Choosing a new to me tractor

My rule has always been never buy the first two model years of anything.

 

I hear ya

 

Zero knowledge. Sorry.

 

I went with the L2501 to stay away from the emissions (recommended by dealer).
No problem with this log

 

Yes, frame weight and hydraulic system (3pt and loader) are the same was the 3301 and 3901.

 

P.S. a little trick to know about Kubota FEL's is that the numbers after the LA are about the Kg of lift, so multiply by 2.2 for pounds.

 

That sure is a pretty tractor!

 

Great info Mike! Never knew that.

 

BrianK might know a little about whats out there in the older used iron. He found a nice one.

 

I regularly searched Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for a decent used 4x4 diesel in the 24-30hp range for about six months. I had about $8000 budget. I could have bought a lot more tractor if I had had another $2000-4000 to spend, but I sold my 2018 Honda NC750X and added the virus stimulus check to fund buying a decent tractor.

I found a 1994 Ford/New Holland 1620 HST (hydrostatic drive) 4x4 with a front loader and 1400 hours for $8200 at a used farm equipment shop in northwest Virginia.

That was the year they were transitioning from the Ford to the New Holland brand. Mine is a Ford but has a New Holland steering wheel.

It’s a 27hp 3 cylinder diesel with a surprising amount of power in low for such a relatively compact tractor. It has 3 point rear with PTO but no rear hydraulic attachment. It does have one hydraulic hook up mid tractor for a mowing deck. It’s a little bit bigger and maybe a little wider than comparable Kubotas.

Price wise I was as able to buy a couple more hp going with a used Blue (Ford/New Holland) tractor than comparable orange or green brands.

In talking to local farmers, they said I did well to buy not only a used Ford, which are highly regarded as tough and reliable, but also a unit made before they added all the computerizations and emissions crap. It’s just a basic Japanese Diesel engine, not hard to work on, and I can still easily get parts online or at the local New Holland dealership.

The HST transmission with high, medium and low gearing is a joy to drive, as is the power steering. I have no regrets with this tractor, and I’m really enjoying how much power this little monster has in low. But I have no history with green, orange or red brands to compare it to.

 

Sweet machine! Great price!

 

Thanks! I found the carry all on Facebook Marketplace for $85. That one is $170 new at Tractor Supply. I built the box on it for carrying firewood and now I’d never have a tractor without one, it’s that handy. I also found a 5’ rear blade for the 3 pt hitch for $150 in case of snow this winter.

It’s amazing how much decent used stuff at bargain prices you can find online if you look long enough. We’re now looking for a 3 pt PTO tiller.

 

Nice tractor. Am I seeing a wood stove in your camper?

 

Good eye!
Yep. Cubic Mini Grizzly.

 

Nice stove.. I bet thats plenty for in there..

 

It works remarkably well. My propane furnace blower went out last winter and I haven’t used it since, only the Cubic Mini. Forget about it holding a fire overnight though; 2 1/2 -3 hours with enough coals to start a new fire is average.

 

I haven't broken (much) my JD 3032e and that's saying a lot. As a friend said, I could break an anvil without trying.
I regularly use my FEl to move logs around for milling or firewood, usually more like 12+ ft.
My primary piece of advice would be to go with a hydrostatic trans if you plan a lot of FEL use or if you're working on slopes as I frequently do.
Also, consider using pallet forks for moving logs. A grapple is nice but forks may do for a much lower cost and complexity. Forks even work well for brush piles and you can move palletized stuff like cordwood.

 

Thank you guys for all the info. It’s great to hear so many options. I haven’t really narrowed it down yet but thanks to all the responses I feel more informed than when I started looking.
I plan on going to check out a bunch of different used tractors tomorrow so stay tuned and thanks again.

 

Well guys. I think I found it.
2016 Mahindra max 26xlt hst with fel and 28 hours.
$14,000 plus tax. Guy won’t budge.
I ran it some today and I’m going back tomorrow to play in the dirt with it.

 

Plus tax...must be a dealer...might change their minds a bit if you wave a few Benji's around under their noses...does sound like a decent deal though..