Time to Trade Up on New Tractor

[Alan Reagan]

I have a MF 231 but am looking to move up to more HP and capability. Nothing wrong with my 231, but the local Kubota dealer has an M6040 and M7040 that just came off lease, both with under 200 hours that he is offering at a fair price based on comparisons with other dealers in this region.



Is it time to move up or wait it out?



With the economy tanking, I'm thinking I will be converting more of my property to food production. The 231 has been a mower for 95% of it's life. That's why I'm looking to step up in HP.

 

[KnightR]

Get yourself a used CASE. You'll have abs of steel. Climbing up and down to fix things.

Seriously save your bucks make your MF work and see where this administration is going. I don't think it's going our way. That is the rancher and farmer. Our places don't look like downtown Chicago. Your fortunate enough to have land that you can food produce. My ranch in Missouri, it's cattle or lumber, both circuling the drain. Unless they come up with a way to grow food on rocks I'm dead meat. Thank GOD for no mortgage.

 

[BILLUA]

Kubota'a

I have a MF 231 but am looking to move up to more HP and capability. Nothing wrong with my 231, but the local Kubota dealer has an M6040 and M7040 that just came off lease, both with under 200 hours that he is offering at a fair price based on comparisons with other dealers in this region.



Is it time to move up or wait it out?



With the economy tanking, I'm thinking I will be converting more of my property to food production. The 231 has been a mower for 95% of it's life. That's why I'm looking to step up in HP.

Can't beat the Kubotas... My father has one that is 30 years old, it finally needed the injectors cleaned and still runs like it did new.



Last year, he purchased a new 6040 and it is a great piece of equipment...



Good Luck!

 

[Alan Reagan]

I'm concerned about where this administration is going and the fact that we may go into inflation/hyper inflation within a year which would drive the cost of machinery even higher. I have a harrow, planters, cultivators, etc.



I've had the 231 for 15 years and she does a great job. If I start doing more, I'm afraid the 231 just won't be enough tractor for the long haul.



I appreciate the input, guys. This is a tough decision.



I don't have a mortgage and was about to retire. I don't see where I'll be able to do that with my 401(k) bombing out.



I have the cash for the tractor. I've been saving up for a few years and can finally do it. It was going to be my retirement present to myself. Kubota's prices are half of what a comparable John Deere are or I'd go with a Deere this time. I would like to buy American but can't afford twice the price.

 

[JimB1]

Alan, my perspective as a new retiree, less than 1 yr.



For most my durable goods I've saved until money was in hand before buying as have you for a tractor.



My planned retirement present to myself was either new truck and medium luxury car or base truck and medium luxury truck, both of which should be last vehicles I ever buy.



I banked monthyly paychecks equal to new vehicle payments for about 10 years and economy was just starting to do poorly when I had to decide to retire and spend money as planned or not.



I elected to stay "on plan" because my methods put the budget in place and even tho' economy is poor and may still go downhill a bit more, my plan is still sound and has flexibility for some unknowns.



Your post also sounds like plan & save and you're not "rolling the dice" via sigining onto credit payments.



Get the tractor, not because you absolutely need it, but because at our phasepoint of life, it's good to follow a sound plan we've provided for.



Show up a dealership with checkbook in hand and body language that you're ready to spend $$$$ but don't be shy about making clear this money decision cuts you to the bone as it should also for the dealer.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Good points, Jim.



I just got home from visiting an 80 year old farmer buddy of mine and he pretty much said the same thing.



He understands my concern about the economy. More than anything he strenghthened my belief that if the economy continues going down, things that help us become more self sufficient are worth the investment.



As he pointed out, tractors rarely loose their value and at some point I would probably get the investment back if I so desired as I will on my Massey. Good news is, he thinks he knows someone interested in buying my Massey now. Seems like we are all thinking the same thing down here.



I'll probably stick with my plan. I really appreciate all the inputs. This is a tough decision.

 

[Dieselnut59]

I'm concerned about where this administration is going and the fact that we may go into inflation/hyper inflation within a year which would drive the cost of machinery even higher. I have a harrow, planters, cultivators, etc.



I've had the 231 for 15 years and she does a great job. If I start doing more, I'm afraid the 231 just won't be enough tractor for the long haul.



I appreciate the input, guys. This is a tough decision.



I don't have a mortgage and was about to retire. I don't see where I'll be able to do that with my 401(k) bombing out.



I have the cash for the tractor. I've been saving up for a few years and can finally do it. It was going to be my retirement present to myself. Kubota's prices are half of what a comparable John Deere are or I'd go with a Deere this time. I would like to buy American but can't afford twice the price.

If you buy a Deere that size, you are still buying Japanese, as they are built by Yanmar. I love my Kubota. The parts that are not made in Japan are made in our great state of Georgia (Gainesville). Get the Kubota and go for overkill. It is better to have too much tractor than not enough.

Love that avatar of yours!

 

[Alan Reagan]

I'm on my way to Danielsville this morning to look at one with 75 hours and a loader for what the dealer wanted for the basic tractor with 165 hours.



I agree... ..... inflation is coming and tractors and other machinery are going to get expensive.



I already have a set of two row planters, cultivators, mower, fertilizer spreader, etc.



I'm set. I want more tractor because I plan to turn up more property. The loader, although not a necessity, is certainly a luxury I can use from time to time and with the tractor I'm going to look at, I get the loader for what I would have paid in sales tax. I'd rather buy from an individual than try to keep supporting the ridiculous tax rates.



Last thing..... when I bought the 231, the dealer had to report it to the tax commissioners office here and then I had to go through the process of getting it removed from the ad valorem tax roles. I'm not commercial. I just have my personal garden and I mow and maintain my property. It takes a tractor to do that. Having to pay a yearly fee for owning a tractor makes them a little less desirable. Buying from an individual, I don't have to go through all of that red tape.

 

[Alan Reagan]

It's a done deal now. I went up and looked at a 7040 4wd with a loader yesterday and bought it on the spot. The tractor has 75 hours on it and still smells new. I bought it for the payoff and still came out at the same price as the one at the dealer without the loader.



The loader bucket has all the paint still on it and the owner also kicked in a brand new hay spear for the loader. The loader attachments go on using the skid steer type mechanical hookups and are easy to change out.



The guy bought the tractor in the summer of 08. He has (had) a broiler chicken operation and with the downturn in the economy, lost his contract. The tractor has been used for mowing and that's about it. It was serviced by the tractor company that sold it.



Thanks for all the inputs, guys. Although expensive, I saved quite a bit over one with zero hours. I think I got the best deal I could get. I've been scouting from central Florida to north Georgia and this was the best price yet.

 

[opjohnny]

Alan I would love to see pictures.



John

 

[JimB1]

On plan, on course, steady as she goes... ,



Geezer smarts making solid sound deals that benifit both buyer and seller.



Pilgrims take note, this is the "new" old way of doing business.

 

[Alan Reagan]

I'll try to get some pics uploaded. I got back in town today and really used it for the first time. That was sweet. It has the clutchless shift F/R/F and that was nice. Moved a bunch of stuff around that I hadn't been able to move. Lot's of lifting power and very maneuverable. If it's fun, I don't call it work. That was fun.



Soon as the ground dries from the snow and rain last week, I'm putting on the big plow and taking her for a good run. Oo.



I'm also going to see how easy it is to get the loader off and on. According to the manual, just drop the balance legs, pull two pins and release the hydraulic lines and back out. Except for the balance legs, it can all be done from cockpit.