Anyone Regret Buying a small tractor... if so what would you do different? (farm, acre)
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They have really helped me out over the years. Lots of tractor discussions there.
About eight years ago I bought a Yanmar YM2000B. The dealer was close to me, and had all kinds of information, most of it wrong. He was about 10 years off the date of when it was made.
I found out from tractorbynet that it was built in 1979 and is 24 engine HP. 21HP at the pto. I built a set of forks for the front loader. I use it every day to haul logs out of the woods. I have an outdoor stove that I burn year round.
Horsepower is not the problem with compact tractors. Lack of traction is my major drawback. I have my tires loaded with windshield washer fluid, and I carry a 300 lb tail weight. I get by, but have dropped my load on occasion to push myself out with the front loader. When this one finally dies, I will replace it with 4 wheel drive. My tractor would also be worthless to me without a front loader. That is another must have. I'm ready for the 30-40 Hp range. Everything else is optional.
My neighbor has a Ford New Holland, and my brother has a Long made in Europe. I have used both and would be happy with either. They were both brand new, so that is always better than working with old junk. I don't think brand really matters as long as you stay away from the Chinese built tractors. I have never heard anything good about them. (Yanmar builds John Deere. All American brand compacts are built in Japan.)
I have an old International Super C, 1954 model, bought it for about $1500, have bought a pretty large collection of implements, when available the IH-specific "quick hitch" stuff. 7' sicle bar mower is probably my favorite tool. This is a pre-OSHA implement and will eat your lunch for you if you are not careful with it.
Use a blade to move a little dirt and snow when we have it.
I have not had any regrets. The fact that it's gasoline rather than Diesel means I don't have to keep Diesel fuel on hand, so won't have any mis-fueling episodes. My impression is that the gas motor is less stressed. 123 c.i. and 22 horsepower, that's pretty low stress.
An antique, smaller "real" tractor is both useful and fun, somewhat collectable, if you take good care if it you'll always be able to sell it for a small profit or at worst recover most of your investment IMHO.
At the same time, not for the absent-minded or accident prone!
General statement - The most expensive tool you can own is the one slightly too small for the job. I suggest that if you need a tractor - get a real tractor not a "rural homeowners special". Buy used and learn to fix it yourself as part of a rural self-sufficiency kit. Replace the filters and fluids in the engine and, if very old, hoses and oil in hydraulic systems, fuel and brake lines. Avoid new and complex systems that require special dealer tools to diagnose and repair.
Local trade schools and extension service classes are a good place to learn "wrenching, welding and general repair” if you didn't grow up with this stuff. Be very careful around any machinery because it can snag a jacket and pull you into the moving parts.
thanks, news to me, my Bobcat dealer sells Kyoti (which is what I would buy, if I couldn't afford a Kubota)
My experience with Bobcat (now Ingersoll-Rand) is not great, as parts are often proprietary and EXPENSIVE. Even my Bobcat brand stump grinder attachment has slightly different teeth ($8) than Vermeer ($3). They also 'under-engineer' drive train components, leading to very expensive repairs. I am looking at $6,000 in repairs on my Compact Track Loader when I get to ~ 1200 hrs. Just for drive motors, idlers and tracks (all of which have been redesigned and are not longer available as replacement parts) The competition can get twice the life on their running gear. The Mini-Ex are the same way, Deere is preferred or Takeguchi, Yanmar or Kobelco. CAT is not too popular due to the cost of parts and 'attitude' of some dealers. (they make compact tractors too... actually the OFFER compact tractors made by someone else but "Branded" CAT.
The Tractorbynet.com site does have lots of good info and the posters are often quite well versed or at least experienced in using the equip to make a living. (thus it needs to run...)
I got a Massey Ferguson 2410, 3 cylinder Diesel 22Hp with front loader and backhoe. 4WD is great!
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(which is what I would buy, if I couldn't afford a Kubota)
