Used tractor question: JD 310a vs Case 580E

[rexcramer]

I am looking for a used TLB, and near me are a Deere 310a with about 6000 hours and a Case 580E, which is about 40 miles away.

Price aside, are these two TLB's pretty much even? I have 18 acres and will ve clearing a few acres, making a driveway, and building a septic system, along with any other tasks that arise.

The Deere appears to be in good shape despite the hours, has a glassed in cab, heat, no welds or hydraulic leaks. I havent looked at the Case but I am guessing its a few years newer, hours are unknown. It also has a glassed in cab.

I was thinking about $9000-$10000 for the Deere, maybe 12k for the Case. Any opinions are welcome

Bob

 

[Nat]

They are similar in weight and HP and in what they will do, but the biggest difference is the JD doesn't have a torque converter. You put it in gear and the wheels start turning, and if you are loading something with the FEL and run up to the truck sideboards you have to "clutch" the john Deere, where-as on the Case it does have a torque converter and you let off the throttle and it will not run over the truck. The JD has a shuttle shift and when shifted into gear it is like a straight drive, it is either go or choke. HTH, later, Nat

 

[tlbuser]

There's some needed info. missing to give you a better answer. Is the 580 E 2 or 4 wheel drive? standard or extended stick?

IMO, way too much money for the JD310A. Probably more in the 7-8 thousand range.

Since you're in the looking mode, probably a close to ideal list would be : 4wd, extenda-hoe and a 4in1 bucket.

How about a decent track loader instead?

try machinery trader and equipment trader if nothing else should givew you pricing guidelines

 

[rexcramer]

Both are 2WD and extendahoes. I dont want to finance this so 4WD is out of the question, I need to stay around 12k.

Thanks for the info. What does the 4 in 1 bucket allow me to do that a standard one does not?

 

[Syncro]

If these tractors are close in condition and price I'd go with the 580E Case. As much as I like Deere (I have one) I agree with the poster that a torque converter is pretty important. The Case is newer too and more modern technology. Condtion though is the key, I'd put that top of the list.

As for a 4 in 1 bucket, its a clam shell type that allows grabbing things like trees etc, also can be used sorta as a scraper. Great for picking up brush and stuff, other wise I find em clumsey for grading. Either one will do a lot, again depending on condition, eg: cutting edge, dents, loose pins & cylinders I'd just go with which ever comes on a used machine.

 

[tlbuser]

4n1, wonderful tool. Wide open position works like a dozer blade and or box blade (depending on which side you use) Fully closed, regular bucket. Open/close, a grapple to pick things up or use as a bottom dump when spreading material or loading trucks.

 

[kubotaman68]

And the 580 will be a much more sought after piece when you want to unloadt it

 

[rexcramer]

Thanks for the info, the guy on the JD will not budge from 12000 so I guess he is going to have it for a while.

I will keep an eye out

 

[kubotaman68]

You should send him some wildflower seeds those things make great planters after they have been sitting awhile and for that money it will sit you are right /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif