What tractor should I buy?

[fred111]

I am going to buy a tractor to do some major landscaping on my yard and hopefully pick up some side jobs after that. I want to use a loader, backblade and eventually get a backhoe. I had first planned on buying something along the lines of a Ford 3000 Diesel (2 wheel drive, 38-40 hp). I'm looking in the $5000-$6000 range. Can anyone advise me if a compact tractor would be better suited to this type work? If so, what brands and models would keep me in that price range? thanks very much, Fred

 

[BHarrison]

Are you looking at new tractors, or used?

 

[fred111]

I'm sorry. I'm looking at used tractors. Thanks

 

[jinman]

Fred, realistically, if you are going to do the kinds of things you listed, you will need a tractor with 4WD, even if you don't get a loader until later. You are already out of your price range in the 30-40 hp tractors. Even a used tractor to do what you want and be reliable will cost around $10k minimum. I don't want to put a damper on your plans, but I think you should revise your budget up to at least double the amount you listed. This is without even considering a backhoe. Good luck.

 

[Thomas]

fred111,
Maybe visiting equipment auctions..farm auctions etc.. there a good chance of finding something w/in your needs.
You may have to pay a tad more for a tractor in good shape w/that horse power regoin..depending on your location.
If you live somewhat near John Miller III he would be the man to ask.

 

[fred111]

I was wondering about 4 wheel drive. How important is it and why? Outside of my 1938 Allis Chalmers i'm new to tractors. thanks

 

[PaulinSD]

Back when I lived in Michigan, we bought a Ford 3000 diesel, and it was an excellent tractor. 38 pto horse, power steering, live pto and hydraulics. We traded in an old Ford 8-N, and paid $4500 for the 3000. That was about 7 years ago. I have seen some fair to good condition 3000's on E-Bay, running about $4500 to $6000. I'd certainly buy another 3000 should I be in the market for another tractor.

Paul

 

[s1120]

<font color=red>What tractor should I buy</font color=red>

Whoooo a big can of worms./w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[PTRich]

A larger tractor whith two wheel drive works fine after you get used to using the brakes to help you steer and get out of trouble (stuck). Also if you have a bucket you can pull yourself out of almost anything. If you are looking at a compact tractor 4 wheel drive is very nice to have, unfortanatly a lot of people know this so the cost of a used 4 wheel drive compact tends to be steep (at least in Connecticut).
This is probably more opinion than fact. (or fact as I persieve it)

PTRich

 

[jinman]

Fred, a loader on a small tractor means you need 4WD. If you don't need a loader, you can get by easily with 2WD and find an old tractor like a Ford 8N, NAA, or 601 that uses gasoline, or like PaulSD pointed out, a Ford 3000 diesel can give you a lot of good service. If you do need the loader, the 4WD and the loader will most likely drive the cost up to nearly $10k. If you are willing to go with a lot less hp and accept a "grey market" tractor, you might get your cost down to $8k, but those tractors are for folks with a lot of expertise and a pipeline/lifeline for getting parts if needed. In your price range, I'd just say forget the loader and look for a decent 2WD tractor. Look around though. You might find a deal./w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

 

[PaulT]

Fred,

Your bio doesn't list your location. What part of the country you live in will determine what kind of tool you need to do major landscaping. In the NE, where I live, I am doing just what you described - major landscaping and side jobs. I could NEVER do what I do without 4WD (at least with the R4 tires I run). That means you pretty much have to count on at least $8000 for a rig that is over 5 years old. Very few tractors ever show up in that price range, but they do once in a while. When they do show up, they are gone within hours of the paper hitting the street (seriously)!!! It seems like I see a single ad for a 6xxx series or older 7xxx series Kub with 4wd, gear trans $6500-10000 some with/some without FELs about every four months or so.

On the other hand, if you live where it is very dry and hot, 2wd will probably work for your landscaping needs. I have no experience with price in regions like that, and price/features/demand seem to be very regional. Maybe if you let the rest of us know where you live, others could be more helpful.

 

[fred111]

I live in Johnson City, TN (Northeast TN)

 

[gator]

Fred,
Check out this link <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.northerntractor.com>NORTHERN TRACTORS</A>.They might have a store in your state so you can see up close.These tractors are Chinese or Japanese like the rest of our compacts, but not under the green, blue or orange name, and alot cheaper.Check out the package deal prices,might be in your price range.Just a thought.

 

[MossRoad]

<font color=blue>These tractors are Chinese or Japanese like the rest of our compacts</font color=blue>

Speak for yourself/w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

 

[MossRoad]

Just kidding. I looked at the Northern tractors too, but I wanted hydrostatic. They look like you get a big bang for your buck.

 

[Jeff396]

We have a store near us also. I took a quick look at these machines. My first impression was "wow, they sure are thin and tall". I can't imagine using them on the slopes some on this site use theirs on.

Jeff

 

[dsulli]

If you are interested in the Northern Tractors, they are manufactured in China. The Chinese name is: JINMA. I think the manufacturer is a company called. China Shenyang Machinery. If you are willing to take 4 or more, I think they'll sell direct to you. The North American Distributor is "Northwest Products Inc. In Auburn Washingtion.

 

[jimbo1]

The 3000 Ford is a good tractor. 5 to 6K$ is about right for a Ford 3000 with no loader. It's hard to find one with less than 3000 hours on it. Expect to spend extra money on repairs, brakes, hydraulics, tires, etc,,, if you find one to get it in good running condition after the purchase. Parts seem to still be readily available for the old Fords. I'm not sure I would invest the money to add a backhoe to that vintage unit. I think a used loader will add about 2K$ more to the cost if you can find one. Used compact tractors in good condition are really hard to find and sell for a premium price. If the $$ is a real problem you might look at the Kioti,(Korea), or Mahindra, ( India) units new. They are cheaper than Kubota, John Deere, and New Holland but parts availability is questionable and you will get creamed on resale if you want to sell it later. Hope this helps. Good luck. JD

 

[fixatruck]

I am looking for a tractor for my property 40 acres, I need to use it fr plowing, mowing and property upkeep. I have around $2500-$3500, in Minnesota. any clues Ideas or right direction to look?

 

[Ted Summey]

A Ford 3000 is a fine tractor and you can do a lot of loader work with one. It will work you over clutching and shifting gears but you can do loader work with one.

4 wheel drive is fine if you are working in wet or slick conditions but if you are doing landscaping what are the odds that you will be working in the mud? I suggest slim if you want repeat customers. Now the 3000 is a big tractor for landscape work in existing landscapes for spreading mulch and the like. In doing final grading and initial landscape prep a tractor that size is great. Ballast will be needed for loader work with the 3000. Plus it is a relatively heavy tractor for landscape work in the 4000 pound range on the lower end and upwards of 3 tons in the upper range.

I suggest looking around at what other landscapers are using. I suspect you will see newer CUTs but not older tractors like the Ford 3000.