nater
New member
First, let me apologize for the length of this post. But I REALLY need your advice. Our first NEW house, first NEW property and first ever tractor purchases are all happening at the same time, and they seem to be overwhelming us...or at least me.
My wife is not beginning to tire of hearing my indecision over the "tractor issue". So, I am looking for advice from all you pros.
We have a 1.75 acre piece of property. Our house has a full walkout basement so I would say 50% of the property is sloped (It drops about 30 feet over 150 feet), and backs up to a wetland and natural lake/glorified pond. My MAIN concern is mowing and the winter time fun of snow removal. I would also like to have the ability to haul around some stone and do some light landscape digging, so an FEL would be ideal. Additionally, we have about a half acre of wetland/wooded area behind that I would like to clean out over time (Along with the volumes of other honey-do items that have been "ordered"), so connection for some smaller 3pt pto items would be very useful. With that as my goal, here is what I have found with extensive looking and review of many of the fine posts on this group:
Kubota BX2200:
I really like the features and ability, along with the price, but I have test driven this several times and feel very uncomfortable. It lacks the leg room I am looking for, and the rocker pedal is akward because of it. While it WILL work, should I just overlook the fact that it doesn't sit very well for me? Has anyone modified the seat to allow it to go back further. My opinion is that Kubota has done a GREAT job, but is lacking in comfort features for me. Lastly, the FEL seems to be light in lifting capacity, but bear in mind that I don't know how much the stuff I will be moving weighs. BTW, the local dealers are both GREAT!!
John Deere 455:
Sits GREAT and seems to handle the mowing and snow removal, but lacks 4WD and comes up weak on the FEL and 3pt pto. Additionally, seems VERY expensive for what you get, compared to the rest of the field. The John Deere dealers around here seem rather arrogant and don't seem to want to "help" me.
John Deere 4100(and new 4110/4115):
VERY expensive, and feels a little too large. The newer units seem to add additional comfort and have additional power, but still this tractor "feels" like it might be too much. Again, the same issue with the John Deere dealers as above.
John Deere 500X series:
Can't find one, and am concerned about buying first year technology, along with the local dealer issues. But, if the spec sheets are accurate, this one seems to have all that I am looking for.
Agco Allis/Simplicity Legacy
24.5hp diesel)
Really looks like a nice tractor, but have not found one to sit on. I like the name and hear nothing but praise for the way this mower cuts, and the power it has. The FEL option looks good.....but the proof is in seeing it.
Power-Trac 422/425:
Thanks to the die hard group of PT users, I have been reeled into looking hard at this. I really like the look, price and features, but after talking to the factory, they seemed concerned that I would feel very cramped with my long legs. They recommended looking at the 1430. My guess is that if it weren't for that issue, I would already have scheduled the trip to the factory. Still waiting for the videos to arrive, which may help me.
Power-Trac 1430:
This seems to have it all, but the cost will get to be the highest in the bunch. I wish I could get this frame size without the expensive diesel engine (425XL??) Again, still waiting for the videos to arrive.
Have I just lost my marbles? Am I making this too difficult or am I am just missing the obvious. Have I tricked myself into believing I NEED more tractor than I really do? I have turned into a tractor and TBY junkie. I can't sleep through a night without a tractor dream, and I can't wait to get home to check what new advice you fine people have posted. Is this normal when you are purchasing your first tractor?? I am beginning to design virtual implements for tractor that I don't even HAVE yet, and all this for ONLY two acres!! All the while, our new grass is growing and soon will be at calf length.
Any, and all, honest advice and direction would be greatly appreciated.
PS: The boss says I can spend up to 14k if I will shut up about the "tractor", but I want really want the best value.
My wife is not beginning to tire of hearing my indecision over the "tractor issue". So, I am looking for advice from all you pros.
We have a 1.75 acre piece of property. Our house has a full walkout basement so I would say 50% of the property is sloped (It drops about 30 feet over 150 feet), and backs up to a wetland and natural lake/glorified pond. My MAIN concern is mowing and the winter time fun of snow removal. I would also like to have the ability to haul around some stone and do some light landscape digging, so an FEL would be ideal. Additionally, we have about a half acre of wetland/wooded area behind that I would like to clean out over time (Along with the volumes of other honey-do items that have been "ordered"), so connection for some smaller 3pt pto items would be very useful. With that as my goal, here is what I have found with extensive looking and review of many of the fine posts on this group:
Kubota BX2200:
I really like the features and ability, along with the price, but I have test driven this several times and feel very uncomfortable. It lacks the leg room I am looking for, and the rocker pedal is akward because of it. While it WILL work, should I just overlook the fact that it doesn't sit very well for me? Has anyone modified the seat to allow it to go back further. My opinion is that Kubota has done a GREAT job, but is lacking in comfort features for me. Lastly, the FEL seems to be light in lifting capacity, but bear in mind that I don't know how much the stuff I will be moving weighs. BTW, the local dealers are both GREAT!!
John Deere 455:
Sits GREAT and seems to handle the mowing and snow removal, but lacks 4WD and comes up weak on the FEL and 3pt pto. Additionally, seems VERY expensive for what you get, compared to the rest of the field. The John Deere dealers around here seem rather arrogant and don't seem to want to "help" me.
John Deere 4100(and new 4110/4115):
VERY expensive, and feels a little too large. The newer units seem to add additional comfort and have additional power, but still this tractor "feels" like it might be too much. Again, the same issue with the John Deere dealers as above.
John Deere 500X series:
Can't find one, and am concerned about buying first year technology, along with the local dealer issues. But, if the spec sheets are accurate, this one seems to have all that I am looking for.
Agco Allis/Simplicity Legacy
24.5hp diesel)Really looks like a nice tractor, but have not found one to sit on. I like the name and hear nothing but praise for the way this mower cuts, and the power it has. The FEL option looks good.....but the proof is in seeing it.
Power-Trac 422/425:
Thanks to the die hard group of PT users, I have been reeled into looking hard at this. I really like the look, price and features, but after talking to the factory, they seemed concerned that I would feel very cramped with my long legs. They recommended looking at the 1430. My guess is that if it weren't for that issue, I would already have scheduled the trip to the factory. Still waiting for the videos to arrive, which may help me.
Power-Trac 1430:
This seems to have it all, but the cost will get to be the highest in the bunch. I wish I could get this frame size without the expensive diesel engine (425XL??) Again, still waiting for the videos to arrive.
Have I just lost my marbles? Am I making this too difficult or am I am just missing the obvious. Have I tricked myself into believing I NEED more tractor than I really do? I have turned into a tractor and TBY junkie. I can't sleep through a night without a tractor dream, and I can't wait to get home to check what new advice you fine people have posted. Is this normal when you are purchasing your first tractor?? I am beginning to design virtual implements for tractor that I don't even HAVE yet, and all this for ONLY two acres!! All the while, our new grass is growing and soon will be at calf length.
Any, and all, honest advice and direction would be greatly appreciated.
PS: The boss says I can spend up to 14k if I will shut up about the "tractor", but I want really want the best value.
