New vs Used

[wskrimsky]

I have two questions that I'm hoping to find some answers for.
I am new to the tractor market having just purchased 15 acres of land in vermont. I'm hoping to use the tractor for a varitety of tasks including snow removal and bush hogging. The driveway is about 1/3rd of a mile long and there is small pond on the property as well. I am going to be doing a bit of clearing also.
The folks that I've spoken with all recommeded a kubota. The B7500 was initially what I settled on with a FEL. However, I'm not sure that it is enough for what I need to do.
So I'm looking for suggestions about an appropriate model.
I also thought about purchasing a used tractor in hope of getting a bit more for my money but don't know whether I'd simply be inheriting someone else's problems in order to save a few dollars.
Any opinions/suggestions would be great.
Bill

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Bill,
Welcome aboard!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Your battle is half-won already,... you've found TBN /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif!

Any time you spend looking through the threads on this site will bring you answers to most of the questions you have, and a whole-bunch that you haven't thought of yet.

I suggest looking through the lists of titles, before you let yourself get bogged-down in any one thread (some are very long, and most are very interesting, as well). That way you will have a chance to stumble over the ones that best address your specific question-of-the-moment.

Looking-for-yourself will discover many topic-related threads that, for some reason, are not always found using a word-search.

And if you don't have time to sift through the mountain of info already stored here, chances are good that someone will take the time to give you their thoughts on your questions.

Finding this site is the best thing you could have done for a "first step"!

Good luck,

Larry

 

[shade2u2]

Welcome... & I agree with Larry - TBN & CTB(jplan.com) are the best sources of information regarding compact tractors. Learn how to search through the threads... I feel that you can't go wrong with Kubota, NewHolland, JohnDeere, or maybe even CubCadet as far as quality. One very important item is a good reputable dealer close by that you have a high comfort level with. Ask around about dealers - other tractor owners opinions are valuable & also YOUR perception of the dealer. You can save a little buying used & actually are unlikely to run into problems if the unit was maintained in a avg manner or better. You will not save very much due the high value these trctors seem to hold especially when you consider possible new interest rate savings (NewHolland has good financing deals) & the warrenty. From what I've heard, these tractors are very durable & can last a long time. I began looking for used but settled on new (NewHolland TC33D) after seeing the prices of 10 - 20 yr old units. For the property & general use that you described, you may want to look at 25 - 35 hp depending on how much clearing or grading you are going to do (bigger) how many obstacles (trees) you may mow around(smaller) & definately get a loader. The TC35-45 models are really sharp machines. Sorry to go on so, but good luck... looking for the right tractor is fun, but wait 'til you use your tractor... that's when the real fun begins.

 

[Thomas]

Welcome aboard Bill and jump right in.

Where abouts in Vermont do you live,for I border Vermont.

I guess there a couple of key issues your facing,type of land and how much you are willing to spend.

If your consider FEL a little advice..get power steering.

Have you check out the B2410 & B2710 Kubota.
There is Kubota dealer..Town Line Equipment in New Hampshire that borders Vermont,and they are good folks...might be worth your time to check them out.

I notice in this area 4wd tractor owners tend to hang on to them for many many years,and trade ins seem to bring a high price.

Enjoy your tractor adventure also you new 15 acres.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[putty340]

hello, I might have some helpful advice,I just went through the same decisions you are faced with.I have been looking for a tractor and found that ,the used ones in my area were easily 3/4 the price of a new one almost regardless of hours on them(unless they were junk),I probably couldnt put 2500 hrs on them in 15 yrs and still they were that price.I settled on a new L3000 with an excellent warranty,it almost doesnt pay to buy used unless you find a smokin deal-hope your area is better.Now for the size,the bigger the better, unless you are going to be mowing your lawn with it ALOT. These guys on this board are allright- read much and learn often. KEEP ON PUTTERIN! (thats my new word now-PUTTERIN) heeheehee putterin,putterin,putterin,putterin heehee!

 

[Jag]

Bill, in my opinion you should get about 30 horses. (If you are going to do a lot of lawn mowing get a small rider.) With that many acres get a FEL you will find more to do with than you would think. I would look at used, I have had much luck with used cars, trucks, and equipment over the years. I have never been in a hurry to buy and guess I just knew when to walk away. I found a used L2650 loader, backhoe that was 5 years old model(not sure when it sold, could have set at the dealer for a couple of years, backhoe had only been on less than 50 hours) that had under 200 hours and paid only what the base tractor cost new.

 

[bpence]

Welcome and good luck on your search for the right tractor.

A couple of thoughts. I bought a used Kubota B7100 two years ago versus a new unit. I bought from the original owner who was upgrading to a larger tractor. A new comparable unit (B7300), was $10,000 plus...I don't remember the exact figures. The B7100 was a 1995 model that the owner purchased in 1996. I had less than 200 hrs on it and he sold it for $7,000. I use it primarily for a mowing machine, snow plow, and to bush hog a few acres. I had looked at tractors, both new and used, for more than 6 months before this one came along. If you have the patience and the time to look at a lot of tractors until the right one comes along, purchasing a used unit can save a lot of money. It's worked out well for me.

If you're looking at a FEL, power steering is a good thing. Also, if you plan to use a box blade or back blade for grading work, an adjustable 3-point is desirable. Buying new you can get exactly what you want, when you want it. But you never know, watching the local papers and keeping in touch with a few dealers may yield the perfect used tractor. Good luck.

Bob Pence

 

[M. Sullivan]

Agree with all the great advice already posted here. One additional thought, if struggling between a couple models, rent one. A few hours might help you decide one way or the other. Have read where the dealer brought one over for a demo for free--can't hurt to ask. Strongly suggest checking out the 27/2910 for your needs. Welcome and good luck!

 

[Boondox]

Bill -- Welcome to Vermont. I have a B1750HST with scraper blade, mm mower and FEL. I use it on my 150 acres in Lamoille County, though mostly on the 10 acres cleared. Summer sees it used mostly for mowing, hauling dirt and firewood, and crowning my dirt road so the rains don't wash it away. Winter it sees only snow removal duty; my neighbor is a ski resort, so it moves a LOT of snow!

Other posters have suggested the 2910. It's a heck of a tractor, but maybe overkill for only 15 acres unless you have some heavy-duty work ahead. I'll probably trade up to a 3010 next year, but it'll be used with a backhoe and logging winch...things my little 20HP Kubota can't handle.

Drop me a line if you're in the Waterbury area. I'll let you come over and move some snow with the little guy. Besides moving my snow, it would give you a feel for what the smaller tractors can do. Pete

 

[Kevin_mc]

Bill, When I was first started shopping for a tractor I asked my neighbor who had been farming all her life to help me find a tractor. She told me that as busy as I am that I didn't have time to tinker with a used tractor everytime I wanted to use it. In my particular situation most of the used tractors around here are old Internationals and Fords. I focused my efforts or finding a new one and ended up with an L3010HST.

Good luck with your decision.

Kevin Mc

 

[Joeinindy]

I know what you are going through because I had been looking at new vs used for about a year. All the used models I looked at were too close to the price of a new unit to make it worth it. I ended up buying a new L3410 Kubota and after one month of ownership I love it. I found several used models of comparable size and features but anything that didn't have tons of hours on it was close to the price of a new one. When I compared the intrest rate on a new one to what I could get on a used one the numbers got very close. I have 23 acres and like you a very long drive and a 5 acre pond so size was one of the things I wasn't sure about. After reading , talking, and just looking around I felt 30hp was about right. I have heard of people who wished they would have bought bigger but nobody wished they went to a smaller unit. Good luck and have fun!

 

[GBear]

This does not exactly address "new v. used," but something in between.

Have you ever noticed that some things work perfectly straight "out of the box" and others do not? From toasters to tractors, you can find a stripped thread or a loose screw. The first scratch in your new car is the hardest to take. I still remember seeing a shopping cart, pushed by the wind, heading straight for the rear quarter panel of my then new Volvo.

If you find the right one, the used model may have those few little nagging mechanical imperfections already fixed. It will probably already have a few cosmetic imperfections in place. And any new ding can still be blamed on the previous owner! At least for a month or two.

Check out a "program" model. My local dealer had a 3010HST, 3010GST, and a 3410HST the last time I looked. They had been used to pull carts of vegetables in the fields and had 46-60 hours on them. His "program" models were about $2500 less than a new model, the loaders were brand new, and the warranty started fresh. You might not be able to save as much in your area, as the local dealer here holds his new models dear, and would rather make $5K on one sale than $500 on ten. While he did not have the exact program tractor I wanted, I found a dealer that did. It had been used to pull tobacco for 49 hours and cost $1175 less than brand new. That's like getting a rotary mower for free.

 

[Harv]

My experience is exactly what GBear describes.

After a lengthy search for a good used Kubota, I eventually started looking at a new L2600 or L3000. Just about that time my attention was called to an L2500 that was used for 187 hours doing nothing but pulling apple wagons. It was in cherry condition, the 3ph had never been used and the dealer was offering it with a full, same as new, warranty. I had a brand new loader installed and got the whole package for about $2K less than a new 2600. Since I was already over budget, that 2K meant everything.

I only have 32 hours of my own on it so far, but the only problems I've come across were a slightly low hydraulic fluid level (probably happened when the loader was installed) and a couple of loose ROPS mounting bolts.

The deals are out there -- all it takes is extreme patience. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Thomas]

GBear,
Yes sir thats what you call doing your home work when your tractor shopping....ticks of the trade.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[wskrimsky]

Thomas,

Thanks for the helpful advice. I wound up calling Town Line Equipment and they were just great.

Our property sits on the border between West Fairlee and Vershire Vemont. Can't wait to get up there.

Thanks again for the advice.
Bill

 

[Thomas]

West Fairlee & Vershire /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gifheck I do alot of snowmachining in those neck of the woods.
That area a good place to kick back and take in some viewing.

Just tell the yard boss at T.L.E. to sharpen his pencil. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[john_bud]

Bill,

You have gotten some good advice so far and I can't add much to that, but....that never stopped me before. I can tell you that I have a new L3410 and is a fantastic tractor. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif No matter the brand you get, try and get a hydrostatic transmission. It makes it much easier to use and be productive on sooner. In my area, I couldn't get a ride on a Boomer, but I hear that they are good tractors with few problems. For me, it was either the Green or Orange. Both make good tractors, but the local dealer support for the Kubota felt better than the JD and I got a little better price going orange, too.

I also went new versus used as I couldn't seem to find a used unit that fit the bill. (Or they were sold too quick for me....) Used tractors appear to hold their value very well and so great deals are typically snapped up quick.

Happy Tractoring,

John Bud