Trying to decide on new iron. Fix old or buy new.

[dusty3030]

I've got a 2355 Industrial / 2wd / JD 110 Loader and a JD 709 cutter trying to decide on fixing or replacing.
The 2355 has 3,270 hours. Blows a puff of white smoke if you let it idle for awhile and give it throttle. I think the clutch is on it's last leg.
The 709 cutter is heavily worn. I have it welded up everywhere it has cracked on the deck, but I need to replace the seals on the gearbox too, leaks out and has to be filled everytime I use it.
Good points is it has a 4 post ROPS, heavy duty skid plate and front bumper / grill guard. I replaced the batteries, alternator and muffler within the last couple of years. I put new tires on it about 4 years ago and they are still good. Rebuilt steering cylinders and replaced rockshaft seals in the last couple of seasons so no more putting in hyd fluid everytime I needed the tractor.
My gut says that the clutch is on borrowed time and I'm leary on the blowing a little smoke. It doesn't use oil enough to notice or add between changes, but It's got me concerned.

I've gotten a good quote on a Mahindra 5035 shuttle w/ loader and got them to come up with a good price on throwing in a 7' HD cutter in the package. I am considering this model because it can do what I am used to doing with the larger JD, but is smaller in height so I can clean stalls with it as well that I can't fit the JD into because of height. I can't pay cash for a new right now and that bothers me, but with 0% financing available borrowing to buy it doesn't sting so bad.

So after a long winded intro, here's my question. I put my 2355 and cutter on craigslist for $9,000. I got one lowball offer of $6,000 right off the bat (sounded like a dealer / used tractor trader) I passed on immediately. I also have had a local fellow come out and look at it and he is interested. I've been fully open on tractor, history, and problems, not trying to swindle anyone. I think he is going to counter at 6,000 or 7,000. Should I take the 6 or 7 thousand and run down to the Mahindra (or other) dealer or drop a couple of thousand in the old JD and keep on trucking without payments. I need a tractor to maintain our homestead (10 acres) 1/2 mile gravel driveway and move round bales to feed our horses in winter.

 

[flusher]

I'd go with the Mahindra--my Mahindra is a 2008 5525 (54 hp engine, 45 hp pto, 2WD, power steering, gear tranny) with the ML250 FEL (6-ft bucket, 2950 lb lift to 10.5 ft) with the skid steer adapter on the FEL arms and three pairs of rear hydraulic remotes. Paid about $19K new for the package.

 

[Soundguy]

i think your smoke blowing tolerance is a lil weak..

ok.. so may be time for a valve job, and a clutch.. and some mower work.

sounds cheaper than a new one!

soundguy

I've got a 2355 Industrial / 2wd / JD 110 Loader and a JD 709 cutter trying to decide on fixing or replacing.
The 2355 has 3,270 hours. Blows a puff of white smoke if you let it idle for awhile and give it throttle. I think the clutch is on it's last leg.
The 709 cutter is heavily worn. I have it welded up everywhere it has cracked on the deck, but I need to replace the seals on the gearbox too, leaks out and has to be filled everytime I use it.
Good points is it has a 4 post ROPS, heavy duty skid plate and front bumper / grill guard. I replaced the batteries, alternator and muffler within the last couple of years. I put new tires on it about 4 years ago and they are still good. Rebuilt steering cylinders and replaced rockshaft seals in the last couple of seasons so no more putting in hyd fluid everytime I needed the tractor.
My gut says that the clutch is on borrowed time and I'm leary on the blowing a little smoke. It doesn't use oil enough to notice or add between changes, but It's got me concerned.

I've gotten a good quote on a Mahindra 5035 shuttle w/ loader and got them to come up with a good price on throwing in a 7' HD cutter in the package. I am considering this model because it can do what I am used to doing with the larger JD, but is smaller in height so I can clean stalls with it as well that I can't fit the JD into because of height. I can't pay cash for a new right now and that bothers me, but with 0% financing available borrowing to buy it doesn't sting so bad.

So after a long winded intro, here's my question. I put my 2355 and cutter on craigslist for $9,000. I got one lowball offer of $6,000 right off the bat (sounded like a dealer / used tractor trader) I passed on immediately. I also have had a local fellow come out and look at it and he is interested. I've been fully open on tractor, history, and problems, not trying to swindle anyone. I think he is going to counter at 6,000 or 7,000. Should I take the 6 or 7 thousand and run down to the Mahindra (or other) dealer or drop a couple of thousand in the old JD and keep on trucking without payments. I need a tractor to maintain our homestead (10 acres) 1/2 mile gravel driveway and move round bales to feed our horses in winter.

 

[TripleR]

That is a hard decision. We ran into a similar situation this year when it was costing us more in repairs than payments, so we "traded" our Case CX80 in on a new Kubota M8540. We really tried to keep the Case as it was only 12 years old, but it was never reliable and we needed something that was.

We do have some older tractors that will be owned by my kids and grand kids, but they on the rare occasion they need repair, they stay repaired.

My inclination would be to keep the old iron if it is economically feasible and you are not old and worn out like me. That long walk back to the shop when our tractor crapped out just got to be too much for me not to mention the expense and aggravation.

 

[Soundguy]

wow.. 12ys old and unreliable.. must have been a lemon unit.. we have that same machine here..

soundguy

 

[dusty3030]

That is a hard decision. We ran into a similar situation this year when it was costing us more in repairs than payments, so we "traded" our Case CX80 in on a new Kubota M8540. We really tried to keep the Case as it was only 12 years old, but it was never reliable and we needed something that was.

We do have some older tractors that will be owned by my kids and grand kids, but they on the rare occasion they need repair, they stay repaired.

My inclination would be to keep the old iron if it is economically feasible and you are not old and worn out like me. That long walk back to the shop when our tractor crapped out just got to be too much for me not to mention the expense and aggravation.

That's kind of what I've been getting into. I work at least 10 hours a day, some days 12. Weekend time is valuable. Makes it hard to get anything done always fixing something. Also trying to find the time to pull her apart and do the clutch will take up several weekends. I'm fortunate to have the shop area and tools to do it, just don't have the time. That's the way of life huh?
I did spy a JD 5075E without loader and a couple of JD 3720's with loaders out in front of the local JD dealer today when I was out at lunch. They must have just got them. Mainly an ag dealer and don't carry much small stuff. Temptations, temptations.

 

[TripleR]

wow.. 12ys old and unreliable.. must have been a lemon unit.. we have that same machine here..

soundguy

It was a lemon, we had trouble with it almost from the day it was bought new. It was full of gremlins. We had ongoing problems with it not starting, AC going out, blown lines, left cab door broke several times while sitting still and on and on. The darned FEL even came off several times and wrecked the body work and finally had to take it off and weld the attachment points. We didn't have any trouble with the drive train though. The guy who bought it owns a tractor repair shop and is using it for haying.

That's kind of what I've been getting into. I work at least 10 hours a day, some days 12. Weekend time is valuable. Makes it hard to get anything done always fixing something. Also trying to find the time to pull her apart and do the clutch will take up several weekends. I'm fortunate to have the shop area and tools to do it, just don't have the time. That's the way of life huh?
I did spy a JD 5075E without loader and a couple of JD 3720's with loaders out in front of the local JD dealer today when I was out at lunch. They must have just got them. Mainly an ag dealer and don't carry much small stuff. Temptations, temptations.

I sure know what you mean. I am retired, but there never seems to be enough time to keep up with everything. This summer, my son, wife and I were all on tractors at the same time and couldn't seem to keep up.

You are going to HAVE to stay away from those dealer lots. Every time I go, I see something I want too.:laughing:

 

[Soundguy]

OUCH! not good at all!

It was a lemon, we had trouble with it almost from the day it was bought new. It was full of gremlins. We had ongoing problems with it not starting, AC going out, blown lines, left cab door broke several times while sitting still and on and on. The darned FEL even came off several times and wrecked the body work and finally had to take it off and weld the attachment points. We didn't have any trouble with the drive train though. The guy who bought it owns a tractor repair shop and is using it for haying.



I sure know what you mean. I am retired, but there never seems to be enough time to keep up with everything. This summer, my son, wife and I were all on tractors at the same time and couldn't seem to keep up.

You are going to HAVE to stay away from those dealer lots. Every time I go, I see something I want too.:laughing:

 

[Verticaltrx]

I would refurbish the 2355 and keep running it, maybe get another smaller tractor sometime down the road. Those were great tractors (we have a 2550) and 3200hrs is nothing, I doubt it needs a rebuild unless it's been neglected. IMO even with that many hours it would still outlast a Mahindra. I would stick a new clutch in it, go over everything that needs fixing and keep running it.

As for the 709 bush hog, they were also great units, pretty heavy duty as I recall. With that said, if it's really worn out it might be time for something new. Once the sides start to get beat out and the deck starts rusting it's hard to keep them going.

 

[jenkinsph]

Tough call, but I suspect the little bit of oil seeping past the valve stems would be a minor repair to me. Replacing the clutch is time consuming and expensive but nothing like buying a new tractor.

I also feel the 2355 is a much heavier built tractor than the E series you mentioned.

Have you considered refurbishing the tractor and buying a new cutter instead of buying a new rig? I have cleaned up and restored a few tractors (including mechanical problems) to tip top shape and kept them for 10 more years. Just a suggestion as a new clutch and fresh coat of paint is about equal to a new tractor.