What class of tractor for maintaining two miles of road at higher elevation?

[In.the.Piñons]

Somewhat morbid perhaps, but how about widows nearby, or people that are selling their house with some land? Chances are they have tractor left over. If it's not what you need/want, it could still serve as a trade-in if the price is right.

If I had to buy one now I'd probably start with looking at what the closest dealers have, then Craigslist and other local ads.

The dealers that I've spoken to about used inventory said it's always been this way around here. Most stuff gets sold off to the neighbor rather than traded in on a new tractor.

No one in my immediate has anything I'm looking for. Lots of old timers with really old tractors (cool to see, but not what I need), or new comers with 25hp hobby farm tractors.

I did take a second look at that NH and Kubota M5-111. They are on consignment, so I asked the sales guy to see if anyone was willing to cut a deal.

Other than that, a brand new 75hp Yanmar for $54K with a 10 year power train warranty looks pretty appealing, but no close dealers. Maybe I can get them to cover the transportation costs if there's an issue under warranty.

I'm really in no hurry to buy anyway. Something will fall into place sooner or later.

 

[In.the.Piñons]

I inquired about the Yanmar SM475 today. It's their new 74hp tractor that they are selling at an introductory price of $54,000. It seems like a great deal for a made in Japan tractor.... except I was just told it was a rebranded TYM. Since we're rebranding everything, I wonder if I could pay for that tractor with pesos, rebranded as US currency? Only seems fair!

Meanwhile, on CL, this looked like a killer deal, but after talking to the guy and researching the company, I'm 99% sure it's a scam. I don't really feel like going out to WV to confirm my suspicions.

https://denver.craigslist.org/grq/d/weston-2012-kubota-m135gx-tractor/7783495664.html

 

[paulsharvey]

I dont doubt Yanmars engines, or equipment quality; but I do doubt Yanmars commitment to the US tractor market.

Although, it doesn't sound like downtime, waiting maybe 5 days plus foe parts would necessarily kill you.

 

[In.the.Piñons]

I dont doubt Yanmars engines, or equipment quality; but I do doubt Yanmars commitment to the US tractor market.

Although, it doesn't sound like downtime, waiting maybe 5 days plus foe parts would necessarily kill you.

The product info on that Yanmar SM475 said it comes with a Deutz engine. But the Deutz tractor we were looking at says it's comes with a Farmall engine. It's as clear as mud.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Maybe I can get them to cover the transportation costs if there's an issue under warranty.

Hmm. Maybe we should discuss you buying a trailer....??

 

[In.the.Piñons]

Hmm. Maybe we should discuss you buying a trailer....??

We already did.

Owning a new(er) tractor that's too heavy to haul with your pickup?

Is that just a dumb idea? Paying to get it hauled to the dealer would get expensive, but I would do all the basic maintenance and repairs myself, on site. Some of these 75-100hp utility tractors I'm looking at are going to be 7-10,000lbs with a loader. Factor in a trailer (4,000lbs? at least)...

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I know. Just couldn't resist rubbing it in.

 

[In.the.Piñons]

I found a three year old M5-111 with less than 200 hours for $62,500.

It's out of state and shipping is going to be at least $2K, but that's not a bad price for a almost new tractor. Still has almost 2 years of emissions warranty.

The dealer told me it came from Kubota Credit, so I'm assuming it's a repo.

 

[In.the.Piñons]

I know. Just couldn't resist rubbing it in.

Fair enough lol!

 

[Too many Kubotas]

It's out of state and shipping is going to be at least $2K, but that's not a bad price for a almost new tractor. Still has almost 2 years of emissions warranty.

If only you had a trailer.

What state is it in?

 

[In.the.Piñons]

If only you had a trailer.

What state is it in?

Lol! And a bigger truck! It's in Texas, about 1,000 miles away.

If I could find the right trailer to rent (has to fit my WDH) I might just be within the weight limits with my F-150. I've towed a loaded up 25ft enclosed trailer about 2,500 miles in some of the worst conditions with my F-150. Probably end up not saving that much anyway with the cost of gas, trailer rental, food and hotels etc.

At least if I buy this one, the local Kobuta dealer is less than 20 miles away.

 

[paulsharvey]

I found a three year old M5-111 with less than 200 hours for $62,500.

It's out of state and shipping is going to be at least $2K, but that's not a bad price for a almost new tractor. Still has almost 2 years of emissions warranty.

The dealer told me it came from Kubota Credit, so I'm assuming it's a repo.

So, have you actually sat on, operated, looked at, In Person, a Kubota M5 yet? There really are small things that can make or break your user experience, that can't be seen online. How is the visibility? Cam you see the outside bucket corners from the seated position? How about the outside back corners of the rear impliment? As silly as it seems, small stuff like the beer holder in relation to the loader joystick, or peddles. You have sat in, and apparently liked the Duetz. Now, you really need to see the Kubota before marrying it.

 

[ning]

That M5-111 is a lot lighter than I expected a 111hp tractor to be!

 

[paulsharvey]

Lol! And a bigger truck! It's in Texas, about 1,000 miles away.

If I could find the right trailer to rent (has to fit my WDH) I might just be within the weight limits with my F-150. I've towed a loaded up 25ft enclosed trailer about 2,500 miles in some of the worst conditions with my F-150. Probably end up not saving that much anyway with the cost of gas, trailer rental, food and hotels etc.

At least if I buy this one, the local Kobuta dealer is less than 20 miles away.

Home Depot rents F250s with a trailer hitch, and no worry about abusing it a bit

 

[In.the.Piñons]

So, have you actually sat on, operated, looked at, In Person, a Kubota M5 yet? There really are small things that can make or break your user experience, that can't be seen online. How is the visibility? Cam you see the outside bucket corners from the seated position? How about the outside back corners of the rear impliment? As silly as it seems, small stuff like the beer holder in relation to the loader joystick, or peddles. You have sat in, and apparently liked the Duetz. Now, you really need to see the Kubota before marrying it.

I've sat in a bunch of tractors including the Kubota M5-111 (there's a 1000h 2017 for sale at the local dealer for $59,500). I didn't operate any of them, but adjusted seats, steering wheels, pressed brakes and clutches, reached for the loader stick etc. I even put the wife in the buddy seat to make sure we fitted (it would be good if she learned to operate it to).

Given that I've never run a tractor before, that's probably as good of an impression as I'm going to get. I really enjoy operating/driving/riding stuff and have driven manuals trans most of my life.

 

[In.the.Piñons]

That M5-111 is a lot lighter than I expected a 111hp tractor to be!

Yeah, 7,000lbs is light and I want heavy. I guess they put helium in the tires or something.

It's got wheel weights, but will need rim guard for sure.

 

[In.the.Piñons]

Home Depot rents F250s with a trailer hitch, and no worry about abusing it a bit

Thanks I will take a look.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Lol! And a bigger truck! It's in Texas, about 1,000 miles away.

If I could find the right trailer to rent (has to fit my WDH) I might just be within the weight limits with my F-150. Probably end up not saving that much anyway with the cost of gas, trailer rental, food and hotels etc.

I could bring it closer to you for a (not necessarily small) fee.

Well, maybe smaller than yours since I don't stop for unnecessary things like food or motels.

Besides, if you then show up with a gooseneck ball taped to your rental's bed you could take off with the trailer loaded, as is. We all know that you need one.

 

[In.the.Piñons]

I could bring it closer to you for a (not necessarily small) fee.

Well, maybe smaller than yours since I don't stop for unnecessary things like food or motels.

Besides, if you then show up with a gooseneck ball taped to your rental's bed you could take off with the trailer loaded, as is. We all know that you need one.

Thanks for the offer, but I think a taped gooseneck ball would be a little dangerous with that load. Do it once, do it right. JB weld all the way.

We did a face time with the tractor/dealer, so I think we're just going to buy it without going down there, once we negotiate a final price. I like Texas and Texans, but I've driven down to Nacogdoches just about every year for the past 6 years. I'm over that drive!

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Nacogdoches would be a bit far for my liking. That's about as far as I drove to pick up my 35' trailer in eastern Texas, some 850 miles. That was a long day.

And it was much cooler there then.