Who has experience buying power equipment?

[eighteight325is]

I'm in the market for a sub-compact tractor for home owner use capable of mowing, loading, digging and maybe snow removal. I'm still in the research stages but it is likely I'll end up with something from one of the usual suspects in compact tractors (JD, Kubota, Kioti, Yanmar, MF, etc..).

My question for the diverse group that is R3V...when walking into a dealer and discussing the purchase and options how much wiggle/negotiation room do these guys have? Is it like buying a new car where the dealer's margins aren't that large on new equipment and thus rely on incentives and special financing to make things attractive?

I walked into a JD dealer and tried to get negotiations started on a new tractor on their lot that is now discontinued and couldn't get them anywhere away from MSRP. Is that normal? Does this stuff just sell itself?

If this is not normal does anyone know of a site like Edmunds.com to determine something approaching fair market value of new or used power equipment?

[mrsleeve]

Oh boy

Well 1st off figure out how big a tractor you want and add at least 10hp or get the next size range up and get the biggest one they make in that size range. Always get the 4wd one, you will never ever say damm I wish I got the 2wd drive one.

What kind and how big of mower deck are gonna need??? Or other PTO driven equipment you might want or need, you will need the PTO HP to run it. How much snow are you planning on moving?? Will you need a blower, or will just a front plow or box blade get it done?? Gravel drive that will need maintenance how long and wide is it???

Yeah the shit really dose mostly sell it self. Last few guys I know that have bought new have been close to the msrp. They seem to deal a little more on the accessories like finish mowers, brush Hogs, log splitters, buckets, forks and what not than the tractor it self

Green is always good shit, Massey are now nothing more than a AgCo shit which is not all that bad either. Case/International is really a New holand (at least in the compact ones)

Kabota are also a really good option as well, and a whole host of cheaper imported and no name brands like mhindra. The thing is with the no names and imports unless you have a big dealer near you parts and service are going to be a huge pain in your ass. This is why I would stick to the Green ones, Blue ones (god did I just say that) the red ones, Or Orange ones and if you do have a good AgCo dealer around an AgCo product would be ok as well. Yes you are paying a bit more money for one over the el-cheapos, but it will pay off over the long haul in ownership costs and hassle

If it was me (an I will be back in this same boat in about a year and a 1/2) I would be looking for a good used low to medium hour JD 4610 with the loader that has the quick disconnect attachments. You are talking about 45-50 hp machine that will do just about anything you throw at it with in the realm of small hobby farms and home ownership. They are not up to heavy tillage jobs but can and will pull a small plow or disc if need be. But are a bit light on the power for making hay or other 60-80hp jobs.

If not a 4610 JD then a true mid sized utility tractor is where I will be going (60-70hp), I kinda want something that can push a 60" snow BLOWER with (I get a shit load of snow where I live). I can have the weight and hydro power to cut and grade my drive way. I am also looking for a larger chunk of ground where I can make some of my own hay as well.

Tractor house and equipment trader are good places to see what things are going for. Also have found some decent deals on ebay at times as well

[eighteight325is]

Thanks for the input mrsleeve. Good to know on the MSRP. I'm taking my time on this because this is what I consider a lifetime equipment purchase unless something drastic changes in my life.

For the time being I'm looking at mowing about an acre of grass so I want a 54-60" belly mower. I have a lot of landscaping to do on my current property and a second family property with a private dirt/gravel road to maintain so I definitely want a FEL to move material and the option of a rear blade for grading. And lastly some of the work I want/will need to do involves digging so if I can swing a backhoe or at least provision for the option of one I feel that would be prudent.

From the research I have done thus far a frame mount backhoe is the way to go. In terms of snow removal it snows a ton here but my driveway is paved and not that long despite the size of the property so it isn't my primary concern, though like the backhoe the option of a front mounted blower is appealing. All said the largest machine I was considering was about 25hp. I'll definitely be buying something that that has local dealer representation. Where I am that that is likely to be JD, Kubota, Kioti, MF or Yanmar/Cub Cadet though I have been leaning towards the first three.

[mrsleeve]

Well to be totally honest here.

I would be looking at the normal el-cheapo MTD rebrand of your choice throw away riding lawn mower for your yard mowing needs (12-1500 bucks). And up sizing your utility tractor to about the 35-40hp range. As with the really small ones and backhoe attachments available you can will be able to dig faster with a hand spade. With the grading the extra hydro power and weight you get from the larger unit will help you to avoid creating the dreaded washboard of death.

Outta your options I would be looking at them in this order Green, Red, Orange. I grew up on a farm and with big tractors so Kabota while they make great product line is hard for me to consider a real tractor in my mind. I really think with a 25hp machine you are going to find your self wanting and wishing you had bought just a little bit bigger with in a very short time

[5Toes]

My friends family just bought a new holland 40hp tractor. I was astounded by the price!

NH any good? Just wondering..

[LuckyHenriksen]

I love New Holland and Kubota. We use Kubota mini excavators at work, and have a couple diesel RTV's on the farm. I also have a large New Holland farm tractor here that we use to mow, load pallets, and I use it to part out cars lol

[eighteight325is]

Well to be totally honest here.

I would be looking at the normal el-cheapo MTD rebrand of your choice throw away riding lawn mower for your yard mowing needs (12-1500 bucks). And up sizing your utility tractor to about the 35-40hp range.

I've tried to convince myself to go this route so many times :) If I get myself past the "additional storage space needed", "additional maintenance costs", "just spent 4 hours mowing on my 25 year old JD 216" arguments I'm usually brought back down by the budget committee.

The backhoe does make a good argument for additional power though. What you have stated about additional digging force and reach I have now heard a lot.

More to think about. Thanks again for the input.

[M-technik-3]

I've tried to convince myself to go this route so many times :) If I get myself past the "additional storage space needed", "additional maintenance costs", "just spent 4 hours mowing on my 25 year old JD 216" arguments I'm usually brought back down by the budget committee.

"The Budget Committee" aka the significant other? If not mind no attention. That's funny as I refer to mine that way at times.

[mrsleeve]

additional maintenace costs on a riding lawn mower are going to pale in comparison to fixing a "real" tractor the compacts and sub compacts cost to maintain are similar to their big brothers . On the lawn mower you what put a belt or 2 on it every 3 years at 12 bucks a pop, maybe a spark plug every 5 years and change the 1 quart of oil in the spring and a battery every 4 years.

What will save in fuel costs to run the little lawn mower will more than pay for the maintenance over using a larger tractor to mow with every week. The bigger machine will suck quite a bit more fuel for just mowing the lawn than your 216 will. And even red diesel is more than regular gas is most of the time.

Besides I would just keep the 216, that is one hell of a machine for what it is. Cheap to maintain, easy to work on and fix and reliable. Noisy yes, but also paid for. The only way you can get close to it, is to go spend about 5k at the JD dealer and buy a real JD lawn tractor (the green ones at the big box stores for 2500 and down are really MTD rebrands and are JUNK)