what to buy?

[mikectd]

Hi, new member here in need of some advise.

I’m on call 24x7x365 so rental equipment is out of the question. I do not have a place to keep two tractors. So I need to find one piece of equipment to handle all my needs.

Current projects;
Spread 40 yards of topsoil
Spread 25 yards of mulch
Fix a rutted 250’ gravel drive.
Mowing chores on 1.5 acres
Snow removal on gravel drive.
Remove and replace 120 4x4x8 fence post.

In 3 years time I hope to get out of my current line work and buy a bigger home\yard which I’m sure will bring more of the same chores and have more time to dedicate to the chores. I’m not concerned about completing these jobs in a short time frame.

I have been looking at some older tractors (the CFO gave me a budget of 6K) but I’m not sure if I should go with 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive w\locking rear and much rear ballast.

Questions;
2wd vs. 4wd for ground engaging equipment
FEL vs. rear blade vs box blade for material spreading and leveling.
FEL vs. rear blade vs. ? for snow removal.


Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

 

[RoyJackson]

You have a lot of options. But, you don't have much of a budget.
For the tasks you've described, any 20-30 PTO HP tractor (Deere 790, Kubote B7800, NH TC 29) would work well. Used, any Deere x55 series (855, 955) or x70 series (670, 770) would work well...or the Kubota, NH (Ford) equivalents.

$6000 isn't going to buy you much of a tractor...not a CUT, anyway. Going Grey Market, or some of the lesser known brands is risky...and depends on your mechanical abilities. For $6K, you could find a Deere 670 or 770 (770 being the better choice), but you'll really have to look around. Even then, a FEL may not be an option...not for $6K.

4WD is pretty essential with these smaller, light weight tractors.

I did own a Deere 670. That tractor would handle all the tasks you described...since completing them in a short time isn't a requirement...that's the machine I'd look for...for the tasks you've described.

Good luck!

 

[roxynoodle]

You can buy a gray market tractor with a FEL in your budget. Just bear in mind it is a 20-30 year old tractor, though lightly worked tilling rice paddies, but will require repairs now and then. Then, so will any other used tractor you buy in that price range. Plus you will need money for implements like a rear finish mower and box blade for your grading.

Many of the big name brands are offering 0% financing for 3 years if that is a possibility for you. You may have to up the budget a bit to get everything you need if you want a decent running tractor.

If a gray interests you, there are several forums for them on here. There is one for Yanmar, one for Mitsubishi, one for Iseki and a general gray forum. You might want to read through those and see what you think.

Oh, the FEL can be used for moving your snow and your mulch, etc. 4wd is a must with a loader though. They get stuck fairly easily in 2wd.

 

[Soundguy]

i agree with the others.. Your budget is going to limit you to a 20ish hp machine with a loader. PS is necescary.. and 4wd is optional but recomended.

To get new int hat price range, you could look at the chinese tractor forum and look at farm pro. You will have many of the same issues on those units as if you had bought a used old domestic or older grey model, in that.. you may get to do a bit of wrench turning yourself. Up to you if you want a 30 year old tractor grey or domestic.. with it's 30 year old issues or a new tractor.. with it's issues ( economy production..e tc.. )

Keep us informed as to your thoughts as you progress thru this.. We can bounce more ideas off of you!

Soundguy

Hi, new member here in need of some advise.

I’m on call 24x7x365 so rental equipment is out of the question. I do not have a place to keep two tractors. So I need to find one piece of equipment to handle all my needs.

Current projects;
Spread 40 yards of topsoil
Spread 25 yards of mulch
Fix a rutted 250’ gravel drive.
Mowing chores on 1.5 acres
Snow removal on gravel drive.
Remove and replace 120 4x4x8 fence post.

In 3 years time I hope to get out of my current line work and buy a bigger home\yard which I’m sure will bring more of the same chores and have more time to dedicate to the chores. I’m not concerned about completing these jobs in a short time frame.

I have been looking at some older tractors (the CFO gave me a budget of 6K) but I’m not sure if I should go with 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive w\locking rear and much rear ballast.

Questions;
2wd vs. 4wd for ground engaging equipment
FEL vs. rear blade vs box blade for material spreading and leveling.
FEL vs. rear blade vs. ? for snow removal.


Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

 

[bloody_peasant]

mikectd,

I admit I'm a total nOOb, having just bought my first tractor several weeks ago, but I think you should give some more details as that would make a big difference on the kind of tractor you need (and the kind of information you will get from the experts here). Like you, I had a pretty small budget, so I went with an older used 2WD small model without the FEL (and a standard tranny). Its handled all my brush clearing and mowing jobs, but I've just started messing around with the rear blade. My biggest problems with it so far seem to not be enough weight (hopefully I can add some wheel weights soon), and not enough traction (its got turf tires now ), but I can still level some hard ground.

Some other useful details might be, how much snow (how far north are you), what kind of soil do you have (sand is a lot easier to break up than heavy clay), what kind of slopes do you have, do you also need to clear brush or is your land ready for finish mowing (yard)? Also since used is a big possibility what kind of mechanical expertise do you have, since you might be the one installing additional hydraulics and the like on a used machine?

Also I think an important consideration for the chores you list would be the type of transmission, because you will be doing a lot of forward/reverse type actions, the basic standard tranny might be a pain.

 

[Doc_Bob]

I have been looking at some older tractors (the CFO gave me a budget of 6K)

You don't have enough money to play. go back to the CFO and let her know. Triple the budget at a minimum.
Bob

 

[bloody_peasant]

Doc Bob has failed to realize that for most of us, the CFO is also the CEO, CIO, COO, and the board of directors all roled up into one.

 

[BattalionChief]

You don't have enough money to play. go back to the CFO and let her know. Triple the budget at a minimum.
Bob

Bob's got it right! ha ha...

Though, if you lived closer to Central Texas, I know of a decent older IH584 w/loader you could pick up for just over your $6K budget..

I'd "listen" to these guy's advice.. What I learned from them: 4WD is a must with a small tractor using a loader.. I almost bought a 2wd on a smaller tractor and would have regretted it BIG TIME!

 

[Billy_S]

I agree with Bob. Tell Mother she needs to triple your budget.

 

[roxynoodle]

Well, if she does triple your budget, AWESOME! But, if she doesn't there are decent used tractors available in your price range. You just have to be patient and look. Not all of us can afford to spend on our tractor what we spent on our truck. I think it's bad enough my used tractor cost me more than my used 2000 Ford Mustang.

 

[Iowachild]

The only advice I am going to give is be careful shopping for used and take your time. I was working in your price range and bought sight unseen off E-Bay. Spent another $1k fixing up before I found the engine had a hole in it that had been covered over with something like JB Weld, than painted. Now I have a $6k boat anchor. When I recover ......if I recover?...... I looking for new.

Just be real careful. Definitely go over any used machine you are interested in with a fine tooth comb. If you know a good mechanic, consider paying to have a pre purchase inspection. Hindsight is still 20/20!

 

[mikectd]

Sorry I have been swamped at work and have not had a chance to get back here until now.

I do not mind investing labor to fix\repair the tractor. I consider myself fairly mechanically inclined and could build some of the smaller implements (if I could find the time). If I can pull away from work I don't mind traveling to inspect the tractor as well. BTW I live in Connecticut.

I have been “managing the chores” with a bolens 1050, a homemade “toro dingo” and a lot manual labor. Obviously any tractor would be a significant improvement. The problem with cash is we are saving for a new house; have to replace the CFO’s car soon and we are trying to adopt our first child. Plus I’m trying to transition from regular employment to self employed in Information Technology. I have some spare computer\server\network equipment to hit Ebay this weekend. Hopefully this will increase the budget.

So far the conscience seems to be 4 wheel drive with power steering and 20+ HP. What other items should I look for in used unit? Any items to avoid?

 

[roxynoodle]

I'd definitely go 4wd with where you live. You will want to move snow with it. Hilly terrain would be best dealt with with 4wd also. As for power steering, seems to depend on the size of the tractor. My tractor is 19hp with a FEL and does not have power steering and I haven't had any trouble steering. I was initially worried about that too. I think once you get into the high 20s or more hp wise power steering becomes more important.

I am by no means an expert as far as checking out used tractors. I checked all the fluids, looked for any sign of leaks, checked the PTO, used the loader to actually move some dirt to make sure that it seemed to be operating correctly, checked the 4wd, and used all the gears. Read the thread on the Yanmar forum about the 2010BD with the loader: someone responding to that gave an excellent description over what to check on a used tractor.

Happy tractor hunting!

 

[Soundguy]

With your mechanical aptitude, needs, and budget.. I'll second my recomendation for a chinese tractor.. perhaps a kama or jinma..e tc. Should be able to get a SCUT with loader, for your range.. perhaps 4wd at the edge or just beyond your range..

Soundguy

Sorry I have been swamped at work and have not had a chance to get back here until now.

I do not mind investing labor to fix\repair the tractor. I consider myself fairly mechanically inclined and could build some of the smaller implements (if I could find the time). If I can pull away from work I don't mind traveling to inspect the tractor as well. BTW I live in Connecticut.

I have been “managing the chores” with a bolens 1050, a homemade “toro dingo” and a lot manual labor. Obviously any tractor would be a significant improvement. The problem with cash is we are saving for a new house; have to replace the CFO’s car soon and we are trying to adopt our first child. Plus I’m trying to transition from regular employment to self employed in Information Technology. I have some spare computer\server\network equipment to hit Ebay this weekend. Hopefully this will increase the budget.

So far the conscience seems to be 4 wheel drive with power steering and 20+ HP. What other items should I look for in used unit? Any items to avoid?

 

[Hard]

I found this 28 hp, 4wd with FEL Jinma with 7 hours on it in CT. I don't know much about the seller other than he is a dealer in CT. You'll have to get a bit of an increase in your budget but it might be worth a call to the dealer. good luck

http://www.ironsearch.com/IRONsearch/inventory.aspx?dealer_no=2038049190&group_id=&type=*&make=JINMA&eqstatus=0

 

[Varmintmist]

While a new 4wd tractor would be nice and you would be able to do the work a lot faster and more efficiantly, a older 2wd can get it done if you are willing to take the time, and do more hand work. People lived for a long time without 4wd.

You can get a 3pt dirt scoop for the back. They will move dirt, not as much fun as a loader and not as accurate, but it can be done.

A back blade will work on your driveway for the stone and the snow. When it snows hard you will be putting a lot of time in going in reverse with the 2wd. If it snows light you can plow forward. A backblade can be used to level your drive and rough in your topsoil. Not as good as a loader and a box blade, but a King Kutter light duty BB new is a 200 + dollar bill

For the posts, get a chain and drag them out with the drawbar of the tractor and a 2 handed post hole digger. The holes are here if you are going to replace posts, you only need to clean them out once the old post is out. You can get a "carryall" KK for about 100 to haul all of your posts and stuff.

All of that said I think that you are going to wrench on whatever you get within budget. If I were going to buy a tractor with the knowledge that I was going to turn it over in a year or 3, it would be a brand name used one. In fact I did just that. I got a JD850 22hp in 2wd for 2800.00 with 1800 hours on it and worked it for a year and a half until the house was in and the CFO let me go looking for a new one. I plowed snow and pulled trees and there were not many days that the tractor was not running.

The other option is to buy enough tractor for your new house now. Go get a good small CUT or a SCUT that will serve you when you move.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Mike,
Well 6K is not much of a budget but it can be done if you do some homework and some shopping I bought a 1986 Massey Ferguson MF-1040 32hp diesel FWD for $6000 about 2 1/2 years ago. It ahd an FEL and I have added a bushog squealer rotary mower, a grader blade, and the farmer down the road gave me a 6ft disc harrow for some machining work I did for him The tractor had 1300 hours on it when I bought it and it has worked out great.

Prior to using the diesel I mowed my fields with my old Farmall 42 A with a sickle mower. Needless to say the diesel is much faster.

There are deals out there if you look.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Doc Bob has failed to realize that for most of us, the CFO is also the CEO, CIO, COO, and the board of directors all roled up into one.

married (second time) for 16 years. I know who the BOSS is and it is not me!
Bob

 

[mikectd]

married (second time) for 16 years. I know who the BOSS is and it is not me!
Bob

Any guy that says he is the boss does not have his wife in ear shot distance.

 

[mikectd]

any opinions on this?

http://www.bargainnews.com/viewad.cfm?Show_Notepad=Yes&bnAd_ID=6302169&TheDealer=0


YANMAR 187D TRACTOR BUCKET LOADER
4x4, York rake, snow blade, 18 hp 3 cyl diesel, Turf tires, Powershift Trans, PTO, $5000. (860) 712-1736 (2x). Burlington, CT

One town over from me.