used tractor hours

BB_TX · Apr 16, 2003

I bought 24 acres over in Fannin county several years ago and, like you, wanted a tractor but did not want to spend $20K+ for my toy. I looked for a while and found a JD 950 (27 PTO hp), MFWD, FEL with 2000 hours. The dealer (small lot in Wylie) included a 6' rotary cutter and 5 1/2' box blade for $9600 total. It has been a good tractor. The first thing I did was order a complete set of manuals; operator, service, & parts manuals. I did have a seal go out in the left front wheel drive unit. Like you I have done a lot of shade tree mechanic work. About $100 in parts and 3 hours and it was back running. Since you are mechanically inclined, you can probably tell if a used tractor is a good one. If it looks good, sounds good, and drives good, it has probably been taken care of. Like Bird, I think under 3000 hours is relatively low. You can probably find a number of them under 1500 hours. There are small used tractor lots all over N TX.

sendero · Apr 16, 2003

Yes Bird, those are wild turkeys, there were about 25 of them. Wifey looked out the window and saw them. I had to sneak out to the truck where the camera was. A couple times they perked up and I froze for a minute. But when I opened the truck door - the keys were in the ignition and that infernal beeping commenced. I was *sure* that would scare them off (truck was about 80 feet from them) but it didn't.

We saw more turkeys last weekend and hear them almost every week. We've also seen hawks, roadrunners, raccoon, armadillos (pests!), cottonmouths (killed 2 so far) rabbits, deer, lots of deer, coyotes, heron, redbellied and downy woodpeckers, ducks, various unidentified snakes, dragonflies, and other stuff you don't see in Dallas. On the other hand, there is a possum that hangs around my back yard here in big D and don't recall seeing one out there yet /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

jinman · Apr 16, 2003

Mc Master New Holland Tractor
S Highway 287, Decatur, TX 76234
Phone: (817) 430-0202 

If you want to "let your fingers do the walking" here is the telephone number. Either Rick of Steve McMaster would be willing to help.

...and my brother has a place in Whitesboro with a small used tractor (Ferguson TO-30). His health hasn't been too good lately, so I'll ask if he is interested in selling his. That's what I meant about knowing where you are. Also, ALANL over in the Kubota forum doesn't live too far from you either. He might know of a few tractor deals in your area. Of course, if you want to go up to Idabel, OK for the tractor auctions, you aren't far from there either. ...just a few ideas.

froggy · Apr 16, 2003

Agree with "jinman" about McMasters, have heard only good things about the dealership.

You might also want to look at Zimmerer Kubota in Dallas and Denton http://www.zimmererkubota.com and Ag-Power a John Deere dealer in Terrell and McKinney http://www.ag-power.com. Both of these are both good dealerships.

There is also a New Holland Dealer in Mckinney, but don't know anything about it.

Know there are numerous dealerships in Sherman & Gainesville that you might also want to visit.

As far as auctions, there is a large one several times a month in Abbott, TX held by Mitchell Auctioneers. http://www.bobmitchellauctioneersinc.com/auctions.htm

froggy · Apr 16, 2003

Have seen it closed more times than open.

froggy · Apr 16, 2003

Here is TNT's web site, it may save you a trip:

http://www.tnt-tractor.com/

BillG_in_TX · Apr 16, 2003

Something else to consider before driving over to TNT - you might want to call first.

I stopped by there at 1:45 this afternoon, and found the gates locked and wannabe tractor buyers milling around the gate. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

sendero · Apr 16, 2003

LOL - you know what's funny - I came about an inch from being there at that at almost exactly that time today!

I visited the J&K place in Wylie that a replier mentioned. I almost made the trip on over to Sunnyvale but remembered something that I needed to deal with.

I'm sure glad I didn't go, though I suppose we could have cussed the place in unison. Funny, last Sat I visited a place in Calera OK (just across the border) that has a web page with lots of used tractors, Dan's Equipment. Even though Dan's own sign said he was open 'til 1 on Sat, at 11:45 there was nobody home. These guys must be making so much money they don't need to show up /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Believing in the power of the net, maybe one of us should email that pic as an attachment to the Clark fellow addy shown on their web site /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

19th_VA · Apr 16, 2003

( but after looking at Jonathans I hafta show mine )I heard that!

sendero · Apr 16, 2003

thanks...

I will check them all out!

sendero · Apr 16, 2003

Jonathan - lest I be misunderstood - I was impressed with your pix, nice place and nice pix too /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

prosperity · Apr 16, 2003

Re: used tractor hours *DELETED*

Post deleted by prosperity

sendero · Apr 16, 2003

LOL - it looks like about the cheesiest PhotoShop job I've ever seen /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Hey, that picture is copyrighted!! Send my royalty check to:

YaGotta BeKiddin
1313 Mockingbird Lane
Dreamville, TX 99999

On a more serious note, the idea of using a tractor to help me with all that tree work is getting me ready to roll.

Next thing you know I'll be trying to nudge my shed back a foot or two where I wanted it to begin with!

prosperity · Apr 16, 2003

Yeah I know - just a quickie without photoshop. It was just a thought that came to mind. Now that you saw it I deleted it.

Sorry

sendero · Apr 16, 2003

Well, maybe in a couple months I can take a pic with my land AND a tractor for real /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Before I got here I was nursing a minor tractor jones, now it is full blown quest mode /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

prosperity · Apr 16, 2003

( Before I got here I was nursing a minor tractor jones, now it is full blown quest mode /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

Real addictive isn't it?
My quest started out with visiting my regular JD dealer as I do from time to time. I don't really need a new tractor, but I knew that someday it would come. Going to look at tractors is like going to look at puppies. You know what I mean. I already knew what I would get the next time I went looking. Then discussing it here, and..................you know the rest.

Cacinok · Apr 18, 2003

Buying a used tractor is just like buying a used anything else. Look, look, look, get a feel for the market and then make an informed decision.

My wife and I scoured central OK looking for the right tractor setup at the right price. The more you look the more you get a feel for what is a good deal for your particular market and what you should run from.

We picked up a 1980 Long 34 hp w/ FEL and Brushhog for 3k, not sure of the total hours, but since the meter was broken I got the guy to knock more money off of his asking price. It's run fine and I've had no complaints.

Another consideration is how long you plan to have it. Obviously you don't buy total junk, but little things that need to be fixed sure do work well to lower the asking price. Personally, I needed something that would last until I finish school (this December) and then a year or two after that. By then the tractor will have paid for itself in saved time and back aches.

Clint.

P.S. Billy, cool goatee, I've got a red one just like it.