New vs. Old Dilemma
- Thread starter LP Farmer
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Ken Cunningham
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2008
- Messages
- 264
Here is my two cents worth
I recently bought a 1994 JD1070. Take your time and wait for a deal on a tractor to come around, I looked at lots of em before this one came along. It would be beneficial to you if you know someone, or even someone who knows someone that works at a tractor dealer. They get trade ins all the time, but at this time of the year they will only stay on the lot a few days, week at most. I was lucky in the fact that a friend of mine works as sales guy at the JD dealer and knew i was looking, so he gave me a call when they got a trade that he thought i would want. It was low hours but still has things wrong with it. Be prepared to work on a used tractor allmost from the day you get it. The service manuals are a must have for any tractor, order one the day you buy it. I also worrry about some major thing breaking on it and not being able to afford to fix it, but if ya really need a tractor thats part of what you have to deal with. Good luck on your search
I recently bought a 1994 JD1070. Take your time and wait for a deal on a tractor to come around, I looked at lots of em before this one came along. It would be beneficial to you if you know someone, or even someone who knows someone that works at a tractor dealer. They get trade ins all the time, but at this time of the year they will only stay on the lot a few days, week at most. I was lucky in the fact that a friend of mine works as sales guy at the JD dealer and knew i was looking, so he gave me a call when they got a trade that he thought i would want. It was low hours but still has things wrong with it. Be prepared to work on a used tractor allmost from the day you get it. The service manuals are a must have for any tractor, order one the day you buy it. I also worrry about some major thing breaking on it and not being able to afford to fix it, but if ya really need a tractor thats part of what you have to deal with. Good luck on your search
machmeter62
Platinum Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2004
- Messages
- 638
Mark,
That Ford 1700 was Ford's replacement for the old 9N and 8N that farmers used for years and years! It is a good tractor, and is capable of a lot of work with the two cylinder diesel engine, with a few rev's on it! You will run out of traction before HP! You only stated working 5+ acres; unless I am missing something?
Don't base the condition of the tractor, or the engine on the black oil; that two cylinder diesel engine is an indirect injection,...the oil will turn black shortly after any oil change; even when new! Just the nature of the beast! We have two of them, my son has a 1700, and I have the smaller 1500, that I have owned since new 26 years ago. The only problem I have had, was replacing a water pump, after thousands of hard hours.
IF the sheet metal, clutch, loader, and three point operate normal, and the general condition is good, you may want to give it a second look? If it is a one owner, that is another plus too? The tach hours may not be accurate, because of broken cables in them? I think the price is fair also?
I have used a 60" Howard J rototiller behind my 1500....20 HP/17 PTO with no problems. I also use a 60" box scrapper for grading purposes too! It is a great tractor; and it will wear me out, before I ever wear it out. Good luck on your search.
That Ford 1700 was Ford's replacement for the old 9N and 8N that farmers used for years and years! It is a good tractor, and is capable of a lot of work with the two cylinder diesel engine, with a few rev's on it! You will run out of traction before HP! You only stated working 5+ acres; unless I am missing something?
Don't base the condition of the tractor, or the engine on the black oil; that two cylinder diesel engine is an indirect injection,...the oil will turn black shortly after any oil change; even when new! Just the nature of the beast! We have two of them, my son has a 1700, and I have the smaller 1500, that I have owned since new 26 years ago. The only problem I have had, was replacing a water pump, after thousands of hard hours.
IF the sheet metal, clutch, loader, and three point operate normal, and the general condition is good, you may want to give it a second look? If it is a one owner, that is another plus too? The tach hours may not be accurate, because of broken cables in them? I think the price is fair also?
I have used a 60" Howard J rototiller behind my 1500....20 HP/17 PTO with no problems. I also use a 60" box scrapper for grading purposes too! It is a great tractor; and it will wear me out, before I ever wear it out. Good luck on your search.
slaveToHorses
Gold Member
I would have to concur on the 30hp minimum opinion, especially since you have so much forest. Clearing takes some grunt and tractor weight. If you are going to pull disks and such for your crops, you want some weight as well.
Do yourself a favor and stick with a 4wd (or FWD) tractor.
If you find a deal on a low hours used tractor then definitely go for it, although if you can swing a deal for 0%, then a new one looks pretty good. I went through this process a couple of years ago and ended up with a new one.
Think about what implements and accessories you want, ahead of time and purchase them with the tractor so you can get the same financing on them and also get a larger discount. They can get very spendy.
Get a loader. You will never regret it. You will wonder how the heck you ever managed without one. Get a loader that has interchangeable buckets.
I've owned Deere, Kubota and New Holland. All good. First two have a bit higher quality but NH is cheaper and has good ergonomics. Most important thing really is your local dealer and the fit to the machine. Oh and what color your wife likes
Do yourself a favor and stick with a 4wd (or FWD) tractor.
If you find a deal on a low hours used tractor then definitely go for it, although if you can swing a deal for 0%, then a new one looks pretty good. I went through this process a couple of years ago and ended up with a new one.
Think about what implements and accessories you want, ahead of time and purchase them with the tractor so you can get the same financing on them and also get a larger discount. They can get very spendy.
Get a loader. You will never regret it. You will wonder how the heck you ever managed without one. Get a loader that has interchangeable buckets.
I've owned Deere, Kubota and New Holland. All good. First two have a bit higher quality but NH is cheaper and has good ergonomics. Most important thing really is your local dealer and the fit to the machine. Oh and what color your wife likes
