New VS Used

Desertdweller · May 8, 2006

I am a newbie here. I am in a part of Aridzona that has very little tractors available and service well, lets put it this way. Would require a 3 hr drive on a flat bed /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I need to clear and level 3 acres of yard, then maintain it after that. I have found a couple used ones but they want both legs for one /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif So I started looking for a new one and found Foton's. How do they hold up?
How about a used Kubota? I only have a budget of 8G's
I already had a guy come in an clear /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif my yard he charged me 2G's just to make it look like a war ZONE /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Should I look for new or try and find a used one?

KiotiJohn · May 8, 2006

A new one. There are many good financing ops out there right now to get a new tractor with a new warranty, and over the course of the financing, you may be able to go a little more.

Of course, many of us have found ourselves needing to pay cash, and that changes the picture as you won't find much for $8,000 in a new tractor.

It is difficult to find those really good used ones, as most are used up. Go new if you can.

The Foton's and other Chinese brands often require a mechanical nature to own. If you are not good at turning the tools, these may not be right for you. Read more about chinese brands in the other forums and you'll often see things like, "Needed to change out the wiring, the gauges" etc. but often after doing this, you have a good tractor that cost about as much as having bought a different brand to begin with.

John

California · May 8, 2006

( I am in a part of Aridzona that has very little tractors available and service well, lets put it this way. Would require a 3 hr drive on a flat bed ...
Should I look for new or try and find a used one? -Desertdweller )

New or used, its gonna need that 3 hour ride if it breaks. You will get all kinds of answers on this one.

My view: You need the simplest model you can find. I would spend about 2/3 of that $8k on the tractor and save the rest for your very expensive transport and some inevitable repairs.

The simplest inexpensive tractors are either the old US tractors or else the 2 cylinder Yanmars. The old Yanmars look like they were designed to ship to remote corners of the world with a toolkit, a few oil filters, and an extra air cleaner, then need nothing for several years. If you can find a good used one that doesn't need anything now, it probably won't need any attention for a long time. Avoid a 'rebuilt', you want 'gently used'.

A brand new Chinese tractor, in contrast, will cost more and is likely to need some tinkering before it settles down to uneventful use. If this includes carrying it back to the dealer a couple of times you are going to be way over budget.

Desertdweller · May 8, 2006

NO, NO, NO Greymarket is out for this guy! I did to many years owning my own import business with grey market cars /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

If my EX did not thro away my little phone book, would not bother me /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif But, I live now in the middle of "Gods Country" and UPS has a hard enough time finding my place /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I want parts now (UPS, next day) or 2nd would be fine. But no 4 week wait (unless I crack a block or tranny /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif)

I have so far found a nice Kubota 2710 with FEL for 8G and a Foton FT254 with loader for 7G delivered.

canoetrpr · May 8, 2006

I see a nice used Ford 8N or 9N in your future

My neighbour has one - lovely little tractor. Nice and simple. Parts are a plenty.

Neighbour was telling me yesterday that out of the 500000 or so built, half of them are still being used.

Does not sound like a lot of land you have there. I don't know if you can get one with a loader - I haven't seen one.

If not then there are other options also on simple old machines that you might get with a loader.

Unless you are willing to move on your budget (upwards in a reasonably big way), a new one is going to be out of the question.

RoyJackson · May 8, 2006

You don't tell us where you are...that would help.

I'd look on MachineFinder. By doing a search based upon your zip code, you may find some tractors reasonably close.

Now, which tractor? Being a Deere man with $8K to spend, I'd look for an 855, 955, 770 or 790. Even a 670 (my first tractor) would probably do the work, but it'd be slow going.
All the machines I've noted are solid and reliable. However, all are also pretty light weight, so consider your work before you buy. But, for three acres, any of the tractors listed would be a good fit.

Good luck!

California · May 8, 2006

( I did to many years owning my own import business with grey market cars
I want parts now (UPS, next day) or 2nd would be fine.
I have so far found a nice Kubota 2710 with FEL for 8G and a Foton FT254 with loader for 7G delivered. )

You imported cars with no stateside parts support? Your karma says you should now be a graymarket customer /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Really, IF you choose the right model, Hoye or several others can have anything you need on that day's UPS pickup. But I understand why you say no more graymarket.

I'm surprised you found a kubota with loader within your budget. I would bet on that to have better mailorder support as it ages, compared to the Foton.

KiotiJohn · May 8, 2006

( I have so far found a nice Kubota 2710 )
The B2710? That sounds like a good price. Are you able to check it out and make sure it's a worth machine? The year of introduction was, I think, 2000, so it's not very old at that price.

I'd much rather have a US market Kubota than the Foton. Much better fit and finish and electronics.
John

Dallas_Lilly · May 9, 2006

I also live in Arizona, up in the mountains in Flagstaff. I went through the same kind of struggles. I hem hawed around for about 2 years. There are not a whole lot of used tractors around here and when you do find them they give me the feeling that I would be working on the tractor as much as it would be working for me or the slightly used ones were as basically as much as a new one with out the financing. I also looked at the grey markets but the one thing that I never did like was that nobody would ever guarantee me what the real hours were, that was big gamble in my mind. It was real hard to find a middle ground. All that is what pushed me to a new one and financing what was not in my budget.

Desertdweller · May 9, 2006

Dallas lilly.......I here you. I live west of Kingman. At the dealers they want gold for used piles, ford1710 w/770FEL and bald tires for 10G /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif A thrashed kubota with FEL and backhoe 3000 plus hours for 16 /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I guess I need to take time off work and head to another state and buy one.