What is a "best buy" on a compact 4x4 tractor??

[FADEC]

Based on my previous post on plowing snow with a garden tractor, I will be looking this spring/summer for a preowned tractor.

Maybe something used from a dealer or an estate sale or similar.

I think I have decided on a used 4x4 compact tractor. Would prefer JD or Kubota, but would consider cub, wheel horse, simplicity, etc.

My question now is what is the "best buy" in a used, two or three year old tractor?? Would be used on over an acre in the summer and of course to plow in winter.

Air-cooled or liquid-cooled??

Is it worth it to go to diesel power, or is it just a hassle??

Thanks for any and all opinions/suggestions/rants etc. Tom

 

[DieselTech]

how about a mahindra?

 

[FADEC]

Originally Posted By: DieselTech
how about a mahindra?


Do they make small homeowner type 4x4 tractors?

 

[LS2JSTS]

I have a JD 4300 diesel that I use all the time, great tool to have.

The JD 4000 series is a bit more expensive, but they are built very well. I also like the Case line of small tractors, they are improvements on the old Ford/NH line of Boomers.

 

[Cup of Joe]

I would look for a small Kubota, JD, Kioti/Bobcat, ford/new holland or mahindra personally. You may want to look now, craigslist has some decent units with a bunch of high end attachments for reasonable. You would get 4x4 diesel with the potential for a lot of attachements.

Here is a Kioti CK20 with loader and backhoe. You can get a better idea of scale since he is standing next to his machine. I favor Kioti's since I own one.

Kubota BX1860 with loader.

These are just a bit larger then a lawn mower but far more versatile.

I would also checkout tractorbynet.com for more tractor information, both of these pics came from TBN.

 

[ksJoe]

If you're wanting a low cost option, look into grey market tractors. Dad bought a couple containers of them from Japan about 10 or 15 years ago. We were very happy with them. They are low cost, and typically in great condition. We got both Yanmar and Iseki tractors. There are other brands well. Look around for an importer in your area.

Yanmar has made tractors for John Deere, and Iseki made tractors for Massey Fergussion.

The only issue is the domestic manufacturers hate the grey market tractors undercutting them, and that can make getting parts a challenge. But for homeowner usage, a few week delay in getting parts likely isn't a deal breaker.

 

[marco246]

I have a couple of JD compact tractors with Yanmar engines--a 2305 and a 4610. For the size of your property a smaller, 2000-series tractor would probably fit the bill. They are 4-wheel drive and have 3-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel engines. My 2305 is used as a glorified lawn mower and has a 62-inch belly mower. I have a number of attachments for the bigger tractor so don't need them on the smaller one. (But sure wish I had a backhoe).

There really is not much qualitative difference among the big-name brands. I happen to prefer JD because the dealer here is better than his competition in terms of sales and service.

As for gray market tractors: I already face parts challenges with two cranky old Italian sports cars, but that's my hobby. I don't need hassles in keeping my work tractors operational. But I agree with ksJoe that it could be a good option depending on your circumstances.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

One of the best deals this summer was a Kubota rental from the Kubota dealer. 30 HP; 75 hours, four years old. Some level of warranty still existed. I had ordered a Bobcat due to free loader and cash discount, but this Kubota would have suited my needs also, for a slight discount to the new.

Check and see if you can come up with a similar deal.

 

[jeffie]

Add me to the list of the JD 2305 choice. Mine is 2 years old and used comercially. I think it has plenty of power and it will fit anywhere. Check with your local JD dealer, as sometimes with incentives, rebates and low or no interest you might get a new one cheaper than a used one.

 

[JTK]

You can get them from $7K on up.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200395391_200395391

Joel