Seriously considering downsizing....talk me into it or out of it.

[jeffinsgf]

I've got a '05 (might be '04 if I look it up) 4410 with 48 backhoe, 430 loader, MX-5 shredder and some other stuff. I also have a '00 455 L&G tractor. Love both, but in certain circumstances the 4410 feels too big. I am also in a financial position where trading down and putting a couple thousand in the bank would not be a bad thing. I'm intrigued by the 1025R, particularly the TLB version. However, I visited the dealer today and discovered that you can have the backhoe or a 3rd SCV, but not both (no Power Beyond and 3rd SCV). I move firewood from my woods in 4 foot sections with a grapple. I build brush piles with a grapple. I can't imagine life without a grapple. I would also be giving up a significant amount of lift in the FEL.

The hoe is less of an issue. I use mine, but rarely. If I use it once or twice a year, that would be average. I'm wondering about renting a mini-ex when I need a hoe, and banking several thousand that's currently tied up in the 48.

So, my options are:

Sell my tractors, buy a 1025R-TLB, live without a grapple and hydro top-link, and bank a couple thousand.
Sell my tractors and buy a 1025R with 3rd SCV, give up the hoe I don't use very much, and bank 3 or 4 thousand.
Sell my 48 backhoe, keep both tractors I have now, bank 4 or 5 thousand, but face maintenance issues on the 455 soon.
Do nothing and bank nothing.

It's helped just writing it down. Any comments on the situation will be appreciated.

 

[arlen4720]

Boy, I think it would be hard to give up all that stuff. Unless you are moving to a smaller property, you tend to aquire what you need to be comfortable.
The financial situation is difficult to comment on....You can always sell if you absolutely have too.
I don't have a hoe, but many people say to just rent when you need one. Well, I don't know if you are like me or not...but I kind of decide what I'm going to do when I walk outside in the morning. I patrol the woods and pastures and frequently find myself changing my plans. So I guess what I'm saying is it is nice to have your own stuff.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Not moving to a smaller property, but have completed most of the major projects on what I intend to be the last place I own. The road is done, the buildings are done, the pasture is converted to prairie meadow, the majority of the shredding in the woods is done, and the garden has expanded as big as I ever want it (might even shrink it some next year). I love having a big (to me) tractor, but I'm getting to the point where it sits more than it works, and that seems a little wasteful.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

You do not have to give up your remotes. I am currently working with a guy that has a 1026R, with a hoe. We are putting on 4 SCVs. I have a potential customer who wants the 4 rear SCVs and 1 SCV for a grapple. My point is that you don't have to give up the SCVs despite what JD says. But all this extra stuff comes at a price and then I'm not sure how much you would be putting into the bank.

Be sure that you do some research, many people are not thrilled with the 1000 series tractors. (apparently there are many small annoyances) May want to consider a 2000 series instead.
\
Good luck with your decision.

 

[sixdogs]

Most things I have ever sold I later regretted. And if you needed it once, circumstance will likely occur again and you will need it again. My vote is no downsizing. Just my two cents here.

 

[jeffinsgf]

You do not have to give up your remotes. I am currently working with a guy that has a 1026R, with a hoe. We are putting on 4 SCVs. I have a potential customer who wants the 4 rear SCVs and 1 SCV for a grapple. My point is that you don't have to give up the SCVs despite what JD says. ....

Of course, you're right. Not having a "factory" option doesn't mean there's no option. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Most things I have ever sold I later regretted. And if you needed it once, circumstance will likely occur again and you will need it again. My vote is no downsizing. Just my two cents here.

Thanks, sixdogs. I've been anticipating the regret you're talking about. I have these visions of me sitting on that little 1025 with the hoe snagged into a root that my 4410/48 wouldn't even slow down going through. On the other hand, I dread every time I have to put the deck on or take the deck off my 455. That drive over, no-hands deck is calling my name. I'm leaning toward doing nothing, though.

 

[AKfish]

If I'm not mistaken... your 4410 is significantly bigger, heavier than the 3000 machines. Have you considered that option! 'Course you wouldn't be putting any leftover money back in the bank... in all likelihood.

But, a 3320 with a rear mount finish mower (or Seven iron drive over mid mount) and FEL, no backhoe. You might be pretty close to a break-even swap with selling your 4410 and the 455. You'd be able to hang onto your MX-5 deck and with some retro fitting even keep your BH if you were inclined to do so.

End up with nearly the same capabilities but a more nimble and lighter machine.

AKfish

 

[rockshaft]

I had a 4310/48 and went to a 1026r. You can't mistake the loss of capacity! Make sure the 1-series has enough umph for what you want to do, or I guarantee that you'll regret it. The smaller machines have their own advantages to be sure, but I miss my 4310.

 

[AKfish]

I went to Tractordata.com and double checked my "belief" that the 4410 was a larger tractor than the 3320.. they're the same wheelbase and the same weight! Identical!! I woulda bet a 6-pack that the 4410 was a bigger machine!

Maybe it's the square shape versus the sloped hood etc. that threw me?

'Course Tractordata.com says that the 4310 is heavier than the 4410 by 100lbs, too... 3,000 vs 2,900.

AKfish