Comparison Best Value Tractor

[Andrewsalas]

Novice tractor buyer here. How or where can one compare farm tractors (in my case a tractor in the 75 to 105 HP range) for best value? For a new buyer, the number of tractor manufacturers is bewildering and daunting. Is there a "Consumer Reports" of farm tractors?

 

[jeff9366]

No there is no Consumer Reports for tractors.

However, there are over 4,000,000 threads in the TBN archive which you can access. You have found the Chinese Tractor forum, lots of info there.

It seems to me from years of reading T-B-N that people in the US who buy Chinese tractors end up frustrated, in tears and with a tractor that does not move. Manuals in Pidgin English and no parts. No mechanic wants anything to do with them.

In parts of New Mexico there is the added complication of high altitudes.

In Australia, much closer to China and a major trade partner with China, Chinese tractors seem to have a small base and SOME BRANDS seem satisfactory.

INTERESTING LINK: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...defunct-tractor-manufacturers.html?highlight=

 

[Andrewsalas]

Thanks for that, Jeff. Pricing of Chinese tractors sure makes them tempting up front, but sounds like the up front savings is not worth the the issues later on. And yes, I did notice the many posts, which added to my dismay about reaching a sound decision.

 

[jeff9366]

Start of new thread in BUYING/PRICING/COMPARISONS listing the tasks you wish tractor to accomplish, how much land you have, what you wish to grow or move and your budget.

 

[Andrewsalas]

Great advice, Roger Wilco.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I think Jeff is being a little unfair. There are lots of happy Chinese tractor owners. Most of the horror stories here are people who bought used tractors that hadn't been maintained or were abused, like run without oil or a blown head gasket. Many actually get them running again.

Parts availability is excellent. There's a number of dealers who stock complete inventories and ship nationwide, you can get anything from a circlip to a complete engine. Pricing on parts is far lower than with major brands.

What is true is that you're on your own, there isn't going to be a dealer in town to take care of you. But they're easy to work on, they're simple designs that can be fixed with common tools. There is a knowledgeable community here that can walk you through most common repairs. But if you don't want to spend your time doing your own valve adjustments and clutch adjustments, they aren't for you.

 

[Andrewsalas]

Thanks Quicksand Farmer, I don't expect to work the tractor hard, and I do plan to buy new (or close to new), so if they are simple machines it may not be too bad. I do have a Belarus (and while not Chinese), it is built like a "tank" and has been pretty reliable. It's just a question of "what" manufacturer has the edge over the others in terms of overall value (price, reliability, meantime between failures, ease of use / maintenance, parts availability, etc).

 

[Andrewsalas]

Thanks arie515. We bought the Belarus in 1996 or so from a rural dweller in Alabama who had used it to mow (with a brush hog) his place. I bought it for my aging Dad to keep him safe (has a cab) but still be able to do some enjoyable work with a tractor in his old age. The tractor is still operational, and I now own it since my dad passed away. I will take a look at the new Belarus's, based on your recommendation.

 

[LincTex]

Honestly, I really can only rely on experience. Like Jeff9366 says, "No Consumer Reports".

There are some GREAT values to be had with American tractors made in the 50's and 60's. In this part of Texas, old Farmall's are plentiful and cheap. A good running H or M often only brings $1000 -$1500 and will usually run another 20 years for you. It just depends on what you need and what you can afford.

 

[Wa11banger]

Just two cents from a relatively new tractor owner..

I bought a used Foton 404.. Its on the defunct list that Jeff points out, but not really they were bought out by Lenovo not dropped. I still get parts today..

As everyone has said they are a self work on proposition most places although there are a few tractor mechanics in the southern Tn and Northern Al area that will work on mine if I needed it. So far nothing has gone wrong that a any sixteenths, straight slot, or a pair of slip jaw pliers (**** PTO dip stick cap seems to self tighten) Mine is now 11 years young 967 hours. Has taken a severe beating by a learning driver (me) It starts every time, I have pushed it to its limits and tried to flip it twice, lucky both times it ended up on its wheels despite my best efforts. Everything works as it should and the support for Chinese tractors on TBN and other forums is more than sufficient if you are even slightly mechanically inclined. They are basic machines.. They do the job and do it well, Need no more or less maintenance than a big name tractor, and have been known to be used to pull green ones out of mud when owners mess up.. I unfortunately was bound by price and didn't want to spend a fortune on a tractor that I thought I would use a lot less than I have. I have not regretted it, and I got a 40Hp tractor with a loader for less than half what it costs for other used ones and they are in where near the condition mine is. YMMV but personal experience is I would buy again. Ask my neighbor big name tractors can be lemons too.