Buy loader or bigger tractor?

[jmann]

I'm looking for advice: I have an old L1500DT running great. I have about $3500 USD in it after a steering overhaul. I can get a new buhler-allied 95 loader for it at around $3500, bringing my tractor-investment to around $7000. The hours on the tractor show 1500, but the engine came off another, so its hard to be sure. Like I said, it runs great.

Around here, I can find a used Kubotas (around 30-32 hp w. a loader, maybe 1-2,000 hrs) for $9-10,000 if I'm patient. I'm thinking I might rather part with the L1500dt and go newer and bigger before I invest in a loader for the old tractor. Thoughts?

 

[Hook]

Like you say if you are patient, you can find a deal. Personally, I would not want to put that much into an older tractor. I doubt you could get anything near that much out of it after equipping it with a new loader. Also, I would rather buy a used tractor that came from the factory with a loader than an older tractor with an add on. That's just my opinion, my wife tells me I'm anal.

 

[stuart]

I have an after market loader on mine, and I don't like it. The reach is a fair bit less than the factory units, and in the 'load' position there is not enough curl on the bucket to get a good load.
If I were as talented as Wildfire I could fix the curl issue, but that is just a dream.
I think you will do better with a factory equipped unit.

 

[fiddlindave]

If you want to do much loader work, you need HST and 4WD. I'd vote for another tractor.

 

[skeets]

Tractors are like pickup trucks and motorcycles,,, mines big and faster than yours,,, I say if ya got the bucks GO FOR IT!!!!
Just MHO you understand

 

[Green Mountain Slim]

Make sure you don't need any "extras" before you decided on getting a loader. Have you thought about finding a used loader that will fit your tractor? I suggest you don't pay more than 50% of new price unless it's like new.

When I purchased my B 8200 I thought I'd just throw a used backhoe on it, but I needed the loader for the sub frame first, so I went the whole 9 yards and now I'm loaded. It wasn't what I was hoping to do, but it was worth the investment.

Then as another choice, you could always look for a tractor with a loader that you could use as a second tractor. And then maybe find one for parts, and one to fix up the parts tractor, and so on and so on.

 

[Wildfire]

If I were as talented as Wildfire I could fix the curl issue, but that is just a dream.

Holy smoke is there another Wildfire on here cause you can't be talk'en about me