First time tractor buyer

[smoke56]

I have a small place, three horses and need a tractor for moving rolls of hay and other farm stuff. It must have FEL.

I am looking to buy a used tractor. I have found a couple on Craigslist. One in particular is a L2250 Kubota. It has 1600 hours on it, a FEL, 4X4, turf tires look to be in good shape. They are asking $6,500.00 for the tractor. I called the local Kubota dealer and was told 1600 hrs is not a lot for a tractor.

I also have looked at Satoh, Bull, S360. I don't think it has the weight I am going to need. This is priced at $5,400.00. Have no idea what the hours are on this tractor. After looking up history of this company, I see that they were made until 1984.

I have looked at a couple of Farm Pros that are price very well, but after checking this site, it appears that the biggest complaint is craftmanship and fit for these tractors.

Any guidence would be appreciated.

Rick

 

[MIKE R]

Welcome to the forum. I think the Kubota would be the best way to go.

 

[sd455dan]

I have a small place, three horses and need a tractor for moving rolls of hay and other farm stuff. It must have FEL.

I am looking to buy a used tractor. I have found a couple on Craigslist. One in particular is a L2250 Kubota. It has 1600 hours on it, a FEL, 4X4, turf tires look to be in good shape. They are asking $6,500.00 for the tractor. I called the local Kubota dealer and was told 1600 hrs is not a lot for a tractor.

I also have looked at Satoh, Bull, S360. I don't think it has the weight I am going to need. This is priced at $5,400.00. Have no idea what the hours are on this tractor. After looking up history of this company, I see that they were made until 1984.

I have looked at a couple of Farm Pros that are price very well, but after checking this site, it appears that the biggest complaint is craftmanship and fit for these tractors.

Any guidence would be appreciated.

Rick

We buy round bales for our horses and the average weight has been 950-1200 lbs. if the bales that you will be moving are about the same weight -
the chances the Kubotas loader will lift them is basically 0 tractor data lists the lift capacity as 882 lbs. and the bales will be hanging out in front of the loader with a quick attach spear, meaning that the bales will actually be heavier due to the fact that they won't fit with all the mass close to the pins... some other hay sellers here sell the Larger bales...closer to a full ton each.

I think you will need more tractor and loader- unless I am misunderstanding your post

 

[hosspuller]

There are two ways to handle round bales with a tractor. FEL or rear hitch. Using a FEL means a larger tractor as previously posted. A three point hitch ball spear allows a smaller tractor. The weight of the bale transfers to the drive wheels. (opposite a FEL's weight transfer)

None of the tractors you posted will handle 900 pounds on a FEL.

 

[jeff9366]

Here a specs on Kubota L2250 from TractorData.com:

LINK:

TractorData.com Kubota L2250 tractor information

This model Kubota was made from 1985-1990, so it is at least 23 years old.

Sixteen hundred hours is not a problem if well maintained and stored indoors.

Does the Kubota you are looking at have four wheel drive? Power steering? Both were options on the L2250. Reasonable horsepower, reasonable weight for small farm use with four wheel drive; about the same specs as my Kubota B3300SU.

Turf tires make me suspicious L2250 may be rear wheel drive only.

One positive: Kubota is the best tractor producer at supplying parts for its older models. Parts for all Kubotas, new or old, are EXPENSIVE.

 

[smoke56]

Here a specs on Kubota L2250 from TractorData.com:

LINK:

TractorData.com Kubota L2250 tractor information

This model Kubota was made from 1985-1990, so it is at least 23 years old.

Sixteen hundred hours is not a problem if well maintained and stored indoors.

Does the Kubota you are looking at have four wheel drive? Power steering? Both were options on the L2250. Reasonable horsepower, reasonable weight for small farm use with four wheel drive; about the same specs as my Kubota B3300SU.

Turf tires make me suspicious L2250 may be rear wheel drive only.

One positive: Kubota is the best tractor producer at supplying parts for its older models. Parts for all Kubotas, new or old, are EXPENSIVE.

It is 4x4. The specs say it will lift over 800# at full height. I was thinking thinking I won't lift rolls no more than I need to move them off the ground.

 

[jeff9366]

There are two ways to handle round bales with a tractor. FEL or rear hitch. Using a FEL means a larger tractor as previously posted. A three point hitch ball spear allows a smaller tractor. The weight of the bale transfers to the drive wheels. (opposite a FEL's weight transfer)

Yeah. Three point lift is spec'd at 1,500 pounds, new, so get a 3-Pt hitch mounted bale speer.

 

[hosspuller]

Smoke56 ... You're forgetting the FEL spec is 882 pounds at the "PIN" a round bale depending on the size is at least 24" from the pin. The Kubota L2250 will not pick up a 800 # bale safely

 

[Soundguy]

I agree. tractors mentioned too small.

what if the bale is moist and 1200#.. tractor will go into relief trying to lift it.

If he's already looking at 23ys old.. might as well look at an old ford with a loader..

 

[LD1]

It is 4x4. The specs say it will lift over 800# at full height. I was thinking thinking I won't lift rolls no more than I need to move them off the ground.

Smoke56 ... You're forgetting the FEL spec is 882 pounds at the "PIN" a round bale depending on the size is at least 24" from the pin. The Kubota L2250 will not pick up a 800 # bale safely

Agreed. Now way will that tractor do a round bale on the FEL.

Tractor specs are artificially inflated due to the pin measurement. For round bales, you need a loader spec'd at least double what you think the heaviest bale is going to be. And then you will need significant weight on the 3PH. Like a heavy bushhog or something. A light duty rear blade dont count for much.

The "real" farmers doing round bales are in the 60-70HP range by modern standards. And ~50ish HP for older ag tractors (as they are typically a little heavier).

Either way, you need a full fledged utility tractor. Not a compact IMO.

 

[Soundguy]

. And ~50ish HP for older ag tractors (as they are typically a little heavier).

Either way, you need a full fledged utility tractor. Not a compact IMO.

yep. i've got an old ugly but good runner ford 850. has a chunk of concrete as a counterweight.. 13.6-28 rears filled with fluid, and a heavy 2 post loader with spear inthe bucket. that will lift 1200# bales. I used to use a 850 with a 1-arm laoder.. and was stuk at 900-1000 # bales.

got to have that weight and mass. and a stance you can widen helps too.

 

[smoke56]

I need to loader for moving dirt and manure more than anything, small jobs around the barn. I am not sure what the specs mean when they say this tractor will do 1,600lbs break out and 800 lbs at full extention. I do understand pin placement and how that would make a difference being the weight would be cantilevered out.

At any rate, its no big deal to get a 3 pt hitch spear for the round bales. The bales I have been getting are between 600-700 lbs.

I am new to buying one for myself. With so many used tractors on the market like Craigslist it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what the going price for a certain make and model of tractor and I am appreciative of your suggestions and opinions.

 

[Soundguy]

break out is the force it can apply at ground level tipping a load up.. .. full extention is what weight it can lift to full height.

for instance. i have loaders on antiques that have 3000 breakout.. but only 1200 full lift.

 

[buickanddeere]

Something with live pto, live hydraulics, power steering, good brakes, a rops and local dealer support.
Intended use?
There are a lot of new CUT 4x4 tractors sold as owners would rather make payments for a few years. Instead of paying to repair an old tractor.

 

[sd455dan]

I agree. tractors mentioned too small.

what if the bale is moist and 1200#.. tractor will go into relief trying to lift it.

If he's already looking at 23ys old.. might as well look at an old ford with a loader..

I can't agree more- that is exactly what we used for the first 3 years of moving round bales and still do sometimes, a 3000, 4000,or 5000 or even an 800 series with a factory style or otherquality loader would work well.

Some of the Massey Fergusons would work well to.... Lots of great old tractors to chose from...

 

[toddler]

And out of left field, or rather the far east, comes a post that doesn't even relate to the model being discussed

Smoke,
You're looking at a pretty old tractor, so if you start pushing it to the limit of it's specs, you probably want to budget for some repairs.

Break out force is how much force the loader can exert rolling back the bucket. So you drive it into dirt and then break the bucket out by rolling it back. That has very little to do with lifting a bale of hay. I would hold out for a slightly larger tractor if a slightly larger one will be able to get into the places you need to go.

If you're patient you'll find what you need.
Be safe,
Todd

 

[LD1]

And the breakout/rollback force is usually rated at the pins also, and sometes the cutting edge. Given the location and geometry of the curl.cylinders compared to the lift cylinders, the roll back force diminishes quicker than the lift force forward of the bucket.

 

[Soundguy]

I can't agree more- that is exactly what we used for the first 3 years of moving round bales and still do sometimes, a 3000, 4000,or 5000 or even an 800 series with a factory style or otherquality loader would work well.

Some of the Massey Fergusons would work well to.... Lots of great old tractors to chose from...

yeppers.

heres a couple pics of an 850 i use to move hay. loader is a superior utility duty.. 2nd pic shows a bale spear mounted in the bucket.

http://photos.yesterdaystractors.com/gallery/uptest/a31745.jpg

http://photos.yesterdaystractors.com/gallery/uptest/a137290.jpg

 

[sd455dan]

yeppers.

heres a couple pics of an 850 i use to move hay. loader is a superior utility duty.. 2nd pic shows a bale spear mounted in the bucket.

http://photos.yesterdaystractors.com/gallery/uptest/a31745.jpg

http://photos.yesterdaystractors.com/gallery/uptest/a137290.jpg

Nice 850 Soundguy You have a real spear- i have been cheating a little bit using a round add on bucket pallet fork- will get a real spear this next year but it has worked well so far it does take a little extra push to stick the round bale though here's the 3000 after cleaning out the horses run outs and to show the lift capability of the standard ford loaders- 1440 lbs. of concrete being removed from my 1940 international DS 30 International dump truck

Nothing wrong with the kubotas - but to get into one that will lift and carry the round bale weight on the FEL that is the norm- will cost considerably more than one of these older tractors, but they certainly can be found but for more money...

 

[Soundguy]

i'm cheating too. that spear is a bale spear.. but it is a 3pt spear! I made a bracket estup with a chain loop so i can set my 3pt spear into my bucket. swing a 2' piec of chain around a hook and hold it in, and a small chain to eyelet in the bucket to hold the base. works perfectly.. and 2 chains and pop it's off if i need the bucket.. or need the spear on a 3pt.

Nice 850 Soundguy You have a real spear- i have been cheating a little bit using a round add on bucket pallet fork- will get a real spear this next year but it has worked well so far it does take a little extra push to stick the round bale though here's the 3000 after cleaning out the horses run outs View attachment 350881 and to show the lift capability of the standard ford loaders- 1440 lbs. of concrete being removed from my 1940 international DS 30 International dump truck View attachment 350883

Nothing wrong with the kubotas - but to get into one that will lift and carry the round bale weight on the FEL that is the norm- will cost considerably more than one of these older tractors, but they certainly can be found but for more money...