A BX, a B, and a L ... ?

[Shawn T. W]

I have the urge, a want, certainly not a need for ANOTHER Tractor!

But ... I like tractors!

I really am not sure what I'd use it for, to be honest my Massey Ferguson SCUT TLB and my Grand L are more than I really "need" ... But there comes a time when "want" seems to override "need" as I get older .. I'm debt free and a little bit of money in the bank ... Looking at retirement in two years ... Why not be happy?

I'm seeing these three tractor's that interest me ...

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/253102003/2002-kubota-bx2200-less-than-40-hp-tractors a BX2200

I don't really have a need for the mmm, I have a commercial 60" Z-turn ...

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/253519963/2000-kubota-b7500-less-than-40-hp-tractors a B7500 ... Again, the mower is an extra ... I have a 5' brush hog, and a 90" finish mower already ...

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/252927787/2000-kubota-l2500-less-than-40-hp-tractors an L2500 ...

The first two are 4X4 HST, but have mowers ... The last has larger R1 tires, but 8 speed gear, but VERY Low hours!

I'm thinking that while swapping out my BH is relatively easy, and quick, I timed it at less than 12 minutes! It might be nice to just leave it in the TLB mode, and have another smaller tractor for 3pt stuff ...

I really like the bigger tires on the L2500, and it has a tad more HP than the others ... But not sure If I've gotten attached to a HST!

I currently have, a 48" tiller, 60" land plane, 60" brush hog, 72" rear blade, 144" PTO boom sprayer ... The recently acquired 48" 487 Lb 3pt forks could probably be used on the L, but would be a bit much for the others, but my Grand L picks them up just fine!

The BX2200 is a tad less HP than my Massey Ferguson, but weighs a tad more, but could share the tire chains I already have, and could get do the 1000' of driveway maintenance, garden rototilling, and rare field spraying ... The B also has less HP, but both should do the job ... ?

Surprised that tractor data says the BX weighs more than the B, is that right? BX = 1600 Lbs, and B = 1323 Lbs!

They all seem to be in good shape, and low hours ...

In my situation what would you do?

 

[mikester]

Buy an F series mower

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Never fear, GrumpyFarmer is here. What you are experiencing is a natural progression that as we age we gain experience, knowledge and sophistication…ipso facto it’s time for another tractor.

in all seriousness IMO get what want. That being said staring at retirement, would you rather retire or have the tractor? I’d prioritize that way.

I like have a pair and a spare. In your case and what I have seen from your pics, I would wonder have you considered an F series…do you want a different type of machine to cover a use/application or simply want to cover a capability gap with a in between size machine? I would think about what niche I wanted to fill up if adding to the stable. (F series, mini x, ctl, SxS, dedicated TLB etc)

another viewpoint might be want upgrade or add machine or add/upgrade implements?

those are my couple thought to help spend your money. Happy shopping.

 

[Shawn T. W]

The F won't be able to share any of my current attachments, right?

I already have a grass cutter!

I'm thinking of another smallish tractor for most of the things my SCUT does ... Retirement won't be effected by another inexpensive tractor ...

 

[Orangeglow]

Go for it. If you want another, get it. I,ve never seen a Brinks Truck in a funeral procession.

 

[D2Cat]

I have the urge, a want, certainly not a need for ANOTHER Tractor!

But ... I like tractors!

I really am not sure what I'd use it for, to be honest my Massey Ferguson SCUT TLB and my Grand L are more than I really "need" ... But there comes a time when "want" seems to override "need" as I get older .. I'm debt free and a little bit of money in the bank ... Looking at retirement in two years ... Why not be happy?

I'm seeing these three tractor's that interest me ...

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/253102003/2002-kubota-bx2200-less-than-40-hp-tractors a BX2200

I don't really have a need for the mmm, I have a commercial 60" Z-turn ...

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/253519963/2000-kubota-b7500-less-than-40-hp-tractors a B7500 ... Again, the mower is an extra ... I have a 5' brush hog, and a 90" finish mower already ...

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/252927787/2000-kubota-l2500-less-than-40-hp-tractors an L2500 ...

The first two are 4X4 HST, but have mowers ... The last has larger R1 tires, but 8 speed gear, but VERY Low hours!

I'm thinking that while swapping out my BH is relatively easy, and quick, I timed it at less than 12 minutes! It might be nice to just leave it in the TLB mode, and have another smaller tractor for 3pt stuff ...

View attachment 170408

I really like the bigger tires on the L2500, and it has a tad more HP than the others ... But not sure If I've gotten attached to a HST!

I currently have, a 48" tiller, 60" land plane, 60" brush hog, 72" rear blade, 144" PTO boom sprayer ... The recently acquired 48" 487 Lb 3pt forks could probably be used on the L, but would be a bit much for the others, but my Grand L picks them up just fine!

View attachment 170409

The BX2200 is a tad less HP than my Massey Ferguson, but weighs a tad more, but could share the tire chains I already have, and could get do the 1000' of driveway maintenance, garden rototilling, and rare field spraying ... The B also has less HP, but both should do the job ... ?

Surprised that tractor data says the BX weighs more than the B, is that right? BX = 1600 Lbs, and B = 1323 Lbs!

They all seem to be in good shape, and low hours ...

In my situation what would you do?

You mention, "... But not sure If I've gotten attached to a HST!". I have an L4240 HST and I use it a lot. I have had a few other HST. I also have an old CASE 65 HP gear shift, a Deutz 63 HP gear shift, a D2 and it's the same. If you get joy out of shifting gears there is probably nothing or no one will convince you different.

If/when you get into a situation where you need/want something done quickly a gear shift tractor will cause stress. It's just more time clutching, moving the lever, releasing the clutch just to get moving again. I just, this week, unloaded 11 big round bales from a truck and moved to a storage area real close. As I was shifting I frequently thought of what a pain in the butt a gear shifting tractor is!! Maybe age has something to do with it?

 

[Shawn T. W]

You mention, "... But not sure If I've gotten attached to a HST!".

What I meant was that I really like both my HST's ... But not sure if I would except a gear tractor or not ... While I'm a truck driver and absolutely hate my new automatic transmission, the L would not have a "shift on the fly" type transmission ...

I believe all three of these would be narrower than my SCUT, as I have 3" spacers on each side, so it's 50" wide, which is a compromise when using the 48" tiller ... But for some of the places I've taken my Little Baby Fergie, it's worth it ...

-----------------------------

I'm guessing all three of these would have power steering?

Would any of them have cruise control ...

Mostly I'm think this new to me tractor would have the tiller on, and then the land plane . . .

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

What I meant was that I really like both my HST's ... But not sure if I would except a gear tractor or not ... While I'm a truck driver and absolutely hate my new automatic transmission, the L would not have a "shift on the fly" type transmission ...

I believe all three of these would be narrower than my SCUT, as I have 3" spacers on each side, so it's 50" wide, which is a compromise when using the 48" tiller ... But for some of the places I've taken my Little Baby Fergie, it's worth it ...

-----------------------------

I'm guessing all three of these would have power steering?

Would any of them have cruise control ...

Mostly I'm think this new to me tractor would have the tiller on, and then the land plane . . .

IMO HST has an advantage for using a tiller…you can go as slow as you like. (Never used a land plan so I don’t know but I would suspect transmission would be negligible with that)

 

[SDT]

I have the urge, a want, certainly not a need for ANOTHER Tractor!

But ... I like tractors!

I really am not sure what I'd use it for, to be honest my Massey Ferguson SCUT TLB and my Grand L are more than I really "need" ... But there comes a time when "want" seems to override "need" as I get older .. I'm debt free and a little bit of money in the bank ... Looking at retirement in two years ... Why not be happy?

I'm seeing these three tractor's that interest me ...

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/253102003/2002-kubota-bx2200-less-than-40-hp-tractors a BX2200

I don't really have a need for the mmm, I have a commercial 60" Z-turn ...

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/253519963/2000-kubota-b7500-less-than-40-hp-tractors a B7500 ... Again, the mower is an extra ... I have a 5' brush hog, and a 90" finish mower already ...

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/252927787/2000-kubota-l2500-less-than-40-hp-tractors an L2500 ...

The first two are 4X4 HST, but have mowers ... The last has larger R1 tires, but 8 speed gear, but VERY Low hours!

I'm thinking that while swapping out my BH is relatively easy, and quick, I timed it at less than 12 minutes! It might be nice to just leave it in the TLB mode, and have another smaller tractor for 3pt stuff ...

View attachment 170408

I really like the bigger tires on the L2500, and it has a tad more HP than the others ... But not sure If I've gotten attached to a HST!

I currently have, a 48" tiller, 60" land plane, 60" brush hog, 72" rear blade, 144" PTO boom sprayer ... The recently acquired 48" 487 Lb 3pt forks could probably be used on the L, but would be a bit much for the others, but my Grand L picks them up just fine!

View attachment 170409

The BX2200 is a tad less HP than my Massey Ferguson, but weighs a tad more, but could share the tire chains I already have, and could get do the 1000' of driveway maintenance, garden rototilling, and rare field spraying ... The B also has less HP, but both should do the job ... ?

Surprised that tractor data says the BX weighs more than the B, is that right? BX = 1600 Lbs, and B = 1323 Lbs!

They all seem to be in good shape, and low hours ...

In my situation what would you do?

Why?

Yes, I like tractors too, both modern Kubota users and vintage (mostly) Ford collectors.

I collected both for several decades. Had lots of fun, learned a great deal, and spent lots of money.

Eventually, before selling my acreage and relocating 1,750 miles I sold everything but my B1750. All buyers, both vintage and Kubota buyers, earned the rewards of my time, investment, and experience. I earned only experience and fun. This is the definition of a hobby.

I'm also a lifetime motorhead, a child of late 60s street racing. Currently looking for a 1964 Impala SS 409/425 (preferably Palomar Red Metalic like the one I owned in the late 60s) to rekindle the glory days.

Have fun with your addictive hobby.

 

[Shawn T. W]

IMO HST has an advantage for using a tiller ...

I'm leaning very heavy towards a HST, I see and experience the advantages it offers with both my current tractors ... The one disadvantage in these little tractors is the loss noticed in PTO HP ... My tiller has a lower limit of 15 PTO HP, my Massey Ferguson spins it just fine with 19.6 PTO HP ... Both the BX & B are in the 16 PTO HP range.

While I don't need nor want either of the mowers on either the BX and B listed, I think once I retire, I could sell the rear finish mower much easier than the mmm ... But for the next 2+ years, I'd have to store either one, as I have no time to sell them ... If the guy selling the B would keep it and drop the price a tad, it would be a big incentive for me ... All three are about 3 hours drive one way ...

Why?

I guess mostly, is I just like tractors!

Even though the practical frugal side of me say I got the equipment to do what needs to be done ... In a lot of ways it's easier to just grab a different set of keys!

I'm not set on Kubota, I'm not really brand loyal, I feel Kubota, John Deere, and Massey Ferguson all make good quality equipment that still has a current parts and service availability (I have all three brands!) ... It's just that these little Kubota's seem to be more numerous, closer to me!

One reason I ended up buying my L5030 was because of the HST ... A lot of the 50-65 HP tractors I looked at were older, and had both live PTO, and dry clutches, which I didn't want, besides non-synchronized gear transmissions ... In order to get away from that, I needed to either go bigger above 80 HP, (which were too heavy for me to trailer) or newer which put me into the emissions I didn't want!

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

I'm leaning very heavy towards a HST, I see and experience the advantages it offers with both my current tractors ... The one disadvantage in these little tractors is the loss noticed in PTO HP ... My tiller has a lower limit of 15 PTO HP, my Massey Ferguson spins it just fine with 19.6 PTO HP ... Both the BX & B are in the 16 PTO HP range.

While I need nor want either of the mowers on either the BX and B listed, I think once I retire, I could sell the rear finish mower much easier than the mmm ... But for the next 2+ years, I'd have to store either one, as I have no time to sell them ... If the guy selling the B would keep it and drop the price a tad, it would be a big incentive for me ... All three are about 3 hours drive one way ...




I guess mostly, is I just like tractors!

Even though the practical frugal side of me say I got the equipment to do what needs to be done ... In a lot of ways it's easier to just grab a different set of keys!

I'm not set on Kubota, I'm not really brand loyal, I feel Kubota, John Deere, and Massey Ferguson all make good quality equipment that still has a current parts and service availability (I have all three brands!) ... It's just that these little Kubota's seem to be more numerous, closer to me!

One reason I ended up buying my L5030 was because of the HST ... A lot of the 50-65 HP tractors I looked at were older, and had both live PTO, and dry clutches, which I didn't want, besides non-synchronized gear transmissions ... In order to get away from that, I needed to either go bigger above 80 HP, (which were too heavy for me to trailer) or newer which put me into the emissions I didn't want!

I don’t have a way to measure it, but my belly rub is that my HST loses 20ish percent felt power when going up a steep grade….is that real or not, I do t know but it certainly lugs and you have to let it do its thing…is it a big deal, not really, but I do notice. Simple solution if it’s a problem. Is get a bigger machine. To me the benefit of HST outweighs the down side for me when I am mowing and tilling and using the loader, and those are my primarily uses. It works as designed. Would I like it to have to have the Mx engine, absolutely, however as is my t loses traction before it runs out of power.

I would not hesitate to get an HsT in a small machine if planning to till with it…tiller really doesn’t lug my B at all.

which do I prefer, well I do like a gear, that’s my preference if just going to drive it. As soon as. Have any finesse work or loader work to do, then it’s HST. That’s the reality for me.

 

[SDT]

I'm leaning very heavy towards a HST, I see and experience the advantages it offers with both my current tractors ... The one disadvantage in these little tractors is the loss noticed in PTO HP ... My tiller has a lower limit of 15 PTO HP, my Massey Ferguson spins it just fine with 19.6 PTO HP ... Both the BX & B are in the 16 PTO HP range.

While I need nor want either of the mowers on either the BX and B listed, I think once I retire, I could sell the rear finish mower much easier than the mmm ... But for the next 2+ years, I'd have to store either one, as I have no time to sell them ... If the guy selling the B would keep it and drop the price a tad, it would be a big incentive for me ... All three are about 3 hours drive one way ...




I guess mostly, is I just like tractors!

Even though the practical frugal side of me say I got the equipment to do what needs to be done ... In a lot of ways it's easier to just grab a different set of keys!

I'm not set on Kubota, I'm not really brand loyal, I feel Kubota, John Deere, and Massey Ferguson all make good quality equipment that still has a current parts and service availability (I have all three brands!) ... It's just that these little Kubota's seem to be more numerous, closer to me!

One reason I ended up buying my L5030 was because of the HST ... A lot of the 50-65 HP tractors I looked at were older, and had both live PTO, and dry clutches, which I didn't want, besides non-synchronized gear transmissions ... In order to get away from that, I needed to either go bigger above 80 HP, (which were too heavy for me to trailer) or newer which put me into the emissions I didn't want!

I, too, have owned JD and MF user tractors, as well as Kubotas.

Dealer relationship is much more important than is brand in most cases.

 

[SDT]

I'm leaning very heavy towards a HST, I see and experience the advantages it offers with both my current tractors ... The one disadvantage in these little tractors is the loss noticed in PTO HP ... My tiller has a lower limit of 15 PTO HP, my Massey Ferguson spins it just fine with 19.6 PTO HP ... Both the BX & B are in the 16 PTO HP range.

While I need nor want either of the mowers on either the BX and B listed, I think once I retire, I could sell the rear finish mower much easier than the mmm ... But for the next 2+ years, I'd have to store either one, as I have no time to sell them ... If the guy selling the B would keep it and drop the price a tad, it would be a big incentive for me ... All three are about 3 hours drive one way ...




I guess mostly, is I just like tractors!

Even though the practical frugal side of me say I got the equipment to do what needs to be done ... In a lot of ways it's easier to just grab a different set of keys!

I'm not set on Kubota, I'm not really brand loyal, I feel Kubota, John Deere, and Massey Ferguson all make good quality equipment that still has a current parts and service availability (I have all three brands!) ... It's just that these little Kubota's seem to be more numerous, closer to me!

One reason I ended up buying my L5030 was because of the HST ... A lot of the 50-65 HP tractors I looked at were older, and had both live PTO, and dry clutches, which I didn't want, besides non-synchronized gear transmissions ... In order to get away from that, I needed to either go bigger above 80 HP, (which were too heavy for me to trailer) or newer which put me into the emissions I didn't want!

FWIW, gear type transmissions are significantly more efficient than are HST transmissions, at the expense of convenience.

 

[McMXi]

FWIW, gear type transmissions are significantly more efficient than are HST transmissions, at the expense of convenience.

Yes. My MX6000 and M6060 are close on paper only despite both being around 63 hp. In the real world they're totally different animals in terms of pulling ability. I'm not complaining about the MX since it's great for many tasks, but it simply can't compare when pulling an implement over hilly terrain, pulling a rear blade, box blade, or simply climbing a hill while carrying a heavy load.

 

[PaulL]

My feel is that a hobby tractor should do something different than what you have.

If you're OK with gear drive, I'd get an old Massey 135 or 148. Perkins diesel (if you can get them in the USA, somewhere said US got gas models), reliable enough, big enough to do interesting things, nice looking machine. Most of the tasks you describe it'd do, the real weaknesses are gear drive (which you're considering anyway) and the loaders. But you have two loaders, so you could easily go without a loader on your third machine.

Failing that, I'd be looking at a mini-excavator, or maybe a skid steer, depending on which would be more useful for you.

A machine that duplicates your existing small MF makes little sense to me. Sure, you can avoid taking the backhoe off, but surely the Grand L can run all the implements you might need, even if they're a bit small for it?

If you are set on one of those machines, I think the L is the pick of the three of them.

The BX has no loader, and the 3ph on a BX is heavily compromised. You don't want to mow with it, so it really has no useful purpose for you. A MF135 would be massively better for whatever you might do with a BX.

The B is also interesting, but no loader and a chunk of value is in a mower you don't want or need. It has an HST, but it still feels to me like a machine without much purpose.

The L has more heft to it, and would be better at tasks like driveway maintenance. You could leave a box blade or rear blade on it, or even leave a mower on it for mower duties in mowing season. In my mind it fills more of a need.....and perhaps you have tasks that the Grand L could do that would benefit being on an open station? I still struggle with how it does something the Grand L doesn't already do.

All the way back to.....this isn't a need, and arguably really not a want (for any of these specific machines). The actual want is a new toy. I'd cast your net wider for a toy that really makes you interested. Perhaps one of these is it, but in your place I'd be looking at something new/different - an old machine (MF135), or an excavator, or even a small bulldozer.

 

[SDT]

My feel is that a hobby tractor should do something different than what you have.

If you're OK with gear drive, I'd get an old Massey 135 or 148. Perkins diesel (if you can get them in the USA, somewhere said US got gas models), reliable enough, big enough to do interesting things, nice looking machine. Most of the tasks you describe it'd do, the real weaknesses are gear drive (which you're considering anyway) and the loaders. But you have two loaders, so you could easily go without a loader on your third machine.
View attachment 170437
Failing that, I'd be looking at a mini-excavator, or maybe a skid steer, depending on which would be more useful for you.

A machine that duplicates your existing small MF makes little sense to me. Sure, you can avoid taking the backhoe off, but surely the Grand L can run all the implements you might need, even if they're a bit small for it?

If you are set on one of those machines, I think the L is the pick of the three of them.

The BX has no loader, and the 3ph on a BX is heavily compromised. You don't want to mow with it, so it really has no useful purpose for you. A MF135 would be massively better for whatever you might do with a BX.

The B is also interesting, but no loader and a chunk of value is in a mower you don't want or need. It has an HST, but it still feels to me like a machine without much purpose.

The L has more heft to it, and would be better at tasks like driveway maintenance. You could leave a box blade or rear blade on it, or even leave a mower on it for mower duties in mowing season. In my mind it fills more of a need.....and perhaps you have tasks that the Grand L could do that would benefit being on an open station? I still struggle with how it does something the Grand L doesn't already do.

All the way back to.....this isn't a need, and arguably really not a want (for any of these specific machines). The actual want is a new toy. I'd cast your net wider for a toy that really makes you interested. Perhaps one of these is it, but in your place I'd be looking at something new/different - an old machine (MF135), or an excavator, or even a small bulldozer.

FWIW, the MF135, especially, the later model versions with 4 X 2 transmissions, is one of the most desireable small vintage tractors, right up there with the 8/9** Fords. Perkins diesel models much more so, vis a vis, early Ford four cylinder diesel engines as these engines were converted gasoline engines, producing less HP than comparable gasoline versions and prone to crankshaft breakage which was not an issue with gasoline versions.

 

[PaulL]

MF135s and MF148s are reasonably common in NZ, and not too expensive (around NZ$10K / US$6K) . All were Perkins. But I understand that's not as true in the USA.

 

[Shawn T. W]

My feel is that a hobby tractor should do something different than what you have.

If you're OK with gear drive, I'd get an old Massey 135 or 148. Perkins diesel (if you can get them in the USA, somewhere said US got gas models), reliable enough, big enough to do interesting things, nice looking machine. Most of the tasks you describe it'd do, the real weaknesses are gear drive (which you're considering anyway) and the loaders. But you have two loaders, so you could easily go without a loader on your third machine.
View attachment 170437
Failing that, I'd be looking at a mini-excavator, or maybe a skid steer, depending on which would be more useful for you.

A machine that duplicates your existing small MF makes little sense to me. Sure, you can avoid taking the backhoe off, but surely the Grand L can run all the implements you might need, even if they're a bit small for it?

If you are set on one of those machines, I think the L is the pick of the three of them.

The BX has no loader, and the 3ph on a BX is heavily compromised. You don't want to mow with it, so it really has no useful purpose for you. A MF135 would be massively better for whatever you might do with a BX.

The B is also interesting, but no loader and a chunk of value is in a mower you don't want or need. It has an HST, but it still feels to me like a machine without much purpose.

The L has more heft to it, and would be better at tasks like driveway maintenance. You could leave a box blade or rear blade on it, or even leave a mower on it for mower duties in mowing season. In my mind it fills more of a need.....and perhaps you have tasks that the Grand L could do that would benefit being on an open station? I still struggle with how it does something the Grand L doesn't already do.

All the way back to.....this isn't a need, and arguably really not a want (for any of these specific machines). The actual want is a new toy. I'd cast your net wider for a toy that really makes you interested. Perhaps one of these is it, but in your place I'd be looking at something new/different - an old machine (MF135), or an excavator, or even a small bulldozer.

Paul, interesting take on my situation ... My local Massey Ferguson dealer has Massey Ferguson 35 (older version of the 135) on his lot https://www.marshfieldmachinery.com...35-Marshfield-Machinery-Inc-16662987?ref=list buts it's a bit wide for most of my attachments ...

My L5030 already has a 90" finish mower ... But no loader for it.

While it can, and has pulled the 6' rear blade, once it's angled ... It's kinda narrow, but it's good to have options!

If the L2500 was a HST I'd put that higher on my list, I really like the much larger rear tires, and I don't have to have 4X4 ...

Looking at the pictures in the ad, the B7500 actually has a 60" rear finish mower, not a 4' mower as it is written, still don't really have a use for it though ...

I have thought of a dozer, but to get one that could push dirt around, just because I like moving dirt, but don't really have a project for it ... I'd want something the size of a Cat D3 or Deere 350 ... But they weigh a lot more than I can put on my trailer, and I don't really want to upgrade my truck and trailer too ...

And yes, this would be almost a duplicate to what I have already, inorder to share the attachments it's gotta be in the same ballpark ...

The B7500 has larger tires, and probably a higher rear lift height and weight capacity than my SCUT, but still narrower than my current setup ... Of these three that are currently available it seems to be what I'm leaning towards ...

Most of my driveway maintenance is very light, actually mostly weed control, I don't drive on it much, and have a gate to keep people out, packages are left out by the gate/road ... Here is a video of it ...

Land plane

Another thing is I'm gonna need to reorganize my barn AGAIN to fit something else in ... I'm thinking that if I turn my 20' trailer around, I can still store my land plane and rototiller on the front, leave the ramps down and drive this third tractor up onto it, maybe even store my 5 brush hog sideways on it too, If there is enough height to drive my L5030 with the forks on to set it up there ... Because once I put my pickup in there there not alot of room to get a tractor out, without moving the pickup out too ... The back looks like it's accessable, buts it's fenced off to keep bigger critters from getting in and messing with my cats ...

 

[Shawn T. W]

MF135s and MF148s are reasonably common in NZ, and not too expensive (around NZ$10K / US$6K) . All were Perkins. But I understand that's not as true in the USA.

Here is one about 3 hours from me ... https://www.tractorhouse.com/listin...5-massey-ferguson-135-40-hp-to-99-hp-tractors

Just under $6K USD ... Only one picture ...

Here's one 20 minutes from me ... For about the same price as the 35 my local dealer that I bought my TLB from ... https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/search?Model=135&Manufacturer=MASSEY FERGUSON&sort=6 it comes with a brush hog, and even "works"! ?

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Heres my .02

Get it….

I reason it like this……….Since you’re buying used, there will be "little to no” depreciation. Hence, selling it (if you decided to for whatever reason), would be a “net zero” type of situation.

So with little to no risk, why not?

Now if you were looking at a “new machine”, that might be different.



When my dad retired, he “collected” vintage, ultra low milage, trucks…….He spent all his time looking on Ebay Motors…..Then he would buy one, drive it for a short while, and sell it……Just so he could look for another one….Wash, rinse and repeat…...

He usually broke even, or lost a few hundred, but it kept his time filled, and he loved it.






Collections can be fun…..but sometimes they become obsessions…….

Case in point: I need another TRP 1911 like I need “another hole in my head"

But I don’t have a FDE one of these………yet.