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Compact Tractor

Ok. I am in the market for a compact tractor to use at camp. Here are my requirements.

1. 4wd (this one I may bend on as I could probably get by with 2WD
2. 3pt hitch
3. Big enough to run a 4' brush hog
4. Must weigh in at under 2,000 lb so that I can haul it on my single axle trailer.
5. Budget is under $3,000

I know a bigger tractor I can get more work done. I have a 65 HP tractor at home. Issue is that I don't have enough truck and trailer to take it to camp. With the loader and everything on it I have got to be north of 7,000lb. The other issue is at camp is I am doing alot of small areas and even if I took that tractor down, it would be a pain to use as it is simply too big.

Currently I am using a weed whacker to mow things and it works out alright, but the other thing with a tractor is I would also like to get a 3pt tiller so that I could till up the food plots once the stumps get rotted out.

I have been looking for a few weeks and I have been seeing alot of Fords and Kubotas of course, but I have also been seeing Yanmar, Satoh, and Mitsubishi tractors. Anyone have any recommendations.

PS. A trail mower behind a UTV isn't an option either. With the areas I would need to back it up a fair amount and also need to lift the mower up to go over some rough rocky terrain/stumps. Plus I want to be able to put a tiller on the back.
 

hickslawns

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The older Ford tractors were pretty stout little machines. I have seen a few of those in the sub $3000 range. Might have to jump up to $4-5k though. Yanmar, Satoh, and Mitsubishi would scare me when looking for parts. My buddy has an older Ford he has used for years to put in lawns and bush hog. I want to say it is a 1750 or 1950 model? Something along those lines. Has stood up to the abuse pretty well. He is hard on stuff.
 
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jagermeister

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I think finding what you're looking for at $3k or under might be pretty tough. Not impossible... but tough. Where's the nearest dealer to your camp? How often do you suspect you'll be down there using said machine? Just wondering if it might make more sense to rent a tractor as-needed instead of buying one just for camp.
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
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TractorHouse.com

My suggestion is don't relent on 4WD and hold out until you can drop $5K. I think you'd be happier with your purchase in the long run that way.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
I agree with the renting idea. Then you can really dial in what size and type you want to purchase. This will also allow for the money stash to grow.
 
Well. Here is my reasoning. I would like to have a 3 pt tiller at home to do the garden and food plots. To get to fit my tractor at home is going to run into some $$. I would use the bush hog for the plots and trails at camp plus could use it for the yard there. Probably would use a dozen times a year at camp. I don’t know if there is too many places that rent

As far as budget the 3k is a little tight. From what I have been seeing 4K wouldn’t be too hard to do. My budget is tractor only. No implements.
 

Buckmaster

Senior Member
14,362
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Portage
$3K two wheel drive tractors can be had with ease. They would be good for flat land. If you have any hills or wet spots you'll need to dig a little deeper and buy a 4x4.
 
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OhioHunter88

Junior Member
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Perry County
I picked up a satoh buck earlier this year. It's like a 79 model. 4wd 19hp 3cyl Mitsubishi engine. Hydraulic 3 point and 3 speed pto. A really nice machine and I got a steal on mine with a 4ft brush hog and was only at half of your budget.
20180715_153541.jpeg
 
Update on this. I have still been looking. Had a couple that were good deals but do to family and/or hunting obligations, I was unable to go look. A nice Kubota B7000 with a Finish mower where a guy was asking $2,500 for both was one I regretted not being able to go look. Tractor looked in really good shape at least from the pic. It was sold within a day so it probably was. One thing I am finding out is that alot of tractors in this size have turf tires instead of ag's. By the time I would switch out tires, a good deal isn't any longer a good deal. I plan on getting more serious in the search Department after the new year. Should have some more time.
 

hickslawns

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Ohio
Euclid Ohio on govdeals.com right now is a Ford 1600. Sitting around $2550 right now with day and a half on the bidding. Comes with a landscape rake. 2wd and no front end loader.
 
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