That's what I do.
Like most things, the older stuff was built better.

This is a good idea with some limitations.

I have re-built several of them, John Deere, Case, and a few IH and Fords for some of old the locals around here that wanted a new tractor, but didn't like what the modern market offered. Most of them were mid 70's to mid 80's year models. I did full rebuilds on the whole tractor for them and painted a couple of them as well, they were like new. They end up with more than they are worth usually, but they trust them and know they can get them repaired locally if they ever need it. The big disadvantage to this is that not many were built with front wheel assist and/or shuttle shift, and today's users normally want these.

^^^^^^

Branson seems to have a good value in the 20-30hp range.

Most new have emission crap on um. Don't idle um or big problems. Mahindra's don't. Or the 2018 38 hp hydro doesn't.

Is this for you or a group on the lease? Some people treat other people like it is their own, other treat it like they do not care.

A used one can be great, but if you are mechanically challenged, your cost for the tractor can quickly go from reasonable to expensive.

I would find one that doesn’t have plastic everything. The sun will dry rot all of it before the tractor wears out.

Lack of plastic was one of the reasons I bought a Kubota. And mine was a pre-DEF model, thank goodness. If I was buying another new tractor, I would definitely consider Mahindra if they really do have a non-DEF system that doesn’t have its own set of problems.

Kubota!

Kubota x’3. Any John Deere less than 85 horse is a Yanmar with green and yellow paint.

Get an old school John Deere 4420. Big enough for most jobs and bulletproof. You can fix almost anything yourself

Kubota here. One my 2nd one. 1st one was used and abused and still got many years of service out of it.

Did a lot of research, and looked at a lot of mid-sized tractors before I bought my new Kubota. Here is my synopsis... I ranked and equated each major brand to auto makers to give you an idea of reliability and resale. This is just my opinion.

1. Kubota = Honda/Toyota
2. Mahindra = Hyundai
3. John Deere = Ford
4. New Holland = Chevy
5. Case = Dodge

wow, I didn't know Bill's was still around. There used to be a Bill's in Liberty Hill when I was looking for a tractor, I gave it serious consideration and poof, they were gone.

Kioti any good?

I seriously consider both JD and Kioti before buying Kubota. Honestly, the Kioti was the most well equipped for the money. For roughly the same price as I paid for my gear drive MX, the comparable Kioti came with hydrostatic trans, rear remotes, and third function on loader. The downside was dealer network and if any issues, I was going to have to get it back to Fort Worth for service. With Kubota and JD, there are much closer dealers.

We had a Case and had constant problems. Switched to a Kubota and hope it lasts a long time with even 1/2 the problems as the Case. would be an improvement! Resale of JD and Kubota is pretty darn good! Our Case, not so much.

Kioti tractors have the most bells and whistles for the price. I was able to get a Kioti (DK4710 SE) with a hydrostatic transmission, front 3rd function valve, 4x4, link pedal, for about the same price as a Mahindra without the 3rd function, hydrostat, etc... They also move more hydraulic fluid than any of the others in their class. So far I have no complaints with the Kioti.

My dad bought a Yanmar. It has served pretty well the past couple of years with light use.

Supposedly yanmar made engines for JD and sometimes whole tractors sold as JD for years.

9N or 600 series Ford. You can still get parts. I've been running a 1958 Model 631 for the last 35 years. Had to replace gas tank, gauges, tires and a 12v alternator since I put it into service. We run a 709 JD mower behind it through low heavy brush along fencelines and roads.

In a way, I kinda wish I still had my Ford 651 and 951 diesel ... but they did their job well for many, many years, it was time for them to move on along when I sold them. For a good little tractor around small jobs, hard to be a properly maintained 8N, 9N or Jubilee.

Dang...nobody recommends Navasot anymore?

Page one, he got a mention

the small JD's are just Yanmars, you might as well look at those

Mahindra has been real good for me. The 59 horse power has done any and everything I could ask. I built roads with it through the Val Verde County brush that a still visible today on google earth.