Which One???

[DocWill]

Hello everyone. I am new to the forum. I have lurked here for a while and have learned a lot. I own 50 acres just east of Phelps Texas and it is mostly timber. I have built a 40x60 barn and I am in the process of putting a bathroom in it. I will move a travel trailer inside for a place to sleep. This is going to be my retirement home one day. I will be purchasing a new tractor in April or May of this year. Primary use will be dirt work, shredding, and post hole digging. Please let me know what your opinion is of the tractors I have narrrowed it down to.

Kubota M4800 4Wd FEL
Massey Ferguon 2615 4WD FEL
Farmtrac 555 DTC FEL

What transmissions do you recomend; standard 8x2 or the shuttle shift?

All are priced locally and are within $2100 of each other. I do not mind spending more for quality.
Dealers are all within 20 miles.

From what I can find out both the Farm trac and Massey engines are manufatured in India. Someone more knowledgable on this issue may let me
know for sure.
I grew up with an old Ford Jubilee tractor, boy things have changed a lot.

Just looking for advice from you veteran tractor owners.

 

[chh]

I'll tell you I'm a MF fan up front, but I sure wasn't aware that they had gone to the Simpson engine from India on this series of tractor. The MF's I have all are reliable and fuel efficient. Kubota almost got me on my last tractor purchase though. They are generally very solid machines. I am not familiar with farmtracs at all. The shuttle shifts are a great transmission if you need to do a lot of front end loader work or to manuver around a lot.
I generally try to stay with established dealerships with good reputable shop and parts people. Service after the sale is an important consideration to me. Ask around your area some about the dealerships reputation if you can.
That may not be much help, but it is kind of my take on it.
Good Luck.

 

[DocWill]

Thanks for the input. I was looking at the Massey 533 which has the perkins engine, but when I called the dealer they said that line had been discontinued. Makes me wonder how much more of their products will be out sourced to India.

 

[art]

You could look at the MX5000 on the Kubota and have a good tractor. I'd be looking at the Kubota real hard! They have proven to be more reliable then most all makes.

 

[johan3400]

Which dealer do you feel comfortable with? I am a Kubota fan. I own one and love it, but the dealer can make the deal. Visit them and get to know them. Walk in and see how they treat other customers. Then choose a good one.

 

[Rara Avis]

Another India Special...

Escorts (Escort, Powertrac and Farmtrac)
Escorts Ltd began local manufacture of Ford tractors in 1971 in collaboration with Ford, UK and total production climbed steadily to 33000 in 1975 reaching 71000 by 1980. Ford (Ford - New Holland)was sold in 1992 Ford Motor Company proper quit the tractors business but the name was allowed to continue as per agreement till 2000, when Escort relabeled its Ford models under the Escort brand. Escort manufactures produces tractors in the 27-75 HP range and has already sold over 6 lac tractors. Its tractors are marketed under three brand names, Escort, Powertrac and Farmtrac.

Tractors in India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[3RRL]

From what you said you'll be doing, you'll want to consider as much weight for traction when doing that dirtwork. I personally went with a Chinese Kama for power and weight. Especially concerned about wearing out a new expensive tractor in the heavy dirtwork I had ahead. Not saying you should do that of course, but I found the heavier old school style tractor to be a great asset and it's paid for itself two times over already. I'd keep weight in mind for the dirt work part regardless which way you go. The heavier and sturdier your rig is, the better it will deal with the shock and abuse of dirtwork.

If you're doing a lot of loader work, and if you're going a gear tractor, a shuttle shift if a must. That's what I have but I have to confess, I think I'd rather have a hydro to save all the clutching and shifting I do for my dirt work. The Kubota is a nice reliable machine and I consider it one of the top of the line machines, but I'm sure the others you chose are also. I love the way the Massey looks. Don't know much about the Farmtrac other than what I've heard, it's a hard worker too.

BTW, my buddy in New Mexico has a Jubilee and got a chance to drive it. It's still in great shape!

 

[greggh]

Welcome,
Is there a specific reason that you discarded the JD 5x03 series of tractors. They are basic tractors that are made in India, but they are fantastic. They have great power and weight and should last long enough to will them to your great grandchidren in good working order.

 

[IH3444]

The Kubota engines are tough to beat for fuel eff., smoothness, and quietness. Difference will be betwenn knowing you are on a tractor, and thinking you are driving your car. 50 acres......go up a size, with FEL. You won't regret it! you'll be skidding logs, I know....

 

[DocWill]

Thanks for all the input gentlemen!
I will be spending some time with the dealers and asking plenty of questions. I think they are all good pieces of equipment. I think it will come down to which of the dealers can provide me with the best service.

Gregg I could not find a John Deere dealer close to where I will be using the tractor.
IH3444 I think will take your advice and look at something in the 55HP range, and no doubt I will be skidding logs. I did see a tractor on this site that had a grappler mounted to the FEL arms. Looks kind of handy!!
Sounds as if you are familiar with timber land.
I had a forester come out and do an assesment and I do not have any timber that will be ready any time soon. Maybe in 4 or 5 years.