Tractors...

just went to the mahindra website... woodage

 

Brother I recommend retirement a gajillion percent!!!!

 

I'm a skid steer kind of guy. I run heavy equipment for work and have just liked skid steers for working around my place. Can get into tighter places. My old 1989 Bobcat 743 works for me. Wish I could get a bigger one but at my age buying bigger and newer bad idea.

 

Have you looked at the Toolcats? Price alone might rule them out but they're a decent cross between tractor and skid steer.

 

If it were me, I’d go Kubota with a cab. People can say “Korean tractor” all they want, but they’re a quality machine and they’re built like tanks. If you want to go cheap and pre-emissions, I’d try to find an older John Deere 4430 w/ a loader. Still see a lot of guys using those for mowing or light dirt work type duties out in my neck of the woods.

 

I suggest give Kioti a shot. I live in rural wisconsin so everything is avail. I’ve handled them all...and for my new tractor I got the dk10se series. It’s a lot of tractor for the money. They have been around for a long time, and been in the states for 30. 6 year unlimited hour warranty as well. That said... not one hiccup. For being 7k lbs and 45 hp... it’s a beast. The ck series is smaller... but has great options factory equipped as well. The Kubota sand Deere prices add up fast on options.

Take one for a spin, with hydrostatic... it’s a 3 minute learning curve

 

Can’t blame ya, but I’ve heard of very few and experienced no DEF problems on machinery. Can’t recall a single fault code thrown because of it when I was farming. But I did have a metric shitload of them on my farm pickup(s). That’s a good lookin rig!

 

Our grounds crew on campus has one, it's a pretty impressive machine. They use it to plow sidewalks, then switch out for a blower to move piles. Sweep the parking lots, bucket for moving materials, forks for deliveries since we don't have a forklift, and a tiller.

Nice part is you can use any skid steer attachment. Bad part is I believe they're about $60k brand new.

 

Are you going to mow your "yard" with it? I maintain 2 acres as yard and happy with my 2004 JD 2210 diesel with 54" deck. I drop the bucket by pulling two pins then almost as smooth as riding mower but much faster, beat to death with attachments attached at full yard cutting speed. Also I found for me I run the yard tires(forget the real name) to not tear up the grass, 85% of the time better for me than full tractor treads.

 

that 4520 you drove is a step down from the 4610 we had at my school. It was the most comfortable tractor to drive and definitely the most useful. hydro static is the way to go especially considering you live in Colorado. Manuals are way more fun just because who doesn't love banging through gears but less practical for consistent results and jobs that require lots of going backwards and forwards.

 

100%, when I get on my little 42" lowes special to do a couple of small fenced areas reverse is a mystery every time. LOL

 

We have equipment auctions down here at least once a month. There are great deals to be had if you know your way around the machine you are looking for. Some of these guys buy new stuff every other year and auction off their old stuff. I have bought two low hour JD Gator's at these auctions and a MF tractor w/bucket for my dad with 350 hrs on it for about half of a new one cost.

 

The front bucket would be handy for the snow but like @Pudge said, the back hoe is indispensable if you're moving dirt/digging.

I don't know all the particulars but, after harvest season a lot of the tractors are returned. I dunno if they're leased for the season or what but it may be a good way to get a substantial discount on a nearly new tractor. Craigslist Sacramento is where I've seen these types of offerings but I'm sure there are other areas that have similar programs.

 

I’m going to strongly recommend against a Kioti. A good friend of mine bought one new in 2015. I don’t recall the model number, but mid-frame, 4x4, 55hp, cab, factory loader... nice LOOKING machine, especially for the price.

Within the first few months, the door glass spontaneously shattered, the turbo oil seals failed causing frequent regens, the clutch was grabby due to a clutch cable sheath that was designed too short, and took a couple years for a fix to become available, the ignition switch piled up and had to be replaced.

Due to the hydraulic pump being mounted above oil level with a spin-on suction filter, the pump cavitated badly in any freezing temperature until everything warmed up, if it would warm up enough. Parking it inside for winter snow clearing was pretty much a must.

Part of the frustration was poor service from the dealer, but complaints to Kioti didn’t get a positive response either.

He sold it at a substantial loss last year while it still had warranty with < 300 hours on it. It wasn’t easy to sell either.

 

I almost exclusively play with trucks and not equipment, so my knowledge and experience is limited.

That said, for a farm tractor, I’d buy a bit older John Deere, Case, or even a Ford / New Holland over anything new and “offshore” built for the same money. For example, you need parts for your 1970’s JD? Easy, dealer can get ASAP. Their support is amazing.

If a backhoe, then again, I’d say JD, Case, or Cat. Cat tends to be more expensive, but again, amazing support in the long run.

For a used machine, maintenance history and how it’s been used /abused is important, of course.

A good old google search of specific models can help find common issues to look for if you’re seriously interested in any one machine.

Hope that helps.

 

I have the same tractor. Been very happy with it so far. Does just about everything i ask it to.