Tractor Selection?

[artcarney_agr]

I recently bought a house with 11 acres; about 3 acres of yard (have a zero turn for this part already), 2 acres of woods, and the remaining 6 is pasture.

I need to buy a used tractor and have a budget of about $8,500

My needs for it will be maintaining the gravel drive, snow removal, moving a little bit of dirt here and there, brush cleanup, bush hogging the pasture a couple of times a year, dragging a disc around if I choose to plant a sunflower patch or clover food plot, and so on.

The dilemma I'm having is choosing between heavier older tractors with a loader, or going with newer hydrostatic type tractors with a loader but are a lot lighter...pricing seems about the same on the used market. The old tractors would be more than I'd ever need, but the smaller ones might be a bit easier to maneuver. Just not sure which way to go.


Option 1
Farmtrac 60 tractor and Dunham ler 22 loader diesel 1789hrs power steering live pto live hyd daul remotes, 49 engine hp - $7850
FarmTrac60 with loader - 7850.jpg

Option 2
Case IH 685 with quick attach loader, 60 hp, diesel, good rubber, runs great - $7900
Case IH 685 - 7900.jpg

Option 3
Ford 1710. With Ford 770b loader. A little over 1300 hours. 12 speed forward transmission 4 speed in reverse. Like new tires. Diesel, 26 engine horsepower. 23 pto. 540 pto - $8400
Ford 1710 with loader - 8400.jpg

Option 4
2011 Kubota BX 2660 4X4, 267 hours, w/loader and belly mower, diesel, 26 engine hp - $8900
2011 Kubota BX 2660 4X4 - 8900.jpg

Option 5
1999 John Deere 4200 with loader, 2821 hours, 4x4 MFWD 4WD, diesel, 26 engine hp - $8250
John Deere 4200 - 8250.jpg

[wildturkey]

Kubota will sip diesel and serve you well.

[JTN]

There's no substitute for weight (loader work)and power.

[TNT]

I'd jump on that Kubota, with the Deere a close 2nd

[artcarney_agr]

I'd jump on that Kubota, with the Deere a close 2nd

You don't think the Kubota is too light? From what I've read, it may have 26 hp but it is never able to be utilized due to it's light weight and poor traction. It only weighs 1,400 pounds....you stick a 400 lb bush hog on the back and how is it going to handle it? That's the dilemma I'm faced with. I know the older heavier tractors will do fine, but am drawn to these lighter newer ones.

[jetdude]

The small tractors are really handy for small jobs. When you start bushhogging and pulling a disc, you will want the bigger tractor.

[rednecktech]

The small tractors are really handy for small jobs. When you start bushhogging and pulling a disc, you will want the bigger tractor.

What he said for sure. The Kubota looks too small. Farmtrac is out. I have an '86 Ford 1510, and I have worked it hard since I got it in 03. Only thing I have replaced is the starter, belt, and filters. The Deere would be a good choice. The Case would be my choice (bigger is better) if it weren't for snow removal. I don't deal with snow so I don't know how a 2WD tractor behaves in the snow.

[ColdSVT]

You don't think the Kubota is too light? From what I've read, it may have 26 hp but it is never able to be utilized due to it's light weight and poor traction. It only weighs 1,400 pounds....you stick a 400 lb bush hog on the back and how is it going to handle it? That's the dilemma I'm faced with. I know the older heavier tractors will do fine, but am drawn to these lighter newer ones.

It is
My dad and I got a 38hp kubota and I wish we went with more as it struggles with a 3 bottom plow

It is fantastic for everything else we need but it hates that plow lol

[KandKKustomz]

It is
My dad and I got a 38hp kubota and I wish we went with more as it struggles with a 3 bottom plow

It is fantastic for everything else we need but it hates that plow lol

Id guess so..... I have a 9540 95 hp and its only rated for 4's and pulls 4s just right...you must have a very very light set of 3's , Ive got a 4630 I wouldnt even consider putting any more then a 2 bottom on it.

[artcarney_agr]

Minimum listed dry weights without a loader and with minimum selected options...

Farmtrac 60 - 4,500 lbs
Case 685 - 5,600 lbs
Ford 1710 - 2,500 lbs
Kubota BX2660 - 1,400 lbs
John Deere 4200 - 2,400 lbs

[p1capt]

I'd jump on that Kubota, with the Deere a close 2nd

+1

[larryhyco]

I have a John Deere 5055E and my recommendation is make sure you get either one of the 2 with 4x4.

[artcarney_agr]

I have a John Deere 5055E and my recommendation is make sure you get either one of the 2 with 4x4.

Is that due to the rear wheels tending to lift off the ground?

[Crankinstick]

I have a John Deere 5055E and my recommendation is make sure you get either one of the 2 with 4x4.

The J D's of the late 90's and early 2000 are some great machines. Not as fond of the newer ones. Same with the Ferds that age.

[wildturkey]

I have a 2400 Kubota and it lifts a 580 pound tiller and runs it well. Father in law has a 2900 and it is a boss for its size. Both meet our needs. He does Bush hog and till and has the bucket.

[Chief Paduke]

I'm in the same boat. Guys with experience keep telling me to get the older and heavier tractor. I don't want to work work on it , search for parts, and have to get a bigger trailer to take it for repairs if needed. I may pull the trigger on a B7800. It's a little heavier and stronger than the BX series.

[artcarney_agr]

Guys with experience keep telling me to get the older and heavier tractor. I don't want to work work on it , search for parts, and have to get a bigger trailer to take it for repairs if needed.

Yep, that's the way I feel about it too. I really like that Case 685 but after you figure in the loader it's probably pushing 7,000 lbs and I have no idea how I would haul something like that. The John Deere 4200 I posted above is my favorite option due to the weight and the fact that there's a ton of attachments out there for it, but the 2800 hours might be too many and putting it due for some parts to be replaced...from what I gather John Deere parts are some of the most expensive to buy.

The Kubotas are very nice, but I just feel like I would want it to weigh at least 2200+ for slinging a bush hog around and for better traction...the L2600DT is one I'd like to find, but the closest one with a loader in my price range is down in Texas.

[CatFan]

There are a couple of Kubota L3400s with low hours up here that I think would be about ideal for what you are looking for. Asking price is close to $14K though. One is in West Frankfort, Illinois.

Thing about these is they hold value very well.

For snow and any kind of loader work, you want 4X4 period. When you pick up a bucket full of about anything the back wheels lose traction and the front is all you have to drive with.

[Babe Winkleworm]

Kubota hands down been watching clist myself for one

[Cpcat]

Kubota hands down been watching clist myself for one

Yep.