Buy an existing JD 2020 or wait for newer?

[Zebrafive]

OFF TOPIC ALERT

I like the older Fords I have a '78 F450 4x4, owned since new. The Michigan rust is catching up with it

 

[FreeWulf]

I love those old Fords. That's a good looking 450! I like the plow.

I've had quite a few of them over the years, at least two of each of the bodystyles. '62, '66, '69, '71, '72, '77, '79, and others I can't even remember. I actually like the "slicks" best, especially the '66, but for actual everyday use I like the Dentsides (73-79) the best.

 

[scaredychicken]

keep in mind that Snow can differ from one region to another - Oregon and Alaska may have different snow conditions altogether ... much like BC's snow (wet, heavy, icy) is different than Alberta (lighter, fluffy, easier to plow) as a basic / general example

 

[Unclewillie]

DO NOT DO IT!
Buying a tractor, and THEN looking for a loader is a major mistake!
Buy a tractor WITH a loader already attached!
Chains will work for snow, but for AK, buy a 4 wheel drive tractor if at all possible!

That's the best advice anyone could get, everything at once while the gettings good.

 

[Zebrafive]

I'll bet a used $12 K tractor in the lower 48 will be a $20K tractor in Alaska

 

[I Piddle]

I'm in a bit of a dilemma.

My dad recently bought a 2WD diesel JD 2020 that was "restored". The previous owner replaced the tach and hour meter at the same time, and while the tractor looks really nice, I have no idea if he did more than cosmetic stuff to it. It does seem to run really well though. Dad then bought a smaller Massey 135, which he likes better, and is planning on selling the 2020.

I really like the power of the 2020, and it's fairly nimble and a nice size. I love the transmission setup on the 2020. It has High, Low, and Reverse, plus 4 speeds in the transmission. So when mowing I can just tap the range lever back into R, and it backs up at the same speed as I was mowing.

The main problem with the 2020 is that I hate the location of the 3 point position lever. It's down by my knee and hard to get at, especially when I need to brush hog in rocky areas and need to move it constantly. I could rig up an extension, but it's annoying and wouldn't be as nice as from the factory.

I need a tractor with a loader. My uses are almost exclusively going to be bush hogging, and occasionally using the loader to move equipment around. I also plan on moving to Alaska, and having 4WD to plow snow with would be really nice, but not strictly necessary if I had chains.

Right now I can buy my dad's 2020, and then hopefully find a loader to fit it. He'll sell it for what he paid for it, $8,000. Then I have to find and get a loader working right.

Or, I can wait for a newer machine with a loader to pop up. I'm looking at things like Ford 4610, 5610, JD 5300, JD 2255, JD 2350, Case 585, etc. Basically something in the 50HP at the PTO range.

The 2020 hasn't proven itself yet, and I don't know that much about it. So far it's been good, but we only have about 50 hours on it.

What will the 2020 be like with a loader? Is the pump strong enough for it? Is the front axle? Are they good machines in general? I'm not going to be using it hard, but I want it to last decades and be reasonably easy to work on. It does have one set of rear remotes.

Right now my instincts are to wait for a newer machine.

 

[I Piddle]

If you are moving to Alaska, buy-in Alaska. Your post doesn't say where you are, but the transportation cost could be thousands of dollars. Buying a loader would be 50% or more of the price you pay for the tractor and you definitely want four-wheel drive. Chains don't "cut it". Buy a four-wheel drive with loader and low hours in Alaska. It is surprising the number of older tractors with low hours, if you can just wait a little while to find one.

 

[ljjhouser]

Get 4WD. I think on most 2wd tractors you will only drive one rear wheel unless there is a locking differential (same for 4 wheel also). Also, I looked into the price of chains one time - $xxxx.xx. They are kind of expensive. You may end up investing around $15K. 8K + 6K FEL. You may want to consider a new tractor - 15k down and around $250 payments interest free with insurance for 60 months. That would probably buy an L4701 series Kubota or similar Deere or even many other brands for a little less - Kioti, Mahindra, etc. .
Good used tractors seem to be almost impossible to find. I think the JD2020 came out in maybe 1971. You are looking at a 70 year old tractor. You will probably regret 2wd instead of 4wd. And the above post is a valid point - IF you can find a FEL, it may never operate the way you wish. My opinion - I don't think I would invest that kind of money - Try to find the tractor that will fit your needs.

For a little more info, I looked for a used "good" tractor for over a year. Never found one - that was in 2017. I had saved 15K to pay for it. The best I found was a New Holland Boomer for 15K, all four tires had to be replaced, the clutch needed replacement, I think it was about 18 years old and the seat was all cracked up, and needed repainting. I finally decided to use my 15k to purchase a new tractor. Tough decisions -- Whatever you decide to buy, be sure to get something that will do what you want. Sometimes we don't get second chances on the money we have spent. Best Wishes. Larry

 

[fried1765]

If you are moving to Alaska, buy-in Alaska. Your post doesn't say where you are, but the transportation cost could be thousands of dollars. Buying a loader would be 50% or more of the price you pay for the tractor and you definitely want four-wheel drive. Chains don't "cut it". Buy a four-wheel drive with loader and low hours in Alaska. It is surprising the number of older tractors with low hours, if you can just wait a little while to find one.

A very limited selection of used tractors in AK!

 

[FreeWulf]

A very limited selection of used tractors in AK!

very limited indeed.

Search for "tractor" in farm and garden on craigslist in Anchorage. 22 results.
Same search in Portland, OR, and it's 372 results.

I'm between Portland and Seattle for those that missed it in my posts.

I'll just suck it up and haul whatever I get up there.

I think I'm going to have to suck it up anyway and drive across the lower 48 this fall to get a tractor. Texas and the midwest seem to have some.