Buying Advice First tractor recommendations
- Thread starter bboyette
- Start date
- Views: 4011
To me - L2501 has a lot of pros here
- decently sized for the possible application
- available finance options and insurance
- ease of resale if no longer needed
- support is amongst best in industry
JD 2 series or a Massey also worthy of consideration. Other brands new based on your local dealer support.
Used is a crapshoot. Since you’ll be without if something goes wrong with a “used” units - it’s probably better to finance new and keep the limited savings towards future expenses/payments.
New prices are inflated - someone’s paying for that 0 percent promo financing. That said used prices increasingly are inflated by the comparison price shopping of new. Yes, there are lots of great low hour - 5-8 year old units out there with no emissions controls....finding one for under 10k though is tough...your budget is half that range cash.
A new unit minimizes risk (insurance and warranty cover unexpected repairs) at an added cost. If you can absorb the cost long term, pass on risk. If your capable of regular maintenance yourself - you should be able to keep things clean and when/if the time comes to upgrade down the road..you’ll have a clean unit that will sell easily.
- decently sized for the possible application
- available finance options and insurance
- ease of resale if no longer needed
- support is amongst best in industry
JD 2 series or a Massey also worthy of consideration. Other brands new based on your local dealer support.
Used is a crapshoot. Since you’ll be without if something goes wrong with a “used” units - it’s probably better to finance new and keep the limited savings towards future expenses/payments.
New prices are inflated - someone’s paying for that 0 percent promo financing. That said used prices increasingly are inflated by the comparison price shopping of new. Yes, there are lots of great low hour - 5-8 year old units out there with no emissions controls....finding one for under 10k though is tough...your budget is half that range cash.
A new unit minimizes risk (insurance and warranty cover unexpected repairs) at an added cost. If you can absorb the cost long term, pass on risk. If your capable of regular maintenance yourself - you should be able to keep things clean and when/if the time comes to upgrade down the road..you’ll have a clean unit that will sell easily.
Geotech
Silver Member
This touches pretty well on my own thoughts. I just spend my third weekend with my new L2501. Thoroughly enjoying it. There's a lot of choice out there. I wrote up a review on why I went with the L2501 here:
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...risons/405243-pulled-trigger-l2501-today.html
TotalNoob
New member
I can't give advice on tractors but I think you found a fantastic resource in this forum. A lot of big brains here and very helpful. Good luck in your search.
Tennsawdust
Gold Member
If you are serious about the additional land purchase I would definitely lean more toward something like the RK37. I have considered it myself, but it will be at least later next year before I buy anything new. The Ford 3000 is a solid tractor. I have a 3000 with a FEL and also a MF245 without. The biggest issue with FEL's on the Fords is that they really weren't built with a FEL in mind so if you find one pay attention to wear in the steering. Replacing a power steering box is very expensive on those tractors. The older loaders are not easily removed so you have to put up with it being in the way at times. The 3000 will do the things you need to do and won't depreciate much, if at all, before you buy it's replacement. Really, any of the Fords from the 600 series on up would be good choices for your use and there should be some really solid examples available. The Massey Fergusons are also really solid tractors so keep those on your radar. $4-6000 should buy a nice example of either one. Around here you can pick up a solid 600 or 800 series Ford or older MF for $2-4000. If you are looking to fill an immediate need and put off that new tractor purchase for a year or two that might be something worth considering.
New is nice, but there is obviously a cost associated with it. The biggest reason I am looking to buy something else is that I am mowing a lot of mountain land and a 4WD with ROPS would be a lot safer. The 2WD will mow a lot of it, but I have to be very careful about how wet things are.
New is nice, but there is obviously a cost associated with it. The biggest reason I am looking to buy something else is that I am mowing a lot of mountain land and a 4WD with ROPS would be a lot safer. The 2WD will mow a lot of it, but I have to be very careful about how wet things are.
Thanks again for all of the great information.
I am looking very hard at the L2501 and have found several lightly used ones in the area at reasonable prices.
The RK24 is out after taking a look at the bare weight and ground clearance.
Rk37 is still possible but I will have to see how things are looking at the beginning of the year as this would cost a good bit more than the L2501.
Also still considering an older tractor but am now mostly leaning toward new/newer.
It will likely be January or February before I am able to pull the trigger either way.
While absolutely serious about the additional land purchase, it would require that the current owner to significantly reduce the price his is asking for as it seems extremely high.
I am looking very hard at the L2501 and have found several lightly used ones in the area at reasonable prices.
The RK24 is out after taking a look at the bare weight and ground clearance.
Rk37 is still possible but I will have to see how things are looking at the beginning of the year as this would cost a good bit more than the L2501.
Also still considering an older tractor but am now mostly leaning toward new/newer.
It will likely be January or February before I am able to pull the trigger either way.
While absolutely serious about the additional land purchase, it would require that the current owner to significantly reduce the price his is asking for as it seems extremely high.
TvJab
New member
I Bought this 2018 Massey Ferguson GC1705 with a brush hog for 8k only 70 hours on it. Still under factory warranty for 5 years. There are always deals out there to be had.
2 18 Massey Ferguson GC17 5 with DL95 loader - YouTube
2 18 Massey Ferguson GC17 5 with DL95 loader - YouTube
Quebecguy
Gold Member
Why don't you ask the cattle farmer for advice? Presumably he knows the tractor dealers in the area and also what would be required to repair and maintain the road.
