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Tractors in the 5000- 7000 Range
I'm looking for a compact tractor with a large mid mounted mower deck of the Kubota B7500 or JD4100 class (Larger is OK). I would prefer to find a decent piece of used equipment in the 5-7K range. My primary use will be lawn maintenance, but I also have moderately steep wooded trails to maintain and some light plowing/gardening chores. What make/models/years might likely fall within my price range.
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Tractors in the 5000- 7000 Range
Steve, You are probably going to have to look a lot to find something in that price range. I know, I was looking in that range last year myself (ended up at double that price). Nevertheless, I have seen tractors in that range occassionally. I've seen some pretty good deals on Ebay and elsewhere. I would recommend that you don't compromise and buy a lesser or off-brand to save money. You are far better off to buy an older Deere, Kubota, Ford or Massey than to go with the unreliable Chinese stuff or other off-brands. I would also recommend that you not compromise on 4 wheel drive. On these compacts, 4 wd is almost essential if you want any work versatility. Keep in mind that it is sometimes difficult to find a mid-mount mower deck for an older tractor model, but you can always get a 3 point mount rear mower which will fit any tractor.
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Tractors in the 5000- 7000 Range
Steve, Jim has some sound advice. I think many of us started shopping with the same thoughts that you have only to discover that Decent and $7,000 don't normally belong in the same sentence. The next thing you know, you are looking in the 10-12 range then $15K range especially if you want a FEL. I ended up driving a new one and now it is parked in my barn. I shopped for several months and even looked at the grey market tractors. Many of the used units were priced so close to a new one that I bit the big bullet. Or it bit me.
I did notice that traderonline.com has quite a few used tractors advertised. You may want to watch there too. Good Luck!
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Tractors in the 5000- 7000 Range
I'd recommend looking at used Yanmars. They can be bought in the price range you're looking at. (generally half the price of a compareable new tractor) . 300- 1000 hours. Yanmar parts are readable available & reasonable priced compared to most other brands.
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Tractors in the 5000- 7000 Range
Steve, the first things you have to decide is if 4wd and/or a loader are necessary to you. You didn't mention either and that makes things much easier. In fact, a 2wd compact with large belly mower and good 3pt hitch with a plow and blade will fall right in your price range. Many were sold in "mower configuration" and you should have quite a selection in the 18 to 30 hp market. Expect the tractor to be 10 to 20 years old with more than 1000 hours. If it is in good condition age and hours are not a problem at all. I'd stop talking right now, except I suspect that just because you didn't mention 4wd and a loader doesn't mean that you aren't hoping to find them on your tractor....
Stepping up a bit in desireability, you sometimes see older compacts with 4wd or loaders in that range, but the odds are against it. And to buy one you have to be able to move instantly when the advertisement hits the paper - which many first-time owners are not prepared to do. And you should be cautious because there is a lot of junk out there.
So what can you get? Outside of compacts, you can get an older American-made farm tractor with a loader in that price range....although most of them will be too large for lawn work. If you only want mid mount mower and the 3pt hitch you have a much wider choice in small older American-made farm tractors. These are now pushing 50 years old, but were remarkably well built and many have been restored - which should be just right for the purpose. The Farmall cub and IH pony are commonly used with mowers and 3 pt rear implements for reasonable prices. There are whole clubs devoted to them. $5000 would buy a lot of nice tractor and implements in that market. Turf tires are available for all tractors.
Back to the compacts in your price range, as I said you can get an older 2wd without a loader from one of the name brands. If you want a compact tractor with 4wd and a loader for that price range you can either spend a lot time finding a junker to fix up, or you can buy on the grey market. Frankly I'd recommend that you buy from a reputable dealer on the grey market. I don't know how large the grey market is...nobody does; that's part of being grey....But I'd bet that it is as large or larger than any single one of the name-brands. The grey market tractors tend to be about average for used tractors, the parts situation is about the same as the name brands, but the labor/repair/service portion of the grey market industry is way different. If you are an average mechanic, or have a reputable grey market shop near you I'd definitely go grey for your price range. If not, you may need to increase your price range.
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Tractors in the 5000- 7000 Range
If 2 wheel drive is ok, try an IH cub 154 lo-boy. 15 hp, water cooled, 3 point. I've had quite a few. I have 2 right now both with creeper gears. Implements are a little tough to find but I've picked up plows, blowers, loaders, tillers, sickle bars and belly mowers. These were built from '69 to '76. IH supports the parts well. I'm selling one with a loader on it now. E-mail if you'd like.
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Tractors in the 5000- 7000 Range
Brad, I don't know as much as I'd like about these gasoline-engined tractors that came along right before the diesel compacts sort of took over the world. Can you contrast them and tell a little on the history?
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Tractors in the 5000- 7000 Range
Brad,
Thank you for your suggestions. I have two Economy "Power King" tractors now. They were my father-in-law's. Although they do the job when they're working, they work less than they don't. I'm a chiropractor - I'm not too bad at fixing spines, but I'm not so good at fixing tractors. So I guess I'm alittle wary of buying older tractors with small gas engines - The Power Kings have 14HP Kohlers. Actually I kind of enjoy the challenge of keeping them running, that is, until I need to get the grass cut. On a good day I have about two repairs per 6 hours of cutting. Maybe you've had better experiences with your tractors; Although I must say, you made me wonder when you mentioned that you've had several of them - do you need to keep an extra around for when the other isn't working (that's what my father-in-law, God rest his soul, told me was the reason he had two Power Kings).
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Tractors in the 5000- 7000 Range
In answer to your questions: I'd LIKE a FEL, etc., but I NEED to cut grass. I've been told that 4WD is the way to go, but I don't understand all the pros and cons. I'm using 2WD drive compact tractors now, that only have front PTOs - the mower deck operates via belts. The mower bogs down or stops in heavy grass, so in heavy grass I have to slow down, raise the deck, and do multiple passes. My neighbor let me borrow his Kubota. I'm not certain of the model, but he told me it was a 20HP diesel. It had a 60" belly mower, 4WD and HST. What a difference! Instead of 6 hours it took me two...well it would have been two except I liked it so much I wouldn't stop mowing. My cow pastures looked pretty good when I was done though. Really though, I'm hoping to find something that will get the grass cut quickly, be it 2WD or 4WD, that will allow me safely to haul wood and mulch up and down moderately hilly trails.
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Tractors in the 5000- 7000 Range
Steve
Sorry to hear you and your father inlaw had problems with a power king tractor. I have one with a 56" front blade, 33" tiller, and a 60" belly mower. The only thing I had to do on it, in 27 years, was reline the clutch plate. Otherwise never had a bit of trouble with it at all. Just hope the kubota B2400, I just bought, can measure up to the power king. My son wants me to sell it because of a shortage of space, but I guess that will set around in the way. Don't think I want to part with it.
Bud
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