what should I buy and how much should I spend?

[bigsky]

Just bought 3 acres and I know I will need a tractor. After buying the land I ll be a little short on cash but am thinking of selling/trading my motorcycle. Can anybody tell me whats a good one to look at in the used market? Thanks Dave... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Gatorboy]

Welcome to TBN -- when you get a chance, fill out your profile so we know the area you live. Many answers to questions differ based on location.

You will need to be a bit more informative with what you are looking to do with a tractor. It's hard to give some reasonable answers without a bit more detail.

Will this be for cutting grass only? Do you have other needs you want a tractor for? What's your budget? Get the idea?

 

[bigsky]

Thanks Gatorboy sorry I will do the profile thing, as for the needs and budget needs for moving small amount of earth i.e. scrapping for a driveway clearing an area for my fithwheel....mowing would be nice but not ness. The area is in California valley and it is every dry and isolated there...land is flat thankgod... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif and I will be first be putting in fence post....thats about it in a nut shell alot of work but I am looking forward to it....Thanks again. Dave...

 

[Highbeam]

The motorcycle won't go very far unless it is a nice Harley. These things are expensive 10-20k$.

 

[notamustang]

Hey dcfab and welcome.

I have a 23hp Kubota bx2230, I have a PHD(post hole digger), FEL (front end loader) and a BB (box blade). It is a nice size tractor with good stability plus there is no clutch /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I am on 10 acres and this tractor does pretty well. It is always nice to have more horsepower and a bigger tractor but you take what you can afford /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif This is just to give you an idea, I am by no means recomending one make over another.

 

[Soundguy]

A nice scut will fit your needs.. but *nicely equipped, can run over 10k from the Big 3.

You could also look at #2 brands.. some savings.. not much. Then there are #3 brands.. chineese, etc.

Also possibilities are asian imports, and used domestic tractors.

A cheap old ford tractor will do lotsa work for a few bucks.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[MadDog]

This is a matter of personal choice and value judgments. Within the limits of what you can afford to spend on a tractor, my choice would be to get the best quality machine that is capable of doing the work I planned on doing.

I'd rather have a slightly smaller or less powerful machine that is built to last. For homeowner use, virtually ANY CUT or SCUT is capable of doing most of the jobs you are likely to use it for. The smaller ones just take somewhat longer (and sometimes require a bit more ingenuity /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ) to accomplish the same work.

Since generally you don't get more than what you pay for, my own view is: (1) get the best quality you can afford, (2) maintain it meticulously and (3) by the time (if ever) you have to replace it, you will have saved $$ over getting something cheaper and having had to spend more to repair it or replace it sooner.

From everything I have read here, a good quality CUT, well maintained, is capable of lasting longer (30 years or more)than the life expectancy of most folks who can afford to buy one at all. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[don716]

Buy the best that you can afford. You will not regret it.Small compact are great for moving around the yard.
Donny /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[aloha]

I agree with what MadDog says and would add that my experience when shopping was that used tractors in good condition cost almost as much as new.

With new you get the manufacturer's warranty.

In addition, there have been a lot of safety improvements in recent years that might not be found on a less expensive used tractor. Those can be especially important if you do not have a lot of experience with tractors.

For the type of work you describe, you probably would be happier with a hydrostatic transmission than the alternatives.

 

[rcrcomputing]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Thanks Gatorboy sorry I will do the profile thing, as for the needs and budget needs for moving small amount of earth i.e. scrapping for a driveway clearing an area for my fithwheel....mowing would be nice but not ness. The area is in California valley and it is every dry and isolated there...land is flat thankgod... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif and I will be first be putting in fence post....thats about it in a nut shell alot of work but I am looking forward to it....Thanks again. Dave... )</font>

My two cents...
I got a ck30 30hp w/backhoe. I have since learned (each to his own), a gas tank above the motor is very inconvient. Some tractors have the filler elsewhere. I also kinda wish I'd got a dk35 or dk40 as I feel my bucket is a bit small and a bit under powered. OTOH, my kioto backhoe has all the power in you'd need and more.. Also, the joy sticks etc try to stick me in the butt every time I get on the tractor. I'm not being negative, I love my ck30. It rocks! What I am saying is, a tractor is a personal thing for a guy and am suggesting you drive the ones you narrow your search down to, and spend the extra if there is even a question that you want something more...

As for tires, sometimes I'd glad I got the R1's, sometimes I'm not. Mostly, I'm glad I got the r1's.

The only thing you've really mentioned, suggests you want a FEL. If you stay with the bigger tractors taking size 1 3-point implements you may be able to find used implements cheaper.

As for a dealer, I could not find any decent pricing locally other than one dealer 120 miles away, and that one gave me a bad taste in my mouth.. But I lucked out and met one on TBN that has been absolutely astounding (DePratt Equipment). He was just across the state line in Kansas and would deliver free.

When you order the tractor consider these things.
Get bucket hooks welded on.
If you want tires loaded, have the dealer do it.
Do you want extra lights like rear floods?
Get extra lynch pins etc (you'll lose some)
Get two buckets if you get a bh I got 12" and 24" and am happy with them.
Get a toothbar for your fel (Helps to pick up things and dig roots etc)
Get a grease gun, there are certs everywhere, even underneath the tractor.
Get two yellow gas cans for diesel.
For leveling, maybe a box blade.

Hopefully all this will help. I've tried to touch on many of the things I came across with my recent purchase.

RCR