End of the year is coming up and I need to burn $15K-$20K or Uncle Sam will get half of it. I own a few acres and am considering a small tractor to use in future projects. Up to this point I’ve hired people to do dirt work and field mowing and they usually show up with some fairly expensive gear.
There are several models of diesel 20HP-30HP tractors with a 3-point hitch, front bucket and/or backhoe in my price range. Are any of these worth considering?
Edited 12/9/2005 11:53 am ET by TJK
Replies
have a little fun on the taxman, try an ATV, all the implements you alluded to are available for ATVs too!
Try http://www.tractorbynet.com/
I have a compact, with hoe and loader.
My recommendation is always for a standard tractor if you have much work to do. Compacts are pretty easy to tear up. If there's a reason, beyond monetary, to have a small tractor, that's different. I get popular in the spring because I don't hurt mature yards and plantings. My little guy also is light enough to drive on my roof, but that's unlikely anything you'll need to do.
Dirt work and field mowing is far better with something heavier. Used, standard, is a better way to go with your budget. Kinda like the guys who do your work now.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Thanks to all for the links and advice. The neighbors (a couple in their 70s) own a Case with all the bells and whistles. The man works like an ant and he uses it year round tilling gardens, plowing snow, trenching for irrigation lines, etc. His wife told me she wants to move to a condo and play golf - so not much guessing what she thinks about his toy. I might start by wandering over and telling her he needs to take better care of "my" tractor ;-)
I might start by wandering over and telling her he needs to take better care of "my" tractor ;-)
My experience with Case is good. I helped a guy I was doing serious dirt and rock moving for to pick out a backhoe, waaay under your budget. He ended up with a 35 yr old tractor (about 10k lbs). Strong engine, good hydraulics, the normal leaks. Yesterday I picked up replacement brake parts after a particularly bad driving experience. No problem getting the parts, several sets in stock.
This is a local Case dealer that I knew was good. Boss' comments about dealers is right, even if you do the work, as I do. For that reason I'd be hard-pressed to bring home, or recommend, a Deere here. Local dealer attitude sucks.
Matter of fact, I almost bought a good-sized (80-90 hp) Case farm tractor a yr ago. I wanted something heavier than my compact and rubber-tired so it wouldn't tear up the driveway like my Cat track loader. I don't need a PTO, loader is the primary need. I ended up with a rubber tire industrial loader, Cat, that cost well under 1/2 the price for well over twice the tractor I almost bought.
Figure out just what you need to do and proceed accordingly. Buying used from a picky owner is a great way to go- if it fits your time frame. Good luck.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I think that the coments of paying a premium for a deere are false . It depends on the dealer in your area. Sometimes case will be higher sometimes the smurf tractors are higher . Case and smurf are the same basic tractor now . Deere has been making some improvements in their small tractors and building many of them in the USA .
Your Neighbors case may be a good buy, let him know you are interested.
No room for bankrupt red in my shed.
I own two Kubotas (3430 and 3710) which are perhaps a little bigger than you're talking, but are absolutely spectacular machines. both have front loader and backhoes, but the hoes are on the three point hitch and can be removed to put on bush hog, hole auger, rake, etc. The four-wheel drive feature is absolutely crucial. We use these machines for all sorts of construction and landscaping. Have a large boom that attaches to the fork lift (front bucket and fork lift are attached with quick release skid steer type mechanism) and we can get materials lifted to about 20' (used this in building two chimneys: up goes the stone, CMU's, and concrete, no strain...). I would simply never live without such a machine again.
There have been several threads here on small tractors over the years. You might find a lot of info if you do some searching. (Or maybe not - depends on the mood the search engine is in)
To me, the biggest factor in equipment is dealer support. If something breaks and you need parts, driving all over trying to find them is a HUGE pain.
Obviously you should stay away from the green ones. (-:
I would stick with a brand that has some history to it - Like Massey Ferguson, Case/IH, or Ford/New Holland. Stay away from the off-brand stuff that seems to be popping up all over.
With the name brand ones, you should be able to get parts and service for many years to come. With the off-brand ones it's a crap shoot if they'll be in business next year.
I personally wouldn't bother with one that's less that 30 HP. Anything smaller than that isn't muich bigger than a lawn mower. Something between 30 and 40 HP is a nice size.
I've never been a big fan of loaders. They're akward,hard on the tractor, and affect manueverability. But other people swear by them. You can always add one later when you have another good year and need another write-off.
If you do get a loader, I'd recommend one that's really easy to get on and off. If you have to line up pins to hook it up, it takes a while and takes some patience.
If you're going to use it in your yard the diamond-pattern tires wear well and don't mark up the ground as much. But they also sacrifice a lot of traction for dirt and snow work.
Regular tractor rears don't mark the ground TOO much if you don't use ballast in the tires and don't turn too short. (And keep your tire pressure low)
That's all that comes to mind at the moment...
I would stay with New Holland or Kubota or MF. John Deere is ok but I think you pay for that name a bit more. I'm in the same boat have 3 acres that needs lots of work so looking for a compact tractor with a front loader and a back drag box. A buddy of mine has a Ford/New holland can't remember the number it is about 25-30hp has been running strong for 8 or 9 years and it gets lots of work. The hydraulics for the bucket (control lever panel) leaked and needed replacement other than that runs great. We have a very good NH dealer here so look for someone near you that will be around for service. Stay away form the cheap China or Korean models.
Check out these: http://www.newholland.com/h4/products/products_series_detail.asp?Reg=NA&RL=ENNA&NavID=000001277003&series=000005154711
Green tractors are nice, but you can pay a premium for the name.
We use a 1956 Ford with a gas engine for hauling trailers in the summer months, and put a rear blade on it to plow snow during the winter. My grandfather purchased it in July 1956, and it still runs great, but has few of the features available on current machines. We have a newer Ford/NewHolland with a loader. I don't like the transmission/shuttle shift arrangement, but it is a pretty good machine.
My brother has a 1960's vintage International backhoe/loader that is used sparingly, but he loves it, and only paid around$3,500 for it.
I have looked at all sorts of "compact" tractors, and agree that you are better off buying a used, larger tractor, since the smaller machines will not move dirt/snow/other material very well, and cannot lift much of a load. Used attachments are also widely available, especially if you live near agricultural land. The only advantage to small tractors I see is easy transportation, since they can be moved on a light trailer.
I am a big fan of Case equipment for farming, but their smaller, current vintage machines don't compare well with others.
I would buy a Kubota if a dealer is close. Everyone I know that has used or owned one raved about them for several reasons: ease of use, good features, excellent design and engineering. Perhaps most importantly, they seem to break less often than other machines.
Well mines green, but I don't think it matters much as long as you stay with a name brand. We looked at them all (red, orange, blue) and the JD dealer was the best deal in our area. Parts are readily available. We traded in a Yanmar, and we're glad we did.
We have 12 acres and 27 HP is plenty for mowing (5' wide) and bush hogging. A few blades a rake and a tiller rounded things out for us. We use the loader all the time - so 1 vote here for getting that. For any real dirt work we have a skid loader and excavator, and don't expect a compact to do that - but for general chores its awesome - even with the turf tires. We'd have gone bigger but my father has a small pickup, and the towing weights would have gotten out of hand. I'd prefer something in the high 30's hp wise. We've put 500 hours on it in 4 years.
The dealer didn't charge tax on the tractor and loader - ag use, but we paid tax on the belly mower... go figure? Maybe you can save on sales tax and get a write-off - pretty nice...
I really like my JD 4100, cost me $11k with a front loader, it's the hydrostatic drive not the gear model. I have forks on it for helping around my sawmill, a box blade, and a 3-pt chipper/shredder. The extras cost me about $2500. I have a total of 26 acres on two properties that I use the tractor on, and it's a little too small, the next size or two up would have been better. The 4100 is 20 hp.
I'd look at a 4320 or 4420 JD, those should burn up all of the $20k, or a used 4310/4410/4510 or 4300/4400/4500. Also the midsize Kubotas are nice, the new Challenger tractors seem to be attracting a lot of buyers, and I would also take a look at New Holland.
Alternately, you could sink that money into a decent used skidsteer with reasonable hours, get a mower attachment for it, and there's a lot more I think you can do with a good skidsteer than you can with a tractor, with the exception of towing things. Skidding logs, pulling a trailer, etc. just kind of hard to do with a skidsteer.
Edit: I bought it used from the local dealer, he didn't make a dime on the sale but I make sure he does all the service work. He also sells me attachments and other fun stuff at cost, so green is good, here.
Edited 12/9/2005 10:33 pm ET by JonE
I have a couple of older tractors on about 5 acres. The 15 horse Yanmar (1976 vintage)is fun to play with but too small for serious work. Would be fine for mowing the lawn and rototilling a small garden. The 30 horse Ford 1900 is about right, but needs additional weight to use the power effectively. For a tractor of this size, you will probably want four wheel drive unless you are doing fairly easy work on the flat and level under good conditions. I agree with the comments about the Kubota. The small John Deere tractors having used Yanmar motors which are also very good. The other brand name tractors have their followers, but the Kubota and JD get pretty universal raves. Have heard nothing but bad things about the Chinese tractors.
I own a Kubota 35 HP 4WD w loader and industrial tires. Wonderful tractor.
Kubotas are designed, engineered and built by Kubota. They are like Hondas and Toyota, well built, reliable and good resale. kubota also builds engines for other manufacturers. I have been told that Kubota is the world largest manufacturer of small tractors.
The good ole boys who want to buy American, and choose John Deere small tractors are actually buying japanese tractors with JD labels and paint.
PUT THE COFFEE ON HONEY! THEY'RE TALKING TRACTORS THIS WEEK!
Whats your tractor Jim , Is it 'Merican?
Sounds like you know, but I did hear this from more than one person...no real authoritavie confirmation. Sorry.
'Merican? Insert x at the r, may be appropiate. NAFTA is coming.
That used to be true till about ten years ago. Then Deere built the factory in Ga.
"What's your tractor...?"
Don't have one (yet) but I've been studying them. Hard. I've narrowed it down to two dealers I'd like to work with. John Deere and Kubota. Have decided on approx. 30hp, geared tranny, front end loader, agriculture tires.
So when I compare the JD 790 to the Kubota 2800 it's an easy choice. The Kubota is a little cheaper new, and can lift WAY more, which is one of my primary needs. There are a lot more used JDs for sale around here, but not the 990, which is what I would need, and that's a lot more money (it's a LOT more tractor, though).
I came close to making an offer on a used Kubota 50hp 4wd a few months ago, but I'm just not confident enough in my mecahnical abilities to buy used. I am thinking I'll be better off buying new, even if I end up not needing the warrenty.
The 790 is the green Yanmar it is a bottom line tractor but very useful . I have an old 850 that I use to mow. it has a gear trans . for mowing I like the hydro much better.
Deere uses the same ISO ,and ASAE catagory 3pnt hitch and hydrolic outlets as the rest of the industry
If you want a loader get one with a front wheel assist.
I think that if you get a JD you want to look at the 4000 series . they have more assesories and options . But cost more than than the 790.
I have never seriously looked at a Kabota an don't have a dealer in the area. We have JD ,Case ,and NH
What is your tractor Jim ,is it American ?
Not all of them are Japanees tractors The 4000 series are made in Georgia along with the 5000 seriesmade in iowa. The garden tractors /mowers are made in Wisconsin. The 790 is the only sorced tractor. The others use some Jap parts and parts sorced from other countries. But the big thing is that the vast amount of the money paid for an American company product stays in America (good for our econamy) If you buy a feren product only a veryu small amount of what you paid stays in our economy(BAD) .
We have a Kubota L4310 bought used. The biggest selection after dealer & HP would be transmission type - we have hydrostatic drive (HST) and really find it handy for loader and snow-plowing work.
If buying new, consider the implements that you intend to run: several addt'l hydraulic circuits may be req'd to run them - i.e. chipper, roto-tiller, snow-blower, etc. A cab would be nice if you're in snow country (we installed an add-on Curtis Cab).
Be advised that John Deere tractors need a different length 3pth arm that isn't compatible with other makes.
Try tractorpoint.com's forum for an overview of prices and preferences.
I have a Kabota 2950 4x4 30 hp. with loader and rear snow thrower. Added front forks and several attachments of my own. Love it, had it about 8 years and use it all the time. I got the ag tires and wish I would have gone with the construction treads. The ag tires are pretty rough on the lawn and don't carry the front load very well, turf tires don't carry much of a load so I wouldn't go with them unless you plan on mowing grass with it. We get lots of snow and I plow about 1000 ft driveway it has never let me down, super traction and more than enough power. Plow all winter on 20 gal of fuel.
You should beable to find plenty iln the 20K range.
I have a Kubota L3010 (29 hp) with a loader, bush hog, box blade, and rear snowblower. I also made a set of forks which work great for hauling brush, 4 ft log lengths, lumber, etc. I use it for all sorts of jobs on my 26 acres, including snow removal on 1/4 mile drive (we get a lot of snow), logging, gravel drive maintenance, field mowing, grading, landscaping, etc. I have ag tires, which are great in the mud, so-so in ice and snow, and terrible for your lawn. If you get one and plan to use it on side slopes or rough ground, be sure to get your tires filled and rear wheels set wide- they can be kinda tippy. These tractors are rarely the best for any one job, but can do a wider variety of jobs than almost any other piece of machinery.
since you can buy john deere at home depot now. i would not touch one. kubuta is alot better tractor.. 2+3=7