What has happened to tractors? Help us choose another workhorse for our tree farm.

[cutamerc]

Good morning all, just wanted to check in and thank everyone again for your help. I have read every reply and appreciate your contributions.
At this point I have the confidence to pursue another 3930. As everyone has said, if we are going used, there are many reasons to get another 3930. I would like to visit a few dealerships this weekend if possible, but this is just to get it out of my system more than anything else.

JerryG the 2650HD from the 2600 series you suggested looks like a terrific option if we have to go new for whatever reason, as does the 75A from Case.

The "Park" feature on the JD models is the most useful tractor feature I have ever heard of, this alone makes them extremely appealing and probably moves it near the top of our list for new models. I can't under under-emphasize how much it would be used.

Boggen thank you for your suggestions. I have heard people talk that a tractor with extremely low hours may not be always be a great idea and that seals might sit dry and unused for long periods of time. Would anyone have any hesitation, for example, with a 19 year old model with only 400 hours? I'm also waiting to hear back about a 2002 model year with 200 hours, though it looks like someone may have beat us to it.
This machine is fairly close to us:
1995 Ford 3930 w/backhoe
From the pictures it almost looks repainted.

And finally thank you for the info on the new transmissions, we haven't needed more ratios with the standard transmission so I see no real reason to go hunting for anything else. I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting and others that I have not thanked, this has been very helpful.

 

[arrow]

This may be that 3930 listed in Tractor House that has 204 hrs. Looks very close to what you are finding. I don't know about what can happen to a tractor just sitting but it first has to be confirmed that the tractor mostly sat instead of little used but constant. I only average 35-40 hrs on a tractor per year but never had a problem with the 28 year old tractor I just traded in. http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=6794679

 

[cutamerc]

This may be that 3930 listed in Tractor House that has 204 hrs. Looks very close to what you are finding. I don't know about what can happen to a tractor just sitting but it first has to be confirmed that the tractor mostly sat instead of little used but constant. I only average 35-40 hrs on a tractor per year but never had a problem with the 28 year old tractor I just traded in. http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=6794679

I agree! And thanks for taking the time to post the link. We have actually been talking to them, but someone is ahead of us and we are waiting to hear back. If they can't get it financed we may have it sent down. They offered to trailer it for $1,500, not terrible considering the distance.

 

[arrow]

I agree! And thanks for taking the time to post the link. We have actually been talking to them, but someone is ahead of us and we are waiting to hear back. If they can't get it financed we may have it sent down. They offered to trailer it for $1,500, not terrible considering the distance.

I also think Cut that the other tractor you're looking at with the 400 hrs is just as nice a selection. The latter is the value packed one as it's coming with a backhoe.

 

[oldpilgrim]

a hydrostatic transmission, i would most likely stay away from. it doesn't matter if you are in gear or out of gear. they will roll on you no matter what, and only way to stop them is with the emergency brake when tractor is off.

Can you explain this a little better? As a user of 2 machines with HST, I have no idea what you are talking about here.

 

[Hinomotoman]

There is a 4 wheel drive 3930 on the Columbia, SC Craigslist with 400 hours.

Eugene

 

[Hinomotoman]

Sorry, I see someone beat me to it.

Eugene

 

[DavesTractor]

This is a cool deal. Half of TBN is searching for a used 3930 for the OP! Best of luck.

 

[boggen]

Can you explain this a little better? As a user of 2 machines with HST, I have no idea what you are talking about here.

all HST (hydro static transmission) leak hyd oil to some extent internally. a HST = 1 hyd pump, and 1 hyd motor, packaged together in a single unit to make a HST.

when you turn the engine off, these internal leaks, will allow a HST tractor to roll down a hill. kinda like, if you raised your FEL up in the air, and turned off tractor and it slowly comes back down to the ground. same basic thing, but with the HST.

granted most newer HST tractors apply regular brakes as you remove your foot from the HST peddle. but this is not using the "engine compression" when engine is off, to help hold the tractor while it is on a hill.

a regular manual geared transmission, if you turn off tractor, and put it into a gear. the engine compression itself helps hold the tractor. ever try to push start a old manual vehicle were the battery was dead? it takes some extra man power to get the vehicle to move from a dead stop and then to keep it moving till engine cranks over. but with a HST those internal leaks, when engine is off, allows the transmission to rotate, this allowing a tractor to HST tractor to roll down a hill. more so when emergency brakes have not been applied

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*scratches head* not sure if explained well. it took me a while till i started to actually look at various HST's and how they were put together, to understand how a HST could have internal hyd oil leaks. and why they are not reliable vs a old manual gear transmission. for using as a brake when engine is off.

 

[oldpilgrim]

all HST (hydro static transmission) leak hyd oil to some extent internally. a HST = 1 hyd pump, and 1 hyd motor, packaged together in a single unit to make a HST.

when you turn the engine off, these internal leaks, will allow a HST tractor to roll down a hill. kinda like, if you raised your FEL up in the air, and turned off tractor and it slowly comes back down to the ground. same basic thing, but with the HST.

granted most newer HST tractors apply regular brakes as you remove your foot from the HST peddle. but this is not using the "engine compression" when engine is off, to help hold the tractor while it is on a hill.

a regular manual geared transmission, if you turn off tractor, and put it into a gear. the engine compression itself helps hold the tractor. ever try to push start a old manual vehicle were the battery was dead? it takes some extra man power to get the vehicle to move from a dead stop and then to keep it moving till engine cranks over. but with a HST those internal leaks, when engine is off, allows the transmission to rotate, this allowing a tractor to HST tractor to roll down a hill. more so when emergency brakes have not been applied

==============
*scratches head* not sure if explained well. it took me a while till i started to actually look at various HST's and how they were put together, to understand how a HST could have internal hyd oil leaks. and why they are not reliable vs a old manual gear transmission. for using as a brake when engine is off.

Thanks for taking the time to explain your point of view better.

I understand what you're saying, but I'm not sure that it is of any great consequence when considering purchasing a tractor. If it was, HST's would not be as popular as they are.

Not all HST's will move on a hill as you suggest. The smaller 'lawn tractors" have a rod to pull out to release the transmission so they can be moved with the engine off....you can't budge them otherwise. Possibly some larger ones have a release too, I can't really speak to that. My Mahindra HST will roll a little on a hill with the engine off OR with it running. That's why anyone should press the brake, set the lock and lower the implements before dismounting.

My Ferguson, geared version, if it was running, or course I had to set the brake and drop the bucket....no different than an HST. If it was not running, I'd still not trust the compression and I'd drop the bucket and set the brake.

A tractor by it's nature, is heavy. Add the weight of the implements, ballast, and a loaded bucket, you'd be nuts to trust the compression of that heavy machine to hold it safely on a hill.

Anyone who 'parks' on a hill with any tractor with any type transmission, who doesn't lock the brakes, drop the implements, and depends on the engine compression to hold it in place, even with a geared transmission, is asking for trouble.

I suspect that all owners manuals will state that.

I don't feel it's any reason to not consider an HST tractor.