front end loader vs trading tractor

[rlcokc]

Have a B7200 HST 4 wheel drive kubota. Want a front end loader just for removing snow and various landscaping. Have approx 30 acres and mow maybe 10. Use brush hog for some and zero turn for finish mowing. Found a Kubota 1550 with front end loader which I believe I can buy for $6000. Front end loader will cost somewhere around $4000 for the 7200. Aftermarket bush hog or woods loaders. Should I try to buy the 1550 and sell the 7200 or get new loader for my existing tractor? Can't find used loader. The 1550 has power steering the 7200 does not, the 7200 is hydrostatic the 1550 is not, both have ag tires and the horsepower of both the same. Both are 4 wheel drive. The 1550 comes with loader but no other attachments? If I were to buy the 1550 I would sell the 7200. Opinions---Thanks

 

[MarkV]

My first thought is that a Kubota 1550 is not a model number I have heard of. It may well be a gray market tractor, meaning it was originally made for the Japanese market and imported used to the US market. Kubota USA does not support gray market tractors and do not have parts for them. If that is the case I would stay with the B7200.

Welcome to the forum!

MarkV

 

[Egon]

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=...mage_result&resnum=6&ct=image&ved=0CC0Q9QEwBQ

Kubota 1550 as an example only.

Choices, choices.

A small tractor with loader and no power steering can be a real character builder or so I found out with my Kubota B7100. But on the other hand the HST is very handy when using the loader.

Maybe look till you find a tractor with loader and HST and then make a decision.

 

[medicshawn]

For that much land I'd want something bigger. I would look for something that at least had all the features I wanted. HST power steering and a loader.

 

[rlcokc]

B1550 is a model number. It is almost identical to the B7200 just a few years younger. Appreciate comments and will think about the waiting idea. Obviously money is a consideration. Anybody think buying a loader for current tractor is decent investment--Get at least some of money back within next 5-10 years.
Rod

 

[Johndeere3720]

I would put a loader on your B7200. hydro is very nice when it comes to loader work.

 

[rbargeron]

.....Anybody think buying a loader for current tractor is decent investment........

Putting a loader on an older tractor is rarely easy. If a used one can be found, all the little adapters, subframes, hydraulic parts etc need to be found too - often a used loader is not complete with everything needed. On the other side, installing a new loader can be spendy.

A cheaper way to get a major implement like a FEL for an older tractor is to buy another tractor that already has the equipment you want - and then sell the leftover machine. A new loader can cost 2 or 3 times as much as the difference in value between used machines with and without one. Probably will take some looking to find a suitable machine, but if you are ok with doing some wrenching you can have a loader for low net investment.

 

[kuboman]

B1550 is not gray market. I have one and they are a dandy tractor. If it has hydro and bi-speed steer then it would be a fantastic loader tractor.

 

[rlcokc]

Thanks for response and suggestion. I have been looking but the used are hard to find at what I think is a realistic price. I will keep looking. Thanks again.

 

[lawn_king]

For that much land I'd want something bigger. I would look for something that at least had all the features I wanted. HST power steering and a loader.

I think you need to rethink your tractor size, thats a lot of land to manage with such small power?