Buying Advice Used sub/compact tractor, what to buy?

[Tenx82]

ETA: Just found a localish deal that I'll probably jump on unless there's a good reason not to:
2019 RK24 with 309hrs.
Includes loader, backhoe, box blade, dump trailer, rake, grapple, brush cutter, and 18' utility trailer for $17k.

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New guy looking to pick up my first tractor and could use some help.

I've got several options (all include loader & backhoe), but I'm really just not sure what is/isn't a good tractor or a good deal.

2017 Rural King RK24, 230hrs, $13.5k
2012 John Deere 1026R, 600hrs, $14.7k
2016 Mahindra eMax 25s HST, 300hrs, $15.5k
2015 Kubota BX25D, 600hrs, $17.5k
2020 Massey GC1725M, 200hrs, $17.9k
20xx New Holland Boomer 25, 300hrs, $18.5k
2024 TYM T254, new demo unit, $21.5k

Assuming these are all in good working order with age appropriate wear, which ones are most worthy of consideration?
Are there some other makes/models I should look at?

Ideally, I'd like to spend $15k or less, but could spend upwards of $25k if it's significantly better value for money.

 

[RjCorazza]

Really those hours are not going to play much of a part in selecting between them. They all should have plenty of life left in them.
I personally don't like the idea of rebadged tractors like the RK, but there are plenty of happy RK owners here on TBN.
With that list, I would imagine physically looking them over would weed out the potentially poorly maintained machines and make your choice easier.
Happy shopping!

ps... Those tractors are all Sub Compacts rather than Compacts.

 

[JeepHead]

What are your needs for a tractor? How long do you plan to keep this tractor? Those are two questions I would want answered. If I planned to only keep a tractor for 20 years, I would want to buy a model that had a lot of them on the used market to better ensure parts would be available years down the road.

 

[2manyrocks]

Look at the stability of the brand and the dealer network before buying. A good dealer can help you keep your machine running while a bad dealer won't give a rip.

 

[nybirdman]

My only rule of thumb;don't buy a used anything from a dealer that is an off brand for the dealer;I.E. a Ford from a Chevy dealer.
A back hoe quickly becomes a lawn ornament.

 

[Tenx82]

What are your needs for a tractor? How long do you plan to keep this tractor? Those are two questions I would want answered. If I planned to only keep a tractor for 20 years, I would want to buy a model that had a lot of them on the used market to better ensure parts would be available years down the road.

Main uses are going to be digging out a 50' length of a foundation (6' depth) for some waterproofing, grading most of a 1 acre lot, and maintaining a 24x100' stone driveway. Also planning to eventually till a ~1/4 acre garden, replace my 20x20 garage with a 28x32 (excavate for slab) and my 10x12 shed with a 14x32 (expand stone base).

Long term support isn't a top priority. My riding mower can handle the driveway and garden work if need be, so I only really need it for the projects that require excavating. That said, I'm not opposed to spending a little extra for something that does have better long term support and makes the light work even lighter.

 

[oldnslo]

Just curious on how well those small back hoes will work for 6 foot deep trench?

 

[Tenx82]

It's close to the limit of their ~6.5' dig depth so I'm assuming I'll need to do a little work by hand.
I'd love to get one with an ~8' dig depth, but those all seem to be out of my budget.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

My first time buying (used) experience.

Made purchase based on price vs. what I would use it for. I outgrew my Yanmar 324 really quick. Second purchase can handle what I need it to do, it is the condition that is getting expensive, now needs 4 new tires, possible hydraulic pump, oil leak needing to split tractor. I am having a lot of trouble finding someone to work on it. I'm told by a dealer, leave it, we'll get to it when we can. Maybe 6 months. local mechanics won't return calls. Point is, support is very important, unless you are doing it all yourself.
+1 on back hoe. Many older tractors are not very easy to get on or off. Keeping it on saves the trouble of on/off, but it restricts you mobility. Rental would be my go to if I really wanted to get it done. I have more time than money to spend, but hiring out can be a quick couple hour job done right, no issues.

Between the price of both purchases, I could have bought new...

 

[thclimer]

The backhoe for my TC33D a 757C has a max digging depth of 90" (7.5'). It digs a 3.5' to 4' deep trench nicely. Digging much deeper requires extra maneuvering to manage the dirt. I can't ever imagen digging with it a long a 50' foundation 6' deep.

How far out from the foundation wall are you going dig to slope your trench wall so that it doesn't cave in?