what tractor to buy?

SteveM · Jul 1, 2004

I am dying with anticipation to find out just what 'tight budget' means to this poster /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. So far we have seen options ranging from $14 to 20k. I dont call that a tight budget, but will admit that the list of chores is typically challenging. When most folks buy new land they want to pick up every piece of dirt and move it to the opposite corner, add a waterfall, pond with blue whales, 100 mile driveway, etc. Then reality sets in and they go to sears for a $1000 lawn tractor.

Ok perhaps overly cynical. If this poster is really on a tight budget, he would pay someone to put in the driveway and do any necessary site work with a bulldozer or backhoe. then he could buy an older american farm tractor to tinker away at clearing fields, planting crops, opening up the forest. I brush hog, plow, grade, drag, etc almost daily with a $2500 9n and approximately $1000 of implements. Not that I recommend this for everyone, but I have gotten a lot of work done on a very very tight budget.

Just a different perspective /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif in case this fellow does not want a tractor payment.

shamban · Jul 1, 2004

Familyman-

Thank you for such a detaile response with so much useful information. You mentioned using your machine to work on your foundation and I was wondering if you build your own foundation or if you had it done.

Thanks,

shamban · Jul 1, 2004

Dave in CT,
That is great advise! Once I get the ponds and driveway built, my requirements will be not be as heavy-duty. This would then allow me to down grade the tractor a little. Great advise for a budget! Thanks again!

Joey

TBrown · Jul 1, 2004

I agree with Steve 100%. I personally believe that some of the most active posters on this forum have an income level somewhat higher than that of the average Joe, and their advise reflects this, even when the poster makes it clear that money is scarce.

If you're on a tight budget, you might want to look around for a used ag/utility tractor. They can often be purchased for less than a compact with the same hours/age. Stick with the better known manufacturers like JD, Massey, Ford/NH, and the like. They all made tractors for which parts and service are still readily available, and they all made tractors for which parts can be scarce. Don't plunk down any cash until you get a few opinions on the machine you're looking at, there are some folks (like Woodbeef) on TBN and other boards who are familiar with nearly every ag tractor ever mfg. It won't take long to find out if its an orphan or not

shamban · Jul 1, 2004

todd arganti-

Are you sure about that Farm Trac web site address? I cannot find them unless they are a company in Australia.

Thanks,
Joey

shamban · Jul 1, 2004

A realize that "tight budget" does not say much. More specifically, if I can get a machine from $15-20K that will do they work I require, then it is worth it I think. Any more than that, I would probably consider renting commercial equipment for the big stuff and get something used for day to day stuff.

Thanks for all the great advise! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

shamban · Jul 1, 2004

Steve M- Thanks for the great advise. I have better defined what tight budget means to me. I can see how that was vague.

However I would challenge your comments about hiring someone to do the driveway BECAUSE I am on the tight budget. Isn't it the complete opposite? I say that because I have already been quoted $7K to do the driveway. I know I can get the gravel for less than $1K. So isn't that $6K of the machine paid for right off the bat?

DAP · Jul 1, 2004

Let's inject a little reality here ...

( We are looking for a tractor that can satisfy all our needs suxh as bushhogging, digging ponds, digging post holes, building a 1000ft driveway, clearing some woods, etc.
)

No SINGLE machine will do EVERYTHING. I'm sure your list of needs is incomplete.

(
As most people, we are working on a tight budget, so I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. Something that can do the job well and will not be more than we need.
)

Without actually coming out and saying it directly, so far your looking for a machine that can do a lot of different sized jobs (everything you both KNOW and DONT KNOW you need it to) and doesn't cost much. Often, these requirements are diametrically opposed (mutually exclusive). Know this too, you will realize a new need or 2 for this machine that you weren't aware you had - unless you've been doing this a while heretofore.

(
Are their any tough, cost effective machines you would recommend?)

If you find a machine that can do all of these things, then it will automatically be cost effective (where tough means it doesn't continually fall apart or need heaps of repairs.)

The gray matter here at TBN has it right. If you are gonna be using farm type ground engaging implements (tillers, discs, small haying equp., pulverizers, etc.) then your looking at a minimum of 40hp at the engine and over 30hp at the PTO. Depending on terrain and the chores, 2wd may be suitable. I know a guy who buys nothing but 4000+ hour Fords/NH over 80hp. Seems he always pays about 10k for em. He's got 4 of em now.

When you discover how nifty it is to have a front loader (FEL) on your machine, you should completely rule out 2wd and default to 4wd machines. If you're gonna have any aminuls on your farm, a loader is a given (manure, feed, baleage, etc.)

Chinese tractors, while improving qualitatively, require the patience of a saint and a good set of tools and the skills to use em. Other than that, they can be had a basement prices.

The rest of the manufacturing group (Deere, Kubota, New Holland, Kioti, Mahindra, Massey, Zetor/Century) have all 'caught on' and know that TBN users will pay as much as they can for a machine cause we're so crazy about em.

Lastly, price is usually determined by region. There can be wide swings between retail pricing models. Many folks buy out of state to save significantly on price.

Your happiness will most likely be decided on your feelings about the people who take care of your machine and take your money.

Bob_Skurka · Jul 1, 2004

( Steve M- Thanks for the great advise. I have better defined what tight budget means to me. I can see how that was vague.

However I would challenge your comments about hiring someone to do the driveway BECAUSE I am on the tight budget. Isn't it the complete opposite? I say that because I have already been quoted $7K to do the driveway. I know I can get the gravel for less than $1K. So isn't that $6K of the machine paid for right off the bat?

)

I think that is one way to look at it, and it is probably pretty reasonable, but maybe not completely accurate. If you know how to dig the driveway out, and if you can lay the various layers of stone appropriately, and you can do it within a reasonable time span, such that you know the job will hold up for several years, then I would say you can argue that the first $5900 is paid for (assuming $100 for fuel).

I have seen gravel driveway that were built right, and I have seen gravel drives there built wrong. If you don't build it right, then I would say that you might only assign $3000 to the cost of the tractor because the drive will soon need more stone, and lots of work. I take my hat off to the folks who can do it right, I wish I could, but I don't have the time given my machine sizes.

By the way, you said the stone would be $1K, but in a 1000' run you will likely need a couple culvert pipes as well, so factor those in. And you might want to consider burying some electric cable while you are at it if you think you might need an electric gate or some lighting sometime into the future (wish I had thougth of that!).

I would still vote on a larger machine that most here. I'm still thinking 35/40hp for your projects. But as I read some more of your posts, you might want to consider a smaller machine and (as I said before) renting the big guns for doing something like your driveway. The B2910 in my yard is a TLB, but I rented a track hoe a couple weeks ago to for a "major dig" I needed dug. $224 for a track hoe with a 12' reach from Noon saturday to 8am Monday. I got the trench dug in about 6 hours, using a backhoe on the B2910 would have taken me roughly 5 times that long??? Certainly a whole lot longer! An occasional rental is something to consider.

Golfgar4 · Jul 1, 2004

Joey,

Try this link for FarmTrac. I just used it, so it should be good for you - FarmTrac

Oh yeah - Welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif