Your Recommendations, Please - Novice Tractor Buyer

[ovrszd]

I'm with Gale and bdog. Although, I'm not sure we have enough information yet.

I have a 2012 Kubota that I paid $43K for. I also have a 1984 Ford that I paid $11K for. Both are great tractors and cannot replace each other. But I think I best spent my money with the Ford.

Clearly determine your needs first. Then buy accordingly.

Lastly, never, never get married to paint color. That will almost always cost you money.

 

[bdog]

How much backhoe work do you have? I have a dedicated backhoe and use it all the time for contract work but have used it less than 5 hours on my own property. It cost me 43k and my 4440 was about 25k.

Backhoes are great but they are hard to justify for your own work unless you have extenuating circumstances. In most cases you are better off to buy a tractor for your needs and rent a backhoe as needed.

 

[Andrewsalas]

Thanks Richard and bdog - front end loader necessary to periodically move dirt from levees that surround our property - rain causes dirt to wash from the levees down to the property. The reason for the HP range is primarily tied to that. Also, the cab is for my wife - who loves to operate a tractor and yes, I do want to pamper her from the elements.

We have terrible (high alkali and high clay) soil, so we want to plant trees, but must dig out a big hole to put in better soil or the trees do not survive.

I will take the paint color advice to heart!

 

[Andrewsalas]

We want to plant a large number of trees, our soil is too poor (high alkali and clay) and must be replaced in order for the trees to take. Requires a deep and wide hole to be dug for the replacement soil.

I admire your equipment.

 

[Andrewsalas]

Thanks Oosik, I will take that advice to heart.

 

[Andrewsalas]

Thanks Bdog, I will search the link - grateful,for your guidance.

 

[Andrewsalas]

Jeff, great deals, I've not bought anything on eBay, however. Condition of merchandise is stated, or is it a gamble? Sorry, I just don't know.

 

[Andrewsalas]

Thank you Gale, I appreciate your wisdom.

 

[jenkinsph]

Suggestions, please, to help me buy a "best-value" farm tractor in the 75 to 105 HP range for work on about 35 acres, disking, tilling, moving some dirt, possible backhoe digging if attachment is available. Price range for tractor only about $45 - 50 K (with cab). I am overwhelmed at all the possible options - your sage advice would be VERY MUCH appreciated!

How much of a slope will you be dealing with? Is this irrigated land along the Rio Grande which would be fairly level or something else?

FWIW Tumbleweed Equipment should be having an auction very soon unless I missed it. That should be a way to feel out prices on used implements and tractors. That should be very close to you too.

I work in the Hondo Valley for the most part and Alto in LIncoln County. Lots of land leveling, pipeline/irrigation work.

Seeing the new responses I would guess maybe Pistachio trees?

 

[HAPPYNC]

Suggestions, please, to help me buy a "best-value" farm tractor in the 75 to 105 HP range for work on about 35 acres, disking, tilling, moving some dirt, possible backhoe digging if attachment is available. Price range for tractor only about $45 - 50 K (with cab). I am overwhelmed at all the possible options - your sage advice would be VERY MUCH appreciated!

I've got a Mahindra 6530 4wd and love it. When I first started looking, I was being quoted $45k to $48k for the mPower85P with cab, loader and 4x4. Unfortunately, that was out of my price range and way more tractor than I needed. It's 83 hp/70 pto and weighs about 8,200 lbs by itself and another 2,100 lbs for the loader. There is also a Mahindra 105s and 105p in the $62-68k range with 105 hp/ 95.5 pto.

You could probably still find some 2014 tier 3 mPower 85p tractors around and get a good deal. I did the same with mine and got about $8000 off retail. I got prices from Wisconsin to Alabama. Wouldn't you know that my local dealer was the one that wouldn't budge off of retail. I lucked up and had mine shipped about 420 miles for $650. Check out sites like tractorhouse to get an idea what's out there and what might be close by. As a matter of fact, I just looked and saw that the dealer I bought mine from in Georgia has what looks to be a NEW 2014 85p. It wouldn't hurt to call just to see what kind of price range you're looking at. I can PM you the dealer and salesman if you'd like. I get nothing out of it but my salesman was top notch from start to finish. He handled everything flawlessly including arranging the cheapest shipping, rebates, warranty, everything. I wished I could deal with salesmen like him on everything I do.