Tight budget: Is this even possible?

RobertN · Feb 25, 2005

I bought my Kubota without a loader and added one later. I had a budget too; got the tractor for cash; did not want to spend more or finance.

I saved my money for a while, and added a loader.

My B8200HST is 19hp. It is same size as the B2710 and 2910. It's actually the great grandaddy to those models.

I added a Bushhog laoder to it a couple years ago. Expect ~$3k installed as a guideline.

It is a much more complete "tractor" with the loader, it really adds to the capability. I wish I had got mine when I got the tractor. But, I didn't want to finance, and had a set cash budget.

Before the loader, I had a rear scoop; it allowed me to dig a little and move lots of dirt... It cost $200 instead of the $3000...

jeff_jeff · Feb 25, 2005

It took me about 4 hours to install my loader - most of that time was spent trying to figure out how to move big chunks of metal by myself to get the holes to line up. If I could have found some help, I could have done it in an hour or two.

Jeff

sd_smoker · Feb 26, 2005

( But, I didn't want to finance, and had a set cash budget. )

That's the thing right there. We just managed to pay off all our debt (and does that ever feel good!) and we're going to do everything in our power to stay out. It's very tempting when I see what I could get for $10k, but I'm tryin' to stay strong!

Jeff, that's good to know, thanks. What kind of loader was it if you don't mind my asking? Were there any special tools required?

John_Mc · Feb 26, 2005

I have a sure-fire methodfor you to find exactly the deal you are looking for:

1) talk to everyone you know, stop by all the dealers and ask abou tused equipment, comb the classifieds for about 6 months or so.

2) give up on finding what you want at the price you want, and pay much more for what you want, or stay within budget and settle for something less.

3) witin a week or so of completing step 2, the classifieds will have 3 or 4 tractors equippped exactly as you want for a price you can afford. A dealer will call with a bargain on something he just took in trade, and your neighbor will decide to sell his tractor, which is more tractor than what you had hoped for, but he'll sell to you for a great price.

How do I know this method works? ... Don't ask.

John Mc

sd_smoker · Feb 26, 2005

That certainly sounds like something that would happen to me! It'd be funny if it wasn't so maddening!

rtimgray · Feb 26, 2005

I was thumbing through the Midwest Heavy Equipment magazine last night (didn't buy it), but came across an advertisement for M and M tractors - grey market dealer. They were advertising a 2wd Yanmar 1500 with FEL for $4700 or $4800 (but that's 15hp/2wd, not 20/4wd). They also had a couple of other 4wd tractors with equipment and trailers for less than $5000.

They are located somewhere in Missouri. Website was www.mandmtractor.com. I haven't even looked at the website yet (guess I should have); They may be too far away from Oklahoma City to consider, but thought I might pass the information along.

Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with M and M tractor - just saw the ad and thought it might be applicable. Hope I am not infringing on any rules by posting the website address.

Good luck.

DmansPadge · Feb 26, 2005

Just another thing to keep in mind...

I got one heck of a deal and it's not likely you will find as good of a deal as I did. But... when the guy that I bought the tractor from originally posted the ad, he was asking $9800. I saw the ad and pasted it right by because that was out of my price range. In fact, at the the time, I really was thinking about buying a new garden tractor and letting a good friend of mine handle the bigger stuff with his L series Kubota. After a few weeks.. I guess he wasn't getting any replies so he dropped the price to $7800 obo. Once I saw that I figured I'd shoot him an email and tell him if he is really ready to deal I might be interested. I gave him all my contact info. The next day I got home from work and he had left a message on my answering machine saying "I thought about it, and man, I really need to get this thing outta my garage so my wife can start parking in here again. I'm willing to go down to $5400." And then he said the magic words... "or best offer!" I knew that instant I was going to buy it. But he left the offer open and (I'll quit rambling and make this short) I ended up getting it for $4800. This guy was an engineer at a chemical refinery and his wife was a CPA. It's not like they were hurting for the money.... they just wanted to get rid of it!

All and all... just keep that story in mind while you look around. Because I never would have believed I would have bought a tractor for $4800 that somebody wanted $9800 for originally.