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Machinery Forum Re: Re: Chinese tractors...what's the scoop? [ Expand ] [ View Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Return to Forum ] Posted by D.L.. on May 12, 2002 at 11:42:39 from (209.99.124.62): In Reply to: Re: Chinese tractors...what's the scoop? posted by Bob Semrau on May 11, 2002 at 19:33:04: Agreed on the riding mower. I have an 18HP/46" cut rider that I've been using for almost 7 years now (it's an MTD). It just can't handle the field hogging...it's made for cutting nice lawns, which my field definitely isn't. As long as I don't let it grow more than a few inches, I can get it done, but it takes a couple of days. Basically, a royal pain in the arse to do. I just let it grow up and borrow my neighbors IH 404 and hog it 2-3 times a year (in fact, I just did it yesteray). I'm not against something like a Jubilee, Ford 2000/3000, IH 404/414/etc or the like, as long as I can find one locally for a decent price, but that's part of my dilemma, there are no decently priced used tractors locally (or at least none that I wouldn't have to sink more money into to make it run and work good). Most of the old tractors don't have power steering either....something that is an absolute must for me. I also require a dual stage clutch as a minimum as well. I have a ditch out front that I can't drive in and need to be able to back up to, park the shredder over it and cut it down. Either dual stage clutch or another method of changing gears, or direction on the tractor without having to spin down the PTO, change gears, reverse, park shredder over area to be cut, go to neutral, spin up PTO, cut, spin PTO down, move tractor, repeat process for the next 5 feet). I can do it on the IH 404 I use, but it's very time consuming and a pain in the arse because of the single stage clutch. Looking at the net, I see wonderful deals on used tractors in places like Kentucky and Tennessee (found a Ford 3000, diesel, power steering, excellent shape for $4000), but then I have the problem of getting the tractor here. Either an expense to pay someone to get it here or a long road trip that I don't have the time or money to do. Right now I am seriously considering the Mahindra 4500 and a 6ft shredder. The loader I am still thinking about. Granted, it is 2-3 times the cost of an old used tractor, but then again, it is brand new, has a 3 year warranty, local support at 4 different dealers and I know that everything on it works and it has everything I want. Regardless of what I do, I will be taking out a loan for the tractor, and the differences in the payment on $5000 or $14000 I can handle (just stretch the $14000 loan out longer). Some have suggested a 90HP tractor (referring to my future of 30+ acres in PA). I'm not going to be farming the land, only hogging some of it and doing driveway maint/snow removal type work). I dunno, like I said, I am new to tractors in general and still open to suggestions and still looking around. I don't want something I will need to dump more money into, has the power and features I need, but not overkill. Heck some have said definitely 4WD insted of 2WD, but I'm not sure I need 4WD...how much better pulling power are we talking here? And if significant, how applicable is it to my needs? I suspect it's going to take me a fair amount more time before I actually decide. This isn't a toy I'm looking to buy, so I want to be sure that what I do get is going to do what I need it to do with a minimum of fuss. Thanks to all for the input so far. Follow Ups: Re: Re: Re: Chinese tractors...what's the scoop? Robert in W. Mi. 14:57:56 05/12/02 (0) Post A Followup Name: E-Mail: Subject: Re: Re: Re: Chinese tractors...what's the scoop? Comments: Optional Link URL: Link Title: Optional Image URL: Email Notification: If you check this box, email will be sent to you whenever someone replies to this message. Your email address must be entered above to receive notification. This notification will be cancelled automatically after 2 weeks.