What is the best value Compact Tractor with Front End Loader?

Question

FarmTrac, Kubota, Jinma? I'm A little concerned about going "Grey Market" cause I don't want the repair headaches if I get the wrong one. John Deere to much $$. I want low cost but dependable equipment. Balance is the Key to life.

Answer 1

Massey Ferguson

Answer 2

As a rule you should plan on spending 6 to 8 thousand, but really 8 thousand, and beyond that you'll need to shop around and look at overall condition and hours of use. I mean that's the thing, everybody wants the absolute best for the lowest price, but something for nothing isn't usually happening so unfortunately it boils down to a somewhat serious amount of money and legwork, the more research you do helps as well.

If you shop around for some time, you can probably find a really nice looker in good-to-excellent condition with low hours for 8k, but overpriced junk is up for sale as well so I would stay away from ones that have been repainted unless it was a complete restoration performed. You'll further want to look into Gross weight, horsepower, and weight lift maximum / shovel torque specifications, there exist differences of up to 500 pounds between models and when we're speaking of a tractor with a 1,000 - 1,500 pound lift capacity, all of this can make a big difference, even the shovel's capacity in cubic feet might be a critical issue as most are not much bigger than a large wheelbarrow (6 - 8 cu. ft.) so then perhaps 2wd vs. 4wd is an issue, anyhow always check the specs and compare to what is important to you.

Attachments make a difference, as you will find the same kind of tractor being sold with and without a shovel for about the same price, I find it is important it come with the attachment(s) you are looking for, it appears to affect the price little but buy the one without the shovel and you may find that to get a shovel with the hydraulics and parts and installation runs you another 2 thousand... So it should take some diligence due to the wide variety and limitations of compacts, diesel vs. gas or PTO HP / rear PTO presence, see it's likely going to take some time to find a least compromise combination of specs just right for you in one machine, but 8 grand should do it, you may have to consider travel to pick one up idk.

You might further check into manufacturers that stick exclusively to compacts, such as Yanmar, Shibaura, and Hinomoto. For one it widens the selection, but while the ones you mentioned also make full size tractors (at least Kubota and John Deere do), if you were to stick to exclusive compact makers then your chances of getting a tractor among experts in the field could increase.

Last but not least, you just might check some dealers local to you, first to see if they have something available, but as much so to find out where you can get one serviced, should that time ever come.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Small Front End Loader

Answer 4

Hi, I can't offer an opinion personally but have you checked with forums like http://www.mytractorforum.com ? Lots of tractor owners there.. :)