Buying Advice Should I buy a new tractor?

[nrbocke]

Hi everyone-
This is probably a question with no right answer but I've been kicking it around for months. I would really appreciate some input...
We moved into our acreage (about 5.5 acres) in Nebraska about 5 years ago. Back then I actually asked for some advice on what I should purchase (used/new/size) that sort of thing. Even though I was considering a new sub compact (wanted something that could mow the yard and do other acreage chores) it was never really an option due to all of the other costs associated with the new house. Anyway after getting the yard installed, I ended up buying a cub cadet riding mower just for mowing the yard and an 8N for snow removal/5 ft shredder for area outside the yard. After getting some fuel tank issues sorted out on the 8N and replacing maintenance items I've have great luck with it. I doesn't work very well moving snow (about 200 ft driveway) with the rear blade but we haven't had much snow since we've moved in (we are due though...). Also I have seemed to start mowing more and more of my brome grass outside of my yard with the Cub Cadet because it's just easier than using the shredder/8n and it looks nicer. Now I've also acquired a Super H that was my Great Uncle's tractor. None of the heirs wanted it and they didn't think it would sell at auction so I got it for nothing. Installed a new battery, changed the oil, and it started right up with the hydraulics seeming to work fine on the loader. A friend at work says he has a better loader and a bucket for this tractor he is just going to give me for some beer. So my plan is to use this tractor for moving snow. I've included a picture of both the tractors just for reference...

Here's my question-Should I again consider buying a new tractor? It seems like the Ag econ is driving prices down and financing terms are up (but my memory from 5 years ago may be off). I haven't test drove anything and I've never been one to bother salesman unless actually really wanting to buy something. It would still be used for shredding brome and moving snow from the loader (if I'm at home and we do get snow someday staying home is not an option with my job). Latter on I would maybe get a belly mower (I've be mowing more and more brome with my cub cadet due to ease of use/looks over 8n with shredder and have to believe a belly mower on a CUT would be better made for this) and a rear bucket (guy at works says best thing ever for moving snow). So I don't need anything to mow the yard, I have the storage room, not many obstacles, and guys at work say if you actually want to use loader the smaller SCUTs aren't that safe or useful. So just started looking at Kubota and I am thinking start with the L4701 or MX4800/5200. The thing I'm struggling with does it even make sense to buy this big of tractor in my situation? I see what guys on the forum are doing with their tractors and I just don't have those kind of chores on my land. On the other hand I would hope to have the tractor for the next 30+ years and do I really want to keep fighting the limitation of 2 60+year old tractors and still end up probably buying something like a 3020/4020/Ford 4000 (which aren't exactly cheep) in the next couple years? While I'm at a place now where I can afford a new tractor (and financing makes it even easier) I don't want to throw $25,000+ on something that is complete overkill for my needs. But I don't want to buy small (as everyone always says), a lot things can pop up in 30+ years, so I don't think I want to consider going smaller (especially since I don't think I will save a huge amount of money going smaller). So it will probably be buy something new that is overkill now and may always be overkill or just stick with what I have and like I said by something late model when it comes along. Also worth mentioning I don't have any mechanical experience and while I have old tractors I don't really have the knowledge to keep them going if major issues occur. So the new warranty really appeals to me over buying late model. While I've enjoyed working on my 8N it would be a lot more fun if it was a hobby/learn at my own pace and not I absolutely have to get this thing going to shred before the birthday party tomorrow .

On a side note I am keeping my 2 old tractors due to their attachment to relatives and I don't have hardly any money in them at this point. So that really doesn't affect my decision.

Thanks so much for your thoughts!

 

[Turbys_1700]

1. What are your primary uses?
2. What is your current and future acreage?
3. What is your budget?
You don't need a 50 HP tractor if you have a smaller acreage unless you have a specific need to lift over 2000#.
I got by just fine with a 28 HP tractor for 10 years.
I used it mostly around the house on 5+ acres and some on the farm.
I upgraded recently to a 50HP machine for the extra FEL capacity.
I do have additional acreage that is currently farmed by my neighbor but needs some maintenance now and then along with other property owned by my family.

 

[nrbocke]

Hi my primary uses will be shredding (I have a 5 ft shredder), moving snow (about 300 ft of crushed concrete between 2 driveways), doing driveway maintenance (though it seems like crushed concrete stays put pretty well), my major landscaping is done around house and building (so would just be if I want to create a brand new area someday), wife wants to open up small garden area each year, and using loader to move our large dumpster and unload things out of the back of my pickup. Anytime I open up the native grass I always end up with erosion damage it would be nice to fix with a loader. I would think other things would pop up. But I wont have any livestock, crop work, or logging (only one existing tree on acreage when we moved in) which I see a lot of people asking specific questions about.
My current acreage is 5.5 acres and I don't plan to move or expand. But if I did have to move I would probably try to move up in land area.
I would answer you 3rd question by saying I would like to stay around $25000 with the loader but if there's a deal and I can finance I would go up higher. I guess the main thing that has my attention is it seems like the prices are actually lower now than they were when I originally looked at SCUTs 5 years ago. I also seen 2-3 year old used tractors going for about the same to slightly higher than a brand new tractor. Maybe this is due to lack of pollution controls on older models or maybe I'm all wet. If prices a historically good now I'll finance. If I'm wrong and prices are just what they've always been I think I'll just plan on saving money for a year or 2.
Thanks!

 

[jeff9366]

I would not provide expensive storage space and perform maintenance on THREE tractors for 5.5 acres.

Don't consider a new tractor some kind of investment. Do equity research now, then put your money into stocks when the market tanks, likely within a year. Or double up on your mortgage payments each month, especially if you have an ARM rather than fixed rate.

Or sell the two legacy tractors and consider a heavy-chassis Kubota 'Grand L' tractor. As your your body ages it will appreciate your consideration. The smallest Grand L, an L3560, should fulfill all your needs for $26,000. L3560 generally uses 60" to 66" implements.

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[CCWKen]

I don't know. For five acres and a short driveway it sounds like you're over-equipped now. Keep the 8N for gardening and snow removal and get a ZTR. Turn the rest into lawn. You can mow 5 acres in just over an hour with a good ZTR in the $5k range. Spend the rest of your Saturday morning tending the garden.

 

[motownbrowne]

If you want a new tractor, look at the L2501. You can be out the door with two implements and a loader for around 20 grand.

 

[Pete6114]

I've had both, the B and L series myself. For your needs, i'd go with a B hands down, probably with a cab.

 

[BlackOps]

i would advise a mahindra max series. **** nice tractors. also - I would go new. reason: you have warranty, second - you are the one taking care of it and using it and really have no clue what some else did to/with their tractor. You can guarantee that you maintained the best you could as such. i have had people buy used because they were cheap but swore because in one case, there was no power steering and he worked so hard to turn that **** thing. tried mine and was envious. you may pay a bit more for new but well worth it. i have a much better engine overall and my specs are very nice - esp. for my needs. i use bucket 99% of the time but have a midmower deck for cutting that cuts really nice and have had to use it a number of times when my garden tractor pooped out.

so pay a bit more now and you have YOUR tractor and nothing somebody else's used on.

not trying to start any wars. good luck!!!

 

[2ndhalf]

Always amazes me on this site how guys don't read the needs of the OP and they recommend buying a tractory too large for the need. Just because you like a big tractor, I don't know, compensating for something whatever :laughing: doesn't mean it is the right buy. This guy doesn't need an L or an M he may "want" one. It doesn't make you more of a man to own a bigger tractor.

Buy the right size for your needs. In his case, he is throwing out Kubota models, no need for bigger than a B series IMO.

 

[Deere Dude]

I lived on a 4-7 acre plots 3 different times in my life over 45 years in Wisconsin and used larger garden tractors from older 14 HP gas to newer 24 HP diesels and with snowblowers and rototillers and blades. I used the 24 HP diesel or the 20 HP gas to pull logs around for the fireplace wood. The blade was used for grading the 200-700 foot driveways. I never had any complaints or even considered a new compact tractor.

Hanging around with my BIL who had a couple acres gave me the bug by talking about the subject. He wanted one but he never bought one.

I would have been happy puttering around with a 8N or similar tractor on my at the time 4 acres. I eventually talked myself into getting a 45 HP Compact tractor. I used it to level a 300' x 12' high berm and log out a couple acres with 100 plus larger trees. But if it wasn't for that I would have just used it to drive around the property once or twice a day. I still used the Garden Tractor to mow the 2+ acres of lawn and to blow Wisconsin snow and the larger tractor was used for puttering around in the snow to see what I could drive through, basically.

As long as you already have workable tractors I would suggest just keeping them for the FEL capability and get either a subcompact tractor or a large garden tractor. Zero turns are nice if it is just for mowing but I think a heavy garden tractor fits most peoples needs with smaller acreage.

If I had to borrow the money to get one I don't think I would, but if I had the money and wanted to keep the economy moving along I would consider a larger one, but I really don't know from your post what you would do with it.