jawzx
New member
So Those of us in the united states searching for cheap tractors in the 70-80HP range have no doubt seen the ads from Bruno's Powersports for the new pre-emissions Zetor Major 80s with cab, a/c and loader for $38,500. I currently own a 1984 Zetor 5211 with unknown hours, it is an electrical nightmare now that all the wire is 35 years old... but it runs like a champ as long as something's not shorted. I plan to just rip out the remains of the factory wiring and re-wire it with minimal required circuits this spring, but that's a discussion for another time...
My point is, I mention the 5211 as I have experience with Zetor products, I would describe them as "A bit rough around the edges, but sturdy and generally reliable, with cheap and readily available parts." I would suspect, and my research indicates, that the current Major 80 fits that description pretty closely. It's also a heck of a lot of tractor for the money, with a warranty...
BUT... ...
I'm a cheap bastard, and the local used equipment dealer recently got a 2004 SAME Explorer II 70 Top in on consignment. It has ~1450 hrs, a Stoll loader with 3rd function and comes with a bucket and log-grapple. It has been primarily used as a log shifter for a firewood processing operation. It's a neary fully loaded machine with A/C, 20x20 shuttle, 540/750/1000/eco PTO, 4x4 and 4-wheel brakes. I see the odd SAME around from time to time, but I have no experience with them and I don't know anyone who does... I know these have an air-cooled Deutz engine, but again no experience or knowledge of that powerplant. They're asking $22,500 for the SAME... which seems like a reasonable price for the power/specs but a cursory google shows that SAME doesn't have any dealers in North America any more, and the closest Deutz-Fahr dealers (which I suppose can do service and parts for SAME?) are over 200 miles away from me, and/or in Canada... Does anyone have experience with parts availability on these tractors? I'm a competent mechanic and would intend to do most of my own work no matter what machine I get, but there ARE three Zetor dealers within 100 miles of me, one less than 50 away, which means warranty service and/or things beyond my capability could be accomplished much easier... I'm torn... the SAME appears to have been worked pretty hard, but it runs well and the $15,000 price difference could buy a lot of parts and or other equipment...
We operate a sheep farm and make 4x4 round bales on ~60 acres, either one of these machines may be a little overkill for our current needs, but we have expansion plans and with no loader on the 5211 we are currently shifting bales with our little Ford 1720, which can get a bit exciting. Also the 5211 is *JUST* adequate to run the baler and the little Ford is *JUST* adequate to mow and ted/rake with, so a little more overhead capability probably wouldn't hurt
Suggestions? Thoughts? Comments?
My point is, I mention the 5211 as I have experience with Zetor products, I would describe them as "A bit rough around the edges, but sturdy and generally reliable, with cheap and readily available parts." I would suspect, and my research indicates, that the current Major 80 fits that description pretty closely. It's also a heck of a lot of tractor for the money, with a warranty...
BUT... ...
I'm a cheap bastard, and the local used equipment dealer recently got a 2004 SAME Explorer II 70 Top in on consignment. It has ~1450 hrs, a Stoll loader with 3rd function and comes with a bucket and log-grapple. It has been primarily used as a log shifter for a firewood processing operation. It's a neary fully loaded machine with A/C, 20x20 shuttle, 540/750/1000/eco PTO, 4x4 and 4-wheel brakes. I see the odd SAME around from time to time, but I have no experience with them and I don't know anyone who does... I know these have an air-cooled Deutz engine, but again no experience or knowledge of that powerplant. They're asking $22,500 for the SAME... which seems like a reasonable price for the power/specs but a cursory google shows that SAME doesn't have any dealers in North America any more, and the closest Deutz-Fahr dealers (which I suppose can do service and parts for SAME?) are over 200 miles away from me, and/or in Canada... Does anyone have experience with parts availability on these tractors? I'm a competent mechanic and would intend to do most of my own work no matter what machine I get, but there ARE three Zetor dealers within 100 miles of me, one less than 50 away, which means warranty service and/or things beyond my capability could be accomplished much easier... I'm torn... the SAME appears to have been worked pretty hard, but it runs well and the $15,000 price difference could buy a lot of parts and or other equipment...
We operate a sheep farm and make 4x4 round bales on ~60 acres, either one of these machines may be a little overkill for our current needs, but we have expansion plans and with no loader on the 5211 we are currently shifting bales with our little Ford 1720, which can get a bit exciting. Also the 5211 is *JUST* adequate to run the baler and the little Ford is *JUST* adequate to mow and ted/rake with, so a little more overhead capability probably wouldn't hurt
Suggestions? Thoughts? Comments?
