Choosing my First Tractor

[paulsharvey]

Happy to see some replies. Research and knowledge are never ending. The search and taking notes of what I'm finding are definetly an aid in my decisions and knowledge.

The B vs L makes a bit more sense now, the size difference between the different L series tractors in my budget and scope aren't very significant it seems.

I do have a normal 46" mower for now. Probably closer to 2 acres will be mowed at the moment. Not a bad slope across land, some brush. As far as the food plot and other farm space, it's undecided.

Very interesting and good point about these machines holding value. I'm not 100% sure what my heaviest or hardest tasks will be, but a CUT seems it will be more up to the tasks than a SCUT. I enjoyed the first hand experience and comparison of the NH.

I come from a background of junk, the newest car I've really owned is a 1996 and I drive older. I am not afraid to go newer as needing fewer repairs, having more parts, and a more efficient machine sounds great. I'd rather buy a good machine and get to work.

Talking old, 70s and 80s. I've seen some awesome operating FEL CUT for 3500-7k. L1801DT, L225, L245DT.

I have seen some awesome packages on something like a newer L2501 for 15-20k but I'm just not in the range.

90s/2000s seems to be where it's at. Seemingly better machines around that 10k range, with more parts availability. 98' L2350, 99' L2500dt, 96' L2900, 2000 L3010. Varying hours and conditions.

I'm willing to travel, and I believe I'm narrowing in on something I'd really like. Now I've just got to try to score a deal.

I'm really lliking the looks of a 98-2000 l2500dt. Id prefer a straight drive and I see two out there. Not to get off topic and start the common 'is this a good deal' type thread, but.

There's a Craigslist ad for one with 620 hours. New fluids, front tires, hoses, and looks clean. Asking 11.5k with a bushhog.

The other has 670 visibly rough hours. Bent bucket and 3 point adjuster, missing hood parts. It was recently serviced with some new hoses, battery, seals. But after seeing a video of it operating there is some visible blue smoke when warm, he's asking 7500$.

Wise to stay away from that? I'm not afraid of smoke but I'm looking for a good buy. Any other advice from you guys?

As a former owner of a "3 series Kubota", L245/L285/L305, ect, they aren't "bad", but they are primative; IE hunt and peck transmission; strong arm steering; and i will bet any you find today, a wiring mess.

So, I had an L285; 2wd; no loader, on 2 acres. I used it with a box blade, 54" flail mower, and a home made plow. I sold it, after like 8 years, for a Kioti Ck2610 HST, loader. I will say, for me, the Kioti is 10x the usefulness. I Do wish I had sprung for the 35hp or 40 hp version....

If you are looking at spending 7k; consider spending 22k and buying what you want/need.

 

[scootr]

As a former owner of a "3 series Kubota", L245/L285/L305, ect, they aren't "bad", but they are primative; IE hunt and peck transmission; strong arm steering; and i will bet any you find today, a wiring mess.

So, I had an L285; 2wd; no loader, on 2 acres. I used it with a box blade, 54" flail mower, and a home made plow. I sold it, after like 8 years, for a Kioti Ck2610 HST, loader. I will say, for me, the Kioti is 10x the usefulness. I Do wish I had sprung for the 35hp or 40 hp version....

If you are looking at spending 7k; consider spending 22k and buying what you want/need.

OR $15 at least. My first tractor was $6k, 50 hp 2 WD. Struggled with it for 5 yrs and sold for $5k. Then I bought too much tractor and struggled with it for 14 yrs (stubborn I guess) A few yrs ago I finally figured out what I needed and boy am I ever glad I plunked down $30k to get it barely used. Buy once cry once.

 

[paulsharvey]

There are a couple of challenges you face.
A loader, 4x4, tractor...
You can find Ford 2000, Massey 135, ect all day long for $3-5k; and you might find them with a loader for $4.5-6k; 2wd; no power steering; hunt and peck transmission. They Will move stuff; parts are both available and generally cheap.

John Deere/Yanmar; smaller machines; often not that pricey; loader and even 4x4; but generally not HST/shuttle; more limited parts; smaller/less power; often upwards towards $8.5k for loader and 4x4; and they really are still very basic; and often in bad shape; not ssqa buckets. You can lump the early Kubotas in this category as well; but as much as people love Kubota, they dont support their 70s/80s early imports at all. You really are one out of production part from scrapping them.

You also have the Hinomoto Masseys; 1010; 1020; 1030; these aren't bad, but again, kinda an orphan.

If you look at used MF 1433, Kubota L3400; similar, age/size; you likely have parts support, some modern features; but also 70% of new price...

 

[JasperFrank]

Brand name can sometimes be misleading. For example, one would think a HST FORD 1220, made in '87, would have parts available. It does not have any parts for the HST.

 

[arrow]

Brand name can sometimes be misleading. For example, one would think a HST FORD 1220, made in '87, would have parts available. It does not have any parts for the HST.

And this is the trouble spot the op is headed for with the current mindset.
I’ve seen people brag about that. They’ve only spent four or $5000 for a tractor. Then they bring it to us to get fixed.
They then are disheveled when they find out they have to spend another 4 to $8000 to get the thing running.
“Bargain” and “cheap” are not always synonymous especially if the op ends up with a $5000 paper weight.

 

[airbiscuit]

What geographic area are you looking in?

 

[big bubba]

OP: you'll be overwhelmed by info on this, mostly informative, but don't pay attn to it all (incl my own comment) you might expand on your tasks, but more importantly at what life stage are you, in reasonable good shape?, assuming you'll go w/hst vs gear?, condition of your knees?, and how you foresee future tasks or real estate moves, etc. makes a big difference.

& don't get too compulsive in your purchase frenzy till you make a wise decision.
wise to post your question on this compact forum, regards

 

[paulsharvey]

Brand name can sometimes be misleading. For example, one would think a HST FORD 1220, made in '87, would have parts available. It does not have any parts for the HST.

I forgot about the 80s small Fords, Shibura or whatever made them. Not specifically bad, just pretty much orphans. The 2000/3000 series still have great parts support though.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, the are absolutely cheaper models around, with loaders. Here is the exact model I sold, but with a loader. Mine didn't have power steering.

So, if mine had a loader, I likely would have just kept it, and dealt with the issues.

As an example though, for just another $2,500; this L2900 moves you forward about 25 years, and "likely" still has parts around. It does have a Lot of hours for a CUT, 3999 hours.

 

[big bubba]

determine needs, future tasks, & budget before you look at models & manufacturers.