Bought this used 2002 Case IH DX33 with 398 hours on it 3 years ago, Pre emissions Baby! Also got an JD X758 with 42.9 hours on it in 2019. The bagger mower, Simplicity Conquest had under 100 when I got it in 2017, now has 151 hours.
Tough decisions. I have the use of my Dad's New Holland lx885....and when I borrow it...I can move some dirt and gravel in a hurry ! It also beats up my aging body and tares stuff up . I'm always happy to use it...and happy to claw my way out of the seat and onto steady ground lol ! Now I don't have a midsized tractor ..unfortunately. But I do have a Kubota bx2380 sub compact. And with it..and my grapple..I get an astonishing amount done ! It takes longer for some tasks...but it has a very comfortable seat....and I can just slide right off onto the ground. My Dad hss a Kubota Grand L3940...now that..to me...is so close to the speed of a skid...and way more comfortable....and can do way more things.... Id have me something like that in a heartbeat. Good luck with your decision you have ahead of you !! To me..those bigger L's..and into the MX's....are Tough tractors to beat ! Bx2380 Grand L3940 New Holland LX885 The bigger Kubota and skid would be awesome with grapples..no doubt! But I've done more damage to ground and trees with them in the woods. I go in with the BX...can hardly tell I was there !
Thanks. I am really fond of the Case, it was a good find. I absolutely abhor the new regulations pertaining to diesels. Nothing like cranking it up in the morning and being greeted by a puff of black smoke and the old school diesel smell and sound until it builds a little heat in the motor for the 1st minute. I really like this machine.
3000 hours! I dont think i had that much in my first marriage! Only you cant haul too much firewood with it though!
Took a while as I made most all the brightwork you see out of stainless steel. Lots of brackets and fab work. Then I smooth it all out and polished it to a mirror finish. Did all the paint work myself as well and learned as I went. All the pieces for the front grill. Making the rear window screen.
Kevin in Ohio...your building and fab skill is incredible! I did a little stalking to figure out where you are in Ohio. Down around Cincy?
I was near the shed and remembered, so I shoulda bought powerball. It might have been stuck there for 20yrs or more. I don’t ever pay attention to the meter.
If I had to choose just one I'd definitely go with the tractor. Much more versatile than a skid as the jack of all trades thing goes. Much easier on customers property, and your bones..... If you've been thinking about it for a while my guess it's your not constantly moving piles back and forth so material handling efficiency maybe isn't paramount. Having tooling on both ends can have it's advantages. Grapple/chipper, snow blade/rear blade, pallet forks/rear forks ect. are ones I use a lot. Ever desire a skidding winch, flail mower, tiller or to pull a haywagon that completely blocks your view, chock full of sugar infused grade school kids and nauseous parents through a cornfield in the dark? You should start a thread where we can help you spend your money.
