New member needs suggestions

   / New member needs suggestions #1  

seattlehd

New member
Joined
Sep 18, 2009
Messages
5
I recently purchased 7 acres of land and am desperately in need of a tractor to help maintain the property and finish some county mandated dirt work. This will be my first tractor so I could use some suggestions. I am have been looking for a good deal on a used tractor for about a year and found something that interests me. My local dealership has a 1983 JD 950 4x4 w/ 4 new tires, a new seat, loader, power steering and 1400 hours on the meter. They are asking $7900 for it. They advertised it to me as a 1988 but after closer inspection and research of the VIN it came up as a 1982-1983. I think I will offer them less based on the year descrepancy but what do you guys think? Is this a good deal? Also, does anyone have an opinion on this machine? I will use it pretty heavily for the first year but after that, basic maintenence (driveway grading, brush hog, etc.) will be the norm. Thanks for helping out a new guy!
 
   / New member needs suggestions #2  
I think I would keep shopping, the most I would give would be 6500 though. The early 950 tractors have the transmission type pto which isn't desireable to me. You would be better off to get a tractor with the independent pto or at the very least a live pto. If you have much work to do you will wan't something a little larger around 40 to 60 hp. Starting out I recomend getting a tractor that will handle 6 ft equipment ( boxblade, rear blade, brushhog and landplane) which is a very popular size.


Steve
 
   / New member needs suggestions #3  
I would give 7k for it if in decent shape all day long.
Joe
 
   / New member needs suggestions
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Thank you for the responses! I think I made a rookie mistake and did not put my actual question in the subject line so no one is reading my post. Is there a way to edit the title of a thread? Also, I think it is important for anyone responding to know that I live east of Seattle near Microsoft which will unfortunately increase the price. Does anyone else have an opinion regarding $7900 for this tractor? My deposit only holds it until tomorrow night. Thanks again!
 
   / New member needs suggestions
  • Thread Starter
#6  
I have looked there and hope that the pricing is a good indicator. Based on tractorhouse.com it looks like a decent deal; not amazing but given the options and hours $7900 looks like it is in the right ballpark. Thanks everyone!
 
   / New member needs suggestions #7  
Seven acres and a long driveway are most likely going to take more time than your figuring if you think the tractor is going to be sitting around much after the first year. Did you figure on any snow work along with those other chores? My tractor is twice as big and my property half that size and my tractor doesn't get to sit much, and there isn't any snow here!
David from jax
 
   / New member needs suggestions
  • Thread Starter
#8  
You're probabaly right about not sitting that much but I don't think snow will be much of a factor. As much as the news loves to show pictures of snow in the Northwest it really is a rare event. We might get 2 inches of snow a few times a year at my elevation and my truck does well in it. What would you say takes the most time with your larger tractor? I'm trying to get a feel for what I might struggle with if I buy a 950.

Aaron from Seattle
 
   / New member needs suggestions #9  
You're probabaly right about not sitting that much but I don't think snow will be much of a factor. As much as the news loves to show pictures of snow in the Northwest it really is a rare event. We might get 2 inches of snow a few times a year at my elevation and my truck does well in it. What would you say takes the most time with your larger tractor? I'm trying to get a feel for what I might struggle with if I buy a 950.

Aaron from Seattle



With a 950 you are likely to struggle with the transmission and shifting for one thing. Just my opinion but you would be better served with a new tractor and warranty. A good base tractor with hydro would be the 4105 or similar one with independent pto and 300CX loader about $25,000 list. Understand that after operating a tractor for some time most people tend to upgrade. Try to circumvent this expensive problem and by the right tractor the first time. I now have a 4520 cab tractor I am well pleased with and would be a good choice for you too but it is about $40,000 list.


Steve
 
   / New member needs suggestions #10  
I know your looking at the 950, but if you have the resources and don't mind buying new, than I would take a look at either of the E series tractors (3032E and 3038E). There the best bang for your buck when looking for a compact tractor as they come standard with a hydro transmission, they don't have all the fancy trim of the 3x20 series tractors, and the loader is a fixed mount model as opposed to the removable models of the 3x20 series. I don't think you'll need a tractor bigger than a 3k series, but a 4k wouldn't hurt. I have a 3320 on 10 acres and it's a suitable size.

:cool:
 

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