You can't just go by HP. There are 50 hp compact tractors and 50 hp utility tractors. The utility class will weigh much more have heavier frame, gearing and such. That's what RobertD's post is getting at. All those horses don't do much good if you can't get them to the ground. Granted, there are $ differences when comparing like machines. The green and orange ones tend to be higher.

Everybody knows that REAL tractors are blue.

You could take that budget and completely rebuild your 2240 and have a way better tractor then anything you buy new. The kubota mx services like a mx5200 is their cheaper line and if your going to have the same functions with no modern stuff you'd be better off with your old 2240

Get a John Deere 5210, 5310, 5220, 5320. You should be able to find one of these in your price range in good shape. A 25 series would also be good but may be a little out of your price range.

All you green guys must not have to deal with Tri green

We rarely deal with the dealership at all.
That's another reason to buy green tractors.

Not if I can help it.

shucks tri green won’t even have filters in stock

Yep , went in the Scottsboro store mid- last summer for a set of blades for a MX-7 bush hog , of course they didn't have them . Went down the street and got a set of Bush Hog brand that would fit, cheaper than JD to boot.

Just gotta know who to deal with at trigreen.

Are the 5055e as good as the older 5205?

Mr. Brad, in all seriousness if your looking to buy a tractor, you can't go wrong with an older green or blue. You can buy these models from lots of places- by older I mean 2000 or even 80's models. These machines can take thousands of hours providing they've had reasonable care & you ain't likely to ever wear one out by the use you describe-as long as you by smart.There is some Ford models that end in 10 ( 3910, 6610 for example) that you may want to avoid. These models are good running tracs, but they have a serious power steering issue that is really hard to fix. They pour ps fluid from both the reservoir on the side of the engine as well as under the steering wheel.We've put seals in em to no avail. I personally don't know of one that doesn't leak once they get a few hours on em. That 2240 you have, even though you say has had it, those models are gems. I would spend 15 grand for another good used 2240 before I'd spend a dollar towards a new model of any brand. Way too many reasons to mention for the hats off to the older tracs. They be easy to work on as well for the most part. I can tell you for sure that outback has put many an hour on a 2240 that was owned by a close friend , and am sure he'd tell you they don't make em like those anymore. Just my case nickels worth.

Google JD5055e problems or something like JD Indian built tractor problems. Look at how many are for sale versus the old 5,000 series . Word is JD is missing the mark on their utility tractors made in India, quality is just not there .

I'm guessing a lot of that has to do with the older tractors don't have the emissions crap on them. For example...the last year the 5205 was manufactured, was also the year that the emissions standards went into effect.

Bingo! But it's not just the emissions junk. There's also a load of unnecessary computer crap on the new tractors. Dainty electronics ain't gonna hold up in a dusty 104 degree hayfield.
And that's why we run older tractors, and rarely have any problems with them.

They have other issues as well , hydraulics . There's a guy on you tube that chronicles his problems, band new and had a bunch of leaks .

I'm re-doing an Alis Chalmers 180 right now. When I say re-do I mean sound mechanically, field ready and likely my own rattle can paint job. Possibly throw some new stickers on it. I've got about $5k in it so far. Hopefully it won't be a POS I've never had one of these before but seems to be easy to work on mechanically. We didn't have any Alis tractors when I was a kid. Next I want to do a White after this one. We had an Oliver 1850 and a White 2-105 as we turned into the 1980's. We had 10-15 tractors at any given time from 50 to 250hp.

I have never thought any particular make was better than another. It has always depended on which models you were comparing. They all had things they tried that didn't really pan out like IH's TA was not the most reliable nor was Ford's Dual Power both after years of use though. The reason Deere has been so successful is in their ability to make better business decisions at the corporate level. They had the vision at the top to navigate some tough markets... and whoever was running that place in the 1980's deserves all the Green tractor fan's admiration and appreciation. They also don't leave their customers hanging. They might want to charge you $75 for a 12" piece of wire with a funny connector on the end of it, but at least they have the wire and you can get it. Other brands that have been long gone for 40 years... good luck with that if you are a weekend food plot warrior.

I don't think the OP is looking for something as old as I would suggest given the budget. He needs something that can be dealer serviced. That's an easy decision. Find the nearest dealer you want to work on the tractor and buy one they can work on. Doesn't have to be a new machine only something they can get parts for and service. $15-20k is healthy budget for a weekend warrior. I could get one helluva tractor for food plots and small acreage maintenance for that all day long.

I'm looking for a good used tractor with a power reverser type trans on it. Which one(model) would you recommend?

JD 5320 is what comes to mind. Has a true power reverse, bout 65 HP, good machine with none of that new fangled computers and EPA crap.

Any of the 2000-2007 5,000 series are good tractors. I'm not for sure what all has a power reverser , may be all of the 20s? My 5205 has a sycno reverse or something like that, I can idle down and go from forward to reverse with out the clutch . I usually keep the RPMs up and clutch it though.

I don't know how to really suggest one over another because placement of the controls is the key and what one guy likes the next guy doesn't like as much, etc. Newer tractors have levers all over the dern place. Are they in the right spot for you? I think that depends on the person. You really need some seat time before you can make a definitive determination. Everyone is just different in their motor functions and what makes sense brain to hand.... based on the layout of the controls. I don't think the color paint makes much difference here.