Price Check This seems like a good deal?

[WW2017]

Good morning TBN!! First time posting but I've been a "lurker" for several years. This is my go to site for any questions I need answered. A little background. I grew up driving tractors on a small cattle hobby farm. Dad never had any "good" equipment but we got the job done with 8Ns, AC WD45, Farmall M, etc. I got married, started a career and a family and didn't want anything to do with cattle, land, etc. Kids got older and that itch of going back to my roots in the country became too irresistible so in 2017, we bought 22 acres and we LOVE it!! I feel like I missed a lot of years of living in what we feel is paradise, but raising two kids to be responsible, productive adults didn't leave much room for all the work that I now find myself doing and I'm enjoying every minute of it. Wish I could retire right now and do this FT!! Someday soon

Now to the question I have. A year ago, I bought a great little tractor, a 1960 Ford 861 Powermaster. It reminds me of what I grew up driving, just a bigger version. I have a 6' beat up, worn out Howse rotary I use, and while it doesn't look like much, it does more than an acceptable job of mowing roughly 14-15 acres of the 22 acres. This land is a mixture of flat areas with some low, rolling hills. 861 handles it just fine.

We have a small creek in the woods that needs to be cleaned up, along with lots of landscape beds that previous owners let go. Had some timber harvested last year in my woods (roughly 8 acres) and I still need to get that cleaned up. I have lots of projects that my current setup just can't handle, and I'm not getting any younger (49), so I'm looking to supplement with a SCUT. I have thoroughly researched (this site, other tractor forums, YouTube, local dealers, etc) other makes (LS, Branson, TYM, Kioti, Deere, MF, etc) but either the prices weren't comparable or was not impressed with dealer support.

Saturday, I went to the local Kubota dealer (10 minutes from house) and drove a 2019 BX23S (loader and backhoe). I've not done much BH work in my day but I can run a loader. Dealer let me play around a little on it and offered me a price of 19K, with the 5 yr/0% financing. I could pay cash for it but he said it was already priced so low that the cash price would be the same. In looking at other 2019 models of this tractor, I can't find anything cheaper (Messicks was 19,500 and didn't include shipping, Barlows says they don't ship that far anymore). I'll also be adding a 4' Land Pride rotary and also getting the KTAC (again, thanks to this forum). Dealer has already loaded tires so that price is included. Dealer has been around for many, many years and is the go to place around here for all things Kubota and NH.

Am I missing something and does this seem like a good price? Sure seems like it to me, considering the hours of looking I've done. Also, I feel (again from all of the research I've done) that this machine will do all I need for now (supplement mowing, removing small stumps, hauling mulch, rock, working on landscaping, woods cleanup/management, reworking/cleaning up creek) but I want the valued opinions of TBN members. Additionally, in the next few years, we would like to start our own small hobby farm. No plans for cattle but will have large garden, possibly plant some small crops (garlic, berries, etc) that we can sell mainly just to have something to keep us busy in retirement.

BTW, since this will probably be asked, I'm located in southeast Missouri. Thank you and have a blessed day.

 

[skipperbrown]

You will be challenged by the low ground clearance with the bx series. If you buy this, be sure to buy a guard for the underbelly. The hydro cooling fan used to be completely unprotected and if it is still the case, you will need it before traveling into the area where the timber was cut. Unless the bx is going to do 80-90+% duty as a lawn mower, I'd be looking for something bigger. Also with a bigger unit, it will be much, much easier to use implements you may already use on your older tractor (i.e., the 6' mower likely won't work on the bx without cutting the pto shaft and even then will likely lift the front end before lifting the mower[not that a 6' mower is a routine implement to run on a 23 hp tractor]). Good luck with your research!

 

[CobyRupert]

"...offered me a price of 19K, with the 5 yr/0% financing. I could pay cash for it but he said it was already priced so low that the cash price would be the same..."


0% means you're paying the "interest" up front as part of the purchase price. Cash price should be lower or the laws of economics are broke.
The flip side is: If you pay more and take the 0%, you still have most of that $19K to invest and can (hopefully) make up the difference.
On a related note, with a loan you would also be paying with "future" money, which if you look at what a dollar is worth today as compared to the past, paying with future money isn't as much money as paying with today's money.

 

[dalola]

As far as the "deal", $19K seems fair. Not fantastic, but not high either.

You don't really go into the reasons you prefer the BX over a B or L. Given your situation as described, I would tend to agree with skipper, you might be better suited with a bigger rig. If we're missing something, fill in the blanks.

 

[EarPlug]

Going from a 6 foot mower to a 4 foot mower is going to increase your mowing time by about 1/3. Another way of saying this - if you spend 10 hours with the 6' it will no take 13-14 hours with the 4'.

 

[WW2017]

Thanks for the responses. Yes, it has the protective shroud on the HST fan and the "cash" I said I could use to pay for the tractor is invested and making way more than 0%. So, seems really silly to take that out of investments. I understand the limitations with this size tractor but I'm actually needing something this size that will be easily maneuverable in the woods. Just refinance the mortgage so the difference in payment will pay for this little worker!!

 

[WW2017]

As I said in my original post, this tractor is NOT going to replace what I'm currently using to mow with. I will still use the 861 and the 6' and my wife or son will follow on the Kubota. As to my specific reasons for not looking at the B or L, I didn't even bother looking at the L as the B series was going to be about 5-6K more. I can't justify spending that much more on something that is a "supplemental" piece of equipment. As far as the mowing, I have gotten by for the last year using that setup. Takes awhile, but I enjoy it. As far as the other projects I have planned, again, I can do those as well with my current setup, a chainsaw, a utility wagon behind my garden tractor, muscle, sweat, time, etc. I am aware of the limitations of this tractor from reading/researching many, many posts from people who have this tractor. My woods have trails already cut and if there is an area that is too low, I will either find an alternate route or "dig my way in!!!" I appreciate what y'all are saying and am considering all of your responses. Thanks to all of you.

 

[dalola]

As I said in my original post, this tractor is NOT going to replace what I'm currently using to mow with. I will still use the 861 and the 6' and my wife or son will follow on the Kubota. As to my specific reasons for not looking at the B or L, I didn't even bother looking at the L as the B series was going to be about 5-6K more. I can't justify spending that much more on something that is a "supplemental" piece of equipment. As far as the mowing, I have gotten by for the last year using that setup. Takes awhile, but I enjoy it. As far as the other projects I have planned, again, I can do those as well with my current setup, a chainsaw, a utility wagon behind my garden tractor, muscle, sweat, time, etc. I am aware of the limitations of this tractor from reading/researching many, many posts from people who have this tractor. My woods have trails already cut and if there is an area that is too low, I will either find an alternate route or "dig my way in!!!" I appreciate what y'all are saying and am considering all of your responses. Thanks to all of you.

Fair enough, go for it! You've already proven to yourself there isn't a better price near you. Post pix when you get it home.

 

[nikerret]

"...offered me a price of 19K, with the 5 yr/0% financing. I could pay cash for it but he said it was already priced so low that the cash price would be the same..."


0% means you're paying the "interest" up front as part of the purchase price. Cash price should be lower or the laws of economics are broke.

A few years ago, the cash price was only $65 less than the 0%. I’m guessing they weren’t moving much. It was from October-December 2015. Fortunately, I bought mine on December 31, 2015. The next day, the 0% price was over $800 higher. Glad I pulled the trigger, when I did. From what I’ve seen the 0% usually costs $500 more.

 

[WW2017]

Nikerret, if you don't mind me asking, what model did you get and are happy with it?

 

[two_bit_score]

As I said in my original post, this tractor is NOT going to replace what I'm currently using to mow with. I will still use the 861 and the 6' and my wife or son will follow on the Kubota. As to my specific reasons for not looking at the B or L, I didn't even bother looking at the L as the B series was going to be about 5-6K more. I can't justify spending that much more on something that is a "supplemental" piece of equipment. As far as the mowing, I have gotten by for the last year using that setup. Takes awhile, but I enjoy it. As far as the other projects I have planned, again, I can do those as well with my current setup, a chainsaw, a utility wagon behind my garden tractor, muscle, sweat, time, etc. I am aware of the limitations of this tractor from reading/researching many, many posts from people who have this tractor. My woods have trails already cut and if there is an area that is too low, I will either find an alternate route or "dig my way in!!!" I appreciate what y'all are saying and am considering all of your responses. Thanks to all of you.

You made the case! Go get it!

 

[WW2017]

Thank you to everyone who has replied. I do plan on getting it, just wanted to come on here and get some opinions. Part of that is needing reassurance that I'm getting a good deal and also getting a machine that will fit my needs, which I think it will from all of the research I've done. It's just a little scary to spend that much money. I've never even spent that much on a vehicle, and it costs 7 TIMES what my first tractor cost!!
Heck, even my wife told me to get it!! I thought for a second I was in the wrong house. She's a great woman!! Thank you for all the advice. I'll try to remember to post some pics but I might be too busy playing in the dirt!

 

[ning]

I'd say if you need a BX to fit in the woods, you clearly need something bigger because you should be doing a lot of thinning of that forest!

Seriously, consider something a bit bigger. 22 acres is begging for at least a B, more like an L; as soon as you start tractor work on your land you're going to regret having gotten the small BX.

 

[nards444]

A few years ago, the cash price was only $65 less than the 0%. I知 guessing they weren稚 moving much. It was from October-December 2015. Fortunately, I bought mine on December 31, 2015. The next day, the 0% price was over $800 higher. Glad I pulled the trigger, when I did. From what I致e seen the 0% usually costs $500 more.

Looking around this spring before i bought it was about 500 or so difference, no real incentive to pay cash unless you really could or didnt want a note. With that said, if you left that 20k in your investments instead of taking it out, you would have made 8 grand over 5 years 12 grand over 7 years. There's truly better use for your money often times then "paying cash", but have to be smart as well. Some people use payment mentality and 0% to justify buying something they shouldnt . Using investment money to make purchases is rather ignorant as well when you can make money off somebody else. But given the statistics on how many adults invest and so forth it doesn't surprise me the cash is king mentality sometimes. Got a lot of 50 something guys running around work that wave cash around but yet fail to make matching contributions and have 40k in their 401s, just shake my head.

 

[3gunr]

I'd say if you need a BX to fit in the woods, you clearly need something bigger because you should be doing a lot of thinning of that forest!

Seriously, consider something a bit bigger. 22 acres is begging for at least a B, more like an L; as soon as you start tractor work on your land you're going to regret having gotten the small BX.

I agree . I have a friend who bought a subcompact for the same needs as yours , regretted it right away .traded up to a 32 hp compact. much happier now.

 

[ning]

I agree . I have a friend who bought a subcompact for the same needs as yours , regretted it right away .traded up to a 32 hp compact. much happier now.

Personally I've got 8 acres, and got a Branson 3520h - about the same size as a Kubota L3560. I strongly considered a Kubota B for a while (and then an L, whereupon the Branson came into play), but I knew that when the tractor bug hit me it would bite hard; I use my tractor quite often (especially for someone with a full-time job, though I work from home a lot - that helps :laughing and I find it's less a matter of how big the property is and more of "what do you need to do" (though the bigger the place, the more likely you'll have a lot more to do).

My wife and I are talking about getting her a SCUT (BX class) when our aged lawn tractor dies. The BX class would complement my tractor nicely (getting into her landscaped areas with less collateral damage), while IMO there's too much similarity/overlap with a B.