Help me choose another tractor.

[motownbrowne]

Well, this might not happen quite as soon as I'd like, but I'm at least going to start dialing in what I need. I've got a Kubota MX4700, which has been perfect for what I'm doing with it (growing vegetables primarily, but also skidding logs, moving pallets, and mowing overgrown pasture).


I'd like to have another tractor for a couple of reasons. 1: reduce time spent changing implements. There are days when I swap what's on the back 6 times or more. Also, there are times when I'd use the bush hog for an hour in the evening, but don't feel like dropping the tiller, mounting the mower, and then switching back before work in the morning.

2. The Kubota is on the large size for some tasks we use it for. We were looking at a smaller tractor, but I needed the loader to be able to lift pallets of feed (or close to full pallets anyway), so we got the MX. It's great, and I'm glad we have it, but when it's a little wet out and we need to move a wagon or would like to mow, the MX with R1s makes a mess of the yard. Not the end of the world, but I'm thinking a second tractor either with turfs or industrial tires would help in these situations.

So... I'm tractor window shopping. Looking for a 4wd 25-40HP tractor without a loader and with turfs or industrials. Oh, and under $10k.There's a nice looking JD1050 mfwd with turfs about two hours from me. Hours aren't listed in the ad. According to tractordata, this'll have about 33 PTO HP. Asking price is $7900. A good friend of mine has the next series model, the 1070 and is very happy with it. My concern is that this rig is somewhere between 25-35 years old. What's parts support like from JD, and if parts are available, are they expensive?

Also available is a. NH TC29D. Fluid filled industrials on all 4 corners. Under 900 hours. Looks used from the ad, but that's fine. Asking price is 6500. About 10 fewer PTO HP at 23.5, but it's a 3 range hydro transmission, which I really like, it's also from about Y2K, so it's considerably newer. From my understanding, parts for these might get pricey as NH no longer produces them with Shibura.

Alternatively, for the same price range I'm seeing older Fords in the thousand series, including a couple available with turfs. These are 2wd and without ROPS, which is something I'd like to have. And on the other end of the spectrum, Build My Kubota gives an MSRP for the L2501 with turfs and no loader at 15,500. That is of course over my budget and the lowest HP option, but it's brand new with no emissions business, and will have a warranty, not to mention the new tractor smell.

I'll mostly be using this machine to mow with a 5'rotary cutter or 6' flail, for tilling with a 4' tiller, and for some light skidding with my Farmi 351.

Any thoughts on these machines or something else I haven't considered would be fantastic. Thanks!

 

[4570Man]

I would look for an old tractor. Those old tractors are built like a tank with very few unnecessary parts to break. The old tractors almost all have r1 tires, but you could buy new tires and rims and still be under 10,000

 

[motownbrowne]

Well, just talked to the Deere owner. I guess that machine's got 6700 hours on it! While that is impressive, I think that makes me nervous enough to pass on that one. Also, it's a 1981, which isn't a problem, but it puts it at almost 35 years old. I told the guy that I thought that was more hours than what I really wanted but that I'd keep his number. There wasn't any talk of lowering the price, but for that many hours, I'd probably have to get it for under $6000 to be happy about it.

 

[motownbrowne]

I would look for an old tractor. Those old tractors are built like a tank with very few unnecessary parts to break. The old tractors almost all have r1 tires, but you could buy new tires and rims and still be under 10,000

That's certainly an option, but I'd be probably foregoing the ROPS, and definitely the mfwd. 2wd and turfs sounds slippery to me. On the other hand, I like the old Fords, especially after they turned blue. And a gasser could be had pretty cheap. I do like their stoutness, and I'd rather start an old gasser than an old American diesel in the winter. A Japanese diesel would be fine, though.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

John deere has excellent parts availability probably second to noone. I am currently working on a 1970s 550 dozer and almost everything is available for a price! I can also easily get parts for our 4020, right around a 69 vintage I think!

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

If you're worried about your lawn wouldn't the older 30hp Fords be as heavy as your MX?

 

[motownbrowne]

If you're worried about your lawn wouldn't the older 30hp Fords be as heavy as your MX?

I'm thinking that if it's got air-filled turf tires and no loader, the weight can be relatively high and still be a lot easier on the soil than the MX plus loader riding on filled R1s.

 

[ovrszd]

Forget old. They are too large and heavy.

If you are happy with your Kubota look for a "B" model. I had a B2910 that I loved. 30hp, mfwd, 3spd hst, 3000lb. Can use a MMM if you want. I mowed with mine and preferred it over a JD455. Position control 3pt, suspension seat, tilt/telescope steering wheel, cruise control, Independent PTO. Surprisingly capable tractor. The later model is the B3030. I think you can find a 2910 without MMM in your price range and will last a very long time.

 

[4570Man]

Forget old. They are too large and heavy. .

Wait, isn't that what a tractor is supposed to be? For mowing he doesn't need weight, but when he decides to hook up a plow it will sure be nice.

 

[ovrszd]

Wait, isn't that what a tractor is supposed to be? For mowing he doesn't need weight, but when he decides to hook up a plow it will sure be nice.

I was just going by his statement in the third paragraph: The Kubota is on the large size for some tasks we use it for. We were looking at a smaller tractor :confused3:

 

[newbury]

How small do you want to go?
Do you have any small areas you want to get to?
What's the minimum you would like to be able to lift?
What attachments do you want to "share"?

My B7610 is a little on the small side and my M4700 a little on the big side for what I do, mainly clearing trails at the moment.
I'd say look for a minimum of about 25 PTO HP, FEL, 4WD HST.

 

[motownbrowne]

Wait, isn't that what a tractor is supposed to be? For mowing he doesn't need weight, but when he decides to hook up a plow it will sure be nice.

I was just going by his statement in the third paragraph: The Kubota is on the large size for some tasks we use it for. We were looking at a smaller tractor :confused3:

Yep, the little one will never see any draft type tillage. For plowing, discing, etc. the Kubota with ag tires is the tool for the job. I want something lighter that puts less psi on the ground. And I don't want or need a FEL on this machine, mostly because I've got a nice one on the Kubota, and it lets me have a bigger machine for less money and with less weight than if it had a loader.

Richard, I'd love to have a nice B, but darn are they pricey around here. I'm even seeing bare BXs going for over $8000! The New Holland I mentioned seems like a nice price if the machine checks out.

 

[jenkinsph]

I agree with Richard that a Kubota B3030 would be the best fit for you. My second choice would be a Deere 2720. Both are much lighter and more compact than the current MX4700 but still have the right features to make them a "handy size".

I don't think I would buy an older tractor again in this size. I had an older Deere 820 (31 pto hp) and while it was a good tractor it lacked the convenience of the newer tractors and was parked most of the time. The modern hst tractors in the small sizes are hard to beat.

I would also recommend a quick hitch with topntilt to reduce the time to swap implements. I often have to change implements several times a day and the quick hitch is the right tool for the job. If fitament is an issue you might consider the Delta hitch/hook system too, while more costly it is a very easy to hitch and adaptable to most older implements. While these quick hitches won't solve the problems with the yard rutting they will make life easier changing out implements and would be a lot less money than changing or adding additional tractors.

 

[ovrszd]

Yep, the little one will never see any draft type tillage. For plowing, discing, etc. the Kubota with ag tires is the tool for the job. I want something lighter that puts less psi on the ground. And I don't want or need a FEL on this machine, mostly because I've got a nice one on the Kubota, and it lets me have a bigger machine for less money and with less weight than if it had a loader.

Richard, I'd love to have a nice B, but darn are they pricey around here. I'm even seeing bare BXs going for over $8000! The New Holland I mentioned seems like a nice price if the machine checks out.

Yeah, B's hold their value very well, and for a good reason. I'd agree to not be brand conscious and buy what suits your needs.

I can easily relate to your wants in a second tractor. I went thru the same thing last year. Though my sizes are larger than yours, the same needs were there. Reduces changing attachments dramatically. Also saves those hours on the larger tractor for tasks that it is built for.

Good luck in your search and post the results. We love to see guys spend money!!!

 

[motownbrowne]

Alright, nothing final yet, but this pipedream has taken two big steps toward reality.

1. I convinced my "business partners" (my wife and father) of the need for a nice little diesel tractor without a loader.

2. I talked to the seller of the New Holland tc29 on the phone. Seems like a good deal and an honest guy. The tractor belongs to his brother and is in a storage facility in Iowa. Once I pay him through PayPal, the tractor will be shipped directly to me. Shipping is included in the purchase price.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Is number 1 as likely as number 2? Would be in my house.

 

[ovrszd]

Alright, nothing final yet, but this pipedream has taken two big steps toward reality.

1. I convinced my "business partners" (my wife and father) of the need for a nice little diesel tractor without a loader.

2. I talked to the seller of the New Holland tc29 on the phone. Seems like a good deal and an honest guy. The tractor belongs to his brother and is in a storage facility in Iowa. Once I pay him through PayPal, the tractor will be shipped directly to me. Shipping is included in the purchase price.

Where in Iowa?? I'm 6 miles from the South border on Interstate 35 South of Des Moines. I'll go take a look at it for you if it's not clear up in the North end of the State.

I'm very nervous about deals like this. Very, very nervous.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Me thinks (hopes) motownbrowne has a pretty rye sense of humor. If not, I'm selling some stuff for my Nigerian uncle he might be interested in....

 

[motownbrowne]

Me thinks (hopes) motownbrowne has a pretty rye sense of humor. If not, I'm selling some stuff for my Nigerian uncle he might be interested in....

Guilty as charged. . Sorry, though I meant to deliver the punchline much earlier, but got distracted by dinner. Sorry guys.

Where in Iowa?? I'm 6 miles from the South border on Interstate 35 South of Des Moines. I'll go take a look at it for you if it's not clear up in the North end of the State.

I'm very nervous about deals like this. Very, very nervous.

Richard, jokes aside, thank you sincerely for this generous offer. What a great example of the tractorbynet community in action.

In reality, the tractor is being sold by the owner. I'll meet him at his house Monday or Tuesday and see it in person. Hopefully I can post a scaled down of Richard's picture within the week.

 

[motownbrowne]

Another darned duplicate!!