new 2025R or 20yr. old 855 ?

holzboat · Mar 19, 2014

Would you rather buy a 20 yr. old machine in good shape that you can afford for cash. Or a brand new tractor with warranty and insurance? A new machine comes with a 5 year membership in the book of the month club (PAYMENTS) and hopefully parts availability for as long as I hope to own it, say 20 years. Old machine comes with all the attachments I'd likely want. But how long can you reasonably expect a tractor to be (mostly) problem free and how long before sourcing parts becomes a challenge? The older tractor with all the attachments would cost less than just the new attachments themselves which appeals to my wallet. But then I don't enjoy laying in the mud and slush repairing things as much as I used to which favors the new rig. Sometimes I think it would be easier to just flip a coin and go with it.

Blade Breaker · Mar 19, 2014

I would go with the new machine. Just looked at the 2025r and it looks great. Get the new tractor and drive over mower deck. And then find used attachments for everything else. Just my opinion.

DeereMann · Mar 20, 2014

I chose a new tractor for exactly the reasons you state - my cumulative carcass damage is catching up to me...as long as I can still amble about, I'm gonna have a tractor - but I can't crawl around wrasslin' with implements like I used to. So you can't beat the newer, modular quick tatch systems for that. My boys aren't around to help as much as they used to be either.

Finally, it was easy to sell their mother on a new tractor when I showed her how much easier the new implements were to hook up. She's trying to keep me alive to torment me as long as she can.....

Oldtractorfixer · Mar 20, 2014

How long a tractor will last is a direct result of how well it was taken care of. Regular maintenance and properly done repair. Long oil changes, butchered wiring, storing outside all severly shorten tractor life.

JD15302155870 · Mar 20, 2014

In 1991, I bought an 18 yr. old JD1530. Sometime around 2000 the clutch was replaced. Since that time the only expenditures have been regular maintenance. In 2009, I bought a 20 yr old JD2155. I was considering a new Kubota but chose the older tractor because of the weight. It was almost 2,000 lbs heavier than the Kubota. So far, I have had zero problems. Not all experiences with older tractors are successful but mine have been. Now for the other side, in 1998 I bought a new JD870. It now has almost 900 hours and there have been zero problems -Routine maintenance only.

tlj87 · Mar 20, 2014

Buy a very good used machine with a good reputation for cash or wait until you have cash for the new machine. Why go into debt? Debt is the cause of many (perhaps most?) problems. I am young but have bought two used vehicles, one used tractor and one used UTV that are in good condition and have saved a lot of $$$. I have been fortunate, not having any problems with any of this equipment other than regular maintenance. Even new stuff, just out of warranty breaks down. The most troublesome used thing I have bought has been our '07 Honda Civic (purchased in 2010 with 36k mi), which has had rear control arms replaced, sun visor and new paint on the hood, fenders and roof. This was all covered by Honda due to a recall and/or warranty extension. I bought this car because of its good reputation and it certainly has lived up to that with its reliability and "service after the sale" by Honda.

If the 855 you are looking at is in good shape, with service records and a "good vibe" from the seller, go for it. You can spend a lot of time hesitating and saying "what if" but if you have the money and can purchase something you are comfortable with, buy it, use it, maintain it and enjoy it!

holzboat · Mar 20, 2014

Well the 855 was gone last night. I spoke to the owner yesterday morning and was working on lining up a trailer. I'd hoped to look at it Fri. or Sat. Knew it was a good deal and it was set up with everything I needed. Not having my own trailer and living in suburbia makes the quest for a good used tractor just that much more of a challenge. This one was gone in a day and a half. The last one was an almost new 2320 that we had agreed on a price and set a date for pickup but then he raised the price the night before I was set to leave. Said someone else offered more $ and I could match it if interested. Didn't feel good about travelling 5 hrs. each way after the sudden price change so took a pass. Pretty disappointing. I'll keep looking but thanks for the replies and keep them coming. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has gone through this bit of decision making.