Tractor Prices

[Haywire Haywood]

Why is it that overgrown lawn mowers are more expensive than their big brother, the compact tractor? All I want is a 16-20hp diesel lawn tractor that has the grunt to run a small bucket to move firewood and the like, and to pull a small plow to turn the garden over.

They're asking $5900 for this 24 y/o '85 Kubota B6200 with a belly mower....

But I can get a 36hp tractor similar to this one for $3200 on Craigslist.

I realize that the smaller Kubota is 4wd, but the bigger Ford has nearly twice the engine.

It's frustrating I tell ya,
Ian

 

[Circle B MN]

Why is it that overgrown lawn mowers are more expensive than their big brother, the compact tractor? All I want is a 16-20hp diesel lawn tractor that has the grunt to run a small bucket to move firewood and the like, and to pull a small plow to turn the garden over.

They're asking $5900 for this 24 y/o '85 Kubota B6200 with a belly mower....

But I can get a 36hp tractor similar to this one for $3200 on Craigslist.

I realize that the smaller Kubota is 4wd, but the bigger Ford has nearly twice the engine.

It's frustrating I tell ya,
Ian

My neighbor has that same Ford with a bucket loader, and seemsto break a lot of spindles. Good tractor for plowing and mowing, but not much for lifting anything of size (round bales). Another neighbor is shopping for tractors and found the local Bobcat dealer now carries their line of utility tractors. Do believe you can get one in the 35 to 40Hp range with cab and loader for $19k new. Not an earth mover by any means, but just the right size IMO for firewood work, and the price with loader and cab blows JD right out of the water. I'll ride over later and give one a look.



Here's a pic I pulled off the web. I think the real selling point for me would be that it would match my saws....

 

[23putts]

I got the Kubota B6100d. 14 horse 4x4. It came with a loader, brush hog, finish mower, 4 ft blade. I paid $3500.00 Had to rebuild all the cylinders on the loader, but other than that it has been bullet proof. Added a Leinbach 12 inch turn plow. Tractor pulls it ok if you don't bury it. Made a counter weight for the three point when I'm using the loader for wood. It gets tippy without it.

I have been surprised what the little tractor can do. Very happy with mine.

 

[Woodcutteranon]

For a second there I thought you had a picture of my Ford!. Tractors are pretty neat machines. I have learned the bigger the tractor, the less people are interested in owning it. Big tractors are only wanted by farmers or large lot owners so the seller has to settle for less to sell it. The Kubota you posted is at the perfect size that it can be worked by farmers or homeowners, be stored in a shed or garage next to the old lady's Mercury, thus more demand and more value. The Ford 2000, IMO is the ultimate tractor in that it will run forever, easy to service and purchase parts, can work a two bottom plow, 6 foot brush hog, yet it is light enough to mow grass with turf tires installed and all that can be yours for around $4000! In 15 years when you want to retire you could sell it to your neighbor for $4000.

If you have the money, and if space is a concern, pay the big bucks for the small tractor but I would recommend you purchase a tractor similar in size and age to the Ford 2000 and use your savings to purchase seven new chain saws...maybe eight.

Those tractors were built tougher and stronger than any truck ever made yet they (some) only get used a couple months out of the year. That is why they hold their value and run forever. Good luck.

 

[Rookie1]

I know what you mean Haywood. I found that issue with 4wheelers.My kids wanted a small one to learn on and they are half as much again in price to the bigger ones.

 

[Steve NW WI]

The best deals out there are 50-75 hp tractors. They are too big for the 10 acre horse farmer, and too small for the big commercial operations. $5,000 will get you a nice 656 IH, 165 or 180 Massey, 1655 Oliver, 5000 Ford or 170 Allis Chalmers. Deere seems to still sell for a bit more for a decent one, 3010 or 3020 will go for 6-7K in good shape.

Don't worry about 4wd when you get into a tractor this size, they will go anywhere one of the compacts will, except between two trees 5' apart. One with a differential lock is preferred to one with an open diff though.

Keep your eyes peeled, and be patient, and many of the rigs mentioned above can be bought for less than 4.000 if you are ready to pull the trigger when the deal presents itself. If you need to know anything about these older tractors, the guys and gals on the forums at www.ytmag.com will gladly help you out.

I'd buy a compact if they weren't so dang expensive, heck my 18HP Cub Cadet riding mower cost twice what my M Farmall did.

 

[Haywire Haywood]

I've got 2 acres... I wouldn't be able to turn one of those big ones around without hitting either the house or the barn... LOL

Ian

 

[Steve NW WI]

I've got 2 acres... I wouldn't be able to turn one of those big ones around without hitting either the house or the barn... LOL

Ian

Sounds like a reason to buy more land LOL - but the little Ford you posted would be a nice fit for ya.

Gotta run, off to the Osceola WI World's Fair tractor pull. Hope to have lots of pics in the off topic forum later.

 

[Buckethead]

The best deals out there are 50-75 hp tractors. They are too big for the 10 acre horse farmer, and too small for the big commercial operations. $5,000 will get you a nice 656 IH, 165 or 180 Massey, 1655 Oliver, 5000 Ford or 170 Allis Chalmers. Deere seems to still sell for a bit more for a decent one, 3010 or 3020 will go for 6-7K in good shape.

Don't worry about 4wd when you get into a tractor this size, they will go anywhere one of the compacts will, except between two trees 5' apart. One with a differential lock is preferred to one with an open diff though.

Keep your eyes peeled, and be patient, and many of the rigs mentioned above can be bought for less than 4.000 if you are ready to pull the trigger when the deal presents itself. If you need to know anything about these older tractors, the guys and gals on the forums at www.ytmag.com will gladly help you out.

I'd buy a compact if they weren't so dang expensive, heck my 18HP Cub Cadet riding mower cost twice what my M Farmall did.

Steve,

I think you hit the nail square on the head. Tractors less than 50 hp are more in demand and therefore more pricey. A buddy of mine picked up a 120hp MF for $3500 at an auction. The 20-50 hp antique tractors were going for $4500-$6500.

I lucked out when I bought my 35hp MF202 10 years ago. It came with the loader and hoe for $4000. Since then I've made probably $500 in repairs and upgrades. It has never let me down and will out work any 35hp CUT. Right now I'm looking for a diesel MF65 for a brush hog and backup hay tractor. I don't mind working on my own equipment so older tractors don't scare me.

 

[Curlycherry1]

My brother bought a Kubota ~25 Hp tractor for his firewood business and used it well for 5 years. It was ok for his needs but he wanted to go bigger. While stopping in the dealer one day he got $19K for his old tractor (paid $24K). 5 Years of use and it barely budged on value because so many people want that size of tractor. He now has a big-un that is like 90 Hp. Instead of moving 1 thirty foot log at once, he now moves 3-5.

 

[hanniedog]

23putts how high does that loader go up? I use a trailer that has 5 ft. sides and wondered if it would clear. Thanks.

 

[Turkeyslayer]

I have been looking at a massey 2605 (39 hp) 4wd with loader, toothed grapple bucket and fransgaurd v4000 timber winch. The price is steep, but if you figure the tractor should last 30-40 years easy, it doesn't seem like that bad of an investment.

The thing I have noticed is there arent to many good deals on used ones or to get any kind of a deal on a used one they have very high hours.

 

[danrclem]

The 2000 Ford would be a good tractor for you for anything but finish mowing in tight areas. I've got a 2810 Ford which probably took the place of the 2000 and I use it all of the time. I use it for everything and have a 6' finish mower on it for the fields but it's no good for the yard.

I bought my 2810 new about 20 years ago and have no regrets whatsoever. I've got 10 acres and it works great for me.

 

[Haywire Haywood]

In a perfect world, I'd have a big 60" Grasshopper zero turn and a CUT outfitted with a bucket, plow and tiller with 50 acres to go with it. 40 in woods and 10 cleared for barn/outbuilding, shooting range, and a Big drive through wood shed. Too bad I don't live in that world. LOL

Ian

 

[Turkeyslayer]

Have a look here http://www.tractorhouse.com/ gives you a good idea of values, also has many different models and years to look at.

 

[23putts]

23putts how high does that loader go up? I use a trailer that has 5 ft. sides and wondered if it would clear. Thanks.

I'm 5 10 and it almost clears the top of my head. The loader is at max height in the photo.

 

[hanniedog]

Besides Tractorhouse.com there is Farmersfastline.com that also lists tractors.

 

[laynes69]

I have an oliver super 55 diesel. It has a rebuilt 550 engine in it, with around 45hp. It will run forever on a tank of diesel. I can bury my 2 bottom plow in clay, or pull a few logs at a time. Its my little workhorse. I told my wife if I ever get another tractor, it will be a ford 3000 or 4000 series diesel. They are bulletproof tractors, with a good track record. Me personally though I would stay away from the Select o Speeds. They work fine, but when need repaired are through the roof! I can't see spending 15000 on a compact tractor when I can get a nice old ford for half the cost or less. I have seen those tractors from Rural King, but I'm afraid of getting parts for them, or cheap castings. You can get around a 45 hp diesel with loader new for 12,000 I believe from rural king.

 

[Turkeyslayer]

We use a ford 5000 with loader now, it works ok, but I really think a 4wd would be the cats meow.

 

[hanniedog]

A small mfd tractor with loader is also on my list of things that would be nice to have. Have a 150 horse loader tractor to use but alas it does fit or belong in a woods.