Buying Advice How many hours is acceptable

[rlyddane]

I am looking at buying a compact or sub-compact tractor used. I am not too worried about age, as long as the hours are reasonable for its age. I don't know if MFG really matters, but I am leaning toward a Kubota B7100 series or a BX series, between 18-25 HP. I'd rather have power steering, but I have been told, for that small a tractor, PS is not that critical. However, I will have a loader, MMM, tiller, BH, Box scrapper, etc. eventually, and I have projects to use all of these attachments frequently.

So, back to my question, how many hours are considered acceptable? Thanks for your help....................Rich

 

[crbr]

I am looking at buying a compact or sub-compact tractor used. I am not too worried about age, as long as the hours are reasonable for its age. I don't know if MFG really matters, but I am leaning toward a Kubota B7100 series or a BX series. I'd rather have power steering, but I have been told, for that small a tractor, PS is not that critical. However, I will have a loader, MMM, tiller, BH, Box scrapper, etc. eventually, and I have projects to use all of these attachments frequently.

So, back to my question, how many hours are considered acceptable? Thanks for your help....................Rich

For me (relative to your implements and usage) I'd find a unit with a bit more HP (the 7100 has 16 gross HP) and power steering. Each to their own.

As for hours, if the price was right and hopefully good maintenance records, I'd not shy away from upwards of 1500 - 2000 hours. I'd certainly expect that many more from the machine, but that is a lot of (future) hours with manual steering.

$0.02

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[TripleR]

Pretty much what crbr said, many if most put 100 hours or less per year on their machines and even with 2000, for the right price, a tractor is going to last you a very long time.

 

[Bigfoot62]

. . . I'd rather have power steering, but I have been told, for that small a tractor, PS is not that critical. However, I will have a loader, . . .
So, back to my question, how many hours are considered acceptable? Thanks for your help....................Rich

Whoever told you that probably doesn't have a loader!
P/S is very much critical, actually invaluble, if you are going to be doing loader work, as is MFWD.

Pretty much what the others have said. 1000-2000 is not too much, if the machine has been cared for.

JMHO

 

[dntfxr]

I'd not rule out the b7100 for lack of PS and HP. Mine is only 17 gross HP but I've pulled a 6' disc with over 1000lbs added on top. I don't have a loader but I added a substantial weight rack on the front and honestly haven't wanted for PS. Obviously a loader will add more weight and I could see it being a bit more of an issue then. They really are excellent little tractors and I'd not trade it for one of the smaller BXs. The larger BXs maybe so...

 

[crazyal]

The more hours the more you'll be turning wrenches on it. So it really comes down to can you do your own repair work and do you mind doing it. I personally like to turn wrenches so as long as the tractor was not performing something critical, like snow removal, and if it broke and I was without it for a few weeks I would be screwed I'd buy a 5000 hour tractor if the price was right. I've seen tractors with 10,000 hour that still run well with lots of life in them.

Besides there's something kind of fun about running an older tractor. A new tractor should do everything you expect but when an old tractor steps up and gets the job done just as well there's that woohoo feeling.

 

[kuboman]

Power steering and hydro traany are a must for loader work in my opinion. And more HP is always desirable. You can not use the power you do have but you can never use the power you don't have. As for hours, 2000 hrs would be tops for a well maintained machine. I would look for something under a 1000 hrs.

 

[thetooth]

I purchased a used b7500 last year it fits the bill for me . Its a touch bigger than the Bx models but not to big to mow the lawn with . It has all the creature comforts with hydro and power steering .

I bought it from a dealer for $8500 it came with a loader and 54" belly mower 440 hours and the dealer did a full service of all the fluids and filters .


good luck with your search

 

[art]

On the B-7100 series the power steering was optional. Hours don't bother me on a well made tractor like a Kubota as we have seen there engines go well past 10.000 hours without major work.

 

[rlyddane]

Thank you all for your responses. They will definitely help in my hours decision. The PS will be a little more difficult, since you all have mixed emotions. I will be using a loader alot, so I am leaning toward PS.

Thanks again. I will let you know what I decided when I buy it......Rich