Thoroughly confused and discouraged.

[BB_TX]

Ken - This morning's local paper (Dallas Morning News) had 5 used tractors ranging in price from $2150 to $4750 with a various assortment of implements. At least one at 40 hp. I don't now anything about any of them. But it shows that there are tractors to be had for reasonable prices, although they may need some work. Decide what you can truly afford without putting yourself in a bind. Then do some serious shopping of local and not so local papers, green sheet type sales sheets, etc. Just driving around the N TX area you can find small lots here and there with a few used tractors on them. Or even an occasional tractor sitting out by a farmer's fence with a for sale sign on it.

 

[WVBill]

Ken: Unless your 2.5 acres that you have to mow is truly lawn (like as in suburban lawn - no bumps, gullies, old ruts, rocks, etc) then you will likely have to spend as much to get a reliable garden tractor as some of the CUT suggestions you've gotten.

When we moved to our house (3.5 acres ex-pasture land)some of our neighbors (same size lots, same land) bought "Box store" garden tractors. They found that they had to mow very slowly and gently (and take forever to do their 3.5 acres) or risk beating the low-cost GT to death.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I will probably go back to the classifieds. Just looked some last fall and was very disappointed in what I found. But, the more I look at the more I will be able to use something a little bigger than your run of the mill garden tractor.

THink I will stop on the way home tonight and get and Equipment Trader magazine.

Thanks everyone.
Ken H.

 

[Woodbeef]

Is the Trading Times still around,it always had better deals than the picture books I found? How far are you from Monroe,Dundee or Adrian? I used to go down there and pick up the ones from Toledo.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Yes, I will get a Tradin times also. They are basically local to me, well most of the stuff. And there is also HEavy Equipment trader that is all kinds of agricultural and industrial equipment. Monroe and Adrian is mostly south of me by quite a bit.

Thanks
Ken H.

 

[Soundguy]

As others have pointed out... A fel might be out now.. but could be added later.. In the mean time, you might be able to use a rear scoop.. they are only a couple hundred bucks.. and though slow... eventually you can move quite a bit of dirt with them... My yanmar 1700 did.
Speaking of prices and lawnmowers.. three of my tractors have been cheaper ( individually ) than some of these new riding lawn mowers.. some of which I have seen for as high as 3500...yikes! And as for vehicle prices.. sometimes I have to laugh... The last one I bought, I paid 2k for my 1954 NAA.. and on the same lot was a few late model 80's cars.. buiks.. large pontiacs.. etc.. all servicable and ran.. some as low as 600 bucks.... Weird huh... car 600.. tractor 2k and up!

Since you are handy, that opens up a few more avenues for you, whether used or a new chineese import.

I would still look at the economy jinma's.. even if only as comparison.. though if you are deffinately going to get a FEL in the future.. the economy 2wd 20hp jinma is probably not the best choice.. ( but anything is possible.. I've seen loaders for lawnmowers.. go figure. )

Sounds like you may be in the market for a late model 60/70's bigger tractor.. like a ford 2 or 3k.. nice and beefy.. and should be getting low on the price area due to age.

If your yard doesn't have to be manicured.. you would be surprised at how good a rotary cutter will make a pasture look if you cut it once a week.... almost a finished lawn..

let us know what you end up doing.

Soundguy

 

[Worksmart]

Ken - What about a Farmall/International Cub?? $1500-2500. Parts are readily available. Implements are readily available. Woods still offers brand new finish mowers.

Cutting grass...no problem. Plowing snow/dirt...no problem. Hauling a cart...no problem.

A pic of my '49 is attached.

Chuck

 

[Worksmart]

Or you can have them in yellow and white.....

My '66. Chuck

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color="blue">…the comment about being hurt/ injured... I have no idea where this came from, so I dont know what to respond to that…</font>

Hi Ken…

I was mainly addressing a safety concern for ya by trying to use a small undersized garden tractor towing a 1200 lb. trailer which would be very dangerous…

If you are mechanically inclined, have you considered picking up a tractor at a local auction…? If ya disregard the looks… you can find something running, for well under $1000.

The problem is, I don’t really know how much you intend to spend… that would help somewhat… /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

As a side note… I noticed in your profile, you are an engineer… what kind of engineer are you…?

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I think JM III has the best idea. You really need to prioritize and then look at what you need and want. If you're trying to do this on an all cash basis and your total available funds total around $5K, I sure wouldn't recommend spending it all on a tractor (or anything else for that matter). If your $1300 car drops a transmission then you have no way to get to work.

Sit down. Make a list. Prioritize things. Make up a budget and work from it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif