New FEL or new tractor

[drj211]

Hi Guys. I'm new to OTT, but have been around tractors my whole life. I have a situation and need some genuine advice from someone other than my wife!

I presently own a 2002 NH TC33D with 410 hours on it. I'm the original owner and it has been barn stored since new. This has been an excellent tractor for what I do with it, property maintenance. I also have a PTO driven generator for it since I'm in FL!

The situation has a few variables, so here goes. When I purchased the NH, the dealer was about 30 minutes from my house. They have since closed, and the next closest is about 2.5 hours away. This isn't a big problem because the warranty is a little outdated and I usually turn my own wrenches anyway. I can get WIX filters and fluids at my local NAPA dealer, and most parts online.

I've come to the point that I have some projects for a front end loader. I can add a loader on to my NH for around $5-6.5K, everything included. The problem is that none of them are totally what I would like. Some are rigid mount loader with QA bucket, or QA loader with pin on bucket, etc. Then I would also have a 15 year old tractor with a new loader. I know 15 years/410 hours isn't much, but then again, I don't feel like I did 15 years ago!

So, I started to think about a new tractor with QA loader and QA bucket. I've been considering the closest orange model, the L3301 with the 525 loader. There are 3 Kubota dealers within 1 hour of my property. I've been working with one of the dealers and it seems I can purchase the Kubota for 14K plus my trade. If I subtract the price to add the loader to my tractor, the difference drops to about 8K, and I have plenty of new warranty. But the old tractor doesn't have any pollution gadgets to worry about!

Sorry about the long winded post, but I wanted some input on going with the new package versus upgrading the NH. The 8K output isn't the limiting factor as I'm also concerned with putting the loader on the NH tractor and longevity of that platform since the hydraulic system hasn't had that load on it. It seems the 525 loader is matched to the 2501/3301/3901 and the aftermarket loader is meant for a range of tractors, not just the NH.

Just looking for your thoughts. Thanks guys.

 

[chim]

It would seem to me you'd be way ahead to buy the Kubota outright and sell the NH privately.

 

[D2Cat]

drj211, welcome!

I caught, "...I usually turn my own wrenches anyways." "...and the old tractor doesn't have any pollution gadgets to worry about!"

I can relate to both of those ideas. Might look at something late model, used. I'd suggest considering finding a Kubota L..40 series tractor. Like an L3240, 3540,3940...depending on the actual work you need it for.

The L..40 series is the "Grand L" and has features others don't. They may be up to 10 years old, but you can find 5,6,7 year old tractors with 300-600 hours pretty easy.

This series won't have the regeneration requirements of today's models. You'll find quick attach loaders, hydrostatic transmission, more confortable seats, stall guard, and many other features not on other models.

As Chim mentioned, sell your NH privately when ready.

Here's a link for more information. http://www.orangetractortalks.com/2010/10/an-overview-of-kubotas-grand-l40-series/

 

[Missouribound]

Either he's not dealing with you or he's undervaluing your tractor.
Based on the description of your tractor I would expect it to sell for about $10K
Your new tractor, list minus rebates should be just over $22k
You should be able to make that deal for no more than $12K, in my opinion.
Check with other dealers even out of state. I know it's convenient to trade in your tractor and be done with it but you will loose at least $2K if you do.
I actually found an L3301 w/ loader online at Tractorhouse for just under $19K, although it was a 2016 model. Shop around.

 

[KennedyFarmer]

Don't worry about the enviroment stuff, once you read up on it you will find out its not a big worry, lots of us are running with DPF filters etc.

 

[drj211]

Thanks for the advice guys.

The wife doesn't like the idea of having 2 tractors here at the same time! Trading will solve that, as well as save a little on the tax burden, which helps get closer to the difference in trade value vs. outright sale value.

The other option is to sell the tractor first, but not sure how long that will take! But, could be worth it in the long run.

Seems like the prevailing thoughts lead toward a new or newer tractor with the loader, instead of installing one on my tractor.

 

[BAP]

Unfortunately, in the dealers eyes, a tractor the size of your NH without a loader on it is probably going to be hard for them to sell. In that size tractor most people want a loader and they are likely to sit on it for a while. That's why they are not offering you more for it in trade.

 

[drj211]

Unfortunately, in the dealers eyes, a tractor the size of your NH without a loader on it is probably going to be hard for them to sell. In that size tractor most people want a loader and they are likely to sit on it for a while. That's why they are not offering you more for it in trade.

And the lack of a loader is what now gets me in this scenario!