Is this a good deal on a used JD 4400 HST?

[Iceman]

Well, we are finally getting close to buying a CUT to go along with our new home and property (some pasture, mostly woods we need to clear). I love the new 4x10 series or the 110 TLB, but am forced to lower my expectations as the home we want is sucking all the funds from the construction loan.

Anyway, been looking for a used/traded in CUT and came across a 4400 HST 4x4 with Turf Tires, 430 Loader & 73" Bucket, and 48 Backhoe & 12" Bucket. It is owned by a rental company that a local JD dealer sells a new one to every 2-yrs. So, this one is 2-yrs old with 1200-hrs. The dealer says he knows they take great care of their machines and keep them up to date on all servicing.

A new one on the online Configurator less approx percentage the dealer quotes have been coming in for new, puts this setup around $31,600. He wants $17,500 which is about a 45% depreciation. Is this about right for those hours? How many hours are these tractors good for in total?

I will be going to see the actual machine Monday afternoon. Is there anything inparticular I should be looking for? Are there know problems or service bulletins issued for the 4400? Any and all comments would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[rancar]

Iceman...

If I were you, I'd be very suspicious about this deal. Pricewise, it sounds like a great deal. However, tractors coming from rental yards are considered to be the worst purchases anyone can make unless you're mechanically inclined and are prepared to deal with and address a potentially large number of mechanical problems. The reason for this is simple. This unit is 2 years old and has 1,200 hours on it....a large amout of hours for a 2 year old tractor. Rental yard tractors are known for the abuse they undergo by users who have variable degrees of tractor operating skills and experience. Oftentimes, these tractors are abused to such an extent simply because most users don't care how they use these tractors. They figure they rent it for a day or a week and they'll use it and/or abuse it until they get their job done and then return it. Rental yards have no option but to sell out on a frequent basis and replace with a new unit due to user abuse. Some rental yards are very good at covering up abuses.....good cleaning or paint job, replacement of hoses to hide hydraulic leaks, and the like.

If you purchase Muhammad's book on compact tractors, he also cautions against buying from rental yards.

Caveat emptor, my friend!!!!!

Regards,
Bob Ancar
Cambridge, NY

 

[cowboydoc]

I agree with rancar. No way I'd buy a rental. People abuse the heck out of rentals. No telling what could go wrong with that tractor or has gone wrong!!

 

[JohnMiller3]

I’ll throw my nickel’s worth in…

They are so many scenarios I can think up here… here’s a few:

If this unit was being purchased from a private individual… big big difference… but it’s not… it’s a rental - which is a rental… which is a rental…(reread everything Rancar & Cowboydoc has written a few times…)

… just using industry average numbers… a 1200 hour compact tractor would be equivalent to a 12 year old unit @ 100 hrs/yr. usage… but this is only two years old…(typical 200 hrs. should have)

This would be equivalent to buying a two year old automobile from a rental company with about ~ 144,000-180,000 miles on it (example only- a rental company would never have that many miles and run the vehicle)… now using that analogy… that would place either rental unit at the bottom of the heap for value…

Most rental companies would get $200-400 per day to rent a compact tractor/loader/backhoe package plus pickup/delivery fees, plus insurance, plus, plus, plus… Let’s stay conservative and say ~$600 week X 104 total weeks = $62,400. minimum rental fees… + + +

So basically, the rental company can give away the tractor, loader, and backhoe… and $10,000 cash because you’re a nice guy…/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif and they still come out ahead by $20,000.

One last thing… this warranty period ran out many moons ago (rental)… you just need one or two “little” hydro or 3-point problems and without blinking your eye… you can easily spend a few thousand for repairs… (we’re not talking an oil change here…/w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif)

To buy a “demo” with 20-40 hours is one thing… or even a “rental” with 200-400 hours is worse… but a “rental” with 1200 hours is bordering insanity… /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Iceman,

If I were going to do something with a tractor I wouldn't even dream of doing with mine, I'd go rent one. Does that tell you something? Further, what percentage of those hours do you suppose were put on by first time users who didn't know how to take care of a tractor? Do you suppose anyone ever had the backhoe bucket in a hole then hit the wrong lever and tried to move the tractor side to side? Did anyone ever overload the bucket, use it as a hoist with a chain on just one support or use it to pull stumps or butt down trees?

Then on the other hand, maybe it was just used by a little old lady who mowed fairways on Sundays. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif