Hands down best tractor for the best price...

[kwolfe]

OK, I am going to approach this with a little less subjectivety. You can compare bang for the buck if you compare tractors that are alike. For instance, compare CUTs or subCUTs with approx the same HP. You could provide ratings regarding repair history, PTO HP, FEL and 3pt lift capacity, standard options, and the almighty $. Yes, there are other considerations like dealer quality, and personal comfort in operating. Oh yes, can't forget that some people really prefer green, orange, blue, red, etc.
All this being said, you are all correct in that it would be impossible to provide one single tractor.

 

[N80]

The best tractor at the best price, for me, is currently the tractor I own, but I don't think that has to be the case. I would love to have something like a Kubota 5040 with a cab. I doubt I'll ever have the money or the need for one but if I did buy one I would not argue that it was the best tractor for the best price. I would argue that it was more tractor than I needed to pay for. That doesn't make it any worse of a tractor, and it certainly doesn't make it a bargain.

Bottom line is that if you think you have the best tractor for the best price for your situation, all you can do is present the reasons the tractor fits that description for your situation.

So here goes: 250 acres, mostly woods, a few small fields, lots of woods roads and a log cabin. Budget, less than $20K firm. Plans to mow, maintain and create new trails, upkeep of cabin site and clearing some land in front of the cabin, as well as making and planting some food plots. I figured I wanted 4wd an FEL and as much hp as I could get. I wanted one of the major brands for resale value and quality assurance. Cabins, cup holders, fancy seats, HST, etc were not in my budget or wish list.

The Kubota L4400 4wd is 45 hp, gear drive, no frills (except cup holder) and I got it for about $18,600.

Of course, proof is in the pudding and a year later it has done all I wanted to do and more and I just recently paid it off.

So, the L4400 is my nomination for my best tractor for the best price. Clearly a debatable subject but I do bet that the L4400 is the most hp you can get in a 4wd at that price point. There maybe some of the smaller import companies that give it a run on that, but maybe not.

 

[Dargo]

Cool! This is what I had in mind; the ability for people to say why their tractor is the hands down best tractor for the best price for what the buyer needed or wanted. I'm trying to think of how to say that there is quite a few "best tractors for the best price" without creating any adversarial situations with other tractor owners. Make sense?

 

[YanmarFever]

Dargo, thats an easy answer

Yanmar FX42-D turbo diesel, powershift trans, hyd tilt on 3 point.
656 hrs. on meter cost me under 6000 in japan, oh did I mention the cab with heat too
Thats why yanmar grey market machines are a bargain.
And any parts are avaliable from Fredricks, Hoye ect....

If they weren't reliable Dear John would'nt be using their engines

 

[flusher]

Bought my first tractor in May05 for my 10-acre spread (flat pasture land), a new 21-hp Kubota B7510HST with LA302 FEL. $12,600 plus tax. 0% financing for 36 months.

Was looking at a Yanmar 1700 with a Koyker loader for about $6500.
Chickened out and went with orange because of the HST and Kubota's reputation for building stout products.

Fast forward 12 months or so. Decided I want to do some hay farming on about 6 acres of the homestead. Need larger tractor for tillage. Spent a lot of time on TBN reading pros and cons of 1960s vintage tractors. Decided that the MF-135 diesel was the one for me. Found one locally for $3600. Currently doing heaving servicing and repainting on the 135 for use in Jan or Feb next year.

Looking now for a JD 3020. Why? I like the way they look. May need 70-hp for future work. Orange, red and yellow/green--I like those colors lined up next to each other. Want to own a JD before I kick the bucket.

 

[Redneck_Randy]

Hands down best tractor for the best price...

The best tractor for the best price is either a free tractor or one that is paid off.

 

[bamatoolmaker]

I did a little homework before I made my purchase but honestly I think you will buy what you want if it will do what you need.

 

[N80]

I did a little homework before I made my purchase but honestly I think you will buy what you want if it will do what you need.

....if you have the money to buy what you want.

And that brings up the other side of the coin. I think a lot of us noobs did a fair amount of homework before we bought and are probably pleased with what we got. But, I bet there are at least a few sotries out there were people either bought not enough tractor or too much tractor.

 

[roxynoodle]

I wanted a compact with 4wd and a front end loader that I could pay cash for. My Yanmar 1510D fit the bill perfectly and cost $5000, which left me some money for implements and a trailer, too. So for me, that was the best tractor to buy. It is simple enough to work on that I can probably do it myself, with perhaps some guidance from TBN members and/or my neighbors. Parts are available.

Then I decided I needed a tractor just for pulling my manure spreader. I wanted cheap, antique because I always wanted one, and running. I bought the 1950 Farmall H on Monday for $500. So that was the best tractor for me again as it fit the bill. Once again, it is simple to work on and has good parts availability.

At least half the people on this forum bought a new tractor because they wouldn't want ones like mine that will need repairs and they don't want to do the repairs themselves. So my tractors would not meet their needs.

Unless you bought too small or too big, I can't imagine anyone who doesn't think they bought the best tractor for the price

 

[3RRL]

Dargo, here's my simple answer. A Kama 554 of course. LOL ... what did you expect.