How much value should I add to a tractor that has a bucket loader on it? How much would a tractor dealer charge me?

-- Paul Wheaton (paul@javaranch.com), July 28, 2001

Answers

At least 500.00

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), July 28, 2001.

Paul, as per your previous post about the bush hog not fitting well, implements come in "class" sizes (as do tractors), class one would be what I would call an estate tractor, good for scraping roads, small rotary mower, something around 30 horsepower; class two is what most small timers have for large multi family gardens or small commercial operations. Class 3 (55 to 60 hp and up)is what you want if you have lots of acreage and constant use of a tractor. For obevious reasons a class 1 tractor could not handle class 2 or 3 implements, this might be the reason your mower does not work well on the 8n.

As for the wet lines (hoses) on the conditioner, most proabily one supplies hydraulic to turn the sweeper, another controls height adjustment and the third is maybe a return line All the hydraulic motors and pumps must be in simular capasity ranges. Take the numbers stamper on all hydraulic componets and go to your favorite hydraulic dealer to see if they match each other.

As for the question about the bucket:How much would a dealer charge you.... For what? A new bucket, installing a used bucket, the question is not clear. As for value added because of the bucket, a class 2 tractor here, used would cost about $3,500.00 for an American made (Case, MF, International) 4 cylinder diesel in running condition, where as the same model with a complete bucket would run about $5,500.00.

Some of us are very familiar with tractors and can answer any question if you can provide us with more info, (what model, what year, what brand, ect.). For part of your questions you might schroll down to the farm equipment listing in the old answers area, there is a lot of info from newby to pro there. Enjoy!

-- mitch hearn (moopups1@aol.com), July 28, 2001.

Paul,

If you need a tractor in the 40 HP range with a bucket on it the question you need to consider is how much more a new bucket is worth to you than a used one already on the tractor. You already know you can have a new loader set up and installed for around $3500 or so. How much less can a used one be worth? You know you can buy a used machine sans loader and spend the $3500+ to get what you want. If you're willing to pay $1000 to have the new one vs. used, then the amount to add is about $2500. Personally, I'm tractor shopping right now and am adding about $3000 in my figuring for a good loader.

Personally, I wouldn't think a loader would depreciate all that much. I also doubt I'd want to spend a whole lot of money to have a shiny new bucket over a used one on a used machine. Again, this is just me, but I'd think at least $2500 more for a machine with a loader and wouldn't think $3000 would be outrageous. Your new bucket is only going to be new until the first time you use it, you know.

The flip side of this is that I wouldn't pay a premium price for a used bucket off another tractor to put on one I had. I'd think that seller is happy to find someone who can use his.

As I said, this is just my way of looking at it. I hope this helps.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), July 28, 2001.

There is a loader available from a company in Iowa, (I think) they are on the I-net, "Paulson's" you can get a unit that will fit a 8N, for about $1200-1500. they are mainly suitable for manure pitching, claening out barns and will lift about 850#. anything beyond that for a N series without power steering is pretty hard to handle, plus you run the chance of breaking a front axle, I have seen that happen too many times.

-- hendo (redgate@echoweb.net), July 29, 2001.

Anybody know of front end loaders for the M?

-- Paul Wheaton (paul@javaranch.com), July 29, 2001.

I check the "Paulsens" and found out that the bucket control is not hydraulic. It sounds like you pull or cord which triggers a latch and the gravity of what is inside the bucket pushes the bucket down. A spring re-latches the bucket. I think a hydraulic control would be more useful. The older 8N stuff has hydraulic bucket control?

-- Paul Wheaton (paul@javaranch.com), July 29, 2001.