I'm buying my first tractor to manage a 20 acre property. We don't have anything extreme planned, but I need a good reliable tractor for general uses...

I'm trying to decide between a 1980 john deere 510 loader/backhoe for $8500. or a 08 kubota b7800 w a mower for $11,800.


the older tractor is 89 hp and the lil kubota is 39 hp. should I go for a bigger older one or a newer smaller one?

correction: the kubota is only 30 hp.

 

I should add that it will be a 20 acre light agriculture site. mostly vegetables, fruits, pomegranates, citrus, avocado, and property maintenance...

 

My vote is for the JD as long as it is in perfect mechanical shape.

 

Kubota all the way...

 

Tractors aren't like cars.. you can keep them running forever. Go for the one with the power, options etc you want regardless of age, as long as parts are easy to come by. JD I would imagine won't be a problem.

I don't know how plentiful Massey Fergusons are there, but I had one that was 40 something years old at the time and it was the most reliable thing I have ever owned.. ever.

 

why? $3300 more and 50 less hp

 

With tractors it's not about HP. It's about Torque. When you get in to big haulers of any sort, tractor's, big rigs, etc. They'll have like, for instance, 200hp, and 400lb.ft tq.

Torque is what turns the big wheels, not necessarily HP.

 

^ ok so what is the respective torque on the 2 models under consideration?

 

Plus, the John Deere HAD 89 HP. Is it running in great shape?

 

The 89 hp JD is drive to go see. If I go see it, I'll go with the intention of buying it.

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also I did see some masey ferguson's, but hadn't heard much about them...


It seems the general consensus is not the age but use, power and condition that matters more.

that helps me look in the right direction. Thanks guys.