downsizing-what's out there and more ?'s

[Snuffy Smiff]

Hello all. First post here so bear with me. We have recently downsized the home and acreage from 14 acres to an acre and a half and I'm not exactly sure how much less machine I need.

A nice mid-size zero turn would likely work for mowing but after inheriting a 1997 Ford/NH 1920 4WD about 11 years ago w/Ford FEL, and a rear mount 72" finish mower I just prefer to go with a smaller tractor. Much more versatility and such. Would prefer to have small FEL capability, a decent ROPS/canopy, and not exactly sure on what type mower to go with as we do have a LOT of fruit and ornamental trees(here when purchased). So, would a belly or rear mount work best?

Mostly flat here so do I really need 4WD(locking rear diff may suffice)? Also would like to have small garden plowing/tiller capability.

What about trading it in? Is it similar to trading in a car or would I be better off selling it myself then buying something smaller? I really hate parting with it but it's just way more tractor than I will need here.

Lastly, does Shibaura still manufacture engines/tractors and for who-New Holland(I hope)? If not, what brand(s)do you recommend? The tractor I have now has been one exceptional machine and I'd like to stay with what works but-if something better is now out there...

Local dealer has JD, NH, and Kubota. I figure each brand has their finer points but so far I have managed to resist visiting the dealership. Have had NO problem getting the few needed NH parts for the 1920 but don't know if that's better or worse now for the new stuff.

There will likely be more questions but that's all I've thought about so far. Feel free to ask me any I haven't thought about.

Thanks much for your time,
Snuffy

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin

 

[TSO]

Welcome.

Shibaura still manufactures a couple New Holland models, but for the most part, NH, actually now "C-NH" (Case-NH) is owned by fiat, and buys most of their 50 HP & under tractors from LS-Mtron. Subsequently, LS-Mtron also now retails the very same tractors they make for C-NH here under their own badging.

The only remaining Shibaura builds are the Boomer SuperSuite CVT cab tractors, i.e. the 3050.

There are some NH purists who believe that the Shibaura builds were better tractors than the LS builds. However, the LS tractors are proving to be very reliable and offer a nice variety of models.

So, if you are wanting to stay with blue, you can either buy an LS from NH, badged as NH ... , or you could buy an LS directly and save thousands.

Lots of great offerings out there from all the brands now. For 1.5 acres, you might be better off with a SCUT (sub compact utility tractor) which is basically a half size up from a garden tractor / riding mower, but built like a real tractor. The loaders will still lift a decent amount, probably similar to the capabilities of your current loader. They also have 3pt so you can still do tractor work with them. They also have MMM options (mid mount mower) and from all accounts I've seen here, they have a nice cut quality. Most of them offer easy attach/detach MMM's. A MMM would be nicer to cut with than a RFM (rear finish mower).

I don't recall all the model classifications from all the brands in the SCUT sizes ... But here's a few I do remember:

LS J series, I believe J2023 (NH sells these as Boomer 20)
Massey GC series, I believe 1710 or 2300.
Mahindra Max, 22 or 25.
Kubota BX series
JD One series.

Again my model numbers might be off so someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Also, there are other offerings from other brands, I just can't recall them at this time.

 

[coobie]

Hello all. First post here so bear with me. We have recently downsized the home and acreage from 14 acres to an acre and a half and I'm not exactly sure how much less machine I need.

A nice mid-size zero turn would likely work for mowing but after inheriting a 1997 Ford/NH 1920 4WD about 11 years ago w/Ford FEL, and a rear mount 72" finish mower I just prefer to go with a smaller tractor. Much more versatility and such. Would prefer to have small FEL capability, a decent ROPS/canopy, and not exactly sure on what type mower to go with as we do have a LOT of fruit and ornamental trees(here when purchased). So, would a belly or rear mount work best?

Mostly flat here so do I really need 4WD(locking rear diff may suffice)? Also would like to have small garden plowing/tiller capability.

What about trading it in? Is it similar to trading in a car or would I be better off selling it myself then buying something smaller? I really hate parting with it but it's just way more tractor than I will need here.

Lastly, does Shibaura still manufacture engines/tractors and for who-New Holland(I hope)? If not, what brand(s)do you recommend? The tractor I have now has been one exceptional machine and I'd like to stay with what works but-if something better is now out there...

Local dealer has JD, NH, and Kubota. I figure each brand has their finer points but so far I have managed to resist visiting the dealership. Have had NO problem getting the few needed NH parts for the 1920 but don't know if that's better or worse now for the new stuff.

There will likely be more questions but that's all I've thought about so far. Feel free to ask me any I haven't thought about.

Thanks much for your time,
Snuffy

JD 2025r,Kioti CK or Kubota BX series tractors.

 

[Stonehaller]

What about trading it in? Is it similar to trading in a car or would I be better off selling it myself then buying something smaller?

Although most tractor dealers will take your old tractor in on trade just like auto dealers, you would be better off selling it yourself. A tractor in good working order should be relatively easy to sell. Search the web for your tractor model to see what they are selling for and/or ask the dealer what he would sell it for and then put an ad on Craig's List.

 

[jenkinsph]

I suggest you keep the tractor and consider selling the rear mount mower. Then look for a new dedicated four wheel steer mowing tractor or zero turn. You can use your NH with its higher weight and better traction for the other jobs while mowing the lawn with a lighter rig. This would be a better and cheaper way to go imo.

 

[Jimmy Joe]

I suggest you keep the tractor and consider selling the rear mount mower. Then look for a new dedicated four wheel steer mowing tractor or zero turn. You can use your NH with its higher weight and better traction for the other jobs while mowing the lawn with a lighter rig. This would be a better and cheaper way to go imo.

I agree, especially if inherit means it has a special meaning to you. Once it's gone you may have remorse. Anything much smaller is a lot more limited for loader use.

 

[coldfingers]

I agree also, get a nice zero turn for mowing and keep the tractor. Zero turns are great mowers.

 

[varmint]

Having sold two Kubotas, and bought 3, I would suggest selling it yourself. Make sure it is maintained, CLEAN, and fix any broken or missing items. A well cared for tractor sells easily. A beat, stored outdoors tractor seems to take a lot longer, in general, to sell.
I like Kubotas, but no doubt other brands are equally well designed and made. After getting a L3130, which, at 5700 lbs total weight proved too big and heavy for our needs (well, for plowing snow, it was great, but for driving around the property to lift things and drill fence post holes, too heavy) we settled on a L3400- about 2000 lbs less, but a little smaller, and most importantly, nice fat turf tires, and hopefully it will be a keeper. The first was a 1988 B8200, which was a great little machine, albeit low powered, but it had a gear tranny, which was a problem if my wife wanted to drive it, plus I craved a newer tractor.

 

[Snuffy Smiff]

Would like to say I got my first offer recently but was rather disappointed. My father knows this guy (he and Dad have bought and sold stuff back and forth in the past and this guy dabbles in buying and selling tractors) who might be interested in it and gave me his number, I called him and told him all the details along with my asking price ($12,900). He seemed to be quite interested as he knows the machine from when my uncle bought it new and knows most of it's history. Said he wanted to see it and as I had to be out of town that day I gave him directions and told him where to find the key. Later on that day wife calls me whilst I'm on the road and says he called back telling her if I wanted more than $10K he just wasn't very interested...

Has the small tractor market tanked or what? I know at that price there wasn't 'much meat left on the bone' for him but I was willing to entertain an offer-just not one quite that low.

So I reckon I'll wash 'er up and maybe wax it, then set it out in the front yard with a sign on it and see what happens. Lots of wealthy retirees around here so I really don't expect it will sit very long.

Thanks much for the response and advice. I'll keep y'all posted.