best older tractor

[CT90]

Retiring in a few years to a heavily treed 1.2 Acre lot on a small hill with approximately 220 feet of driveway to plow in winter months in mountains of Arizona and looking for a used Kubota with loader, backhoe attachment to handle small jobs, unloading/spreading gravel, misc digging yard cleanup dead tree debris, etc. and can put a snow blade on in winter. Not wanting to spend new price for machine that will get 20-50 hours a year. which older models are good bang for buck to look for. All Kubota tractors are solid, but did any small tractors stand out in the 90's or early 2000's with 4wd and decent power for home use?

 

[torch]

It is pretty hard to find a FEL to fit the older tractor models. Harder to find a frame-mounted backhoe for them. 3ph mounted backhoes are universal in design, but the reinforced top-link required is tractor-specific and may no longer be available. Most came in 2wd and 4wd versions. Many came in HST or gear versions.

Rather than limiting yourself to any specific model, you should hunt for any small tractor that comes with the features you want and is still in decent shape. Bigger may be better in some circumstances, but a smaller model that comes with what you need will be better than a snipe hunt for accessories to fit a more powerful model.

Unless of course, you have the capability of building your own FEL, hoe, etc.

 

[SDT]

Retiring in a few years to a heavily treed 1.2 Acre lot on a small hill with approximately 220 feet of driveway to plow in winter months in mountains of Arizona and looking for a used Kubota with loader, backhoe attachment to handle small jobs, unloading/spreading gravel, misc digging yard cleanup dead tree debris, etc. and can put a snow blade on in winter. Not wanting to spend new price for machine that will get 20-50 hours a year. which older models are good bang for buck to look for. All Kubota tractors are solid, but did any small tractors stand out in the 90's or early 2000's with 4wd and decent power for home use?

Finding a well cared for unit with both FEL and BH may be a challenge as many such units have been used commercially.

I would search tractorhouse, etc., for four cylinder B models, e.g., B3000, etc.

If a BX (or similar JD or MF models) is large enough for your needs, late model units are readily available in many areas as many owners trade up for larger models.

SDT

 

[SidecarFlip]

Anything pre tier 4 is good.

 

[SRG]

Rather than limiting yourself to any specific model, you should hunt for any small tractor that comes with the features you want and is still in decent shape. Bigger may be better in some circumstances, but a smaller model that comes with what you need will be better than a snipe hunt for accessories to fit a more powerful model.

Unless of course, you have the capability of building your own FEL, hoe, etc.

That's how I would be searching. Not for a specific Make or Model, but any model that came with the features I need/want.

Not sure why SDT recommends a 4cyl model for less than 2 acres? That seems like alot of tractor for such a small plot. I'd think any 3cyl model would suit just fine, and they can be had with plenty of HP, and generally less money too.

Agree on tractorhouse.com less than 40hp search page....
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/category/1111/tractors-less-than-40-hp

 

[Jchonline]

Subcompact tractors (probably a good size for your needs) have come a long way in the past 20 years. Backhoes and FELs are easily removed and attached, SSQA on the front loader, and many other updates. This is the one class of machine where you may consider newer rather than older. In addition under 26HP you dont need Tier 4 dpf . An older subcompact with a backhoe is going to be harder to find, but you can do it. It sounds like you have time. Put the feelers out in the used markets (tractorhouse, craigslist, dealers, classifieds, etc) and check them diligently.