Help me choose/find a tractor

DangerRuss

DangerRuss

Space Unicorn soaring thru the stars
Charter Member
Vendor
Multi-Factor Enabled
Joined
Dec 16, 2016
Messages
3,339
Location
Apex, NC
Rating - 100%
181   0   0
Edit 10-Feb-2021: I found a tractor, skip to this post for info: https://carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/help-me-choose-find-a-tractor.79827/post-1410702

Short version... Looking for a tractor with these criteria, and need help deciding what brand/model to get, and where to find it:
-Used preferred, but will consider new
-Must have a front end loader (that’s my main reason for getting it)
-“Traditional” geared, or shuttle-shift only - no hydrostatic trans
-Category 1 is minimum size - don’t want anything smaller. (I already own some Cat 1 implements, and want to be able to use those.)
-Need to stay under 6000lb max weight including loaded tires and front end loader/bucket. That is the max that my trailer and tow vehicle can haul.
-Don’t care at all what it looks like, how old it is, or what lights are on it. Just want it to run good and be functionally good.
-Will pay more if includes backhoe
-Wouldn’t mind a cab, but not sure that is feasible within my desired weight range
-Can pay cash, or wouldn’t mind getting 0% financing from a dealer.
-Would like to spend $8k or less, but could go up to $15k if needed. Could go up to $25k if financing, but prefer not to get crazy.

Thanks for any advice and recommendations!
 
Last edited:
I highly recommend a late 90’s-early 2000’s Kubota. I sold my L3010 last year when we moved and miss it a lot, just don’t need a tractor at the new place. It was a 2000 model and I’d highly recommend one of you can find one. It was geared manual transmission, 4x4, 30hp and didn’t have any electronics besides the starting system and lights. Never had a single issue besides worn tires and replacing a battery.
 
As we're discussing good brands/models... where is a good place to search for them. I always search Craigslist, but are there other sites I should watch, and is it worth checking out tractor dealers? Any recommend dealers?
 
Third to recommend Kubota. Mine is about 18 years old, 34hp with loader.
It has never needed anything but fluids/filters.

I was at a Kubota dealer last week and noticed they have some great financing available.
 
You’ll have to sacrifice on more than one of your requirements to get what you want.

Massey 240 with loader probably fits the bill best, older Kubota’s fine but often worn to shit.
 
Brandon1 said:
You’ll have to sacrifice on more than one of your requirements to get what you want.
Click to expand...
Tell me more about that. Do you just mean that the $8k budget is not realistic?
 
Kubota makes a great tractor. So does Kioti and New Holland. Mahindra's are based upon the old International designs, and they are the largest manufacturer of tractors in the world.

Japanese small tractors are excellent, but stay away from any "grey market" imports, because you can't get parts for them.

John Deere are overpriced, IMO.

With a front end loader, you definitely want 4WD. The axle's are much heavier and sometimes if you have a full bucket you'll need to use FWD in order to move around.

With a 6000 lb max weight, you're looking at a 50 hp tractor, give or take.

Small tractors typically fall into one of three categories. Hobby farm / homeowner, Agricultural, and construction hybrid. Ag tractors are great for agricultural needs such as pulling a disk harrow, seeder, hay mower, bush hog, etc. They are not ideal for using with a loader.

Hobby farm / homeowner tractors are typically very light duty, and cost more per HP than Ag or construction hybrid because of the greater demand.

Construction / hybrid tractors typically have R4 industrial tires and a shuttle shift. They work well with a front end loader. Kubota makes tractors that fall into all three categories.

For the needs you listed, a construction / hybrid tractor in the 45+HP range would be my first choice. I would want a universal skid steer attachment on the front end loader so that you can use any skid steer attachments on the front end, a 3 point hitch on the back and R4 industrial tires with a shuttle shift (and you can't easily change tire types due to the differences in size and gearing). BTW, 3 point hitch backhoe attachments leave a lot to be desired. They are better than a shovel, but not as capable or easy to use as a backhoe or mini-ex.

Later model tractors with a flat deck inside the cab are much easier to get in and out of then older Ag tractors with a high transmission.
 
DangerRuss said:
As we're discussing good brands/models... where is a good place to search for them. I always search Craigslist, but are there other sites I should watch, and is it worth checking out tractor dealers? Any recommend dealers?
Click to expand...
Mine sold on Facebook marketplace for $6,500 and as many people were asking about it I could’ve got more. It didn’t even have a front end loader and I think I could’ve got close to $8k for it.
 
I’ve been looking thru lots of ads, and think I missed a good deal from earlier this week on Craigslist. (Others are first in line, I’m waiting to hear back)
How much extra would you pay for a 4-in-1 bucket on the loader, rather than a plain bucket? I might go look at a used tractor, and it has a 4-in-1. It seems like that would be really useful, but I’ve never used one. I’ve only used plain and grapple buckets.
 
Last edited:
I agree with all the other post. If you can get a 4x4....Get it! I have a 45 horse JD that is 2 wheel drive. It’s always done everything I wanted it to do....but I still have always wished it was a 4x4. I also agree with brand mentioned....Kubota is a great tractor, JD, Massey Ferguson.....Stick with brands that you can easily get parts for....I suggest something with a quick attach bucket. I switch from bucket to forks all the time...never knew how much I would use a set of forks until I got them. Grapple will be my next implement purchase...More options is better
 
Last edited:
DangerRuss said:
Could go up to $25k if financing, but prefer not to get crazy.
Click to expand...

Tractors - Sub-Compact - BX23S | Kubota

Browse through Kubota's BX23S Sub-Compact tractor inventory, filter search by features to find the best fit for you, or even build your own. Then find a dealer close by with your desired product!
www.kubotausa.com www.kubotausa.com

I'll cover my thoughts on this option. I bought a new Kubota BX23S in 2019. For less than $24K, in addition to the tractor loader backhoe (TLB), I left with a thumb for backhoe, cutting edge for loader bucket, a Land Pride grapple for front loader (absolutely the best/most used attachment ever), since I had a third function valve installed for the grapple I got my auger (that attaches via SSQA as everything else on front end) for the front end loader, a game changer if you've ever stuck an auger and had to manually screw it out, because with third function valve, you have reverse!

Also a grading plane, much easier to spread with vs. box blade, and a set of forks. I've since gone back for a tiller, aerator, and a spreader. A man could probably make a living on small jobs with this little tractor at less than $400 a month, financed through Kubota at %0 (we all know there's actually no free money). So a 4wd, 23 hp tractor that can do most anything, but we live in the woods and I can fit a lot of places the FIL TN55 won't go. It is small, but will do a lot more than you think.

Edited to say : it is hydrostatic which to me is a plus for how I use it, curious as to why you oppose.
 
Last edited:
SimpleMan said:
it is hydrostatic which to me is a plus for how I use it, curious as to why you oppose.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your post!
I originally said no HST because I don’t really need it, and it just seems like extra expense.
But I’ve been doing more reading, and I can see how it would be nice, and they seem to be just as reliable. So Id say that I’m not seeking out HST, but I’m not opposed to it if I find something I want that is HST
 
Any recommendations for dealers I should make sure to visit, or make sure to avoid?
The resale price of used tractors is so high, I want to see if I should consider a new one.
 
DangerRuss said:
Any recommendations for dealers I should make sure to visit, or make sure to avoid?
The resale price of used tractors is so high, I want to see if I should consider a new one.
Click to expand...

I bought mine from my local Kubota dealer, but they are super nice guys that farm as well, and personal friends. I’m pretty sure that Kubota tries to protect each dealers territory and doesn’t like them stepping on each other. I have no knowledge of your local dealer, but there are some that advertise low low prices, but sometimes the lowest price ain’t the cheapest.
 
Neither dealer in Winston seems to be able to find parts for anything, new or old, they also rarely have them in stock when they can find the right parts. Not terribly impressed with the service departments either. James river in Greensboro has a pretty good parts and service dept., and John Deere allows customers to look up parts on their web based parts manuals with no special log-in, don't think anyone else does, being someone that works on this stuff near daily, that's awful nice.
I think we have three Kubota compact tractors less than five years old, one seems to have been delivered front axle dry and self destructed, they don't seem too keen on helping with that. One has had the bevel gear hub grenade. The other is less than a year old. I'm not real impressed.
We have a lot more JDs in Ag and Construction varieties though not many compact, they have minor issues sometimes, but almost never anything major that is not clearly operator abuse.
We also have quite a few old Fords mostly Industrial 80s-90s models, they've been pretty trouble free.
I don't think it's been mentioned, if you plan on moving heavy stuff with it over any uneven or rough terrain you need weight, a lot of Compacts are quite light and get unstable easy, just because they can lift something, doesn't necessarily mean they can do it safely.
 
Aardvark said:
Why do you need to trailer it? Are you in construction or landscaping?
Click to expand...
I need to use it at multiple properties - mine (home in Chatham co plus land in alamance co), moms, bothers. Grading, driveway maintenance, post holes, etc. I am not in construction or landscaping.
 
I had a used 40hp NewHolland that maintained 55ac for 11 years. It was a tank and only needed oil changes, a battery & tires.
I sold it for $10k. In my search for a 4wd with a bucket, Kubota seemed to be the best choice for the $. I read the @30hp JD with a bucket has a tendency to blow the front gears.
 
Statesville AG and Turf is one of the better dealers around. I've heard they are a lot cheaper than others in the area.

In the near future my father in law has an 8n and a 9n(?)Jubilee that he will have to sell.
 
Last edited:
I looked long and hard for a good used kubota and what I found was 1. They wanted about 80% of new price which I am not willing to pay with no warranty. Finally said F_ it and bought a new kubota LX2610SU. So far it has exceeded my expectations. Course I only have about 5 hrs on it. Only because it’s so wet here I can’t do what I want to accomplish.
 
I will reiterate that my BX23S has exceeded my expectations. Where my FIL and I would wrestle 30-40" hard wood rounds into his log splitter vertically, I had the epiphany one day to use it horizontally and load the rounds onto it with my grapple, man, what a back saver. I will say as mentioned, it is a little "tippy", but in my price, my dealer liquid filled my tires. They said it was standard with these little tractors, so I have no knowledge how that changed anything, but I did add 2" wheel spacers on the rear wheels and that helped a lot. I have 240 trouble free hours on my tractor. Also, I can have the backhoe off and three point hitch on in under 10 minutes.
 
This is the place I went to in Alabama to buy my MX5400 Kubota package, in November.

Check out the available packages. Their prices are so low, none of the Kubota dealers I checked in NC could even get close.

The salesman told me that he is not supposed to sell tractors to people in NC because of sales territories set up by Kubota, but I actually own land in AL. I straight out asked him, if any of my NC friends want a good deal will he sell them a tractor... He said yes. He will sell to you, but he'll ask you to sign a piece of paper saying that you'll use the tractor on my Alabama property before you decide to move it anywhere else (your property in NC). I know this sounds stupid, but it's his way of skirting the sales territory nonsense. And, of course, you can buy the tractor and take it straight to NC. You don't really need to take it to my boyhood home. It's just a silly technicality. He doesn't care. He just needs the piece of paper with my AL address on it to cover his own butt when Kubota audits his sales.

sneadtractor.com

Kubota Tractor Packages | Snead Tractor

Upgrade your equipment with Snead Tractor’s Kubota Tractor Packages. Hassle-free bundles for efficient projects, top-quality tractors, & financing options.
sneadtractor.com sneadtractor.com

Also... @DangerRuss You and I live pretty close together. If you every want to borrow my flat bed trailer, for moving your tractor around, you are welcome to it. It's a brand new 20ft trailer and it's just going to sit in my yard.

If you've got any questions about the dealer in Alabama just shoot me a pm.
 
Alabamacoastie said:
This is the place I went to in Alabama to buy my MX5400 Kubota package, in November.

Check out the available packages. Their prices are so low, none of the Kubota dealers I checked in NC could even get close.

The salesman told me that he is not supposed to sell tractors to people in NC because of sales territories set up by Kubota, but I actually own land in AL. I straight out asked him, if any of my NC friends want a good deal will he sell them a tractor... He said yes. He will sell to you, but he'll ask you to sign a piece of paper saying that you'll use the tractor on my Alabama property before you decide to move it anywhere else (your property in NC). I know this sounds stupid, but it's his way of skirting the sales territory nonsense. And, of course, you can buy the tractor and take it straight to NC. You don't really need to take it to my boyhood home. It's just a silly technicality. He doesn't care. He just needs the piece of paper with my AL address on it to cover his own butt when Kubota audits his sales.

sneadtractor.com

Kubota Tractor Packages | Snead Tractor

Upgrade your equipment with Snead Tractor’s Kubota Tractor Packages. Hassle-free bundles for efficient projects, top-quality tractors, & financing options.
sneadtractor.com sneadtractor.com

Also... @DangerRuss You and I live pretty close together. If you every want to borrow my flat bed trailer, for moving your tractor around, you are welcome to it. It's a brand new 20ft trailer and it's just going to sit in my yard.

If you've got any questions about the dealer in Alabama just shoot me a pm.
Click to expand...
When Filling out a credit app, what salesman did you use
 
LeeMajors said:
When Filling out a credit app, what salesman did you use
Click to expand...
I filled out everything with my NC address and NC Drivers License. The credit app, the contract, everything said my Pittsboro NC address.

The last thing I signed was a single sheet of paper saying that I intend to use my new tractor at my address in AL before taking it anywhere else.

He literally laughed about it, said it was absolutely pointless, except that he can tell Kubota, "I sold it to a guy in NC who said he also wanted to use it at his AL address. "

Then he told me to send all my friends to him, he'd still them cheap tractors, and let them sign that same piece of paper saying that it'll get a little use at my address in AL before they haul it to NC.
 
LeeMajors said:
When Filling out a credit app, what salesman did you use
Click to expand...
I just realized I didn't answer your question. I filled out the electronic credit app on the Kubota website. I put my NC address, NC license, etc.

I got 0% interest.

I put $10k down in cash, but I didn't have to. I could have gone $0 down, but of course my payment would have been much higher.
 
I
Alabamacoastie said:
I just realized I didn't answer your question. I filled out the electronic credit app on the Kubota website. I put my NC address, NC license, etc.

I got 0% interest.

I put $10k down in cash, but I didn't have to. I could have gone $0 down, but of course my payment would have been much higher.
Click to expand...
I was filling out the app and it asked for a salesman. If approved I'd like to use the same as you did
 
LeeMajors said:
I

I was filling out the app and it asked for a salesman. If approved I'd like to use the same as you did
Click to expand...
Caleb Kelly.

Real nice guy. He didn't even try to upsell me on anything.

Gave me free t shirts and hats too.
 
Last edited:
Massey Ferguson 2615 in Sanford area...

Hints from the photos that make it attractive, IMO: Has analog guages (which is a plus for me indicating fewer electronics), appears to have independent PTO (not all Masseys do) which is a big plus IMO. Also this tractor is in the owner (not dealer) section and the background in the photos does not look like a tractor dealer, so likely a private seller, but you never know... I have no knowledge of this model in particular, but Massey historically has a good name: I'm in farm-country, surrounded by tractors, (granted bigger ones mostly) but I don't hear anyone badmouthing Massey.

raleigh.craigslist.org

2015 Massey Ferguson Loader - farm & garden - by owner - sale

Awesome running Massey Ferguson 2615 with loader. 52 hp with 4x4. Tires are in great condition. Tractor only has 980 hours on it. Bucket is 6’ quick connect. Tractor also has remotes on rear....
raleigh.craigslist.org

TractorData.com Massey Ferguson 2615 tractor information

www.tractordata.com www.tractordata.com
 
Aardvark said:
Massey Ferguson 2615 in Sanford area...

Hints from the photos that make it attractive, IMO: Has analog guages (which is a plus for me indicating fewer electronics), appears to have independent PTO (not all Masseys do) which is a big plus IMO. Also this tractor is in the owner (not dealer) section and the background in the photos does not look like a tractor dealer, so likely a private seller, but you never know... I have no knowledge of this model in particular, but Massey historically has a good name: I'm in farm-country, surrounded by tractors, (granted bigger ones mostly) but I don't hear anyone badmouthing Massey.

raleigh.craigslist.org

2015 Massey Ferguson Loader - farm & garden - by owner - sale

Awesome running Massey Ferguson 2615 with loader. 52 hp with 4x4. Tires are in great condition. Tractor only has 980 hours on it. Bucket is 6’ quick connect. Tractor also has remotes on rear....
raleigh.craigslist.org

TractorData.com Massey Ferguson 2615 tractor information

www.tractordata.com www.tractordata.com
Click to expand...
That one is awesome, but is unfortunately more than I can spend without financing. :( Thanks for looking out though!
 
If you are in Chatham there are two dealers in Siler City, clapp brothers and black tractor and equipment. I bought a 2016 new holland work master 37 from clapp in 2017 and have been pleased with it. Use it for loader work and bush hogging mostly but it’s handled everything I’ve asked of it. I’m just north of Siler City if you would like to take it for a test drive. Clapp was easy to work with for financing and has been helpful if I’ve had any questions, even on service work I was doing myself instead of taking to them.
 
If your main reason for the tractor is the loader I’d highly recommended the hst trans and 4wd. It allows a lot more control when your close to things and helps with stopping. With a load in the bucket or forks and a slight grade the back will get light and will sometimes get away from you if you don’t drop the bucket to the ground. I took out some fence line with a round bail on the forks going down a hill one time, just enough weight to make the back tires float and no brakes (if it’s in 4wd it will still stop) as there only on the back.

I’d also recommend Kubota. There the only one that makes all there parts so you shouldn’t have any problems getting parts when you need them. They also have 0% interest financing! I got a new kubota about 3 years ago and have around 700hr on it without a bit of trouble. We have a MF135 all the way to a international 856 and a few in between. The kubota is the only one with a hst trans and I have to say for loader work it makes things way nicer. Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom