Choosing a new to me tractor

Hello fellas. It’s been a while e since I’ve been on the forum but im in desperate need of some good opinions. I’m in the market to buy a tractor that will be able to move 8 ft logs with a grapple/front end loader from my staging area to where I want the wood cut,split,stacked. Also move and level dirt and grade drive way. And not take up too much room in the shed when parked.
I’ve decided on a budget of no more that $20,000 with attachments. I have no attachments yet.

The biggest problem that I’m having on the decision is I’m not yet convinced that I shouldn’t just get an older tractor like an International 454 or some such other utility model tractor.

I am my own mechanic for the most part but I do not want something that ends up being worked on all the time.

So my question is. For the guys that have ran both, are these newer compact tractors really going to handle all that stress for the next 50 years or am I better of getting an older utility model tractor.

sorry for being long winded but I’m banging my head against the wall.

 

Ive borrowed a friend's new holland (28hp?), felt solid enough for the size, but lacked power on the loader

Sure feel the flex in the frame going through uneven ground


This past summer I used an old international construction tractor, its a beast! Super durable

 

I'm a fan of the old iron for sure if you can find a decent one. Only drawback is most aren't 4wd & need chains in snow country. They make less horsepower per pound & don't break easily. The must haves are power stg. 3point hitch & 3rd function on the hydraulics if you're gonna use a grapple. That being said, I bought a 2000 TYM T390 with a loader this summer, & so far it's been solid. Lifts more than I would've thought, I'm fairly certain my old M would pull it backwards, but it's a much more user friendly machine.

 

I run a 45 HP international with a loader. Loader capacity is about 1800 pounds and 3 point capacity about 2500 pounds, does a great job I moved over 500 tons of material with it. For what you are looking for I’d look at the following

1) Ford 5000 (75’ish hp) with dual remotes on the back, fit your third link with a hydraulic cylinder and mount a grapple/pallet forks. Great for grading and moving stuff. Around here cost 6-10K if you look around. Rent a Skid steer for $500 bucks and do 10x the dirt work when needed

2) 35 hp minimum compact tractor, if used heavily the loader will not hold up. New or low hour tractor $15-25k, best friends dad just shattered mid range on the transmission on 45 hp tractor cleaning out pond/moving round bales with less than 2000 hours on it.

3) miniskid or skid steer can get a good used unit with 2000-2500 hours that will hold up to almost any use you can throw at it for $15-25k. BUT front mounted brush hogs, grader blades, box blades are 10x cost of same equipment that is 3point mounted.

 

Bigger is better. Depends what logs your moving. A 20 inch,8 ft. green oak log weighs a bunch. To much weight on less than adequate front tires will cause you problems. 4WD is a must as is a block heater. Don't skimp if you want it to last.

 

Thank you for all the responses.

any thoughts on the early 2000s New Holland tc40.
Found one for $15,000 with loader and 700hrs.

also found a John Deere 1020 with loader

 

We have a 07 TC30 like the tractor. Surprised at what it will do.

 

I have the TC55DA and been pretty good hauling wood. I wood have gotten bigger but I needed to be able to get in my barn to dig out manure. I have ballast in the rear tires and that helps. How many hours on the tc40? FWIW I Just had to put front tires on mine to the tune of $600. Make sure what ever you look at has good tires.

 

Just looked at the mew Bobcat ct4045. Just under $25,000 with loader
Pretty much a Kioti.
Bobcat is $500 cheaper and rated 400lbs more on the loader. And a bit more refined I think.

I found a 35 hp Kioti from 2013 and only 300hours on it for $15000. Only rated at 1155lbs on the loader. Guy traded it in for a bigger model.

 

For old iron I'd add live clutch to that must have list personally...

 

Any thoughts on kubota. We had some smaller units bc2300 if that sounds familiar, at work and they took a pounding.


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I’d love a kubota. The price is just too high as far as new goes. In my opinion if you find a used one that is only a couple years old, they hold there value so well that the price isn’t much different than buying new.
And that like I said is IF you find a used one in a model that your looking for.

 

The equivalent kubota tractor to the Bobcat I looked at is 10,000$ more

 

I had a similar experience when I went tractor shopping in 2017. I was originally thinking Kubota, until I got the prices back. The Kioti came with better specs (lift capacity-both loader and three point, more GPM of flow, more options standard instead of extras on the Kubota, etc. A comparable Kubota was 8-10k more than the Kioti. Resale value didn't mean that much to me as I plan on keeping my tractor for a long time. The biggest plus to Kubota was the dealer was closer.

 

I am happy with my Kubota it does not have the lifting capacity that my old one did but i make due.

 

FYI, an 8 ft x 20" oak log weighs about 1200#. Ballast on the 3pt hitch is a must and loaded rear tires is highly desirable when lifting weight with a compact tractor. You will need a 3rd function hydraulic to run a grapple, ~$800-1000 add-on if you do it yourself. I'd try hard to get an older unit at your budget. You will get more total weight and power for the money and you can avoid the Tier IV emissions (DPF, urea injection, SCR/EGR, etc.). I lucked into a used Kubota, but they are not always available.

 

Be careful about getting hung up on all the specs. Many of them are highly non-standardized. They may be useful comparing various models from a single maker, but don't always work when comparing across brands.

 

Mike
Thank you for bringing up emissions
I didn’t really think to much about it.
now you made it that much harder to make up my mind lol.
kind of comes down to rugged simplicity or refined pane in the butt.

 

It's just one piece of the puzzle, some of the newer models from the better makers have reliable emissions system, but yes, simplicity is very nice.

 

So do you have any knowledge of the new Kioti/Bobcat tractors by chance? The Cat I’m interested in is first year model also. Not very encouraging. But I still haven’t turned away yet.