[dwh]

I signed up because I have just moved to a 3 acre property and I need to get a small tractor. The entire property will need to mowed 2 or 3 times per year. The terrain is not really rough, but there are hills. I know little about tractors, but I am mechanically inclined.

I will be looking for some advice and probably asking a bunch of dumb questions. Sorry in advance!:sorry1:

I am in a quandry regarding whether to get a new, "heavy duty" garden tractor (Husqvarna, ~$3K) or a used small real tractor (Kubota or other with mower and front loader, More $$$$)

The only real tractors I seem to be able to afford seem to be about 30 or so years old and I am concerned about finding parts. I was looking at a Yanmar 1401d the other day that looked really nice, seemed well cared for. But parts availability scared me away from it.

Any suggestions?

Thanks:thanku:

 

[Brad]

Greetings, dwh, and welcome to MTF. You'll get plenty of advice for your questions around here. Good luck, and enjoy your visits!

 

[J.Gibson]

Welcome aboard!

 

[kentucky wildcat]

Welcome dwh, you'll enjoy this site. A question isn't stupid if you don't know the answer.

 

[Sergeant]

Welcome to the Forum:MTF_wel:

 

[TUDOR]

:MTF_wel2: dwh! We're always glad to help you spend your money!

New "heavy duty" GT's start at something well over $3000. The two that I have, listed for over $3000 each without attachments (mower, etc.) in 1977, but they are next thing to a SCUT (sub-compact utility tractor).

A heavy duty GT has a substantial frame (not stamped sheet metal), a very strong rear end, a hydraulic system for lifting implements, weighs over 800 lb. (tractor only), usually 18-25 hp., has a life expectancy of 2,000 hours +, and lists for $6,000 - $10,000. These qualifications are the high end of the GT field. Sears and others have tractors slightly less equipped for just under that price.

Older tractors that meet these qualities are out there in abundance and cost from $600 to $4,000, depending on condition and attachments. Parts availability on older equipment is sometimes a crapshoot, but a lot of them are repairable or available 'off the shelf' from industrial suppliers. Some specific parts are in desparate short supply or not available at all, but modifications can and have been made to keep them doing the job as well as when they were new.

With 3 acres to play in and modify the landscape, for myself, I would look for an older GT with a front end loader (FEL), but that's me. If all you want to do is cut grass, a zero turn might be a better option. If you want to seriously play in the dirt, IMO, the Husqvarna is a little light.

 

[rvgary]

Hey!! Welcome, There are no dumb questions, Only dumb answers. That's the good thing about this site I have seen very few of them. Oh! we don't always agree on what's said but everyone has their opinion and they are welcome to it here and we respect it.
GOOD SITE!! Enjoy:trink39:

 

[ben2go]

I signed up because I have just moved to a 3 acre property and I need to get a small tractor. The entire property will need to mowed 2 or 3 times per year. The terrain is not really rough, but there are hills. I know little about tractors, but I am mechanically inclined.

I will be looking for some advice and probably asking a bunch of dumb questions. Sorry in advance!:sorry1:

I am in a quandry regarding whether to get a new, "heavy duty" garden tractor (Husqvarna, ~$3K) or a used small real tractor (Kubota or other with mower and front loader, More $$$$)

The only real tractors I seem to be able to afford seem to be about 30 or so years old and I am concerned about finding parts. I was looking at a Yanmar 1401d the other day that looked really nice, seemed well cared for. But parts availability scared me away from it.

Any suggestions?

Thanks:thanku:

Welcome.Everyone's gotta start somewhere.

I wouldn't fear the Yanmar.Parts shouldn't be a big issue.There are quite a few still around.The engines are still in service in other applications.Find a good local parts supplier, or shop, and ask them which of the older brands are the easiest to get parts for.

 

[dwh]

Thanks for the welcome.

I have actually found another tractor to look at today. It is a Kubota L245DT with a front end loader, Woods backhoe and 48" JD mower. It is a bit bigger than I was originally thinking of getting, but it should still fit in the garage.

Is the parts availability pretty good for these? I am going to call the Kubota dealer and see what they say as well.

It seems like it is in pretty good shape, the hour meter shows 745. I am going to have it checked out by a local repair shop and see where that goes.

He is asking $9600, is that a decent price? I have seen others of this model with no attachments advertised for about $7500.

Thanks again

 

[ben2go]

Pricing depends on your area.Small Kubotas bring top dollar here because all the landscape companies prefer them.I am on the east coast where things seem to be cheaper.

 

[C2H8O]

Welcome!

You could definitely consider GTs from the 70s and 80s. Those things just refuse to give up! If you start with an older heavy GT that is running well then I think you will be very happy with it. I would not suggest you start with a fixer-upper.

Here is an example of a beast of a tractor from the '70's. Beautifully maintained and all the toys. With all the attachments it is $1500 compared to more than $3k for a new GT with a mower deck. You can find similar setups in any other brand. There are many very nice John Deeres out there.

Unfortunately this one is in MA, but check craigslist and ebay for your area. (I'll add a pic 'cuz I wish I could get it right now.)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370435434397

Now, that tractor is rated at "only" 17hp but somehow those older units have more stump-pulling torque and much more heart than a new 23hp model from a big-box store.

As Bob(tudor) said, occasionally it is a problem getting an esoteric part. I have found all the parts I needed either through forum members or ebay. :fing32: Normal wear parts like belts and bearings are still common off-the-shelf items, just cross-referenced to new IDs.

 

[C2H8O]

Forget about my post!

I just read your budget allows for $9600 or more. At that range, you are looking at a compact utility tractor (CUT). It will do everything you ask and much more.

And yep, parts for older CUTs are also are available with little effort.

 

[Denm]

you won't be sorry with the compact. I definetly like my garden tractors but there is no comparison between them and the Kubota

 

[dwh]

Forget about my post!

I just read your budget allows for $9600 or more. At that range, you are looking at a compact utility tractor (CUT). It will do everything you ask and much more.

And yep, parts for older CUTs are also are available with little effort.

I decided that I can not really justify almost $10K for a tractor. So I guess my eyes were bigger than my wallet on that one.

I am looking at a Kubota B6000 tomorrow. FEL, mower and a fair list of new parts, Plus a second parts tractor for $5500.

 

[JeffinIA]

I decided that I can not really justify almost $10K for a tractor. So I guess my eyes were bigger than my wallet on that one.

I am looking at a Kubota B6000 tomorrow. FEL, mower and a fair list of new parts, Plus a second parts tractor for $5500.

Almost 10,000 for a TLB Is pretty good price. Always get more than you think you need . If you dont get what you want you will not be happy with what you get. I spent over 10K for my JD 855 with FEL and 72" mower deck and still want more attachments:fing32:

 

[dwh]

I just saw that the Yanmar 1401d I looked at a bit ago is still for sale. I think I am going to go back and look at it again. I originally shied away from it because of parts availability, but I think I am over that now.

Other than the parts concern, I think it would do well for me.

 

[bamataco]

Hi welcome.
I would definately say go with a small tractor. You might not need the bigger tractor right now,but you will definately find uses for it later on. And you will be glad that you have that CUT (compact utility tractor).

 

[dwh]

I went to see another tractor today. A Yanmar 1610D. It is really clean and has an FEL, Ripper/Scraper and an auger with three bits.

I think I am going to go for it. I convinced my wife so the hard part is done!

Is there anything in particular about this model I should be wary about?

I will need to find a mower and plan to sell the auger, after I play with it. Do you think this unit will handle a 5 foot mower?