[L3rian]

New user, but been lurking for the past couple of years trying to decide what to buy.

I know value and worth are personal, but I'm trying to decide if I should buy a used tractor or wait and get a new one.

I found a 2016 1025r with a loader, backhoe, and 54" mower. It's at a dealer asking $21k. Has right around 150 hours and looks in very good condition. I'm in the Midwest. I think a new one configured the same will be around $26k. 2.9% for the used one and 0% for the new as far ss financing goes.

I have 10 acres of mostly woods with about an acre of yard around the house. I have a gravel driveway to maintain, but I already have a plow on my side by side for snow removal. I need to run some drainage lines around 150' which is my justification for the backhoe to the wife, but I'm sure I will find other uses once I have it. I could also rent a small track hoe for a day and be a few thousand ahead.

Again, I know it's a personal decision, but what has been your experiences? Does the backhoe get used a much a you would like? Or should I skip this one and save quite a bit of money that I can use on other implements?

 

[Jimmy Walker]

I can't talk you out of it. I love my backhoe. It's been used more for planting flowers and burying dead animals than for projects. It's dug many stumps out too.
I physically can't use a shovel very long so it's a life saver.

Welcome to gtt!

 

[theduke]

Doo the math on the loan.
I bet new @ 0% is better.

Are you gonna get 7K of use out of BH..??

You got a place to store it inside?

BH is great for strait line digging ,small stumps..etc.

A mini ex is worlds apart and you'll never go back to a BH.

Walk your property and see what projects a BH might work for.

Demo one or rent one and figure it out b4 dropping the cash for a ho.

 

[L3rian]

Doo the math on the loan.
I bet new @ 0% is better.

Are you gonna get 7K of use out of BH..??

You got a place to store it inside?

BH is great for strait line digging ,small stumps..etc.

A mini ex is worlds apart and you'll never go back to a BH.

Walk your property and see what projects a BH might work for.

Demo one or rent one and figure it out b4 dropping the cash for a ho.

I have space for the tractor, but was thinking the loader and backhoe will have to sit outside. Not ideal, but it is what it is for now. I have a few stumps, but not many. Not wanting to really clear much of my timber except trails and some underbrush around the edges. The one project I could see it coming in handy is when I do put up another building in a few years. But I stay pretty busy and honestly would probably have someone build it for me.

 

[Rule292]

Around me a new 1025r factory installed loader backhoe is $22,000 in stock at the same dealer that I got mine from. Perhaps someone can guesstimate how much extra the mower deck is.

I'm biased, I did not buy my tractor to cut grass so no mower deck. It's a 2021 and it's got 59.7 hours on it so far and probably over half are with the backhoe.

YMMV but the backhoe was the reason I bought the tractor. I can outshovel most folks (underground farmer in my blood ) but digging dirt isn't as easy as it used to be. Make no bones about it, the 260b is not a Case 590 backhoe but it beats a shovel and a Texas toothpick for digging just about anything out.

Oh, are you sure the 1 series is the right size for you? If your property is level and has the clearance I would probably look larger if it's in your budget.

 

[MattL]

Doo the math on the loan.
I bet new @ 0% is better.

Are you gonna get 7K of use out of BH..??

You got a place to store it inside?

BH is great for strait line digging ,small stumps..etc.

A mini ex is worlds apart and you'll never go back to a BH.

Walk your property and see what projects a BH might work for.

Demo one or rent one and figure it out b4 dropping the cash for a ho.

The positive about a Hoe, when you're done with it, generally it'll sell for 50%+ of what you paid for it if in good+ shape. So 7k is actually 3.5k. 😎

 

[cpm324]

"Again, I know it's a personal decision, but what has been your experiences? Does the backhoe get used a much a you would like? Or should I skip this one and save quite a bit of money that I can use on other implements?"

All in so far, 14 months and about $28000 spent with 260 hrs., it costs me about 108 bucks an hour. Project that out to next year at this time it's only costing me 50 bucks an hour. That's if I don't buy more stuff..., and if you look at it that way.

I have the loader, backhoe, tiller, forks, posthole from Deere and box blade, landscape rake from RK also a set of ag tires on rims from amazon.

That's how I sell it to myself, use it while you got it cause you can't take it with you.

Edit I also bought the hydrosplus kit so add another $1300 to the total and bump the hourly cost up a few bucks.

 

[MattL]

"Again, I know it's a personal decision, but what has been your experiences? Does the backhoe get used a much a you would like? Or should I skip this one and save quite a bit of money that I can use on other implements?"

All in so far, 14 months and about $28000 spent with 260 hrs., it costs me about 108 bucks an hour. Project that out to next year at this time it's only costing me 50 bucks an hour. That's if I don't buy more stuff..., and if you look at it that way.

I have the loader, backhoe, tiller, forks, posthole from Deere and box blade, landscape rake from RK also a set of ag tires on rims from amazon.

That's how I sell it to myself, use it while you got it cause you can't take it with you.

And you can likely still get 17k+ for it on resale, so it's not even close to 100+/HR.

 

[L3rian]

So I found this chart on depreciation. I can't remember from where, but based on the price of a new one, a 2016 should be around $16.5k. This is with the same loader, backhoe, and mower. I know hours and condition play a huge part, but do the attachments really make them hold their value that much?

 

[12dbsinad]

Just get the TLB.. Come back a few months down the road and you'll thank us.

 

[theduke]

In my opinion chart is pre covid useless.

Theres nothing new avl. except hit and miss at different dealers..implements are scarce.

Local Wilco got a batch of new implements..this is like a RK or tractor supply type store......New prices you guys aren't gonna like.

 

[NotYourGrandfathersDeere]

Welcome from Ontario Canada.

I bought the 1025r tlb, and 54" mmm, best investment I've made in a long time, but now I wish that I had purchased something with a little more ground clearance. The 1025r doesn't have a lot of ground clearance. My wife and I have about 9 acres, half is bush the rest we mow. Just turned 300 hours. I love the backhoe. It's dug out stumps, bushes, two 100 foot long three foot deep electrical trenches, it's ballast, planted trees, and best of all it's right there when I need it.
Go for new. I was thinking about a used machine until I did the math. By the time I would have paid off the bank the difference between the two machines would make it a no-brainer. Besides that you can roll any attachments into the deal and get them at 0% too. Get a set of pallet forks if plan on moving logs, brush, or ....pallets. Or a grapple if it's something that you think it's something that you need to move branches around.
Let us know how you make out......

 

[OLYTDI]

What Rule292 said exactly is also my situation -- cost of new locally, reason for buying, model year and hours on tractor...all the same for me.

I've got trenches to dig for hydrants, trees to plant, and rocks to place (using the thumb). I may eventually run out of things to do that require the BH but not in the foreseeable future. It's just a super handy tool beside the obvious digging purpose. You'll be amazed at what you can do with a little imagination. If you're getting old like me, the replacement for hand digging is priceless!

I bought new because used units were nearly the cost of new around here.

Ask the dealer for prices using the different 0% finance periods. I found that the 5 year loan was true 0% finance (same as cash) whereby longer terms of 0% required a fee (that is, not really 0%).

Good luck!

 

[PW1986]

With the difference in interest on the note and having a warranty vers no warranty I'd definitely got for the new. Just my 2 cents.

 

[jimmylh]

$21k seems kind of high to me, but with the shortages now, maybe that's a supply and demand price now?

 

[NH0336]

With respect to the backhoe question/ thought: My experience of having a 2025r with a 260b backhoe is that while it sits a lot and would be out performed by a "real" backhoe there is a significant benefit in terms of convenience. That convenience does come at a cost, BUT being able to hook up and go dig on your schedule, start and stop as needed and not have to watch the clock on a rental has been a positive for me. I have also found the fun of it way also adds a non quantifiable benefit over a shovel and pick for even small jobs. Though you are paying to have that fun and convenience sit for periods of time.

 

[Myasis Dragon]

For me, having the backhoe was a no brainer. I've used it to repair drainage tile, water lines, sewer lines and occasionally use it as a crane to hold fence panels in place while I shoot screws in place. I've used it to dig pet graves and over-sized fence post holes. Having owned and operated a Case 580 backhoe, the hydraulics of the 260 backhoe are a bit slow for me, so I intend to upgrade with the kit from hydrosplus.com. Below are pictures of, A: my wife digging out a chunk of concrete during a fence project and B: the hook I bought from boltonhooks.com to utilize it as a crane of sorts.
I bought my 1025R TLB new in 2013 with the 60" deck. At the time, I didn't realize I could roll any implement I wanted into the 0% loan. I'd have gotten the rotary broom if I had. It'd be great to have for light snow removal at home and general cleanup of the parking lot at my small auto repair shop. Get what you need/want now. It's more expensive later.

A word about "ballast". (well, actually pictures)

 

[L3rian]

Thanks everyone for the input. Lots to consider and numbers to crunch. Just considering the tractor as it comes comparing to a new one with the same attachments, the difference is $2,400. That's $480 per year for depreciation, or only about 10%. I'm planning to keep it forever, but let's say 6 years from now I'd be selling a 6 year old tractor vs an 11 year old one. I imagine I'd take much more than 10% hit on the older one. The biggest advantage I see of this one is it is available now and 30 minutes from my house. If I want a new one, I'll have to wait a few months or spend 2 days driving. I'm not in a hurry though.

Is it common for tractor prices at a dealer to be firm? In the conversation I had, he wouldn't budge on the price and only offered oil and filters. If we were talking $19k vs $21k, I think I'd already have it in my yard. Is that unreasonable?

Maybe I'll call and make a lower offer. I'd think if I purchase pallet forks and a box blade at listed price that gets them a bit more profit, but maybe not enough to make it worth it for them. I understand the dealership needs to make money also, but again, I can wait.

 

[Sodman]

Hi. I observe that you only started this question 14 hrs ago. Lots of passionate replies were quickly added above.

I love my B/H

I agree with the guys above: A "real" backhoe, like a mini excavator will out perform a 1025 + 260b. The 260B is not a real strong digger, and because the tractor is behind you, you can't swing far left or right to dump the bucket. BUT - somehow I got to be an old guy, and doing light to medium duty digging by hyd power instead of a shovel is wonderful. I've pulled stumps, buried cable, planted trees + shrubs, lifted rock for landscaping. 10 minutes to take on or off. I built a dolly for it. No way would I give it up now.

 

[L3rian]

Hi. I observe that you only started this question 14 hrs ago. Lots of passionate replies were quickly added above.

Yea, seems to be a great forum with an active membership. Which is why I came here to begin with. I really appreciate all the advice. I think I would love a backhoe, and find excuses to use it. But right now, after evaluating what I really need it for, I think I'm going to pass on it. I'm 35, so I still have a few ditches left in me lol.