WVH1977
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2017
- Messages
- 770
- Location
- Richmond, VA
- Tractor
- Massey 2860M Cab, Massey 1E.35, Gravely Pro-Turn 560, 1989 Ford D47 Dump Truck John Deere LX178
I have been looking at all kinds of tractors for the last couple of months. I was debating trading/selling my current tractor for a new bigger tractor or buying a new small 25 HP tractor to go along with my current tractor. I had posted a thread about this a while back. There were a couple of new tractors that I test drove that I really liked a lot and was impressed with but I really did not want to part with my tractor.
I had to think really hard about what I was trying to do and what my real needs would be concerning buying a another one. At first all I was looking at was new and mostly new 4WD tractors. Most of the ones I was interested in were in the price range of $17,000 to $34,000. In order to get one in the 17K to 20K I would have had to trade my tractor or sell it. In order to buy a brand new one I would have had to deal with payments for at least five years. Had I been 10 years younger I believe I would have done one of those two options without even thinking about it and would later regret it (done this before). Having said all that I stepped back and looked really hard about how much I really needed to spend on a tractor.
I decided to spend no more than $ 4,000 dollars on a tractor (No tractor payments or trading/selling my tractor). I looked at everything I could find in a 200 mile radius of my house to include riding back roads looking for tractors on farms. I wanted something at least close to 50 HP at the PTO that had some weight to it for pulling a blade, tilling the garden and brush cutting. I decided 2WD would be fine since I already have a 40HP 4WD. I finally found a 1968 John Deere 1520 that a retired farmer had for sale that I believed would fit my requirements. I drove two hours up to the mountains to check it out and it looked to be in good shape. I talked with him for about an hour, drove the tractor and worked out a deal for the tractor for 4,000 dollars. It was a very pleasant experience and this tractor weighs every bit of 5000 lbs., has independent 47 HP @ PTO, power-steering, and strong hydraulics. I have never really looked that much at these older tractors and was very impressed with how well built this tractor is. It has right at 3000 hrs on the hour meter and was built in America. I am pleased with this purchase and looking forward to years of use from a well built American made tractor. I also enjoyed the time spent with the retired farmer. He was full of knowledge and new about tractors from top to bottom. He had a shop that blew my mind. Definitely knows what he is doing. Better experience than I have ever had at a dealership.
For everyone on here looking for tractors take your time and look around at everything and all options. You might just surprise yourself. I know I have. I have been looking for another tractor for a couple of years now and when I started looking I never thought I would end up with what I just bought. I had it in my mind that brand new was the only way to go. This is my first purchase of a piece of equipment this size that I do not have to make payments on for years to come. It is a great feeling.
I had to think really hard about what I was trying to do and what my real needs would be concerning buying a another one. At first all I was looking at was new and mostly new 4WD tractors. Most of the ones I was interested in were in the price range of $17,000 to $34,000. In order to get one in the 17K to 20K I would have had to trade my tractor or sell it. In order to buy a brand new one I would have had to deal with payments for at least five years. Had I been 10 years younger I believe I would have done one of those two options without even thinking about it and would later regret it (done this before). Having said all that I stepped back and looked really hard about how much I really needed to spend on a tractor.
I decided to spend no more than $ 4,000 dollars on a tractor (No tractor payments or trading/selling my tractor). I looked at everything I could find in a 200 mile radius of my house to include riding back roads looking for tractors on farms. I wanted something at least close to 50 HP at the PTO that had some weight to it for pulling a blade, tilling the garden and brush cutting. I decided 2WD would be fine since I already have a 40HP 4WD. I finally found a 1968 John Deere 1520 that a retired farmer had for sale that I believed would fit my requirements. I drove two hours up to the mountains to check it out and it looked to be in good shape. I talked with him for about an hour, drove the tractor and worked out a deal for the tractor for 4,000 dollars. It was a very pleasant experience and this tractor weighs every bit of 5000 lbs., has independent 47 HP @ PTO, power-steering, and strong hydraulics. I have never really looked that much at these older tractors and was very impressed with how well built this tractor is. It has right at 3000 hrs on the hour meter and was built in America. I am pleased with this purchase and looking forward to years of use from a well built American made tractor. I also enjoyed the time spent with the retired farmer. He was full of knowledge and new about tractors from top to bottom. He had a shop that blew my mind. Definitely knows what he is doing. Better experience than I have ever had at a dealership.
For everyone on here looking for tractors take your time and look around at everything and all options. You might just surprise yourself. I know I have. I have been looking for another tractor for a couple of years now and when I started looking I never thought I would end up with what I just bought. I had it in my mind that brand new was the only way to go. This is my first purchase of a piece of equipment this size that I do not have to make payments on for years to come. It is a great feeling.
