Keep the 1979 or buy new?

MarkMac77

Member
Hello tractor folk. Ive got one acre, horses & assorted critters, and a couple tractors. A 1948 John Deere B that runs, but needs work (its supposed to be a free time project). Ive also got a 1979 Ford 1100 that is my little helper. The 13 hp Ford punches above its weight. Hes my little helper on the farm. I only use him 20-30 hours a year, and I try to be gentle because many of the Shibaura parts are obsolete. Also, the tiny Ford is limited in what it can lift and pull (still much more than my two arms). I bought the Ford from a friend, but its not sentimental.

The tiny Ford tractor itself is adorbs, with fresh blue paint & stickers, and factory wheel weights. Its got a loader and a box scraper. The transmission, 4x4, and hydraulics are tight. I could sell it for a good penny.

Now I see Kioti is offering 0% finance on the CX2510. I pinged this model as a sweet upgrade. Its heavier and a smidge bigger than my tiny Ford, with better ground clearance than a subcompact, but still maneuverable and able to park in the garage. Plus with spare parts available, I would use the Kioti more freely.

Would you be inclined to move on a new tractor or keep rolling the dice on the 1979 Ford (Shibaura), hoping it doesnt grenade and become a paper weight?
 
For one acre and such low hours, if I was in a position where I had to finance a new tractor I would definitely pass on it and keep what's paid for.
 
The Kioti will have emissions on it. Sooner or later they will be a problem. I'd keep the ford for as long as it runs.
 
I understand the dilemma, I sell some parts and have lots of people contact me looking for parts for the small Ford and Massey compacts of that era. As to the Kioti - I think if its under 26hp it should still have no emissions system on it.

If the tractor is simply a tool to do a job and youre happy with the price then buy the Kioti - I just doubt that it will be around or have parts support 40 years from now. To me there isnt a lot of point in keeping the Ford if youre afraid to use it because its one breakdown away from being yard art.

Now if buying the Ford brand new was an option, that would make this a lot easier ;)
 
I can kind of get what your saying. It's kind of nice to have the dependability of a new machine. And the security of it not being obsolete if it were to break down.

But bottom line, it all comes down to if what you are doing with it, justifies having that dependability.
It wouldn't justify me to buy a new blender for the kitchen, no often than I would use it. Therefor, I'd just get by without the new blender. I know your not talking about blenders and that is way outside of the box of what your asking, but kind of the same when it comes to being justified as to having one.

I sure would hate to be nailed with the payment of a new tractor that I really didn't need, even if it was 0 percent financing. And if I was you, I would check into the fine print of that 0 percent financing. Most times, there is a time limit to the 0 percent part. After a limited time frame, an interest rate kicks in after that. And some times that is all jacked up, to account for a few months of the 0 percent.

The 0 percent tactic is generally used as a sales gimmick. It might influence someone to buy one instead of leasing one. But for a guy that can't really justify having a new one, the 0 percent gimmick, might not be all roses. Might not be what you should do. I know it wouldn't be for me.
 
And that Kiota would be same as your little Ford as for parts, None were ever sold in this part of the country. Never saw one, No dealers for service. Stick to a brand that has a dealer network and is known to be good. If you could bind a good older pre emision Ford that would be the way to go. Get rid of your money pit while you still can and don't jump into a different money pit as that kiota would be. I woulf get the JD going but not to do what you are needing the tractor for. I am a JD guy and had 2 B's and 3 A's but I also had and still own older Fords.
 
There's a servicing Kioti dealer 20 miles drive from here, they've been in business for 60 years, and they've been selling Kioti for a very long time. I'd almost have to say they've been selling Kioti for at least 20 years.

There are 5 dealers in the general Western New York area. Some of them I'd even consider doing business with.

So it depends where you are, and it doesn't matter what brand you get. The dealer could suck even if you bought a Kubota or a Deere.
 
The advert said 0% for 84 months. Id pay it off in 18 months or so. I do tend to see quite few Kioti tractors in AZ. I didnt realize they werent very popular. The old Ford does all right, but oil filters I have to get online, air filters I can get close and dremel to fit.
 
Just trade up for something older than the 0 interest deal. With a smaller payment or for cash best option. I would move up to something in the 40-50 HP level for moving things without worrying about breaking it. Some of the older Deer and IH tractors would work with lots of parts for most models.
 
If you are considering buying something new,
I agree, buy something that has a reputable dealer.
I'm getting too old to want to turn wrenches anymore.

If you can repair older stuff, buy old stuff only if you can get
parts.

It's your money. Your decision. I've never regretted buying
any tractor, new or old. My Jubilee is retired and I have no
plans of selling it. My GMC truck is a 2007. It's my forever
truck. It will sit in my garage forever. I Rarely use it
anymore. I rarely use my 2 terramites anymore. They too are my
forever tractors and will remain in my pole barns forever,
unless Larry borrows them. lol.

Why not keep your 1979 and buy something different.
I never trade anything in I always keep my old stuff or give it
to someone in my.
 
From looking at Tractor house website it looks like a Ford 1100 is worth around $3k. Looking at the Kioti website, it looks like the cost of the new unit will be around $25k plus attachments. The Kioti is going to be a major upgrade. I guess it depends on how much work you want to do versus how much work that you can do with the Ford. There is a lot to be said for not having to hunt up parts for a tractor that has been out of production for decades. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
 
(quoted from post at 12:03:36 02/01/23) The advert said 0% for 84 months. Id pay it off in 18 months or so. I do tend to see quite few Kioti tractors in AZ. I didnt realize they werent very popular. The old Ford does all right, but oil filters I have to get online, air filters I can get close and dremel to fit.

I wouldn't worry too much about popular as long as you have an established dealer reasonably close and you get a good feeling talking to them.

There are only two truly "popular" brands, Kubota and Deere. Everyone else is a bit player in the market. Market presence is often regional with the smaller brands, but that doesn't necessarily make them a bad tractor.
 
I would steer clear of the Kioti. My suggestion is Kubota, New Holland, Deere or Mahindra. IN that order.
 
We have many antique tractors..... We use them all the time, but, we also use this Massey Ferguson....... Zero down, zero interest, low payments. Little new in with the old.
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24 HP, no emissions crap on it. Owned it a year, got over 80 hours on it. Oh, we have 3 acres...... Lol
 
Mahindra? I have not heard anything good from anyone who has owned one.

They're as fine as any other as long as they don't have a problem, but if you need warranty work, unless they've changed something recently, Mahindra corporate is rumored to leave the dealers hanging.
 
For just an acre of land I think I would be inclined to keep the little Ford. I have owned a couple of the compact shibaura's and have good luck with them. You don't say how many hours are on it, but with good maintenance you can expect it to last a good long time. If tires are good and no strange engine noises 30 hours a year would be nothing for it. Now, if you are wanting to upgrade to a newer machine for the reason of just having something new , thats your decision. Keep in mind, that little Ford will still be worth $3000 or more in years to come [ in good condition] because it has pretty much bottomed out on depreciation. just my thoughts Dave
 
I sttered clear of LS for no particular reason but I just did over the years,,,,,,I didn't like the color of the paint was he main reason in their commercials....seeing one in person was a different story. I wanted a small do odd jobs around the place new compact tractor with tight turning, 25 hp for emissions elimination, 4wd, PS, and loader. Back in 2016 I bought a Branson 2400 to compliment my larger tractors and thought I was making the right decision since I liked the 2009 6530 Branson I had. I also thought old school and went with the manual tranny which came with the tranny PTO.....which turned out to be a big mistake as I learned over the years I had it. The loader was not the skid steer dimensioned QD type.....so I couldn't use it to move my 5x4 round bales.

In January 2021 I don't know the particulars but I was thinking about upgrading my 25 hp compact series worker to a hydro and Ind. PTO. So I went to the local Branson dealer and check out their stock since I had good service out of my 6530. I wanted to trade a couple of tractors that I didn't use any longer. They didn't take trades but put me onto a guy who buys used tractors when they have a customer who has a trade-in and to get what I wanted I would have had to upgrade to a larger tractor.

I contacted him and in the process accidentally found out that he was also a licensed LS dealer. Just for grins I pull up the site and looked at their models in that class. I was thinking about a certain model and discussed it with the dealer. He said I woiuld be best served with the MT 225S and he would take my 2 tractors in trade and drive 400 miles round trip to make the swap, with prices for all of it quoted over the phone....I had sent him pictures of the trades and condition.

The LS was very inexpensive considering it's amenities and had more cockpit space for a big guy, and in addition to the reasons for change also had a tilt wheel and QD loader which was lacking on the Branson and was a big + for me in current problems in the get on-off cycle and limiting my loader attachments....I also use a pallet with the loader.

Well that was January 2021 and I am sold on my decision and not looking back. So, in your searches, this is another brand you might choose to consider.
 

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