Another 1st Time Buyer Help Thread

[GreensvilleJay]

OK not 'needed' but sure make the job EASY. Kubota dealer did mine in 2-3 minutes, in front of me,on my pad. Reasonably dry(indoor) gravel would be ok.... On the spongy sod with ruts, wet white coming down, I'm pretty sure most would agree 'not fun'. The older I get the less I want to have the 'fun' of changing implements. Hands up, all those 75 or older and like to have 'fun' ????

An 8000 hr tractor might be a good deal IF all the service records were there. Say the engine had major overhaul 200 hrs ago.it's 'brand new'. HST rebuilt 500 hrs ago, basically new as well.
The problem is NOT knowing the history of the tractor or implement when it has high hours or 'old'.

 

[PaulL]

I think an M is bigger than you need, and an HST is an advantage. Given you have hills, I think 4wd is a good idea, it's a good idea in general on a modern tractor.

L or Grand L would be great for the size/tasks you describe.

It sounds like you have a bit more flexibility on price if you do payments, I think I'd look closely at a Grand-L new, around the 40hp mark. Messicks had this video just the other day, worth looking at: Three different sized 40hp tractors.

Looks to me like you could get into a brand new L4060 with reasonable payments, and it'd be hard to regret that. You can accumulate implements over time, but buying the tractor itself is kind of a one time thing (not entirely - they hold their value OK so you can sell and buy something different, but easier to buy right the first time).

If not the Grand-L, then my next choice would be standard L (a bit cheaper, but in my mind not a lot cheaper given what you give up), or MX (a bit larger for not much more money). All those look to be around $35-45K, but you'd get 5 year payments so that'd spread the pain out a bit.

 

[D2Cat]

If you decide to go with a used tractor I'd suggest look for an Lxx40 series machine. They go up to 57 HP, have many nice features and the last series before the govt mandates began.

I looked for about 6-7 months when I knew what I wanted and found one in Jackson, Tn. @ Byrd Equipment with about 600 hrs. A few phone conversations, a lot of pictures and I had it delivered sight unseen. Been absolutely everything I wished it was, no problems what-so-ever. Only thing I've added is the 3rd function so I can use a grapple. I've had it five years and have 1065 hrs on it.

It's HST and 4o hp, and I prefer it over any std. transmission tractor. I have 50 acres at my farm, only about 25 has grass, rest is creek and timber. I've got two std trans tractors, one 60HP, one 75hp. They are good old working tractors but the HST is WAY more enjoyable to operate.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

If you decide to go with a used tractor I'd suggest look for an Lxx40 series machine. They go up to 57 HP, have many nice features and the last series before the govt mandates began.

I looked for about 6-7 months when I knew what I wanted and found one in Jackson, Tn. @ Byrd Equipment with about 600 hrs. A few phone conversations, a lot of pictures and I had it delivered sight unseen. Been absolutely everything I wished it was, no problems what-so-ever. Only thing I've added is the 3rd function so I can use a grapple. I've had it five years and have 1065 hrs on it.

It's HST and 4o hp, and I prefer it over any std. transmission tractor. I have 50 acres at my farm, only about 25 has grass, rest is creek and timber. I've got two std trans tractors, one 60HP, one 75hp. They are good old working tractors but the HST is WAY more enjoyable to operate.

Byrd's good folks.

 

[D2Cat]

Byrd's good folks.

Couldn't ask for nicer, more helpful people. They answered every question I had, and if they didn't know right then they'd call back when they had an answer. I got the name of the guy who traded it in (after they confirmed it would be OK if I called him) and found out everything since it was new, why he traded, what he trader for, how he used it, any dislikes..... I'd highly recommend them. I think I was dealing with the owners son.

He traded it in because he wanted a cab, especially when he was mowing!

 

[Runs With Scissors]

If I had more heavy duty tasks, this would be top of my list.

Here is the "definitive answer"

I sat on one a few months ago, and was "duly impressed".

I get "wood" just thinking about that backhoe....Not to mention the nearly 2 ton FEL capacity!!!!

If I ever trade the General Lee in, this will be his replacement.