New tractor quest

I've spent the summer test driving and evaluating everything in the 38-45 HP range of new tractors. I expect to put less than 250 hours per year on it and it will probably be my last big purchase before retirement. It's come down to two choices, both well known brands and well known dealers with lots of good history. Cab, air, heat, quick attach loader, quick attach skidloader bucket, MFWD, and hydro are the same. Lift ratings nearly identical. Reviews on various websites pretty positive for both. I'm leaving the brand info out just to avoid the red vs green argument, here's my choices:

Used, 3 years old, 234 hours, perfect condition with clean maintenance records but no warranty. Extra rear hydraulic valve, telescoping lift arms, loaded rear tires, no DEF. I can trade on this tractor for $22k. If I want to finance it I can do so for 4.75%.

New, 1 hour on the clock, 5 year / 3000 hour warranty, 2016 model hold over, DEF, no rear valve (not really a big deal to me at this point). Fixed lift arms which is what I have now. I can trade on this tractor for $25k. If I want financing it will be at 6%.

I like the used tractor, and wouldn't mind saving the $3k, but I can't seem to get past the the whole warranty issue. Though I've only had one time I really made a significant warranty claim on something over the years, and I'm not inclined to pay extra for warranty when it is offered. Any comments or experience you all have had?

On a def system get the warranty! Some are good and some are a nightmare. The truck I drive now has a good warranty and has had zero issues for a year. My last one had a crap warranty and cost me $40,000 over 4 years not counting regular maintenance.

Are there service contracts on tractors? Similar to cars and trucks?

That might make the older tractor more attractive, but would probably negate the savings in price.

Rich

Get the used with NO DEF. The Exhaust after treatment is a nightmare. You will appreciate the rear valve also.

Being a tractor of that size I question what it has on it for tire size and are they Ag tires or Industrial tires?

I would not buy a tractor unless it had Ag tires as the industrial tires just does not offer the traction that the Ag Tires have. I work in dirt, mud, and snow....

My neighbor traded his 1 year old JD for the next model bigger beacuse he they did not offer Ag Tires in the rim size on his tractor.

Doesn't seem to be enough deducted for the used tractor ? maybe because of the DEF stuff used are bringing more ? or maybe it's what brands they might be ?

Both sound sort of cheap for a 38-48 HP with a loader and a cab and all the goodies ? I would of guessed to be mid 30's to 40's ?

The presence of the rear valve is makes the used one the winner. I think the price is likely negotiable as well. If you don't get the rear valve you will be asking how to put one on in a year from now. You may want to use a semi mounted mower for instance. Will need the valve. Wood spliter, will need valve.

I have looked at tractors in that range quite extensively myself and now have a Kioti DK45SE. I am not aware of any of the models below at least 75hp having a DEF system. Any of the latest models over 26hp will have a Tier 4 aftertreatment system but shouldn't have DEF. If the used tractor has no aftertreatment system at all and the new one is Tier 4 there is no question what I would do. The Tier 4 stuff will cause problems and is expensive to fix. Also on the telescoping lift arms, once you have them you'll wonder how you ever lived without them. Good luck, Sam

As far as your concern of not having a warrantee I have purchased 4 new tractors over the years under 50 hp. I think the items that were done under warrantee amount to 3 or 4 hundred bucks on all of them combined. As long as your buying a good quality used one I think you would be farther ahead. I brought my last tractor with 400 hrs on it, five year old model, and got it for about half the price of a new model that was the exact thing. I've since put 400 hrs on it with no problems.

I think there is something here you are not telling us. $22K vs $25K is too close. This sounds like a JD vs Mahindra, respectively. These are not equal brands in my mind. If your talking JD, New Holland, and Kubota, I would view those as equal brands for all practical purposes.

Although, our JD dealer had a number of Kubota trade-ins this spring. I asked why, he said the Kubota's had poor loader operation a low RPM's. I mention as something to look at. I don't know how true this is. A lot of people love their Kubota's.

Oh, I have a Quick-tach hitch on my JD 3320. I absolutely love it and it makes the extendable links un-needed once you get all your equipment compatible with the Quick-tach.

Anyway, let us know what you do and what the real story is.

Paul

5 yr., 3000 hr warranty for 3 grand is a no Brainer to me....easily worth the peace of mind alone, providing all else is equal.Ben

Doug,

I thought that's what I wanted also (38 - 45 Hp). I found that that size tractor is premium priced because of demand. I then went looking into the 60 - 80 Hp range and found more durable tractors for less money. Naturally, this eliminates the new market, but I was trying to avoid DEF and computers anyway. I'm really happy that I went with a heavier tractor.

That's my 2 cents.
Larry

I would buy the used tractor because it is non DEF for one and also a higher featured tractor. The rear valve alone is a $750-1000 option. As for warranty, a 234 hour tractor already has the bugs worked out of it usually. I would also bet that there are other options the used one has for it to be within $3k of the new one.

I will tell you that if it is an AGCO/Massey Ferguson 4600 series run from new or used.

Warranty is not a free pass on things. I would give 10-15% less if they would do that over the warranty. I rarely get anything fixed under warranty. They will mess me around long enough I fix it myself.

So did you get one ?

Send us some pictures.