sbj333
New member
Hi folks!
OK looking to buy a CUT to mow/maintain a 16 acre family farm - pretty much open farm field land near Lexington, TN. Initial work will be basic mower work - loader work later. I'm trying to finance as little as possible so I'm going to buy the tractor/mower first - the loader later.
I've pretty much settled on a Deere 4720 size cab machine but I'm noticing that the used market on 4720s is pretty strong whereas the market on virtually new 4066rs seems sort of weak. Thus, I'm thinking about spending more money for a newer 4066r versus an older used 4720.
Here's what I've found
A used 2012 4720 cab with 1080 hours - tires (R4s) are around 45 to 50% - tractor was used by a home builder to level housing lots. It has a new arm for one side of the three point hitch so everyone tells me he must have been using it with a back blade to level the lots. I have to say this is a pretty "honest" tractor - dealer has cleaned it up on the outside but interior is pretty rough - the tractor is in OK so the lots were clay and the headliner and interior are pretty clay "stained." They are asking 27000 - I think that's high. I've been playing cat and mouse with them trying to get them to throw a frontier 1072 rotary mower into the deal for 27000 - they won't bite. They will throw the mower if for an extra 2000. Out the door price with the mower is 29000.
I just don't think this tractor is worth 27000 - more 25000. The tires, hours, cab condition (my mother and wife will be driving it) are negatives. However, if I could get it for 25000 I can tell mother and the wife it's a tractor not a Cadillac!
Option 2
A 2014 4066R coming back on lease from the University of Minnesota - will have less than 100 - more likely 50 hours on it. Tractor does not have rear hydraulic outlets whereas the 4720 above does. Also, and this bothers me, this tractor is sporting R3 turf tires. I'm not sure what to think about buying a tractor with R3s. Asking price is 37,900 - I'm also hitting them up to throw in a frontier 1072 mower - think they will meet me half way so I could be out the door for 38900 with the mower. Downside - not sure what to think about a tractor with R3s - tractor is being sold used so it does not qualify for 0% financing. Lastly, folks tell me those rear hydraulics are useful and this tractor doesn't have them
Option 3
Another 2014 4066R cab with 2 hours - this one has R4s but still no rear hydraulics. Dealer must have taken factory incentives because it is being sold used and is thus not eligible for the 0% financing. Pretty much a new tractor - ask is 39300 - as before I've hit them up about the mower. I think they'll throw the mower in for a 1000 so this unit will be out the door at 40300.
So here's my thought pattern - I'm an amateur farmer and this is a useful/necessary/requisite "toy." Moreover, I don't see myself using the tractor more than 50 to 100 hours per year. Thus, the lower price of the used 4720 seems economically most appropriate - I've been around long enough where I don't have to have the newest or fanciest - I think the 4720 with a 1000 hours would be perfect for someone like me. I'll bet I can get 5 or 10 years out of those tires.
At the same time - the 4720 has 1000 hours and is out of warranty. Moreover, as I said it's "honest" the cab looks like it has been used for 1000 hours - but hey - it's a tractor. Lastly, a new set of R4s will someday run about 2000 - and it will need tires at some point. Finally, I think it is slightly over priced whereas the 4066rs seem pretty well priced. Assuming for a moment the price difference between the two 4066rs and the 4720 are 10,000 (4066r with R3s) and 11,000 (4066r with 2 hours) that basically means you are buying decreased hours and a newer tractor for around 10 dollars per hour - I'm thinking that may be worth the extra 10 or 11 thousand dollars. I should also add in that I've looked at other 4720s for sale but the prices versus the newer 4066rs seem way to high.
So here are my questions.
Assuming you could afford any of the above tractors which one would you buy? Adding in the caveat that this thing is still a big - yet necessary - toy. I add that because that caveat automatically leads me to think the cheaper option is the best option - I'm not going to be making money with this tractor - I'm going to be spending money with this tractor. And the fact of the matter is the price difference of 10,000 between the 4066s and the 4720s is still a substantial sum of money for tractors that are functional equivalents.
People tell me the 4066r with R3s is a real dog on the market - do you agree? If I only have low hills are those R3s going to have traction issues - what about when I get that loader - how are the R3s going to work.
What's a good price for that 4720 - I think it is high.
Thanks in advance for your feedback - enjoy
OK looking to buy a CUT to mow/maintain a 16 acre family farm - pretty much open farm field land near Lexington, TN. Initial work will be basic mower work - loader work later. I'm trying to finance as little as possible so I'm going to buy the tractor/mower first - the loader later.
I've pretty much settled on a Deere 4720 size cab machine but I'm noticing that the used market on 4720s is pretty strong whereas the market on virtually new 4066rs seems sort of weak. Thus, I'm thinking about spending more money for a newer 4066r versus an older used 4720.
Here's what I've found
A used 2012 4720 cab with 1080 hours - tires (R4s) are around 45 to 50% - tractor was used by a home builder to level housing lots. It has a new arm for one side of the three point hitch so everyone tells me he must have been using it with a back blade to level the lots. I have to say this is a pretty "honest" tractor - dealer has cleaned it up on the outside but interior is pretty rough - the tractor is in OK so the lots were clay and the headliner and interior are pretty clay "stained." They are asking 27000 - I think that's high. I've been playing cat and mouse with them trying to get them to throw a frontier 1072 rotary mower into the deal for 27000 - they won't bite. They will throw the mower if for an extra 2000. Out the door price with the mower is 29000.
I just don't think this tractor is worth 27000 - more 25000. The tires, hours, cab condition (my mother and wife will be driving it) are negatives. However, if I could get it for 25000 I can tell mother and the wife it's a tractor not a Cadillac!
Option 2
A 2014 4066R coming back on lease from the University of Minnesota - will have less than 100 - more likely 50 hours on it. Tractor does not have rear hydraulic outlets whereas the 4720 above does. Also, and this bothers me, this tractor is sporting R3 turf tires. I'm not sure what to think about buying a tractor with R3s. Asking price is 37,900 - I'm also hitting them up to throw in a frontier 1072 mower - think they will meet me half way so I could be out the door for 38900 with the mower. Downside - not sure what to think about a tractor with R3s - tractor is being sold used so it does not qualify for 0% financing. Lastly, folks tell me those rear hydraulics are useful and this tractor doesn't have them
Option 3
Another 2014 4066R cab with 2 hours - this one has R4s but still no rear hydraulics. Dealer must have taken factory incentives because it is being sold used and is thus not eligible for the 0% financing. Pretty much a new tractor - ask is 39300 - as before I've hit them up about the mower. I think they'll throw the mower in for a 1000 so this unit will be out the door at 40300.
So here's my thought pattern - I'm an amateur farmer and this is a useful/necessary/requisite "toy." Moreover, I don't see myself using the tractor more than 50 to 100 hours per year. Thus, the lower price of the used 4720 seems economically most appropriate - I've been around long enough where I don't have to have the newest or fanciest - I think the 4720 with a 1000 hours would be perfect for someone like me. I'll bet I can get 5 or 10 years out of those tires.
At the same time - the 4720 has 1000 hours and is out of warranty. Moreover, as I said it's "honest" the cab looks like it has been used for 1000 hours - but hey - it's a tractor. Lastly, a new set of R4s will someday run about 2000 - and it will need tires at some point. Finally, I think it is slightly over priced whereas the 4066rs seem pretty well priced. Assuming for a moment the price difference between the two 4066rs and the 4720 are 10,000 (4066r with R3s) and 11,000 (4066r with 2 hours) that basically means you are buying decreased hours and a newer tractor for around 10 dollars per hour - I'm thinking that may be worth the extra 10 or 11 thousand dollars. I should also add in that I've looked at other 4720s for sale but the prices versus the newer 4066rs seem way to high.
So here are my questions.
Assuming you could afford any of the above tractors which one would you buy? Adding in the caveat that this thing is still a big - yet necessary - toy. I add that because that caveat automatically leads me to think the cheaper option is the best option - I'm not going to be making money with this tractor - I'm going to be spending money with this tractor. And the fact of the matter is the price difference of 10,000 between the 4066s and the 4720s is still a substantial sum of money for tractors that are functional equivalents.
People tell me the 4066r with R3s is a real dog on the market - do you agree? If I only have low hills are those R3s going to have traction issues - what about when I get that loader - how are the R3s going to work.
What's a good price for that 4720 - I think it is high.
Thanks in advance for your feedback - enjoy
