Go BottomKubota BX and What is Right for 5 Acres
 | Brian Heskitt
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2000-02-10 12678
I am just learning about compact tractors. I recently bought 5 flat acres and I need to find a tractor for mowing/snowplowing/rototilling. It doesn't seem like buying used tractors makes sense. I have found prices at local dealers like this: 2yr old ford 1520, 23hp, 2wd, no mower- $10,900. New Kubota BX2200, 22hp, 4wd, power steer, 60" mower- $10,200. It just doesn't seem like a used 20+hp tractor with a 60" mower can be had for less than $8000. Is there something I don't know about, or should I just go get the new one? thanks
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| Joe Padavano
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2000-02-10 12682
Well, I'm sure you'll get a lot of responses on this one. We bought 55 acres last year and found a 1979 JD 850 for sale within five miles. This particular tractor had only 500 hours on it (that's why it was for sale - the original owner hardly ever used it) and came with a finish mower, JD 506 rotary cutter, JD tiller, and an auger all for $6500. We've owned it since last summer and have had no real problems. Frankly I couldn't see spending three times that for all new equipment. It's unlikely that you'll find such a deal from a dealer, but you can certainly find them from private parties. I don't know what part of the country you live in, but here in northern VA, the Lancaster Farming classifieds is a good place to start (lancasterfarming.com). I have this thing for green tractors and thus have to pay what seems like a 50% premium on used stuff, but other brands seem to be quite reasonable.
In retrospect, my only regret is that the 850 is a little light for some of the things I want to do (though it is fine for about 95%). I probably would have preferred a 1050. The downside of buying used is that you either have to wait until you find what you want or you might have to make due with something that isn't exactly what you wanted. ("you can't always get what you want... but you can get what you need...") Is that worth paying three times as much? ....
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| Brian Heskitt
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2000-02-11 12696
Thanks for the input Joe. New is not even worth twice as much to me. If I can find a deal like the one you got, I'll buy it in a heartbeat. I think you're right, I need to look to private sales. ....
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| Roger L.
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 0
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2000-02-11 12716
Brian, for my own use I'm with you on the used equipment. I enjoy mechanical devices, and doing some fixup and maintenance on a piece of well-designed machinery gives me the same enjoyment that a lot of guys get from their lawn and landscaping. In fact, the used machine often has more - not less - appeal to me because it has a history. New ones seem bland by comparison.
As much as I like to tinker with machinery, I hate to work on anything that was built to be disgarded. Luckily, tractors are built in a way to bring a smile to the face of any motorhead.
Lots of old American farm tractors fall into your price range. Few 20 hp compacts will do so, unless they lack power steering, 4wd, and a loader - all of which you will probably want. If you want all of these things for a price of well under $8000 there is a way. A "grey" market in used imported compact tractors not only exists, it is florishing. You would be surprised at how many people own them. Several of the dealers post on this site, and the Yahoo! clubs are a good place to research them. Try the yanmartractorownersgroup there.
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