This will be my first tractor. I again went over to the John Deere dealer today, with a friend. I again looked the 2wd over, and the 4wd 5045e over. The 2wd is $15,000.00, the JD tiller I may get is $3,100.00, plus a good plow, and Equipment trailer as well..(As well as all the other attachments) Somewhere around $20,000.00 dollars. I still have to buy the property, but in my financial situation, the tractor will come first, then the property, then a house, etc... I will use it where I currently live, but I am going to be moving up north in the near future, unless something happens. When I get the new piece of land, I would also like to not be owing on the land, then go finance a tractor. I should already have the tool payed for to work the land. That way I can focus on paying off the land, as I work it. One thing at a time basically. As for the topography of the land, hilly in places, steep in places, flat in places. I won't likely be taking the tractor in the steep areas, just for safetly reasons, the JD's have a lot of ground clearance, don't know about center of gravity on them. Buying the $21,000.00-$23,000.00 5045e is going to cost me $6,000 more than the $15,000.00 / Tractor = $ 23,000.00 + Equipment trailer = $1200.00-$2500.00 + Tiller = $3100.00 + plow = $1200.00 - Grand Total $ 29,000.00 ( This does not include other attachments, and items such as, rotary cutter, spreader, seeder, manure spreader, harvester, etc..) which will be made later on as a second purchase.. I have considered used equipment, but somethings, will need to be new..... Experienced advise is appreciated, and respected. So, I thank you for your honest account from experience what any of you believe you would do, again from your experiences. It would be nice to operate both of these machines I am looking at, to know first hand, what I discerned to be adequate for myself. I don't plan on taking the tractor off roading per say, but to lug around some downed oaks, and fresh cut oaks for fire wood, and stuff.. Yes 4wd would probably make it easier, but living in WV, all my life, off roading quite a bit with lots of ATV's,and pickups. I can see the benefits of 4wd on an ATV,and pickup truck. I don't think I would ever by an ATV that was 2wd, but a tractor I don't know. I have never owned a tractor. So experienced tractor operators, that have worked with both are sought after, for insight, and advise, again thanks for being transparent on these bloggs.. A side by side comparison, of advantages of the two between themselves would be great. Benefits of one over the other, good, and bads.. I'm a working man, not a money seeking man. I'd rather work, than make money, If I spend my money, if it isn't feeding the hungry, it's on something that I can do some work with..my mouth craves it from me.. So, If $6,000.00 more is what is better in the long run, and more practical, then that's what I would do, but if it is like buying an automatic transmission, over a manual, or power door locks, over the manual basic kind, or leather over cloth, then give me the 2wd. The easier you make it labor wise, the more stressfull, and vexing it becomes it seems..
