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Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

So I have a pretty good sized yard which is completely unlandscaped right now...except for the several large pumpkin plants and veg. garden.

I pay a lot for a pro to come till each year and want therefore want to buy my own tractor. I could then till a few times a year, and not be a "hit and run" so to speak.

I see Kubota, Ford, Deere, Massey…. Trying to find one here in the SF Bay area (within a few hours) at a relatively low price is very hard. There was a Kubota B6000 that seemed perfect for me but was sold before I could act.

Based on your wealth of knowledge from all over the country (and a lot in farming country) what do you type/brand of tractor should get? I am not a brand name guy per se, just want a good solid tractor. I know there are Yanmar for example that are the same as Deere or ..... You know what is good please tell me. What HP do I need?

My requirements:

Would like to spend about $5,000 (less if possible)
Would like a loader and rototiller (post hole digger too)

I think that's it!

Here are a couple for sale in my area to give you an idea of what is available at present....

1979 Ford 1600 4x4 compact tractor,2200hrs on hour meter, PTO, two cylinder 22hp Diesel,3 point hitch,includes Howse 6'box scraper, Have front loader frame work but no bucket,rams,or hydraulics. Repair books included, Runs great,Good condition - Price $4,300

1952 Ford 8N - Excellent running farm tractor. Beautifully restorable! I just charged-up the new, 6-volt battery and fired it up, Friday, after three years of sitting! PTO, 3-pt, after-market front loader..Invested well over $2,500 so far. Collector's claim a $3,500 value (without the front-end loader) and over $25,000 fully restored! This one has an excellent, after-market front-end loader and runs great! Price $2,750

And the Kubota that sold within hours

Kubota B6000
4x4 Utility Tractor
Rototiller,Front Loader

Engine Model ZL600
Diesel, water cooled, 4-cy. 2c

7/6/2006 7:23:15 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

You can't beat a good Kubota but the price range is going to leave you with some very tired iron or sorely wanting for implements.

"Would like to spend about $5,000 (less if possible)"

You're looking at a used 4x4 diesel 20-26hp with implements. I know of one but you'd need to arrange transportation. It's a 2002 & needs nothing. It was outfitted by a pumpkin grower with specific physical needs. Has sprayer, air-ride seat, rakes, disc harrow, US made 60" bucket, etc, etc. Always garaged.

Private emails.

7/6/2006 8:04:08 PM

I've seen some nice "estate" size tractors with lots of implements run through ebay in the California area,,beware of used tractors from rental centers or landscapers for obvious reasons.
That $5k range it will be tough unless you fall into something. Remember the investment holds up if you want to get out of it after the landscaping is finished "if" it's a name brand tractor and you take care of it.
Things to look for,,leaks in hydraulics, bends where they aren't supposed to be(like front ends on older tractors with loaders), PTO shaft vibration,tire wear and cuts, all the obvious stuff. Rototillers are problematic when "used" from what I have learned.
I'm in the market for a used Kubota but will find one in the winter when I have time to travel and inspect b4 purchase. Here they never hit the market, either the dealer buys them back for resale or a "friend" ends up with them.
For strickly using around your yard to do your own landscaping and patchwork there are many brands that will do the job,,just have to make the decision as to the future parts availability and mechanics willing or able to work on them in your area. Forwarning you,,,tractor parts are expensive and finding a good shop for any major work is not always easy.

7/7/2006 12:01:35 AM

Deer Park WA

We looked for a good used tractor for quite awhile and compared all manufactures. Could only find worn out junk in the $5,000 range so went with a new Cub Cadet 4x4 36 HP with front loader, it lifts almost twice the weight as the same size Kubota has a wider operators platform and cost about $1300. less, still itran us well over $17,000. plus tax.... If you dont have acrage I wouldnt recommend purchasing a compact tractor but renting one may be your best bet.

7/12/2006 3:30:14 PM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

Okay, so still looking and had a couple questions. Deisel sems to run and run and run from what I hear. I have found a couple with 3,000 hours or so on them. They look to be in very good shape cosmetically at least anyway. Looking a lot at Deere or Kubota. Should age concern me much? For example I found a 1963 Deere 2010 with 3,000 hours that looks in very good condition. Too old? Too many hours? Does 3,000 = 100,000 miles or 50,000 miles on a car?

Thanks for your help on this. I know many of you are farmers and know how tractors last or don't.

7/13/2006 10:31:30 PM

ENGLAND

Petman. You may have already tried this but have you asked the owners/managers of the Agricultural/Horticultural machinery suppliers near you if you can put a "Tractor Wanted" notice in their stores. I have no idea if you have them in the USA but here we have specialist weekly Machinery sales and wanted magazines whith thousands of all different types of machines advertised. Another idea is to find out who your nearest Mobile Machinery & Plant repairers/mechanics are and ask them to keep a look out for a Tractor which fits what you are looking for. Due to the nature of their job they will know a deal when they see one.

7/14/2006 4:04:04 AM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

That is a very good idea. I have put out the word to people that live near agricultural areas but had not taken that the additional step. I will see what I can do. Unfortunately living away from the farms makes it harder to strike up the conversation or network. Will give it a shot. Watching all the rags as well.

7/14/2006 12:39:33 PM