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grover
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# Posted: 5 May 2013 09:28pm
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Not sure if the funds are going to be there but I can wish can't I? We had a friend help clear a cabin spot and it was amazing what he could do in a day of work! His was a John Deere and I think about 50 hp. It had a thing on the front end that I think is called a grappler. Basically metal fingers that open and close. He was able to grab some pretty decent sized logs and such and move them to a common area where we can burn or cut for firewood.
Do you guys have a tractor you use around your property? What do you have, how big, what attachments, and are you satisfied with it? We would probably use it for spreading gravel, moving dirt, bush hogging, etc.
I see some pretty nice looking 4wd tractors in the 30-40 hp range for 15-20k.
Thanks
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woodyflorida
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# Posted: 5 May 2013 09:42pm
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You can't go wrong with Kubota. Mine has been very reliable and i abuse the little 23hp BX23. Most rental companies use Kubota too and they get beat up every day. Great resale value also.
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vince
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# Posted: 6 May 2013 12:05am
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Kubota or New Holland. Nothing else. Ever.
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oldgringo
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# Posted: 6 May 2013 03:59am
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Kubota, although my old Ford 1910 would work circles around the Kubota, on less fuel.
And this: get a front-end loader. You will use the loader more than all other implements combined.
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Josh8880
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# Posted: 6 May 2013 06:28am
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Kubota..I bought one new for 20,000 about ten tears ago with a bucket and back-ho...used it hard for a decade, and it's still going strong...only a 24 hp
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fpw
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# Posted: 6 May 2013 08:01am
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Oliver 880 with front end loader. Paid 3k. Can't imagine building without it.
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turkeyhunter
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# Posted: 6 May 2013 09:08am - Edited by: turkeyhunter
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I bought a used Massy Ferguson 835 diesel a few years ago for $2200 bucks it is so nice and dependable & been kept in barn it whole life / and had several upgrades as well...I used it for mowing fields...using bottom plow /harrow for food plots....boom pole on back for lifting up heavy items~~~~I have 3pt seeder/spreeder for it as well and I have a scrape blade too!!!! Very handy around the camp and farm.
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creeky
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# Posted: 6 May 2013 09:29am
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I've got a Massey Ferg 2410. A 23 hp diesel with fel (front end loader) and backhoe. It's really an Iteka with Massey's texas made loader and backhoe. Same as new holland/etc. Lot of the subcompacts are "branded."
I use it for bush hogging, mowing, plowing (1930s era "genius 8" plow), hole augering ... always on the lookout for new attachments.  I have the loader bucket pallet forks which are unbelievably useful for moving logs, brush, pallets (and anything you can put on them).
One thing, I have the backhoe and only put it on once or twice a year, the front end loader is much more powerful than I imagined. My first big job was a 100 foot ditch that I thought would take a week with the back hoe. Got started with the fel and 4 hours later I'm looking around going "wha? Done already."
Built a 900 ft gravel road with it... list goes on and on. Use it daily. Sometimes even to help out buddies.
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sparky1
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# Posted: 6 May 2013 11:01am
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Kuboto 3200 series with Front end loader.
Ps they are doing -0% - interest right now---check them out
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rayyy
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# Posted: 6 May 2013 05:07pm
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I'm looking,too.The little ford 8n with the scrapper blade is just not cutting it anymore.Ogo is right,a bucket is a must!3 point hitch with a live pto too.
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OwenChristensen
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# Posted: 6 May 2013 06:13pm
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I bought a 20 hp, diesel, 4 wheel drive, JD. It has been the best tool I've ever bought. I have the loader, mower, brush chopper, tiller, rear blade, and post hole digger.
I think you might get a better deal with Kubota.
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 7 May 2013 08:10am - Edited by: bldginsp
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I need to buy a tractor eventually too, so I've been researching it.
www.tractorbynet.com (or .net?) has a good 'how to buy a tractor' manual, and a good forum with experienced tractor users willing to answer questions.
www.tractorhouse.com has the largest nationwide listing of used tractors- handy to compare older models.
www.ironplanet.com is one way to buy a professionally inspected used tractor.
All the tractor brands are well made except the Chinese and Russian tractors, which cost less and need much more maintenance. What's most important is getting a machine with the capabilities that you need, in good condition, at a fair price. Research tractor implements carefully. A tractor is useless without implements, so you want to be sure what you get has the implements you need, or is capable of using them if you buy them later.
I've heard many stories of people buying a tractor, then discovering that it's not the right tractor for them, then selling it and getting another. That's why I've done a lot of research, I want to make the right decision the first time.
0% financing sounds good, but you pay for 0%. You must pay their retail price for the whole package, you can't dicker the price. Paying cash is the best way to buy, if you can. If you must finance I think the best thing is to pay as much down as possible, use normal financing (6-8%) then pay it off early. With this way you can dicker the price down at the sale, then pay a minimum of interest.
I think it's best to buy used in good condition. You'll pay a lot less, and remember that you are not going to use the tractor a whole lot- only a few days or weeks a year. A good used (less than 1000 hours on the clock) will serve you fine, you won't wear it out.
It's important to understand different transmission types- hydrostatic, gear drive, and shuttle shift. Dont' think you can buy a tractor with one type of tires on it and then mount different tires on it- it's way too expensive. Get a unit with good tires of the right type. Do you need a mid mount PTO? Differential lock? 4WD? What is a grey market tractor? Are parts available for the used model you are looking at? Will they be available 5 years from now? Power steering? Quick connect? Hydraulic flow rate? How you going to get the thing to your property? Cat 1 three point? Cat 2 three point?
If you buy used, be sure the previous owner has paid off his loan. Call the dealer with the model and serial number.
You can get the oil and trans fluid tested by laboratories. this is a good idea on a used tractor, it can tell you if it has major mechanical problems.
You now know less than 20% of what you need to know to make a really informed tractor buying decision. It's not like buying a car or a pickup.
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ClimberKev
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# Posted: 9 May 2013 08:46am
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1958 Massey Ferguson Work Bull. If it just had 4WD it would be a great tractor. Takes a huge amount of abuse and keeps going. Parts are surprisingly easy to find. I highly suggest something a little newer.
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KinAlberta
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# Posted: 14 Aug 2019 10:49pm - Edited by: KinAlberta
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We have an old Kubota B7100 bought new in the 1970s. It’s been amazing.
Our earlier purchase in the 1970s of a Massey Ferguson riding mower was a failure. It fell apart in just a few years of use due to rocks, roots, etc. Its engine was failing too. The Kubota diesel has been amazing but the front pulley drive, belt driven belly mower could be better. It’s also pretty banged and dented up now too.
So thinking of buying a new / newer one. Kubota? Not sure.
Or keep the old machine and maybe just pick up a small riding mower to handle the awkward areas where the tractor is too long or whatever to get in close to things.
Interestingly I was looking at zero turn mowers but I thing the small gains for mowing time don’t outweigh the loss of versatility for all the other things a tractor can do.
Any more recent buying experiences anyone?
We also had a Massey Harris Pony. Miss it even though but hardly ever used it. (Crank start.)
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KinAlberta
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# Posted: 14 Aug 2019 10:55pm - Edited by: KinAlberta
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Beautiful restoration:
Scroll down the link for pics of the restored Kubota B7001D:
https://www.tractorforum.com/threads/got-me-one.22863/
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aktundra
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# Posted: 14 Aug 2019 11:25pm
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I have a Kubota 4701 I’m very happy with. I tried to find used, but the price and condition varied so much. I bought new and haven’t regretted it. The grapple is very handy, as is the bucket and forks. My box blade is handy for ballast, driveways and snow plowing. I recommend buying attachments with your initial purchase.
I bought a Kubota because my John Deere dealership isn’t interested in the little folks. My uncle is a farmer and die hard Deere fan. I think they are both quality.
I use by tractor for everything, including loading and unloading heavy things. I keep a lot of things on pallets, or with “slings†like my project snowmachines (snowmobiles) for easy moving. It essentially lets me do a lot of things alone I’d otherwise need help for. I’m way more productive.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 15 Aug 2019 12:18am - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Quoting: woodyflorida ou can't go wrong with Kubota. Mine has been very reliable and i abuse the little 23hp BX23. Most rental companies use Kubota too and they get beat up every day. Great resale value also.
I did buy a brand new Kubota, they are to tractors what Honda is to power equipment, the finest stuff out there.
I bought a new L2501 with the LA525 front end loader, roof and backblade, got the R4 industrial tires and beet juiced fill rear tires. Best money I ever spent. I get so much work done at the prioperty in short order.
There is a ripple affect, I had to buy a new flatbed trailer to haul it, thinking about more implements too.
Kubota at property
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Just delivered, new!
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On new trailer, ie 18 footer
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Brettny
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# Posted: 15 Aug 2019 07:18am
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I own both a tractor with a loader and a micro excavator. I find the excavator more usefull and nimble than a tractor with a loader. One thing it dosnt do well is pickup material and carry it a long distance. But at 38in wide it can get in and out of places better.
This very wet spring i built a corderoy driveway over a spot so soft you couldnt walk on it. Now we are driving 24,000lb trucks on it.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 15 Aug 2019 11:08am
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Brett is right, ideal to have one of each. Decide which one first, then the next one.
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hueyjazz
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# Posted: 15 Aug 2019 11:52am
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I just inherited a tractor from my in-laws estate. My father-in-law was a Massey dealer and I had my choice of a sub compact Massey or a LS G3033H.
The LS was newer and came with more attachments so I took that one.
Well, it been over 40 years since I was last on a tractor and that one was even old 40 years ago. I recall being beat up as I used it and having arms of steel after a day on it. Well, things have changed a lot in the tractor world.
The LS has power steering, is an automatic with hydro static drive. 33 HP diesel What a dream to use. I've got a bucket, brush mower and a finish mower. I'm looking to get a back blade and would love a backhoe but the one made for this is so expensive. If I knew I was getting this when he was alive I could have bought whatever at cost.
I don't know how this one stack up against a Kubota but as a rule the FIL knew his stuff and wouldn't buy junk.
This tractor is really going to change thing around camp. I've gone as far as I can using ATVs, wagons and hand tools to fix our road and to clear brush
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snobdds
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# Posted: 15 Aug 2019 01:00pm - Edited by: snobdds
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I have a Massey Ferguson Gc1710 with a backhoe and a cat 305 mini ex.
I might not use them a lot, but when I do, they are invaluable.
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