Need to buy a FEL or Tractor.

[Etechjc]

Howdy folks, I hope to pick you brains.

I recently purchased a old house on 2.5 acres of land (Yes thats all). Well I have been seriously considering a FEL or tractor, Probably a FEL. The Land is in Ozark, Mo. Uber rocky and bumpy and wreaking havic on the 2 48" rider mowers I have been alternating between. Among the things I would like to do with a nice FEL, I would like to Smooth out the land, Possibly add soil in some spots and take down in others, Re-do my fairly large driveway, get out old stumps, etc...

One thing I don't have Money and help. Most my friends are of the "Oh! please don't ask me to do physical labor variety". And of course like everyone else, work is slow and money is tight. What I do have is, I am very good at mechanics, I reasonable welder and have my own MIG and tools, And I enjoy getting out and doing my own labor on stuff.

So, I have been looking at tractors and FELS for sale and there is no lacking in variety and ages. I mean I have seens everything to 30horse diesels with belly mowers and no hitch (Oversized Lawn tractor) to 100+ Horse tractors. Ranging in prices $500 for the vary old very basic tractors to $20K+. Never owning a tractor before I am very limited on knowledge to what I want.

I know I want a 3pt hitch, Thats about the extent of my knowledge.

To cut to the short
What should I look for in a used tractor or Loader to make sure I get a good value for my money in buying an old one?

I realize HP isn't everything but is important, I have seen my 48" 25hp Husqy do some impressive feats. And it is just a gas Garden Tractor. However, I am looking at diesels and know fairly little about them. So I don't know where to begin at looking for HP numbers.

What is a good price point to be looking for, Obviusly $20K is out of the range, but I have seen some descent old diesel tractors for as little as $2K and even saw a Old FEL for $3200 the other day.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Here's what you do...

#1) Start making new friends. Don't ditch the old friends, but do whatever you can to help out neighboors, friends, relatives, etc. and build relationships with others that will help with physical labor. I don't drink, but I hear beer is very helpful in making friends like this.

#2) Look for a good used tractor with a Front End Loader (FEL). You are right that you also want a 3 point hitch. Time = Money. If you have more time and mechanical ability than money, look for a good used tractor that you feel you can maintain. Pick something with good dealer support. Sometimes that dealer support is a shop nearby. Sometimes it's a website that offers good support and will ship parts quickly. Most here will vote that a brick an mortar dealer is a better option.

With 2.5 acres, a 35 hp tractor will likely be plenty. However, you may find that a larger tractor will be cheaper. In my neck of the woods, tractors above 50 hp start going down in price and don't go back up again until about 100 hp. You can do almost anything with a small tractor that you can do with a big tractor. It will just take longer.

If you're patient, you can probably find what you are looking for in the $4K-$5k range. This will be a well used tractor that is useable as-is, but may need some maintenance and/or repairs. You may luck out and find something cheaper, but no guarantees.

Welcome to the forum. We look forward to pictures of a new (to you) tractor sometime in the future.

 

[RoyJackson]

Considering your acreage, I suggest one of the following:
Deere
755
855
670 (first tractor I bought)
770
4100

Kubota
BX2200 (first one I looked at)
B7400
B7500 (2nd tractor I looked at)

New Holland
any of the smaller TC series

Ford
any of the smaller machines (BTW, you might get the best deals on the older Fords, but parts might be a bit of a hassle).

All of those machines are about 10 years old or more and should be had in the $5K to $10K range. Parts will be available. As far as fixer-uppers...well, parts might negate any savings you get from buying something too run down. I can't attest to the Kubotas or NHs, but I'd have no problem buying one of the old Deeres with 1000 hours or so.
I do suggest you stay away from grey market. Cheap prices, but parts and maintenance can be a real hassle. If you do go grey market, do your homework first to ensure you can get English manuals and a good reliable parts source.

BTW, a FEL wouldn't help you much without a tractor, so I think you mean tractor with FEL.

My first tractor (Deere 670) was a great fit on my 2.5 acres. Sometimes I wished I'd kept it.

 

[oldnslo]

If you going to be mowing around lots of trees you may want to consider a FEL that is easy to take off and put on. I find the FEL makes maneuvering more difficult in close quarters.

If you get a chance test drive a few different models. See which one fits the best.

Roy

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...If you get a chance test drive a few different models. See which one fits the best.

Roy

This is great advice! Some tractors just feel smaller than others. I have long legs, and my little grey market tractor was not a good fit. A bit tight in a test drive translates into cramped legs after a few hours of loader work.

 

[Etechjc]

All very good stuff, Thanks.

I went to a deere dealer ship today. I got to test drive a 3720, They had a little test course in the back. I reused the FEL, raised an lowered things, etc... I must say it was very nice. Then he told me the price, and I must say they should never give you the price while your sitting on the tractor, I just about fell off. 25K with the loader and rear mower.

Been looking online, and going to look at a deere 730 46hp diesel with a FEL tommorow. He is asking $6500 for it.

Also going to look at Deere 420 w/ Loader for $3600

and a Allis Chalmers WD gas Non running with brush hog and Front bucket for $1500.

Ill let you know.

 

[RoyJackson]

All very good stuff, Thanks.

I went to a deere dealer ship today. I got to test drive a 3720, They had a little test course in the back. I reused the FEL, raised an lowered things, etc... I must say it was very nice. Then he told me the price, and I must say they should never give you the price while your sitting on the tractor, I just about fell off. 25K with the loader and rear mower.

Been looking online, and going to look at a deere 730 46hp diesel with a FEL tommorow. He is asking $6500 for it.

Also going to look at Deere 420 w/ Loader for $3600

and a Allis Chalmers WD gas Non running with brush hog and Front bucket for $1500.

Ill let you know.

Pretty big tractors for 2.5 acres...

 

[Iplayfarmer]

All very good stuff, Thanks.

I went to a deere dealer ship today. I got to test drive a 3720, They had a little test course in the back. I reused the FEL, raised an lowered things, etc... I must say it was very nice. Then he told me the price, and I must say they should never give you the price while your sitting on the tractor, I just about fell off. 25K with the loader and rear mower.

Been looking online, and going to look at a deere 730 46hp diesel with a FEL tommorow. He is asking $6500 for it.

Also going to look at Deere 420 w/ Loader for $3600

and a Allis Chalmers WD gas Non running with brush hog and Front bucket for $1500.

Ill let you know.

Every market is different depending on local preferences, dealer support, etc., but I'd dicker real hard on that Allis Chalmers if I decided to go that route. In my experience, that's a good price for a running WD.

I don't know much about prices on that vintage of Deere.