Looking at getting a new tractor

[BrokenolMarine]

That, and unless you have knowledge of the seller, you don't know if they took care of the equipment and how they treated it. We regularly maintain our equipment and don't expect it to perform outside it's limits. We also don't loan it out, we happily bring it to you and do the work, but don't drop it off.

The other side of the coin? We had a family member who rarely maintained his equipment, constantly pushed his equipment to failure, and would use borrowed tools and equipment like he owned it. He often returned it broken or damaged and claimed "it was like that when I got it." You wouldn't want to buy something HE was selling.

[HenryFan]

That, and unless you have knowledge of the seller, you don't know if they took care of the equipment and how they treated it. We regularly maintain our equipment and don't expect it to perform outside it's limits. We also don't loan it out, we happily bring it to you and do the work, but don't drop it off.

The other side of the coin? We had a family member who rarely maintained his equipment, constantly pushed his equipment to failure, and would use borrowed tools and equipment like he owned it. He often returned it broken or damaged and claimed "it was like that when I got it." You wouldn't want to buy something HE was selling.

I have been snake bit loaning equipment and other items in times past. Probably 37 or 38 years ago, I loaned a friend a Jon boat, motor and trailer while I was assigned to an overseas billet for a couple of years. When I returned, I was dismayed at the condition of the outfit but not a word about the condition was said by my friend.

Neither a lender nor a borrower be.

[BrokenolMarine]

We rarely borrow, but if we do...

Years ago, before we could afford to buy a trailer of our own, we borrowed a trailer to move some items for a friend. I borrowed the trailer from my Rabbi in the PD. (Not a real Rabbi, a mentor). He showed me a wire in the lighting harness that pulled out. Been that way for years, just stick it back in before you leave, and check the lights whenever you stop to make sure they are still working. (Really, he was a Police Seargent, a Shift Superviser. )

On the way home, I stopped by Auto Zone and picked up a new harness plug and installed it before leaving. I used to teach Aviation Electronics, it was a very professional job. About halfway down, we got a flat. Wal-Mart was right there. We pulled in. No tire, but they had wheel and tire sets. I bought three since they were a size up from what he had. Two for the trailer, and mounted the spare in the rack on the side of his trailer.

We returned the trailer and thanked him for the use. He called a couple weeks later and invited us to lunch. Handed me a check for the three wheels, the harness, and labor. "I should have done it years ago. I'm embarrassed you had to take care of it." I tried to explain a rental would have cost me three times that amount. I never cashed the check.

Once in a while I needed a heavy duty trailer to haul debris. I was going to buy one, and and asked my friend who was my "go to" guy for all things mechanical who had one and he told me to just use it whenever I needed it, just call. He ran a construction business on the side. (He ended up building my dream woodshop in Virginia.) If he had debris on it, I added mine, hauled it all, then dumped it all and returned the trailer empty. I always left $20 under the mat at the door with a thank you note. His wife opened the door one day, "Why do you do that? No one else ever offers, no matter what they borrow. It's not like it burns gas and oil."

"No Ma'am. But Kevin has to buy tires and tags, and pay taxes. I appreciate not having to rent a heavy trailer."

She just smiled and closed the door.

[Mags]

When I need something I don't have, I'll rent it.

Back to new or used. I bought my tractor, a 1983 JD 955 Landscape Tractor, used about 1996/97. Cosmetically, the paint was sun/weather worn, but the tractor itself was and still is mechanically sound.

[JEBar]

I have a 25+ year old John Deere 4310 .... its over at our oldest son's place .... were he still uses it for various things on his 23 acres .... its been a good rig that seldom has needed any repairs

link to a YouTube video discussing one .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5zt-9kEuKg

[Hatchdog]

I have a 25+ year old John Deere 4310 .... its over at our oldest son's place .... were he still uses it for various things on his 23 acres .... its been a good rig that seldom has needed any repairs

link to a YouTube video discussing one .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5zt-9kEuKg

Interesting that we have the same tractor from the same era. I remember when mine was new and looked like the one in the video.

[daytime dave]

I've had good luck in purchasing used mostly. Some bad experiences, but thankfully not many.

[JEBar]

Interesting that we have the same tractor from the same era. I remember when mine was new and looked like the one in the video.

ours appearance is far from new .... she still cranks easily and runs smooth .... as noted, our oldest son has it .... he's also ago a much newer and larger Kubota with a full cab .... with the heat of our summers, having an air conditioned tractor can sure come in handy

[BrokenolMarine]

I sometimes regret not getting the cab on the tractor. For the protection from the heat and cold, and the dust and debris thrown up, including fire ants.

[HenryFan]

If you are ever forced to split the tractor, you will be glad it doesn't have a cab.