Newbie - '87 7200 or '02 7500??

[rhader]

Hi guys,

New to the forum of course and have am looking to make my first tractor purchase!

Very excited as it is long over due....

Long story short my wife and I have a small acreage property which I do a decent amount of work on from farming to landscaping - to some average amount of wood splitting, loading and hauling around.... I have borrowed tractors and its just gotten to the point that I largely need my own compact tractor that I can beat up and admire...

Now I have used a few tractors - mostly old school ones - from Leyland to Neufields to FORD to MF... From what I have used and read I am looking for a compact type 4x4 tractor preferably HST drive. Something a little lighter but not too light of course as I still need to do some lifting, hauling and loading of course....

From my searches locally I have come up with a few choices and am basically down to the two listed in the subject:

1) 1987 B7200 Diesel 17hp 4x4 HST drive. which comes with the following;
- power angle blade 60" (the power angle is really cool)
- aftermarket 48" loader - a little rusty that's about all - slight small leak at one of the loader quick connect couplings
- 60" mower
all with some good use
- 1300hrs on the machine....
- new clutch in the past year.
- regular maintenance
- a little wear and tear evident but in good shape and runs like a top.
- needs new front tires, needs new seat, needs some repairs to overall lighting.
- no back over top guard in place...
price for the above $6700 CDN firm

I am not sure I would actually use the mower with this one as I already have a riding mower and would likely keep that for green cutting...

2) 2003 B7500 Diesel 21hp (I think) HST drive 4x4
- standard blade
- 700 hrs
- everything still in new condition
- price $7500 CDN firm

my only concern about this one is that I will need to eventually get a loader for it as there is not one included The loader in these parts would run an extra $3k easily Though i will not need it until the spring. And eventually a remote valve to operate a splitter. At some point I would like to get a Tiller for both of the above as well.

that's about my max budget so I am a little limited - I spoke with a few dealers and the lowest I can really get anything for would be $21k CDN out the door including a loader on a B2920...

So for my first tractor I am thinking one of the above will be great and to be honest I am leaning towards the 1987 B7200.... My concern there is will it be enough of a tractor to do what I need it to do?

Now I was hoping to get some feed back for the above tractors in regards to whether I should go with one over the other??

All comments appreciated!

 

[hodge]

The equipment with the B7200 makes it a better deal financially, but if it isn't big enough to do what you want, that doesn't matter.
If all things were equal, I would lean towards the B7500- newer, lower hours, possibly worked/abused less, weighs more, and has power steering and more power. Because all things aren't equal, the decision is harder. If I were in you shoes, I think I would still lean towards the 7500, and make it work, and start looking for a loader in the future. Coldwater Tractors (coldwatertractors.com) can make you a loader for a very fair price, although I don't know what it will cost to get it into Canada.
Everyone reasons differently, and everyone adapts differently. My reasons are this- the tractor is the base, and I would endeavor to get the lowest hour, best condition, closest to your needs tractor for the money, and then consider the implements. That is why I would lean hard towards the B7500. That is just me, though, and I am not in need of a loader.
And, welcome to OTT! Whatever you choose, you will find friendship and support here. This a great group of folks, with a very deep well of combined knowledge and experience. This is a close-knit community that is unique among tractor forums.

 

[G-Man]

I purchased a 2000 B7500 4x4 HST back in July. I came with the FEL, a 4' bush hog, canopy and 4' box blade. I have added a 4' KK tiller to my inventory. I have a 3pt trailer hitch so I can now back up to my 16' trailer, lift and move it around pretty easy. It had 780 hours (now 822 hours) and has power steering and HST. I love those 2 features a lot and my wife can also use the tractor (rats). I think the B7500 with more HP will suit you better. I thought at first this tractor was to small but it can do a lot of chores with no problem. When it is really cold like now I hold the glow plug switch on for about 10-15 seconds and it starts up really fast and easy.

B7500 go for it.

 

[rhader]

here are some pics of both...
B7200

and here is the B7500...

 

[rhader]

If the B7500 came with the Front Loader - it would be a no brainer.... but a FEL will run $3k CDN generally more....

SO I am leaning towards the B7200 with slightly more hours on it... Which doesn't bother me - what I am worried about is that it is in fact a 25yr old tractor and may require almost as much to 'refresh' any parts that need to be replaced etc...
After all rubber still brakes down and metal still rusts.. whether its by Kubota or not....

the 2003 B7500 offers some warm fuzzies about have a few years of a window in which that wont happen... yeah?? neah?

 

[rhader]

Here are some photos of the B7200 with the loader on it. As I went to see this one I will say that it looks a ton better in person.... and I plowed the driveway using the blade on it and the power angle blade is definitely awesome!!

 

[hodge]

The B7200 looks beat up some, and has no ROPS. The 7500 looks real good. Again, I'm not hung up on the loader, so I would definitely go the route of the 7500.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

The B7200 looks like a diamond in the rough to me. I'd buy it up if I had the money.

You are aware that Kubota is offering no money down and 0% intrest. Might be worth while getting that brand new tractor at 21k

 

[rparkinson]

I would prob hold off on both. I am in Maine and see comparable machines to the B7200 all the time- there has been a B7200 on craigs with a loader and 644 hours for 5500 bucks for a while- I could mention a few like that. And they look better then that machine. I bought a B6200 with a woods loader LIKE NEW with 328 hours this summer for 4500 bucks- granted, those deals dont come often... but I would be patient. I got impatient and bought a B7200 this summer beacuse I needed another machine- Needless to say, it did not work out all that well. I sold it and took advantage of Kubota's 0% and bought new.... just something to think about... If you are interested in a ride, I will send you a few deals down my way-

 

[rhader]

I agree - that the B7200 I posted above appears to me to be a bit of a 'diamond in the rough'...

And I was definitely interested when Kubota mentioned the 0 down at 0% interest... Definitely very interesting....

However that being said I hate monthly payments and cant really afford buying it out right now at that new price...

In comparison to the prices vs. the US market there is definitely some difference. Both of the above tractors are quite literally $5k cheaper than most of the ones I have looked at and are in better shape... Im not sure quite what justifies the hike - IF they were any more expensive I would definitely be buying new.... Not to mention that buying in the states would easily add $2k - $3k by the time I got it home with import taxes and getting down there and home etc....

That being said getting either of the two above might get me into the tractor market to start at least and give me something that will meet the needs for now... regardless if I need to change up at a later date or trade one of the two in etc etc... or simply keep them and add to the fleet...

 

[Russell King]

Some of your decision should be based on how mechaincally inclined you are. Older tractor will probably need more work.

As far as the ROPS there is a program from Kubota to get one at a reduced cost and fairly low install costs (if you don't want to do it your self).

One thing I notice is they both have Turf tires which will limit your ability to push and pull in mud/snow. If it snows here in Texas you can bet I won't be using my tractor that day. I have only had 2WD with Ag tires so can't really give you any advice other than to read in the tire section on this forum. I recall some comment that tire chains are easier to install on the turf tires.

I personally bought an older L185F just becasue I did not want to spend a lot and figured it would last as long as I needed it since my use is infrequent on only 5 acres. Not sure how many acres you have to attend to. So far it is amazing that most parts are still available for a tractor that old from the dealer. It could become a parts tractor if some parts (like the head already has) go obsolete from the dealer and I need one. You may want to look at the availability of some of the key parts - head, steering box, clutch and pressure plate, altonator, water pump, fuel injector and discuss that with a dealer before you purchase.

The other advice is on the mower - This is the main reason I got my tractor. I wanted to mow at a higher level (around 6 to 9 inches high) in the "fields" and the riding lawn mower that came with the property would only cut at about 3-4 inches maximum. I had to buy a rotary cutter/shredder/slasher/brush hog (what are they are called in Canada?) It does a great job for rough cutting the fields and letting the grass stay tall - I am trying to restore mine into a more natural plains type and if you mow too short it will kill the natural grasses. Not sure what type of mower you would get.

At the end of the day I would probably buy the newer tractor and shop for the implements I wanted if I was forced to decide between these two. It is unfortunate that the newer one if the one without the FEL that you want. You may be happy with the old school dirt scoop for the 3 point hitch for doing most work with moving material (dirt and gravel). You didn't specificaly state why you wanted the FEL as far a I recall.

One other bit of advise is to go to a rental yard and see if they have similar tractors and rent/use them for a day to see if you like one over the other. Probably a long shot but may work.

 

[hodge]

"One thing I notice is they both have Turf tires which will limit your ability to push and pull in mud/snow."

I have turfs on my tractor, and they do surprisingly and amazingly well in snow. A lot better than I expected. Mud, not so well.

 

[rparkinson]

I agree. I know if I was not a mechanic and had to pay for the repairs on my old B7200 I would not be happy. If I had to pick from one of the two it would be the B7500, however.... if you give 7500 bucks for it, and then put a loader on it now you have 10500 in it, and that is without the things that were wrong with it that needed repair that you did not know about before you bought it. Used loaders are almost impossible to find. Maybe you wont use one that much... but if you have any intentions on getting one down the road or using one, really think about that. You may be better off buying a machine with one. It will add at least 3k to a machine unless you luck out and fine a used one.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

I hear Coldwater Tractor builds a pretty affordable loader for tractors. A few members on here have bought loaders from them and mounted on their tractors but we never hear back about how fellow members liked the loader and it they held up at all.

That happens alot, people look for advise and answers and never keep us posted as to what the outcome was.

http://www.coldwatertractors.com/main.html

 

[hodge]

The equipment with the B7200 makes it a better deal financially, but if it isn't big enough to do what you want, that doesn't matter.
If all things were equal, I would lean towards the B7500- newer, lower hours, possibly worked/abused less, weighs more, and has power steering and more power. Because all things aren't equal, the decision is harder. If I were in you shoes, I think I would still lean towards the 7500, and make it work, and start looking for a loader in the future. Coldwater Tractors (coldwatertractors.com) can make you a loader for a very fair price, although I don't know what it will cost to get it into Canada.
Everyone reasons differently, and everyone adapts differently. My reasons are this- the tractor is the base, and I would endeavor to get the lowest hour, best condition, closest to your needs tractor for the money, and then consider the implements. That is why I would lean hard towards the B7500. That is just me, though, and I am not in need of a loader.
And, welcome to OTT! Whatever you choose, you will find friendship and support here. This a great group of folks, with a very deep well of combined knowledge and experience. This is a close-knit community that is unique among tractor forums.

Eric, I BEAT YOU! I had already posted about Clearwater. I take the few victories that I get very seriously.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

Eric, I BEAT YOU! I had already posted about Clearwater. I take the few victories that I get very seriously.

I know you did, I was just making sure you're still paying attention!

 

[rhader]

I agree. I know if I was not a mechanic and had to pay for the repairs on my old B7200 I would not be happy. If I had to pick from one of the two it would be the B7500, however.... if you give 7500 bucks for it, and then put a loader on it now you have 10500 in it, and that is without the things that were wrong with it that needed repair that you did not know about before you bought it. Used loaders are almost impossible to find. Maybe you wont use one that much... but if you have any intentions on getting one down the road or using one, really think about that. You may be better off buying a machine with one. It will add at least 3k to a machine unless you luck out and fine a used one.

yeah it definitely adds to the cost.. I will definitely need the loader - that's half of the reason I need the tractor in the first place.. at least in the summer months anyway. In the winter I can get by pushing snow with the blade but will also require a loader from time to time.

As for use - I will be using the hydraulics to run a wood splitter as well as we run a small several acres plot of land that we farm and will be used to till the dirt as well as move loads of dirt around when needed of course... stumps.. trees... hauling a trailer around to move crap... you name it. I do most of it with an older Leyland but it burries itself for the most part and makes a mess of everything else...

I am a handy mechanic I have a shop complete with car hoist and am known to pull the odd engine which will be handy to have the loader to move things around again of course...

So which is better... again the $10500 by the time I get a loader is a bit of change... and at that price its creeping closer to the dealership price at a 0% finance. even still the dealer price creeps up to $21k after taxes... which is double the price even still...

more thoughts??

I will keep you posted.

 

[hodge]

With the work that you are describing, it looks like neither tractor is big enough to suit all your needs. How big is the Leyland? I would imagine that it is bigger and heavier than either Kubota, and if you are used to that size now, going to a smaller tractor, even with 4WD, will be a disappointment.

 

[rhader]

With the work that you are describing, it looks like neither tractor is big enough to suit all your needs. How big is the Leyland? I would imagine that it is bigger and heavier than either Kubota, and if you are used to that size now, going to a smaller tractor, even with 4WD, will be a disappointment.

nah - the Leyland is way to big for getting into most of the places that I want to with it. And its way too clumsy of a machine to get around anything.... In comparison its like building your house with 4ft ceilings and 3ft entrance ways and walking around with a sledge hammer while wearing a blind fold and taking swings to knock out one specific hole in the wall... The Leyland though 60hp weighs about 6500 lbs and crushes anything that it gets near and its too big to get close to much.
Dont get me wrong its great for dragging things and can manage a fairly full bucket but not enough dexterity to do much of anything really....

The 4WD compacts are perfect for that sort of stuff - I wouldnt mind having a capacity with a bucket up to 1000lbs which the B7200 doesnt quite get there without adding some rear weights but all the rest it will do with ease. Same with the B7500 for that matter.

 

[G-Man]

Again I have the B7500 with the factory LA272 and that FEL max's out at 600 lb. so 1000 lb. is a stretch or a really big stretch for either tractor. I have some clamp on pallet forks and sometimes I need to lift with the FEL only and it get lite in the back end. I have a 48" tiller that weight in at 600 lb. and that make a great counter weight. I don't use the pallet forks for anything really heavy (loading the bush hog on the trailer, when I unload my 60 gal compressor, etc) but with the tiller attached it smoothes things out.