School me on tractors

ARGuy

Happy to be here
Joined
Dec 19, 2016
Messages
117
Location
Triad
Rating - 100%
11   0   0
Sorry if this is not the best place to put this but can someone give me some thoughts on purchasing a tractor. I have my dad's ole Massey Ferguson with a bush hog, trailer/cart, boom..etc. I would like to have a tractor that has a bucket and possibly a backhoe attachment. I don't plan on being a farmer but would like to build a range and other various projects around my land. Thought on the various brands?
 
I’ve got a Kubota L3010 and it’s been a great tractor. I’m back in the woods a lot and it’s small enough to maneuver between the trees but still big enough that I don’t have issues using attachments. I’d personally say 4x4 is something I wouldn’t want to do without either.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Do you have a budget in mind? There are several good brands out there and much of it comes to what dealers are in your area and support you can get if needed. Loader is very handy on one. If you get a loader I would highly recommend 4x4 if not a full size backhoe and if you can swing it as it will give it much more capability in a smaller tractor. Many make the 3pt backhoes and have there pros and cons. JD made one several years back that was a removeable backhoe and Mounted more ridgely than some others
 
@Tailhunter suggestion is a good one, though I have several friends that have the Coyotes and seem happy. I have a Ford/New Holland 1720 4 wheel drive which is smaller than that at only about 28 HP, but is perfect for my land. I work small fields and keep some old logging roads open and a lot of woods and everything is steep. Anything bigger I think would be a hindrance. The front bucket is the greatest thing ever. First tractor I owned with one and there is not much you cannot do with one. Push over trees, dig dirt, haul deer. Even floated my driveway with it before I got a scrape blade.
 
I bought a 4X4 48 HP JD with loader this past year, since then I have added grapple BEST ATTACHMENT EVER! If you get one with loader without 4X4 you will not be happy. I was looking at the 38 hp range, but glad I held out and bought larger size. But any size with loader/grapple is awesome!
 
First, forget about brands... Look at size, HP, capacity and weight for ALL brands. Narrow down by brand that the best fit AND fits you budget. Then test drive, yes they will when you're serious. Some, not all, might actually have a used model for you to play with (rear).

Also go to: www.tractorbynet.com

Then look for a dealer first, brand 2nd. If the dealer is crap (service) the brand does not matter.

When you decide upon one brand/model and it's not in the budget look used but buy from a dealer for the warranty. Well, unless you find something you can steal for the $.

Oh, and I 2nd the backhoe. I really, really wanted one but for the $$$ I can rent and not worry about storage, maintenance and unused cost
 
Last edited:
I know 2 people with Mahindras and the couldn't be happier.

Make me a 3rd. Yes, it's not a 'chushy'. It's heavy, puts the HP to the ground. It took a while to actually find a compare point on lift capacity. Some measure from different places.

I also know some green, orange and blue owners who are very happy with theirs.
 
I have an older JD 2040 like late 70 model with a loader on it non 4x4 I haven’t had any problems getting stuck might happen tomorrow but ya just gotta learn how to drive em’

That being said 4x4 is nice if you can do it. For light task and all Kubotas are descent tractors they have started making them a lot cheaper since the 80s when they first started hitting the market in the piedmont. Metal just ain’t as good like it was. I personally like Jd’s it’s like a ford/Chevy game. Hehe although I think JDs are built better.

I also have a Kubota also a lot of my friends swear by them.
 
Last edited:
Pageland farm Equipment has some of the best prices and service that you will find. Been dealing with Tommy for around 20 years he’s in Pageland so it’s not central NC but it’s worth it.
 
I have tractor envy, mine is a 1949 8-N :( but it does most of what I need one for.
 
A few things to consider.
Pick the best dealer/service not the brand.
They break, make sure you can get parts.

It's not just the initial purchase price, it's the total cost of ownership over time. Some brands require OEM fluids and filters that aren't cheap.

Talk to mechanics in the back about the model you are interested in. Do it without the sales guy around.

The rule of thumb is to buy the next size up from the one you think you need. I look at it a little different. I have an old MF50 with a FEL, it handles the heavy work and honestly it's too much tractor for my place. It was a killer deal. I also have a smaller older garden tractor for the smaller stuff. I'm looking at upgrading the garden tractor to a small bx size new tractor. To me one size tractor doesn't fit all situations.
 
Sorry if this is not the best place to put this but can someone give me some thoughts on purchasing a tractor. I have my dad's ole Massey Ferguson with a bush hog, trailer/cart, boom..etc. I would like to have a tractor that has a bucket and possibly a backhoe attachment. I don't plan on being a farmer but would like to build a range and other various projects around my land. Thought on the various brands?

If you already have a farm tractor with the 3 point implements, then instead of buying a larger version of the same thing, why not buy a used backhoe?

A backhoe will be much better at digging and moving dirt than a farm tractor (I have both). When you start talking about building a range you’re getting into some serious dirt movement and the backhoe would be a better choice IMO.
 
If you already have a farm tractor with the 3 point implements, then instead of buying a larger version of the same thing, why not buy a used backhoe?

A backhoe will be much better at digging and moving dirt than a farm tractor (I have both). When you start talking about building a range you’re getting into some serious dirt movement and the backhoe would be a better choice IMO.

Agreed. The backhoe is so much more efficient and built to perform the tasks you're describing ahead of you. Once you've finished the known earth moving duties you can decide on selling it or trading both for a more suited 4 wheel drive tractor with the front end loader.
 
Thanks guys. I appreciate the insight. Just a quick glance online puts used backhoes 50 grand and up. Dont think the wife will sign off on that one.


ETA...trying to stay around 30 grand or less.

ETA.... Equipmenttrader.com has some backhoes a bit cheaper.
 
Last edited:
My .02 worth. Most all colors are good tractors anymore. I currently own a JD 2250 4wd with a loader as my farm tractor. WE wont talk about the Farmall 560, Farmall F-20, Minneapolis Moline GVI, Ford 8N. The JD a 1991. Its "old and heavy" which is what you want. Plus all the newer tractors have the emissions stuff, which does jack the prices up a bit, and some aggravation. I agree with Tail hunter. 50 hp is a good "farm tractor" you can move round bales, bucket full of gravel, move light trees, without the tractor being rear light and a big PITA. Most people by a small, landscaping type tractor in those packages and wonder why it wont act like a D-9 Caterpillar.

Look for an older, used one in good shape. They are built heavier and have less crap to go wrong. I paid 13K for mine with 3500 hrs on it. It has almost 4700 hrs on it and still does what I need it to do. (The Minneapolis Moline GVI Diesel has 6500 on it, and cranks better than anything on the farm). The New Holland does have some heavier options if you look a few years back. If your budget it bigger, you can go new. I suggest a 135 hp NH or JD. You can park it at my place :) Thats my JD in the background. Also the 39 F-20.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20170914_183552453.jpg
    IMG_20170914_183552453.jpg
    186.6 KB · Views: 32
Thanks guys. I appreciate the insight. Just a quick glance online puts used backhoes 50 grand and up. Dont think the wife will sign off on that one.


ETA...trying to stay around 30 grand or less.


Look at a john deere tlb 110 it might be a good fit under your price range. Loader does not come off but backhoe does and it is heavier built than a standard loader tractor so would handle the dirt work better.

Example of one below they can be found closer and some for less money just pull that one since it had several pictures.
https://www.machinerytrader.com/listings/construction-equipment/for-sale/10072767/2004-deere-110
 
Last edited:
I have a New Holland Workmaster 37 and have been happy with it. We have 12 acres, majority of that is pasture. I use the tractor to mow the pasture, and the fel for all kinds of things. I wanted to get a mahindra with backhoe but my fiancé liked the new holland better and the back hoe was more than I wanted to spend. Glad I didn’t get it as I can’t think of a single time I have needed it since I bought the tractor. I am trying to convince her now that I need pallet forks and a post hole auger, but there are always more wants than money it seems.
 
???

Thanks guys. I appreciate the insight. Just a quick glance online puts used backhoes 50 grand and up. Dont think the wife will sign off on that one.


ETA...trying to stay around 30 grand or less.

ETA.... Equipmenttrader.com has some backhoes a bit cheaper.

???

There are at least a half a dozen backhoes on Raleigh craigslist right now for less than 20k. One of them - a John Deere - is 17K and only 6 years old. I see older, good condition backhoes all the time for less than 30k.
 
Check your PM’s @ARGuy . Bout to list a tractor for sale
 
View attachment 77007 For 30k or less you can buy a bobcat with the attachment for whatever chore you want to do.

The bobcat argument is valid, but attachments are silly expensive.
A medium/light duty 3pt 6' bushhog is $700. For a skidsteer it starts at $1400.
Most farm implements are setup for 2500psi. The skidsteer is much higher than that.

I've never seen a scrape blade or a box blade on a skidsteer. Not saying they don't exist, just never seen one.

My rig has s skidsteer QD bucket on it.
I'm still wanting to take advantage of it!
Farmtrac_ryan.JPG
 
Last edited:
Go with the hoe! If you dont need to run any attachments. I have both and use the 580 more than the Ferguson. Used 580's can be had around Philly, SJ area for 5-7k regularly but then you have to haul it home which will cost a good bit. My 77 580B has been around here almost 20 years and always cranks and have only had to rebuild the injection pump and replace a few hoses. I plan to be buried in the CASE when the time comes....and can dig the hole too....well maybe!
Rooster
 
If you already have a tractor to do tractor stuff with, a backhoe-loader is the ticket for earth moving uses. I had a look through my local craiglist and found a few. Didn't see anything immediately on Raleigh craigslist.

The right tool for the job.


John Deere 510 $4500
https://norfolk.craigslist.org/hvo/d/john-deere-510-back-hoe/6707596465.html

Case 580 $9500
https://norfolk.craigslist.org/hvo/d/case-2011-wheel-and-tire/6711366730.html

Case 480 $7500
https://norfolk.craigslist.org/hvo/d/case-480e-ll-tractor/6690901301.html
 
If you go with a bobcat get a year model that is old enough to NOT have the computer. Every electrical issue has to be done through the dealership. They make it difficult to repair your own equipment.
 
Back
Top Bottom