Snow Equipment Buying/Pricing 4 grass, 8 woods and snow

[vtfx4]

We are moving from a .25 acre village lot to the acres described in the title. I need to mow the grass, plow about 150 feet (vermont snow), do some grading so water doesn't keep getting into the basement. Eventually (2-3 years) I will need to do some landscaping like putting it beds, small retaining walls, and basic stonework. I will pull trees for firewood, but do not necessarily need a tractor for this. I will likely cut the trees in the woods and use my truck to transport. I have looked at new bx's for 15k plus and a few used JD's. My wife has put me on a 5-6k budget. What can I get? I just saw a jd 4100 with mid mower and front blade for $4500. This seems like it would get the job done for now, and I should be able to find a loader in time. I also saw a 425 with front loader and mower for $5,500. Am i looking at the right stuff? Should I consider a larger used tractor in this price range?

Thanks,
Ken

 

[RoyJackson]

I think the 4100 would be a good first tractor. It'll do the mowing, the snow removal (but you'll have to start early!!!) and falls within your current budget.
In a few years, you can use it as a trade for a newer or bigger tractor with a loader.
Personally, I wouldn't add a loader to this machine. It would cost $2K to 3K to do it. Until you decide (and are ready) to buy newer, you can use a 3PH dirt scoop or carry all for some of your chores.
Anyway, that's my suggestion...

If you do miss the 4100 (and I wouldn't wait too long to look at it and decide), you could look at some late 80's, early 90's Deere CUTs. The 755 or 855 (especially the 855); 670 (had one...tough tractor!!) or 770...any of these tractor could give you a lot of years of work. I can especially recommend the 670 and 855. I owned a 670 and a buddy had an 855. I think you'd find a 670 in your budget range, the 855 somewhat higher (old 855's really hold their price).
I'm just suggesting Deeres because I'm most familar with them.

As far as a larger Utility Tractor...no, not unless you have no other choice.

Good luck!

 

[jbrumberg]

vtfx4:

Welcome to TBN ! With a budget of 5-6K you are limited in what kind/shape tractor you can get , but for 4A's grass, 8A's of woods, and 150' of driveway you really do not need that large a tractor. You are going to have to go used but hopefully if you are patient you will find the tractor you need. In my opinion a tractor with FEL and in the high teens to mid 20's HP would meet your needs. In a perfect world where dreams come true you would find a tractor with HST, 4WD/MFWD with power steering. I checked the JD 4100's specs (19/17PTO HP) and agree with Roy Jackson (again) that you should move quickly on this tractor if you can as well as not pursue a FEL for this tractor. You should go with a lighter weight tractor and avoid R-1 tires if you can if mowing will be the primary task. Tell us more about your property's terrain- slope, roughness of field. obstacles, etc. Ground clearance may be a challenge which would rule out a MMM. A rotary cutter may be more appropriate than a MMM with field "grass" and a RFM may give you greater range in cutting height as well as ease in attaching and detaching the mower. The readership of TBN is more than willing to help you spend your money , so kep the posts coming . Jay

 

[vtfx4]

Thanks for the ideas. I have e-mailed on the 4100 and will move as fast as possible. I looked it up as well and seemed like it would fit the bill for 4 or five years. My real challenge is that I am not able to purchase anything until we close on our current home at the end of the month. Until then I am only able to put a small deposit down. We will see how the seller responds. Good to know about the FEL, I do think a front plow would meet my immediate needs of creating a slope so the basement does not continue to take on water.
As for the land the 4A, it is all finished grass, it has some features but I would not call it hilly. Nothing that would pose a problem for a MMM, or a tractor with a higher center of gravity. It is also all pretty open so sub compact is not necessary. The 8 wooded acres are hilly and fairly rough with a few streams. The streams are near the house and already have 100 plus year old stone walls. I won't move the walls (bad Karma) but may landscape around them and make the streams part of a garden rather than part of the bush. If it doesn't work out with the 4100 I will pursue the 855 or 670 as Roy has suggested. Those look like they have the potential to meet my current and future needs. Who knows, I may end of wanting to pull logs and remove stumps with a backhoe in the wooded land.

 

[jbrumberg]

vtfx4:

Good luck on the 4100. I had a dual hydraulic front blade on my old Ford 1100 (13/11 HP) and used that tractor set up and appropriately sized attachments for 20+ years. My tractor was always a little small for many of my projects (It was all we could afford at the time.), but I always seemed to get the tasks done. A front blade and rear scoop can work with many of your anticipated projects, but with snow you need to stay ahead of it. I have "borrowed" a few rocks from my stone walls at times, but I agree with disturbing the "karma", and I have been known to put rocks back. Keep us posted. Jay

 

[DrainPondDesign]

A quick search at the JD used Machine Finder site turned up this JD 755 with 60" MMM for $3K at Hendy Bros in Middlebury VT. Rough condition with low compression in one cyl but they say it runs good. Just incase the JD 4100 gets away (Giroux in Plattsburgh across the lake wants $13K for a used one)

John Deere 755 Tractors - Compact (1-40hp.) M00755C485049 - John Deere MachineFinder.com


Or try what I did, looked for a used JD 790 & blower to save money but the wife kept going on about the budget. So I gave her the distance from garage to plowed road (1/2 mile), average yearly snowfall (lots @ -30F) & got her some test drives before letting her decide on what to do.
She chose a new cab model JD 3320 with 59" blower

 

[sandman2234]

A smart man lets his wife make all the decisions, and knows why she makes them!
David from jax

 

[jbrumberg]

A smart man lets his wife make all the decisions, and knows why she makes them!
David from jax

I agree with sandman2234. It does not hurt to present all the "facts of need" in an understandable package for "She Who Must Be Obeyed" paired with a little whining (as distasteful as it is ), sufficient grovelling , kowtowing (hard on the knees and elbows ), and a dinner or two out (Flowers do not work for me when it comes to tractor stuff .). Jay

 

[vtfx4]

We were just engaging in another round of debate. I presented the money saving option of having her mow with the old briggs and Stratton push mower we use to mow our current .25 acre village lot. She has agreed. I give it two weeks in the new house and I should have a blank check.

I am actually considering putting off the tractor and just getting a good mower, perhaps a Bunton walk behind and a big old walk-behind snowblower for now. The house we are buying needs alot of work like all new windows, siding, flooring, complete kitchen and bath renovations before doing any landscaping. Nothing compared the 1880 farmhouse we just finished, but still substantial. When all that is done (2-3 years), then I will buy a real tractor for the fun stuff.

 

[jbrumberg]

vtfx4:

Be patient, very patient Jay

 

[sandman2234]

Seems to me a tractor with a loader would be needed even more for those projects, hauling the debris away, unloading the incoming materials (with forks of course).
Just my thoughts, but doesn't she have something she wants that you two can work out an agreement to get in exchange for a tractor so you don't have to spend all your time working and can enjoy a little seat time.
(I traded a cruise with my wife for the Ford 7710 that I recently purchased. Since I get seasick, I have managed to stay away from them dispite my wifes wanting me to go on one with her)
Good luck with negotiations!
David from jax

 

[VABlue]

No kidding... Think how much fun the demolition part of the house projects would be with a tractor to help out!

 

[vtfx4]

got an e-mail from the guy selling the jd 4100. He said he has had "Moneybookers" take posession of the tractor as he is in England for 7 months. I send them the money and they send me the tractor. I see why it disappeared from craglist so fast. I hate scammers.

 

[GeaugaDeere]

How would "the boss" feel about a 36 - 48 month 0% financing deal on a brand new tractor? Most of the manufacturers are offering that on their new models, and it might be the best option to present to your wife when you are ready to buy. This way, you get the equipment you need/want when you need it and the full warranty that comes along with a new machine. I realize that even the smallest sub compacts with a MMM, FEL, and ballast box are going to run 3x what you originally quoted as your budget, but a reasonable monthly payment may be easier to stomach than laying out $5K all at once too. Good luck with what ever you decide to do!