Tractor Buying Revisited

Hotflashjr · Feb 21, 2017

I posted a while back about looking for a new tractor, possibly brand new. After all is said and done the decision was made by the owners of the farm I run not to buy a brand new tractor. I have about $40k to spend. Looking for 100HP, cab, 4x4 and trying to stay away from computers if possible.

A 2955 would be a "good fit" for the intended use and size. A bit more on the HP would be good. Trying to stay away from these due to the hydraulic issues they can have with age. I think getting up to a 4255 would be the tops in terms of size and a bit overkill. That being said I am looking at 3155's, 6400 series, 4050, 4055. You can seem to find a lower hour 6400 series at the same price as a nice 50 or 55 series with higher hours. Any thoughts for or against any of these?

Thanks in advance. I really appreciate the input!

Hay maker2 · Feb 21, 2017

(quoted from post at 15:17:06 02/21/17) I posted a while back about looking for a new tractor, possibly brand new. After all is said and done the decision was made by the owners of the farm I run not to buy a brand new tractor. I have about $40k to spend. Looking for 100HP, cab, 4x4 and trying to stay away from computers if possible.

A 2955 would be a "good fit" for the intended use and size. A bit more on the HP would be good. Trying to stay away from these due to the hydraulic issues they can have with age. I think getting up to a 4255 would be the tops in terms of size and a bit overkill. That being said I am looking at 3155's, 6400 series, 4050, 4055. You can seem to find a lower hour 6400 series at the same price as a nice 50 or 55 series with higher hours. Any thoughts for or against any of these?

Thanks in advance. I really appreciate the input!

To go from an MT, to a 1010 and a 1020 that's a big jump. What are you planning to do with all the extra horsepower?
just curious....

Mike M · Feb 21, 2017

From what little I know and have read everyone pretty much agrees that JD 50 and 55 series were the BEST they ever produced. Now they are getting some age on them but still should be some nice ones to be found.

Hotflashjr · Feb 21, 2017

I run two operations. My small tractors for 2 acres of crops, some hogs, and general use on the bigger farm. The bigger farm has 5 acres of orchard, which we are expanding, on a total of about 80 acres of land. Right now we have a 2550 4x4 w/loader, 2440, 2555 as the main tractors. The 2550 has failing brake linings and hydraulic issues are developing so we plan on selling/trading. The 2440 is our spray tractor and is rough almost 12k hours, but gets the job done. The 2555 is our nicest tractor, under 5k hours, but only 2 wheel drive and canopy so it basically does mowing on the flat areas and that's it. Looking to get rid of the 2550 and get a bigger machine to do mowing with, possibly hay down the road, run a large snow blower and be a back up spray tractor if needed. Mowing would be flail mowing tree prunings as well as putting an arm mower on the back to do some hillside, ditches and between trees where the arm mower on the 2555 can't reach.

NY 986 · Feb 21, 2017

A pretty good 4050 can be bought for under 40,000 dollars. Most farmers are looking for the higher horsepower tractors in that series so the 4450 in similar condition will bring considerably more than a 4050.

David G · Feb 21, 2017

40K should get you close on a 4450 or 4455

larryanderson · Feb 21, 2017

On your budget you can buy a nice 6420 with MFD,cab,and loader 5000 or less hours and have above 100H.P. I buy several like that for under your budget.

2510Paul · Feb 21, 2017

I just purchased a 120 pto hp 4250, for row crop work. I read all the responses and had this thought. If you are doing more utility work go for the 4 cylinder 6420. If you are doing more row crop work go for the 6 cylinder 50 or 55 series.

Paul

larryanderson · Feb 22, 2017

Agree with 2510 Paul.Where you want a MFD ,the very first 50 series had a different MFWD front end that is not desireable to some.$40K will buy a FWA 4050 .There was two motor options 359T and 466 non turbo some people argue which is best.I like the 55 series with turbo 466 but cost more.The 4055/4255/4455 are about the same just H.P. difference.

Hotflashjr · Feb 23, 2017

So getting into that 4000 series 50 or 55, they all have about the same size footprint. They just seem a bit big for what we are doing. Row crop will not be the main use as will be the mowing. We do not have flat ground and do have some tight spots so as much as I really enjoy their look, I feel like they are just too big of a machine.

Hotflashjr · Feb 23, 2017

How do you like the 6420's? Is it easy to take put loaders on and off?

I don't know of many of them around my area except a few towns have them for road mowing. I did look at a used one in person a few weeks ago liked it quite a bit. I am still concerned on size though. The utility tractors we have now are a good fit. Implements we want to run require the higher HP but I feel as though the bigger size will be tricky on some of the tighter hill areas.

Tractor Buying Revisited

Hotflashjr

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Hay maker2

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Mike M

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Hotflashjr

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NY 986

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David G

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larryanderson

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2510Paul

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larryanderson

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Hotflashjr

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Hotflashjr

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