate to thin the herd. I'm currently housing a few more trucks than I care to support and I constantly debate getting rid of the newest one because it sits around and costs the most. Its also worth the most.

Nothing wrong at all with keeping your debt down. I would suggest that you don't sell one piece of iron for a pile of iron though. Maybe stash a couple bucks in a CD or something.