Is this Kubota worth 3k?

[Diabel]

i don't know anything about tractors. All I know I need something to haul my split wood out of the woods (often steep). In the past I would haul everything by hand or borrow my friend's beat up side by side Polaris. When borrowing I would always worry of breaking something and be on the hook for repairs.

This is 1971 diesel, not sure what model (did not contact the seller yet). The blower is included. It looks like it might have had a bucket attached before.

It's primary job would be to move split firewood.

Questions:


Can this thing go up steep hills?
How tippy is it on steep stuff?
Would this outperform an atv hauling wood?

 

[TJ1]

Don't know if it is worth it but IMO a 4WD ATV would do a better job. I have a 4x6 wire mesh trailer we bought at Lowes for $425. It is connected to my 4WD ATV and I can pull a load of wood pretty much anywhere. The ATV has a lower center of gravity compared to the tractor you showed.

 

[firefighterjake]

I'm no tractor expert so I couldn't tell you if it was a good deal or not . . . but it seems to me that $3,000 could buy a fairly decent 4WD ATV and trailer vs. a 45-year-old tractor that is bound to have a wee bit of wear and tear on it.

 

[maple1]

It is wider & slower & higher & less maneuverable than an ATV.

It should pull more weight & is heavier than an ATV - and can take attachments to allow it to do more things.

Kind of depends on what you value for 'performance'.

 

[Lcback]

If all you are doing is pulling logs and split wood a used atv with 4x4 is your best bet. In my opinion

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[Diabel]

Thank you for replies. I got excited at first when I saw the ad. Once I posted my questions here and re-read the ad, it just did not make sense to pay 3k for 45 year old tractor!

I will look at 4x4 atv. But these things are usually pretty beat up when buying used.

 

[Lcback]

Just make sure it all works. $3000 cash in hand buys a pretty nice utility quad if your not picky about brand, year, or engine size. A 350cc atv with 4x4 and low range will do pretty darn good. My 89 Big bear hasn't let me down yet. They are okay to be dirty they are ATV's, not sports cars.

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[maple1]

I don't think I would bypass the tractor just for price reasons. Those old Kubotas are pretty popular up here at least, and it should make a decent snow mover with that blower included. It might not be a bad buy for someone - said without knowing much about how many hours & how good it sounds, etc..

 

[duramaxman05]

That is a kubota b7100. Excellent little tractor. We used to have one. Around 16hp. 3cyl diesel. Is it gear or hydrostatic? Look them up on tractorhouse and see what the are going. They hold there value very well. Only down fall of these little tractors is no power steering. You will be surprised what the little feller will pull.

 

[duramaxman05]

They were made from 1976 to 1985.

 

[firefighterjake]

Thank you for replies. I got excited at first when I saw the ad. Once I posted my questions here and re-read the ad, it just did not make sense to pay 3k for 45 year old tractor!

I will look at 4x4 atv. But these things are usually pretty beat up when buying used.

I realize things may be different across the border, but here in Maine you can pick up a decent 2004-2007 Honda Foreman 450 for around $3,000 or so. It isn't the best machine for trail riding and it doesn't have all the latest and greatest bells and whistles, but it is a work horse. I'm still using my 2000 Honda Foreman that I bought in New Brunswick -- hauling wood, plowing snow, etc. and an occasional trail ride.

As mentioned an ATV 350 cc or higher with 4WD should be more than up to the task of hauling firewood. I'm a bit partial to the Honda and Yamaha line of ATVs, but many other brands should work as well.

A possible option if price is high in Ontario is to cross the border . . . although I suspect right now with the whole rate of exchange it isn't all that great . . . but a few years ago many Canadians were coming across the border to buy used ATVs and sleds.

 

[kennyp2339]

As mentioned an ATV 350 cc or higher with 4WD should be more than up to the task of hauling firewood. I'm a bit partial to the Honda and Yamaha line of ATVs, but many other brands should work as well.

I fully agree, a 350cc or higher 4x4 is best, I've gone through quite a few machines so far, the 99 big bear 350 was the best one (brandy new to) I did use an arctic cat 400 manual for a number of years, it was a good tower in low (plus the manual shift) the only bad thing about that machine was that it was kind of top heavy and lite in the front, I've never owned a machine that rolled on me so many times (trail riding) in 2013 I bought a grizzly 700 eps, absolutely love that machine, great pick up, can tow literally 3/4 of a cord of wood in my trailer and have a great center of gravity with good ground clearance.
*If your going the Honda route make sure you check for ground clearance, some of the machines are way to low to the ground and you will hit bottom on taller rocks.

 

[jetsam]

A small tractor like that will outpull a 4x4, but the 4x4 is safer and more versatile in hilly terrain.

You want to try to go straight up and down the hills with the tractor.

I think I'd personally prefer the small tractor. (4x4 is more fun though.)

 

[Diabel]

Thank you for all the input. There are sooo many options in terms of atvs. And the price varies a lot too. Some of the used machines either really hold their value or people are just asking for stupid amounts!

Polaris is offering a 500cc machine for 6k with 0 % financing. I suppose I should start a new threat "what atv to get" and hope to get some unbiased opinions.

 

[Lake Girl]

ATVs in Ontario are supposed to be registered as an on-road vehicle. There was an issue with serial # when imported and they are subject to inspection. Not sure if that is still the case...

In favour of the old Kubota, it could be used to power other equipment like a splitter. Downside, higher center of gravity makes them unstable for hilly terrain.

 

[Diabel]

Yeah, it is very hilly where my property is. Plus, not sure how accessible parts are for a 40yr. + old machine.

 

[Lake Girl]

not sure how accessible parts are for a 40yr. + old machine.

There is that ...

 

[maple1]

ATVs in Ontario are supposed to be registered as an on-road vehicle. There was an issue with serial # when imported and they are subject to inspection. Not sure if that is still the case...

An on-road vehicle? Really?

Kinda of blows my mind a bit - you can get in trouble here just for going down the side of the road for a short jaunt just to get from one trail to the other. If you get caught that is, ha.

 

[Lake Girl]

On road with proper insurance similar to motorcycles.

 

[StihlKicking]

I don't think $3000 is a bad price for that tractor. I tend to shy away from old cab tractors though. Usually the motor, trans, hydro are fine but they will dollar you to death trying to keep the heat and AC going in the cab. A cab tractor with no AC is pretty much useless down here in the summer unless you take a hammer a knock the glass out.


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[claydogg84]

Thank you for all the input. There are sooo many options in terms of atvs. And the price varies a lot too. Some of the used machines either really hold their value or people are just asking for stupid amounts!

Polaris is offering a 500cc machine for 6k with 0 % financing. I suppose I should start a new threat "what atv to get" and hope to get some unbiased opinions.

I did the same thing. Got tired of dealing with people that thought their 10 year old ATV had appreciated by less than 25%. Do keep in mind that Polaris ATVs are belt driven, and may not be your best option if you plan on hauling heavy loads. I bought a 2014 Sportsman 850 and the power is ridiculous.

 

[volunbeer]

The problem with the compact tractors is (as others have said) hills. They are notoriously unstable and even when they feel stable on a hill you can put a load on them and tip right over without much warning. With that said, they are tremendous little workhorses under the right circumstances.

Given what you are describing I also think you would be better off with an ATV. The ATV will outperform the snowblower also with a cheap blade and it's fun to boot.

 

[duramaxman05]

Yeah, it is very hilly where my property is. Plus, not sure how accessible parts are for a 40yr. + old machine.

Parts shouldn't be a problem at all. It's a kubota.

 

[duramaxman05]

If you are thinking of an atv or utv, I should stay away from polaris and arctic cat. I know i may have just stirred the pot now, but I work on atv and sxs as a side job. I can say polaris keeps my busy. They just don't hold up. Have some farmers around here that have honda fireman's. A couple of them have over 10,000 miles of them and farm miles on top of that. Yamaha is another good one as well as kawasaki. I have a kawasaki brute force 750 and it's quite the horse. 1200 miles trouble free. The Japanese have there stuff figured out on atv and sxs.

 

[xman23]

I to don't know tractors. But that is a tractor and I think it will take a hell of a ATV to do what that could do. That thing has a 3 point hitch PTO. All depends what you need. Pulling a trailer, you can do fine with a ATV. All depends what shape it's in. The rubber looks good. Maybe it just sat outside. What did that cost new? I think it's cool, but I'd love to have a tractor. Until then I get by with a ATV.