JonBarleycorn
Member
Hello all,
My first post so a little bio may be useful.
I live at the end of a steep mountain road @ ½ mile and gravel. Periodically it needs scraping to smooth/reshape and clean ditches. And in the winter, now, I need to remove snow and ice to save the roadbed and to make vehicle passage safer.
In the past I have rented a L3130 HST which is undersized for the task, but did it if I went slowly.
I also have need for removing firewood from the local woods, so am looking for a loader to go along with it.
I may be starting some construction projects in the next six months, which will be long term. Since my wife will likely be using the unit, I am leaning towards the HST and like it myself. I don’t care for the loss of power and potential for extra mx cost, but guess I can’t have it all. Although, to its credit, the 3130 HST I rent from a friend who runs a rental business, has never had problems in its 400 hours. I know rental equipment gets abused.
I have looked at used and new in the 4330 HST and have come up with pricing on new units with the HD 853 bucket from $22,900 to $23,800. I need to add a HD 84” offset blade to that and am hearing $900-$1000. Having used a Woods offset blade on a MF 231, I really liked it. I have found a used 2003 4330 HST down the road with @ 160 hours, box scrape, bush hog, std duty 853 bucket and trailer for @ $22,500. No warranty but in good shape visibly as it does not have any sign of abuse. Going used I realize you get what’s available. I can see a use for the bush hog in the future so it is not unneeded equipment.I definitely need a trailer so would spend that either way.
Based on current needs, this is probably a bit more then I need, as I admitted earlier the 3130 DOES do the job. But, I do not want to buy to small.
New, used… what do you think? I am willing to set aside the extra money spent for the new 4330 and implements towards repairs as I am not “buying” a warranty with the used as I would be with the new. Or are there features on the '05 models that I would be missing out on and which are an enhancements to the whole tractor experience?
Your collective wisdom is appreciated.
My first post so a little bio may be useful.
I live at the end of a steep mountain road @ ½ mile and gravel. Periodically it needs scraping to smooth/reshape and clean ditches. And in the winter, now, I need to remove snow and ice to save the roadbed and to make vehicle passage safer.
In the past I have rented a L3130 HST which is undersized for the task, but did it if I went slowly.
I also have need for removing firewood from the local woods, so am looking for a loader to go along with it.
I may be starting some construction projects in the next six months, which will be long term. Since my wife will likely be using the unit, I am leaning towards the HST and like it myself. I don’t care for the loss of power and potential for extra mx cost, but guess I can’t have it all. Although, to its credit, the 3130 HST I rent from a friend who runs a rental business, has never had problems in its 400 hours. I know rental equipment gets abused.
I have looked at used and new in the 4330 HST and have come up with pricing on new units with the HD 853 bucket from $22,900 to $23,800. I need to add a HD 84” offset blade to that and am hearing $900-$1000. Having used a Woods offset blade on a MF 231, I really liked it. I have found a used 2003 4330 HST down the road with @ 160 hours, box scrape, bush hog, std duty 853 bucket and trailer for @ $22,500. No warranty but in good shape visibly as it does not have any sign of abuse. Going used I realize you get what’s available. I can see a use for the bush hog in the future so it is not unneeded equipment.I definitely need a trailer so would spend that either way.
Based on current needs, this is probably a bit more then I need, as I admitted earlier the 3130 DOES do the job. But, I do not want to buy to small.
New, used… what do you think? I am willing to set aside the extra money spent for the new 4330 and implements towards repairs as I am not “buying” a warranty with the used as I would be with the new. Or are there features on the '05 models that I would be missing out on and which are an enhancements to the whole tractor experience?
Your collective wisdom is appreciated.
