Cost per Hour Use?

gkk2001 · May 25, 2003

I have a JD4100, 98 model with only 300 hours and was looking at trading or selling to get a Bota B7800 with FEL. My question, it appears tractors are similar to cars in that the first few years give the most loss of value/depreciation. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I know someone who traded a JD5430 for a newer model and it cost him less than $10 per hour of use but with the CUT, I estimate it will cost me at least $15 and maybe up to $20 per hour of use. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Has anyone looked at cost per run hour this way? It does put things in perspective I think.

normde2001 · May 25, 2003

I can't really see any way to estimate that. If you keep a tractor long enough you can easily sell it for more than the original purchase price. I read that a Ford 8N originally sold for $1,400. What happens if you pay $10,000 for a tractor and sell it with 1,000 hours?

Anonymous Poster · May 25, 2003

( Has anyone looked at cost per run hour this way? It does put things in perspective I think. )

DON'T DO IT!

(Just kidding) I know there is another pilot or two on this forum. We know to the penny what our plane costs are and it's ugly... $300 an hour for a new Cessna 172.

I think you have to consider what the rental costs might have been and the utility of having the tractor available at a moment's notice. It is also worth factoring in being able to work at a conservative pace. When I rent something like an airless paint sprayer or log splitter that I would use too infrequently to make sense to own, I end up almost killing myself trying to get the most use from it in the time I have it. It's worth a lot to be able to use the tractor on a moments notice. I've rented a small tractor in the past, both to try it before buying (Honda, I didn't) and to do some things my big tractor couldn't do. The cost was about $26 an hour. I think if ownership costs were in that ballpark you are money ahead if you add in the convience of always having it available to use...

Rick Jay · May 25, 2003

Hmmmm.....Kubota B2910 with loader, backhoe, snowblower, rototiller, boxblade, rear blade, PHD, boompole, carry-all and other misc. little stuff....about $30,000....give or take.

Total hours in almost three years....almost 80.

Cost of ownership....$375/hour. Yikes...I could've had a Cessna 172. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh well...I know the original post was calculating trade depreciation, but I couldn't resist these numbers.

Oh....having a tractor in your garage ready to work at a moments notice......PRICELESS.

Not a logical expense to some, but to me, it's one of the best investments I've ever made.

~Rick

JohnMiller3 · May 25, 2003

…about $30,000… having a tractor in your garage ready to work at a moments notice......PRICELESS… one of the best investments I've ever made…

Hey Rick…

It’s better than having money in the bank… /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

What other item can you think of ....

Will be one of your best and hardest workers that pays you...
(and never ever never... complains! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif)

Can make money for you… While it appreciates with age…

And if you work it just right… really indeed is an investment…? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

...Not a logical expense to some...

More logical than you can imagine... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Rick Jay · May 25, 2003

JohnMiller3,

I like the way you think. Now...you wouldn't mind if I printed out your response and keep it handy as evidence that I'm not the only person that thinks this way, would you? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

In all seriousness, I KNOW what a great VALUE the tractor is. It's hard to convince anyone that doesn't have one, but I know it. I no longer dread doing any type of work around the yard. Just last week I used it (the loader) to help move our heavy air conditioners out of storage. One can't imagine half the stuff for which the tractor can be used until you have one. Then, once you have one, you want to use it for everything.

Thanks for your support. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

~Rick

r0GuE · May 25, 2003

In fact....
Not only do I not dread doing work... I seek it!!!

Bring it on BABY... BX will take you DOWN!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 25, 2003

( Just last week I used it (the loader) to help move our heavy air conditioners out of storage. )

How the heck do you get a B series Kubota into the bedroom to install an air conditioner? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Rick Jay · May 25, 2003

( How the heck do you get a B series Kubota into the bedroom to install an air conditioner? )

The B2910 stays outside...I have a BX1500 indoors and I put the loader of the outdoor B2910 up to the loader of the indoor BX1500. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I wish! Actually, I just use the tractor to carry them up the hill to the door. Much better than the wheelbarrow.

~Rick