Buying Advice What do I want in $8-10k range for light brush-hogging and snowplowing?

[8Nmuppet]

Advice, anyone? I've got a Ford 8N that I've been using for the past decade for mowing the dry hillside around my house, and occasionally for clearing a foot of snow from the driveway and road, plus miscellaneous other tasks. Thanks to a wobbly vertical muffler I now have a cracked exhaust manifold. Parts are on order and I can probably fix it myself, but this is the wake-up call that it's time to upgrade to something a bit more reliable.

We're in a semi-arid area, so I only mow twice a year (about 2 acres), and the snow is never very deep. The hillside is very bumpy, though, thanks to ground squirrels -- a riding lawnmower won't handle it.

Another consideration: I have rather limited mechanical aptitude, and only hand tools. I've been able to do minor repairs on the 8N, but that's because the 8N was made to be maintained by a farmer with a set of hand tools. I'd like the capabilities of a much newer tractor, but I'm not sure about my ability to fix it when it breaks.

And I can't justify spending more than about $10,000.

I'd love to hear any suggestions of what model of tractor I should be looking for. Thanks in advance!

 

[Pierrepont]

At the moment there are some exceptional deals on Bobcat "CT" series tractors both new and used. Bobcat is leaving the compact tractor business but their tractors are built by a fine Korean company that also builds Kioti tractors and others. These tractors are well regarded and parts availability is assured by Bobcat.

You should be able to pick-up a nice, low-hour used Bobcat ct230 for about $10,000. (A new closeout will exceed your budget at about $15,500.) A slightly less HP model named ct225 can be had for less.

Feature for feature the Bobcat "CT" series has always been an exceptional value. Now with this business transition the new, and in turn used, machines have become absolute bargains.

 

[gemstarfarm]

If you were not so far away I have a MF 231 for sale. Just kidding. I traded up from an 8N and regret the day I sold that little 8N

 

[94BULLITT]

I think a Kubota BX would be a good option for you. You could get a new for close to 10k but you would still have to buy implements. At least you would have a new tractor with a warranty.

 

[stoyan79]

Used or new Kubota BX is what you need.

 

[8Nmuppet]

Thanks, everyone! My wife and I went shopping at 4 tractor dealers yesterday, so today I'll be checking this forum for comments on the machines we looked at.

One thing that surprised me, when I started looking up data, was that many newer tractors have less PTO HP than the 8N. A brand-new 8N allegedly gave about 23 PTO HP; I suppose mine is a bit lower than that by now. My Bush Hog RZ60 recommends 25-35 PTO HP -- I don't think I'd want to go much below 20.

So that pretty much eliminates a very nice Kubota B7510 that had only 12 hours on it. :bawling:

The Bobcats and Kubotas both look good. Our local Bobcat dealer has exactly zero tractors on site -- I'm waiting for a callback to see if they've got anything at their other locations.

Looks like I'll have to raise my upper limit to $13k, or be very very patient.

(I'll probably keep the 8N, in addition to whatever new thing I buy, and use it for less-demanding tasks like weed-spraying.)

 

[paulharvey]

You certainly should be able to find what you need in that budget, but I would expect something more in the 30-40 HP range, although that 8N is low in HP, it works like a larger tractor do to weight, tire size extra. I doubt you would be happy with a 25hp scut/cut. Don't know how to link from phone, but search "MF 240 4X4 Oak hill FL" on Craigslist, shows a mid 90s model 4x4, 41 HP with loader for $12,500.

 

[8Nmuppet]

The Massey Ferguson 240 certainly looks powerful enough. I'm a little worried about the weight smashing my septic drainfield.

I'm thinking about a New Holland TC29DA. There's one available locally for $10,500 (1160 hrs, new tires, no FEL). Posts on this forum seem generally positive about it, except for assorted annoying electrical problems. 25 HP PTO -- borderline, but probably enough for cutting dry grass and weeds.

 

[newbury]

Looks like I'll have to raise my upper limit to $13k, or be very very patient.

Be VERY patient, check ALL sources, study up on the models you want, have the $$ ready and be ready to POUNCE. Make sure SWMBO is ok with a dollar limit so when something pops up you can slam the $$ down without a lot of discussion.
Check CL just before going to bed. It seems sometimes stuff gets put on CL because someone decided it had to be gone. I think that's why I got my Stihl 088 deal for $450. I think my M4700 for $12K was a pretty good deal also.



But that may be bigger than what your looking for

The bargains are there, you just have to be prepared.

 

[paulharvey]

I wasn't pushing that Mf-240, just pointing out $12,000 will buy a lot of tractor. Tractor data lists a Ford 8N at 2410 lbs with 10"-28" tires. I would hazard to guess that a Kub Mx4700 with its 3300 lbs and 17.5-24" have similar or less ground preasure. Not pushing models or brands, heck for that $13,000 you probably could buy a brand-new mahindra max-28, with 23.5 HP at the pto

 

[8Nmuppet]

...heck for that $13,000 you probably could buy a brand-new mahindra max-28, with 23.5 HP at the pto

<smacks head> Sheesh, there is an actual Mahindra dealer a few miles from me! [Hint to dealers: PUT YOURSELVES IN THE YELLOW PAGES ALREADY!]

Okay, I know where I'm going tomorrow. :licking:

 

[94BULLITT]

The Massey Ferguson 240 certainly looks powerful enough. I'm a little worried about the weight smashing my septic drainfield.

I'm thinking about a New Holland TC29DA. There's one available locally for $10,500 (1160 hrs, new tires, no FEL). Posts on this forum seem generally positive about it, except for assorted annoying electrical problems. 25 HP PTO -- borderline, but probably enough for cutting dry grass and weeds.

If you are willing to go 13k a kubota l3200 would work. Be sure it does not have a jerky 3PH. A b3300su would make a nice 8N replacement and should be in your budget. I think a BX would do what you need it to do. You would need a 4' cutter. Bobcat is no longer selling tractors, that is why your dealer does not have them.

 

[newbury]

I wasn't pushing that Mf-240, just pointing out $12,000 will buy a lot of tractor. Tractor data lists a Ford 8N at 2410 lbs with 10"-28" tires. I would hazard to guess that a Kub Mx4700 with its 3300 lbs and 17.5-24" have similar or less ground preasure. Not pushing models or brands, heck for that $13,000 you probably could buy a brand-new mahindra max-28, with 23.5 HP at the pto

If your talking about my M4700 it's more like 5,000lbs w/FEL and 14.9-28". Which may be too big for the OP's septic drainfield.
The OP can definitely find bargains if he can wait.

 

[paulharvey]

Not yours specifically, I just got the weight of a geared MX4700 with out loader and wide tires to point out that even at 1000 lbs more the 8N it would go anywhere his old one would. Not recommending driving in the drain field, just that its 50% heavier, but has 75% wider tires, so it should rut less I would think.

 

[Pierrepont]

In my neck of the woods two neighbors have each recently purchased Bobcat CT tractors. Neighbor #1 bought a very nice 2010 Bobcat CT235 with FEL for $11,000 (237 hours). Neighbor #2 just bought a new CT230 with FEL for $14,700. (Deluxe suspension seat too!)

Bobcat dealers can still easily source tractors from the parent company. There is limited inventory due to the very aggressive final pricing. Free Loader program may end this next week.

 

[scoutcub]

I dont do any brushhogging with my SCUT, but loader work and a front snow blade that works great on my Yanmar SC2400. Fantastic little machine, less expensive and more capable than the competition.

Good luck!

 

[tessiers]

Its gonna be hard to beat that old 8n as far as work goes, only thing the new compacts got better than the ford are creature comforts. As far as reliability I think a 60 year old tractor is pretty reliable, easy to work on, basic parts more available, like any auto parts store or tractor supply. I might consider a new tractor but I would think long and hard about getting rid of the 8n. Actually I have a 2005 JD 790 and I still bushhog with my ford.

 

[Don87]

Its gonna be hard to beat that old 8n as far as work goes, only thing the new compacts got better than the ford are creature comforts. As far as reliability I think a 60 year old tractor is pretty reliable, easy to work on, basic parts more available, like any auto parts store or tractor supply. I might consider a new tractor but I would think long and hard about getting rid of the 8n. Actually I have a 2005 JD 790 and I still bushhog with my ford.

I have to agree. I would run that 8n til it was totally unrepairable before I would think about another tractor.

You only have 2 acres, save the money until you absolutely need to buy a new tractor...............a broken exhaust manifold is 'not' a good enough reason to spend 13,000 dollars.

 

[94BULLITT]

Have you guys actually ran a 8N? They were a excellent tractor in their day but by today standards they are not much. Yes they are cheap to repair and reliable if properly maintained. They don't have power steering, live PTO or hydraulics, their hydraulics are weak (My BX will out lift one on the 3PH), they gearing in the trans in not that great (really need a sherman step up step down), turning radius is not as good as a newer tractor, the 3PH does not work as good as a newer tractor, and no ROPS. They are still a capable machine but thing have got a a lot better.

 

[tessiers]

Have you guys actually ran a 8N? They were a excellent tractor in their day but by today standards they are not much. Yes they are cheap to repair and reliable if properly maintained. They don't have power steering, live PTO or hydraulics, their hydraulics are weak (My BX will out lift one on the 3PH), they gearing in the trans in not that great (really need a sherman step up step down), turning radius is not as good as a newer tractor, the 3PH does not work as good as a newer tractor, and no ROPS. They are still a capable machine but thing have got a a lot better.

Yeah I got a few hours on one, still run one probably more than most compacts get run. I put several hundred hours per year on mine doing farm work, bushhogging, raking hay, digging post holes, grading my farm road, ect. They are definatly old tractors and have there weak points but very capable never the less. Exhaust manifold is a $100 fix if he does it himself, $300 if he hires it out and gets a new exhaust. If I were going to spend $10K I would buy a couple more acres for the 8n. If the ROPS is an issue you can buy them for around $750. I never felt the need for one but I actually have an older version with the round tube, the newer ones have rectangular tube.