what to buy?

[mikectd]

Hi, new member here in need of some advise.

I’m on call 24x7x365 so rental equipment is out of the question. I do not have a place to keep two tractors. So I need to find one piece of equipment to handle all my needs.

Current projects;
Spread 40 yards of topsoil
Spread 25 yards of mulch
Fix a rutted 250’ gravel drive.
Mowing chores on 1.5 acres
Snow removal on gravel drive.
Remove and replace 120 4x4x8 fence post.

In 3 years time I hope to get out of my current line work and buy a bigger home\yard which I’m sure will bring more of the same chores and have more time to dedicate to the chores. I’m not concerned about completing these jobs in a short time frame.

I have been looking at some older tractors (the CFO gave me a budget of 6K) but I’m not sure if I should go with 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive w\locking rear and much rear ballast.

Questions;
2wd vs. 4wd for ground engaging equipment
FEL vs. rear blade vs box blade for material spreading and leveling.
FEL vs. rear blade vs. ? for snow removal.


Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

 

[RoyJackson]

You have a lot of options. But, you don't have much of a budget.
For the tasks you've described, any 20-30 PTO HP tractor (Deere 790, Kubote B7800, NH TC 29) would work well. Used, any Deere x55 series (855, 955) or x70 series (670, 770) would work well...or the Kubota, NH (Ford) equivalents.

$6000 isn't going to buy you much of a tractor...not a CUT, anyway. Going Grey Market, or some of the lesser known brands is risky...and depends on your mechanical abilities. For $6K, you could find a Deere 670 or 770 (770 being the better choice), but you'll really have to look around. Even then, a FEL may not be an option...not for $6K.

4WD is pretty essential with these smaller, light weight tractors.

I did own a Deere 670. That tractor would handle all the tasks you described...since completing them in a short time isn't a requirement...that's the machine I'd look for...for the tasks you've described.

Good luck!

 

[roxynoodle]

You can buy a gray market tractor with a FEL in your budget. Just bear in mind it is a 20-30 year old tractor, though lightly worked tilling rice paddies, but will require repairs now and then. Then, so will any other used tractor you buy in that price range. Plus you will need money for implements like a rear finish mower and box blade for your grading.

Many of the big name brands are offering 0% financing for 3 years if that is a possibility for you. You may have to up the budget a bit to get everything you need if you want a decent running tractor.

If a gray interests you, there are several forums for them on here. There is one for Yanmar, one for Mitsubishi, one for Iseki and a general gray forum. You might want to read through those and see what you think.

Oh, the FEL can be used for moving your snow and your mulch, etc. 4wd is a must with a loader though. They get stuck fairly easily in 2wd.

 

[Soundguy]

i agree with the others.. Your budget is going to limit you to a 20ish hp machine with a loader. PS is necescary.. and 4wd is optional but recomended.

To get new int hat price range, you could look at the chinese tractor forum and look at farm pro. You will have many of the same issues on those units as if you had bought a used old domestic or older grey model, in that.. you may get to do a bit of wrench turning yourself. Up to you if you want a 30 year old tractor grey or domestic.. with it's 30 year old issues or a new tractor.. with it's issues ( economy production..e tc.. )

Keep us informed as to your thoughts as you progress thru this.. We can bounce more ideas off of you!

Soundguy

Hi, new member here in need of some advise.

I’m on call 24x7x365 so rental equipment is out of the question. I do not have a place to keep two tractors. So I need to find one piece of equipment to handle all my needs.

Current projects;
Spread 40 yards of topsoil
Spread 25 yards of mulch
Fix a rutted 250’ gravel drive.
Mowing chores on 1.5 acres
Snow removal on gravel drive.
Remove and replace 120 4x4x8 fence post.

In 3 years time I hope to get out of my current line work and buy a bigger home\yard which I’m sure will bring more of the same chores and have more time to dedicate to the chores. I’m not concerned about completing these jobs in a short time frame.

I have been looking at some older tractors (the CFO gave me a budget of 6K) but I’m not sure if I should go with 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive w\locking rear and much rear ballast.

Questions;
2wd vs. 4wd for ground engaging equipment
FEL vs. rear blade vs box blade for material spreading and leveling.
FEL vs. rear blade vs. ? for snow removal.


Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

 

[bloody_peasant]

mikectd,

I admit I'm a total nOOb, having just bought my first tractor several weeks ago, but I think you should give some more details as that would make a big difference on the kind of tractor you need (and the kind of information you will get from the experts here). Like you, I had a pretty small budget, so I went with an older used 2WD small model without the FEL (and a standard tranny). Its handled all my brush clearing and mowing jobs, but I've just started messing around with the rear blade. My biggest problems with it so far seem to not be enough weight (hopefully I can add some wheel weights soon), and not enough traction (its got turf tires now ), but I can still level some hard ground.

Some other useful details might be, how much snow (how far north are you), what kind of soil do you have (sand is a lot easier to break up than heavy clay), what kind of slopes do you have, do you also need to clear brush or is your land ready for finish mowing (yard)? Also since used is a big possibility what kind of mechanical expertise do you have, since you might be the one installing additional hydraulics and the like on a used machine?

Also I think an important consideration for the chores you list would be the type of transmission, because you will be doing a lot of forward/reverse type actions, the basic standard tranny might be a pain.

 

[Doc_Bob]

I have been looking at some older tractors (the CFO gave me a budget of 6K)

You don't have enough money to play. go back to the CFO and let her know. Triple the budget at a minimum.
Bob

 

[bloody_peasant]

Doc Bob has failed to realize that for most of us, the CFO is also the CEO, CIO, COO, and the board of directors all roled up into one.

 

[BattalionChief]

You don't have enough money to play. go back to the CFO and let her know. Triple the budget at a minimum.
Bob

Bob's got it right! ha ha...

Though, if you lived closer to Central Texas, I know of a decent older IH584 w/loader you could pick up for just over your $6K budget..

I'd "listen" to these guy's advice.. What I learned from them: 4WD is a must with a small tractor using a loader.. I almost bought a 2wd on a smaller tractor and would have regretted it BIG TIME!

 

[Billy_S]

I agree with Bob. Tell Mother she needs to triple your budget.

 

[roxynoodle]

Well, if she does triple your budget, AWESOME! But, if she doesn't there are decent used tractors available in your price range. You just have to be patient and look. Not all of us can afford to spend on our tractor what we spent on our truck. I think it's bad enough my used tractor cost me more than my used 2000 Ford Mustang.