Finding and then negotiating for a used tractor

[SAKUSA]

New to the forum and humbly looking for advice.

I am in need or purchasing a used smaller tractor for doing occasional chores. I am somewhat mechanically inclined when it comes to basic maintenance or fabrication, but I would not want to be breaking down a transmission to replace gears and shifting forks of a unit that drops out of high.

For it's most common usage, the tractor would probably be used for no more than 50 hours a year to mow about 3/4 acres of lawn, as well as bi-seasonal (spring and fall) mowing of 2 more acres of roadside taller grass and brush on slightly rough terrain. It will also be used to maintain a 15 year old 300ft dirt/clay shale drive.

There may be times that I wish to take the tractor into the woods while doing odd jobs to maintain areas of our 30 forested acres.

A loader may be added later to distribute shale to resurface the road.

Because of the low amount of use of the tractor, I will be looking for used.

I am looking for opinions from forum members on what size tractor they would recommend, as well as recommendations on 4wd or 2wd. I would also appreciate opinions on the ballpark price range they feel I should be looking in.

Also, when negotiating price with a dealer on a used unit, how much under asking price should I generally expect to be able to negotiate a price? Are the asking prices usually inflated?

I know this is a bit long-winded. Apologies... I figured it didn't hurt to ask those of you with experience for possible guidance.

Thanks in advance for any replies... It is greatly appreciated.

 

[Bluegill2]

Personally, I'd want a lawn mower for the lawn and a tractor for everything else.

For the tractor something around 25-30hp will work fine, or maybe a little larger. 5 foot bush hog for the rough mowing and a 5-6 foot box blade for the drive. 4wd if it's smaller, or 2wd if it larger.

You really need to get out and see whats available in your area and report back here.

All prices are negotiable.

 

[jeff9366]

Sub-compact tractors have ground clearance of about 9". They mow fine but you do not have enough ground clearance to work in the woods. Sub-compacts also have a very light Category '0' three point hitch.

Compact tractors have a ground clearance of 13-14" and a Category '1' three point hitch, for which implements are widely available new and used.

Tractorhouse.com and eBay are the two, reputable, on-line marketplaces for tractors.

In terms of buying: We are in a strange period as tractors now coming off assembly lines for sale in USA must be compliant with EPA Tier IV emissions strictures. There are a few Tier III compliant tractors in inventory, not many. The Tier iV tractors are generally 20% higher in price. So if this is the tractor you want, buy now.

Used tractor prices are escalating.

 

[High Brook Hills]

Good advice above!

Before you buy I would suggest looking at the LS series of tractors. Buy with the FEL already on the unit as it is very, very difficult to find at a later date.

The LS will let you know about a good quality tractor at a reasonable price new. Do not go above this price for used.

25-35 HP sounds like what you might desire. I agree, mowing with a zero turn is preferable. We use a Hustler for several acres at a time. It just works better than the tractor for less fuel.

All that said, I would look for a Massey Ferguson 35. They are strong little units, stable, and have Perkins engines. They go for thousands of hours and can do the chores you have outlined. Have a pre-purchase inspection completed and do not be scared to pay a little more for a mechanically sound unit. Keep in mind you can always replace the seat and cosmetics will just get broken anyway when you use the tractor in the woods. Mechanical soundness is more important than cosmetics!

A four or maybe five foot cutter will be your maximum size. You do NOT want the tail to wag your dog! On steep slopes I tend to back the 3pt mower into the cut and pull up and out. I also tend to not mow anything steep ;-).

 

[paulharvey]

Sounds to me like a 30 hp 2wd 1980s Yanmar, Kubota, Ford, ect. ,5 ft box blade, 5 ft rear finish mower, and 4 ft bushog. Probably total around $3500 to $5000. Nothing you described really needs 4wd or HST. I do basically what your describing with a Kubota L285 2wd, 6 ft box, and 4 ft ford fail mower. Think im in it for just under $2000 total after attachments, one tire, and new fluids.

 

[SAKUSA]

Mechanical soundness is more important than cosmetics!

That's exactly what I heard my wife say to her best friend right before she married me...

Thanks everyone for all of the information given. In just a few posts you gentleman seem to have covered viewpoints from each end of the buying spectrum and that is just what I was looking for...

One part of me says go for the higher used price point and get as close to new as possible, while the other is leaning toward the "ol' reliable", she ain't the purtiest in the world, but she's loyal as **** and can do all that needs to be done just fine.

Thanks again for the opinions and information, it's greatly appreciated.