Buying Advice Is it worth it!??

[Don87]

Hi all,

I have yet to "pull the trigger" on my new tractor yet. Sadly, this weekends shopping agenda has been ruined by my wife having the flu. If the wife feels better tomorrow, we will go walk around the tractor dealership's lot.

As for getting a used SCUT. The wife and I both agree that there is no beating the 0% financing. Please keep in mind that we both bought new car/trucks in 2003 and they are both payed off and have 250K miles between the two. So we are partial to knowing the things we own from craddle to grave.

Right now I am leaning toward a new BX2360 with a 48" MMM. I am guessing the wife will make the decision on wether or not we get the FEL or SnowBlower. I am sure that I would be happy with both!

I have to admit that since I joined this sight just a few weeks ago I have read an insane amount implements and after all that reading I now look at my back yard in a different light.

As for those pesky leaves I am leaning toward a tow behind Cyclone Rake. I am thinking this is a better option than the grass catcher. According to the local Kubota Dealer the Kubota Grass Catcher vaccum is so powerful that it doesnt give the mower any time to chop of the leaves. The Cyclone Rake appears to mulch leaves like something fiece and it colapses into something small.

Right now I thinking I am just going to destroy my small shed and build a much larger shed (12x20') that supports my needs. On Tuesday I am calling the local building inspector to find out if 2x8 framed floor resting on dek-blocks would support the weight of a 1500lb SCUT or if I need to venture towards a cement foundation.

~Kevin

It's more than just 0% financing..............
I was looking early in the year, and I was finding used machines, 10 years old selling for 1,500 less than a new one.
I didn't want to spend this much, but the alternatives weren't working
Just a suggestion...........take the wife with you when you shop............try them all. Will make life much easier if the wife is comfotable with the tractor

EDIT: For almost 20 years I've said I was getting a Kubota............Look at me now LOL.

 

[Mahindra One]

I agree with Sarg. I waited way too many years to buy a new tractor. Incidentally I waited way too many years to buy my place in the Hill Country as well. Enjoy.

 

[doall]

Man you need to get the loader. I don't know much about dealing with snow, but I know what all I can do with my loader. I would not buy another tractor without a loader.

 

[TripleR]

Man you need to get the loader. I don't know much about dealing with snow, but I know what all I can do with my loader. I would not buy another tractor without a loader.

Agree completely, no way-no how and we already have four tractors with them.

 

[kday64]

Yesterday was very succesfull. The wife and I went to the local Kubota dealership and I showed her the tractors I was interested in. Her first words were "Kevin, they are huge." I laughed a bit then showed her the size difference between Craftsman Professional and the BX2360.

The BX2360 is 18" longer and 3-4" wider than the Craftsman Professional, she went and looked at with her friend. It is also several hundred pounds heavier!

When I asked her if she would like to take one for a test drive she said "no". I think she was afraid that she would start to giggle and laugh and that she would embarras herself some how...

But after we talked for a little while about the differences between the 1860 and 2360 she said "Okay you should get the bigger one, if that is the one you want." I was stunned!!! So happY!!!

Right after winning a small victory I stopped the sales office and picked up a copy of the financing paperwork and told Bill that I will email him the application and we will work out the final details over the phone then "I will pull the trigger." After grabbing the paper work the wife and I walked around the yard and I showed her the back blade and the various implements that can fit on a Cat I with a reat PTO. She was pleased

The final thing my wife had to say on the topic was "why dont you get the rear snowblower and the FEL. It would make good sense."

I love my wife!

~Kevin

 

[TripleR]

Sounds like you had a really good day. Now is the time to get your attachments and get a package deal.

 

[Don87]

Congrats.

 

[radioman]

looks like you are able to win her over. now as for your shed, instead of destroying it to go bigger- put it on craigslist and let them go and pick it up and take home for extra change. :thumbsup:

 

[Soundguy]

good job!

 

[CHDinCT]

That wouldn't be Bill from Kahn Tractor would it? Was just up there before Thanksgiving looking at a BX25. Lately I've been thinking about a backhoe and looking at adding the Woods BH6000 or trading for a BX25, but the trade up penalty is looking too severe. Anyway, looks like you have a winner in the spouse department.

Also, one more vote for the Cyclone Rake. They start around $1K so are a lot cheaper than the bagger for the BX, and like you say, fold up pretty neat for storage. Except for the engine, mine now hanging on my garage wall.

 

[Nitro-Fish]

.............

Today, there is not enough time for us to see eachother let alone enough time for me to do all the yard work on the few weekends I am home. More importantly there is no way for my wife to do all the outside work by herself since she works and is going to school. She also has baby on the mind so... in the near future nether of us are going to have any free time.


Option #5: I pay to have my lawn problems solved. The lowest estimate I have recieved for leaf clean up is $400.00 + $40.00/cut. I equate that to nearly $1000.00 per year in lawn care services.

So I ask you all for some opinions.............
~k_day64

Well, I really understand the want for a tractor, but in the first paragraph you mention you are already pressed for time, now you must build a larger place to park your machine, shop for the machine, don't forget to have a place to store the snowblower out of the weather too, everything holds its value better out of the weather.

Now the real kicker; if you can have reliable year round service for the amount mentioned in the heading "Option #5", I would say go for it & have much more spare time for yourselves. By the time you spend the time & money upgrading the shed, shopping for & purchasing the tractor & implements and servicing the equipment when necessay, Option 5 is really looking good!

Maybe you should try option 5 for a year & see how it works out; maybe by then you will be working closer to home & have more time on your hands for doing everything yourselves again.

Now that all that logical stuff is out of the way; don't forget to check out the green tractors !

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[bearcreek paul]

buy the tractor you and your wife will not regret it.i am 53 my wife is 54 and just had back surgery 11-24-10.we did things the hard way for too many years.shoveled snow from our 200 ft driveway untill 47 then we bought a snowblower.just finished a pole barn started on 9-11-10 with holes in the ground posthole digger pick bar and shovel.finished on 10-31-10 with shingles house wrap and garage door.done by me after work every day and on weekends. bought tractor on 11-27-10 with front end loader and post hole digger.i may be a slow learner but i wish i did this years ago just the work the loader did in three days saved me 2 weeks.save you and your wifes health and have more time to enjoy.ps i am looking forward to snow this winter.

 

[kday64]

Maybe you should try option 5 for a year & see how it works out; maybe by then you will be working closer to home & have more time on your hands for doing everything yourselves again.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Nitro,

After reading you post a few times, I have started to look back at this last weekend where I started to rewire the upstairs of my house (massively overloaded circuit). The self-reflection lead me to believe that I dont mind missing the time next to my wife. I what really bothers me about the thought of me mowing my lawn is that it takes 2 hours and I really dont gain anything by it. Other then maintaining my lawn.

The wife and I did pay for lawn service this past year. The lawn looked nice but the $400 leaf service (sucking the leaves in the front and blowing the leaves in the back in to the woods) was the preverbial straw. As CHD said for about $1000 I can buy a Cyclone Rake and start saving money in just a few short years. And I dont have to worry about the wife.

Bear,

I am thinking like you are. My father bought a Ford tractor just after I was born. I honestly cant really comprenhend how I would have survived the MI winters without that tractor. I am betting my mother could have fathomed life without that tractor (especially after my father passed). Us kids were able to maintain the yard (once we learned how not to snap shear pins).

I am just hoping that the wife will be fighting me for seat time on a new ride!

~Kevin

 

[TripleR]

Nitro,


Bear,

I am thinking like you are. My father bought a Ford tractor just after I was born. I honestly cant really comprehend how I would have survived the MI winters without that tractor. I am betting my mother could have fathomed life without that tractor (especially after my father passed). Us kids were able to maintain the yard (once we learned how not to snap shear pins).

I am just hoping that the wife will be fighting me for seat time on a new ride!

~Kevin

Since my wife retired almost two years ago, "our" BX2660 has become "her" Kubota. This summer when we got behind, she drove our L5030 HSTC with a 6' cutter while I ran our M8540 with a 10' cutter. I am NOT going to teach her how to drive the M8540.

 

[foggy1111]

Just read your post about picking up the finance application papers BEFORE getting prices so you could firm up the DETAILS? :confused2:

One piece of advice. The LAST thing I would want my seller (dealer) to know is that I was commited to buy from him before I established a sales price or the EXACT equipment I was buying. Especially if I was in a tight financial situation.

Maybe your a good price negotiator, or with monthly payments you feel the price wont make much difference.....I dunno.....but you can bet the dealer isn't going to give you rock bottom prices when you view the selling price as a "DETAIL".
:2cents:

 

[kday64]

Maybe your a good price negotiator, or with monthly payments you feel the price wont make much difference.....I dunno.....but you can bet the dealer isn't going to give you rock bottom prices when you view the selling price as a "DETAIL".
:2cents:

Foggy,

I am not really a good price negotiator. I know what I am willing to pay for a new tractor. We both know what the initial offer/bid was, and there are some that would say that I have been quoted a 'fair' price and I would tend to agree. However, when we last talked I was only going to get a the FEL, MMM and a back blade. Now the wife wants me to get rear snowblower in place of the back blade.

Saddly, I am not allowed to go outside the budget the wife has set for me... Even though she up'ed the overall cost by wanting a snowblower with a FEL. So there is some wheeling and dealing to be done.

I guess the most important part is both sides that are negotiating know I dont truely NEED this tractor.

~Kevin

 

[robs660]

Kday
My advice would be to look into a newer used Kubota BX or a slightly older B21. These tractors are both 4 wheel drive and have very capible loaders, back hoes, 540 PTO and the BX has a mid PTO for a mid mount mower. They can be found in hydrostatic drive which is very easy to use. You can find a machine on craigslist or Ebay for between $8K and $13K. I bought a Kubota B20 for $10K and it has done everything that I need it to do. It did need a little TLC but I don't mind doing it.
The guy I bought mine from has a BX listed on EBAY right now
Here is the link
KUBOTA BX23 4X4 COMPACT DIESEL TRACTOR /BACKHOE /LOADER - eBay (item 260698817646 end time Dec-06-10 09:49:53 PST)

Not sure where in CT you are but he was 2.5 hours from me in western NJ.

I setup mine in the winter so that my wife can plow the driveway if I am out of town and it snows. She does our 200 ft driveway in about 10 minutes. Think of a tractor as an investment. If you find a good one at a good price you will not loose money on it for years to come.

Last point - New is EXPENSIVE and best to be bought by professionals or those who have cash to burn. Pre owned well maintained tractors will do the same job at 30% less cost.

Good luck

Rob

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Foggy,

I am not really a good price negotiator. I know what I am willing to pay for a new tractor. We both know what the initial offer/bid was, and there are some that would say that I have been quoted a 'fair' price and I would tend to agree. However, when we last talked I was only going to get a the FEL, MMM and a back blade. Now the wife wants me to get rear snowblower in place of the back blade.

Saddly, I am not allowed to go outside the budget the wife has set for me... Even though she up'ed the overall cost by wanting a snowblower with a FEL. So there is some wheeling and dealing to be done.

I guess the most important part is both sides that are negotiating know I dont truely NEED this tractor.

~Kevin

Kevin, it seems to me that you are looking at getting a pretty nice package deal. Rear blades for this size of tractor are simply not that much money. I would almost bet that when you make the deal that you will be able to get a rear blade thrown in with the deal at zero cost to you. It sure won't hurt to ask when it comes time to seal the deal. After all, all they can say is no and you have lost nothing. It won't hurt to ask.

 

[foggy1111]

Kday....I likely mis-understood how you had gotten some prices and have your deal put together.

I just hope you get a fair deal on some good equipment that suits your needs.

 

[JJZ 109]

An FEL is likely the handiest attachment you would ever have. Certainly the mower deck would be used the most hours but to move snow, rocks, lift stuff and so on you could probably get by without the blower. Just a thought. Good luck and let us know what you do! With pictures of course!

Kevin -
I'd agree with the above statement. Don't go without a loader. You might even ditch your wheelbarrow when you own a loader! You'll find a thousand uses for a FEL.
If nothing else it'll allow you to remove and pile snow. If finances allow in the future, you could purchase a snow blower then.
Oops! Looks like I skipped a page or two and missed out on the detail that you elected to go with a rear blower. Definitely a money saving option as opposed to front mount/mid PTO. So how are your negotiations proceeding? I hope it all works out for you. Once the tractor/implements are in your possession you won't look back.