Getting Poorer By The Day: Farming, it appears to be "Tractor Time"

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Yep, about to go REALLY broke!!!! Might even have to sell off a few more things.


1970 Massey Ferguson 185 Perkins Diesel. Always working on it before and after work mainly because it needs new rear seals and the PTO repaired (have to tear the tractor in half to do this job).

Lots of used tractors but I always seem to get one that needs work before I can work with it. Hate that!

Priced out New Holland Workmaster 55. Missed a neat (and cheaply priced) McCormick 65HP machine (new with heated cab!) that was priced to sell after sitting for a couple of years. Not overly impressed with Mahindra, parts availability and all. Never made it to Case. BobCat was a bit high. Deere are very proud (and LOVELY) animals.

Narrowing down to Massey Ferguson 2615 and a 533. Pricing is going to be the main divider and decider at this stage. These are already pricing out lower than the others.

2615 is a Simpson Diesel. 533 is a Perkins Diesel. I'm partial to the Perkins.

Simplest 8x2 transmission, rear and front hydraulics, heavy duty loader with skid steer connects and plumbing for skid steer attachments. I have a rake, fork, mower, etc.

I know what tractor by net (good guys) are saying, but what say ye?

[red-beard]

No CATs?

[vonsmog]

Kubota, They make the whole tractor, not just a few parts or put their name on some other makers tractor. They cost a little more, but you get what you pay for and they last forever. And they are still cheaper than the green and yellow ones.

[schamp]

I really like the green ones.

[LWJ]

Hmm. I just "rescued" the family Massey 135 last week in a field. Blown headgasket. Coolant in the oil. Possible metal in the crank. Grandpa is probably pretty pissed right now.

I think we have the same thing coming - new tractor.

Larry

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by vonsmog

Kubota, They make the whole tractor, not just a few parts or put their name on some other makers tractor. They cost a little more, but you get what you pay for and they last forever. And they are still cheaper than the green and yellow ones.

+1 This is what I would look at. I know a couple of farmers, e-Deere owners, who are very impressed with theirs.

[Tim Walsh]

I'd say look at Case since my family was heavily involved with them.... but then again Case-International is a long way from Case Inc of the 1960's.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Most tractors are a long way from the tractors of the 70's and before. Heck, I would not stand on a kubota fender for anything. Flimsy. But then again, all brands are having to cut corners to keep costs down. Small market, many competitors.

Well, I just THOUGHT I was pulling the trigger. Wife wants to do some more pricing. I just shotgunned the nearest 80 or so places requesting quotes based upon specific specifications. Wonder if I'll even get 20 quotes back? Then again, they might beat the one I have in the hand. Wife found some more information, seems the quote has left some nice money on the table.

She wants green or white. Who knows... I'm sure there will be more to come. In order to do what she wanted we'd have to sell the 993!

[porsche4life]

Why are you letting the wife look at tractors? This is mans work....


Seriously, go look at the kubotas?

[pete3799]

Been here yet?
Used Tractors For Sale at TractorHouse.com: John Deere Tractors, used farm tractors and farm equipment, tractors for sale, Case IH, New Holland, Agco, Kubota

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Wife spends as much or more time on them then I will!! Her job is to mow! Country Gal.

Looked at several used but they all have issues or cost as much as some of the new ones.

I'm sick because I missed a deal because of my search radius. Missed it by one day! Ah well, there is always another deal out there.

[911boost]

Going to school in Iowa I got a pretty decent eduction on tractors from buddies not nearly your knowledge base, but I did hear a lot of opinions) and was pretty much always told Massey Fergurson stood for Mechanical F*ckup.

The majority of them were Allis Chalmer fans. Of course I know they stopped making them in what, 1985?

Bill

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

James,

Sorry, missed that! Two cats, house variety. Calico and white with black nose and M on his head. Looks like that silly guy from Germany in the 30's/40's.

One cat outside. Black, long tail, 60 pounds or so. Runs off the stray dogs and coyotes and then leaves again. Partakes of chicken when able, rabbits at night.

One cat outside, gray flecked, long hair. Seen with mice. Good weight, leaves chickens alone.

No quotes (received) for a CAT and most are industrial in design for use. I still need to make hay...

[wdfifteen]

I would look at a remanufactured Ford 801 from N-Complete. I just did an interview with Tom Armstrong a couple of months ago. He is meticulous, and the tractors are NEW. An 801 will cost you about $12,500 as I recall.

n-Complete

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I would look at a remanufactured Ford 801 from N-Complete. I just did an interview with Tom Armstrong a couple of months ago. He is meticulous, and the tractors are NEW. An 801 will cost you about $12,500 as I recall.

n-Complete

That's cool, but around here you can buy a good running used 8 for $2000-4000

Paying $12500 might reset the clock for a few years, but the extra $8000-10000 would pay for a whole lot of repairs over time.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by kaisen

That's cool, but around here you can buy a good running used 8 for $2000-4000

Paying $12500 might reset the clock for a few years, but the extra $8000-10000 would pay for a whole lot of repairs over time.

The tractors the OP was looking at are in the $10k range, so I took it that the OP wanted something with lower hours than a used 50 year old tractor would have. Instead of a used 40-50 hp tractor for that money, I was suggesting he get what is essentially a new one. The drawbacks I see are its open center hydraulics, gas engine, and no creature comforts. It would certainly outlast anything made in the last 40 years.

[turbo6bar]

The 533 looks like the ag version of the 2615? Specs aren't easy to find. The larger displacement of the 533 engine is definitely nice. Hydraulic output is a bit more on the 2615. Kudos on choosing a loader with quicktach bucket. It adds so much versatility.

Has the wife operated both tractors? What's the price difference? I would not quibble over a couple grand difference if one is a better fit. I consider myself quite frugal. Nevertheless, I still would not sacrifice on something like a tractor. You'll keep this tool for a long time. If Massey offers low interest rate financing, your bucks go farther.

Be pragmatic, but don't be a stickler for final price. Keep the wife happy.

I shopped a few dealers until I got a great price on a great tractor. Kubota financed at 0% for 3 or 4 years. It was a no brainer considering used tractor pricing is not far off new.

The refurbished Ford's are nice tractors, but no comparison to the versatility of those Massey tractors.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Bill,

AC made a very nice tractor. Older Massey with Perkins engines were solid workhorses. Our old 185 has over 5K hours and the engine is STRONG! (other parts, not so much). Cost of repair and refurbish is down payment on new tractor. Newer ones not so much. Still, $21,000 range is cheaper than others and better quality than Chinese (though twice as much)!


Wife likes Deere and Case. Did I say PERIOD? Cost is prohibitive at this stage unless some of these quotes are more interesting than I think.


We have some quotes we are processing tonight. All over the board: MF 573, 583, 55X?, NH Workmaster 45 and 55, Kubota L4440, MX4700, MX5000, MX5100, McCormick CT65U, Case Farmall 45, 60. No Deere at this stage.

These tractors are all over the place. We have not looked at every e-mail quote received today. There are some used units out there. Price does not really drop for Deere.


I am finding the dealers are either cutting us a deal in the quote or are going straight list, some with mark-ups. Same tractor, same configuration from two dealers on one I looked at was $3,500.00 different.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Wow! 29 quotes! 3 more on the way!

Focusing, in price order, on Kubota MX5100, used Case JX80, Deere 5055E, and Case Farmall 60.

Man, Case and Deere offered some attractive discounts that we are exploring! More to come, I'm sure! Maybe a photo with Porsches and Tractor? Keep it topical to off topics!

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

No photos yet!

I just accepted an offer on a Case IH Farmall 60, 4cy turbo, 4wd, 12x12 syncrho shuffle, extendable links, rear remote, L360 Case Loader, Skidsteer Quick Connect, 72" bucket!

Cannot advertise a price here but there were HUGE sales incentives given by Case directly to move this tractor. Deere could not come close in price. Believe me, I tried!

Now to put Wife to work mowing pastures! (pick-up in one to two weeks, waiting delivery of rear remote)