Lt CHEG
Platinum Member
I've never owned a tractor before but I've used them before. I've also operated backhoe loaders and excavators as well as some other stuff so I at least know how to work equipment, even if I'm far from a pro. The engineer in me likes to evaluate things in spreadsheet form and tractors have been no different. I recently began shopping for a tractor in the 40 to 50 horsepower range to help set up my 6.5 acre home site and then take care of it once the house is up. I figured that I would share with everyone what I've found. Having never owned any equipment before I don't have any brand loyalty nor do I think I have any real bias as I'd be willing to spend the money on any one of the following brands. My evaluation comes based on comparing features, as well as my impression of operating the tractors. Some things are very subjective in evaluation, such as feel for controls, etc. so I am not ashamed of the fact that the following are my opinions, even if based upon factual numbers.
I've looked at John Deere, New Holland, Kubota, Case/IH and Massey Ferguson. These brands are all well represented in my area so finding a good dealer is not an issue for me. As has been preached on here before, I tried to shop the dealer as much as the tractor and I found all the dealers to be pretty comparable. They were all pretty helpful, even if some were more pompous than others. Also every one of them followed up with a follow up phone call or email after my initial test drive which I found to be professional and helpful. I did not evaluate or consider Mahindra, Kioti or some of the other smaller brands represented here on TBN. This is not an indictment on any of those brands. Instead it is the fact that there are no dealers for those products within about 50 miles of my place, whereas there are multiple JD, Kubota, MF, NH, Case/IH dealers all within 30 minutes of where I live. So it was more a matter of ease of getting parts and service, etc. without having to go a great deal farther. The only exception to the closeness is Kioti. There is 1 Kioti dealer within about 15 minutes of me. However they are new and had virtually no inventory to demonstrate or even look at. This to me was as good as not existing since I have so many other colors to choose from in close proximity.
So as for the testing. I looked at several models of certain brands and only one model of others. I'll group New Holland and Case/IH together as they are essentially the same tractor, heck even the dealers of each respective product agreed that that was the case. I'm only interested in purchasing a cab tractor and will not consider a tractor without an air conditioned cab at this point. However in a couple of circumstances if a cab version of that tractor was not available to evaluate I would look at the non cab version. Similarly I am going to purchase a front end loader with the tractor, but there were a couple of tractors that had other implements attached in the front so I evaluated them sans the FEL. Anyhow, I submit the following for your information and enjoyment.
John Deere - Models looked at 3520, 3720, 4320, 4520
Pros: Great engines, high horsepower for size tractor, cab interior was the most like a car interior, good fit and finish.
Cons: Not standard with telescoping end links, 3520 and 3720 FEL's not quite on par with similar HP tractors' FEL's from other brands, somewhat small cab, somewhat loud, pricey.
I liked the John Deere tractors. Their cabs feel the most car like to me, and their operation is very easy and intuitive. The biggest hurdle for me on the 3520 and 3720 is just how narrow they are. I don't feel as comfortable in them on any slope, and I also think they are not as aesthetically pleasing due to their narrow stance. So that leaves the 4320 and 4520. Since the green machines are already pricey and the 4520 just is more machine than I really need, that leaves the 4320 for my consideration. I enjoyed the Deere engines the best of all the tractors, they really seem powerful and I think that is their best feature. Operationally I like the position of the FEL joystick the second best behind NH. Everything seemed like it was well positioned, but the cab doesn't feel as roomy as the rest. Certainly a good tractor that anyone should be proud to own. At this time though, unless the JD dealer drops the price some more (approx. $36,500 with 400X loader, radio ready, telescoping end links, rear work lights and 1 rear remote) I likely won't be buying green.
New Holland / Case/IH- Models looked at Boomer 3045/TL 2320 and Farmall 45
Pros: Roomiest, most comfortable cab, nice wide stance, comes standard with a lot of features that are options on other brands, seems to be a good value, good PTO HP to gross HP ratio.
Cons: Least desirable transmission tested (based on hydro transmission)
I can't really say anything bad about the NH and Case tractors. They almost seem to me to be like utility infielders (do a lot of things well if not the best in any category) and offer a good value. I think before discounting they might be a little pricey but it looks like they are trying to move them now. I like the placement of the FEL joystick the best (it feels the most like the backhoes that I've used and am used to) and everything else is well placed. They offer a good amount of PTO horsepower for their size which is nice. The hydrostatic transmission pedals took the most effort to depress out of all the tractors tested and this is the only hydro tractor that I tested that had only a two range transmission. I realize that there is a high and low speed in each range but it just doesn't seem as good as a true 3 range tranny. I also tested a farmall 45 with the new CVT transmission that had 3 ranges and was the most user friendly to use but it was priced too high quite frankly and did not bear further consideration. These are nice tractors in general and still definitely in the running.
Massey Ferguson - Models looked at 1643, 1648, 1652
Pros: Excellent hydraulic flow for all units, best FEL capacity in the class in the case of the 1648 and up, beefy axles, gives feeling of heavy duty, most standard equipment of all tractors.
Cons: Most spartan interior (only cab tractor with vinyl seat), could stand to have a little more PTO HP per gross HP.
The Massey tractors also offer a lot of features and come with a lot of standard equipment. Along with the NH, it's the only tractor that has rear windshield wipers, rear work lights and completely radio ready as standard, and it is the only tractor to come standard with one rear remote. It's obvious that they've put a lot of effort into the 1600 series design. I wish that they put out more PTO horsepower per unit of gross engine horsepower. I'd probably buy a 1643 hydro if the PTO ponies were at least 35. There is a lot of options on these tractors. You can get a hydro, syncro shuttle or power shuttle depending on which tractor you go with, it's pretty much hydro only on the other brands. These tractors put out a lot of hydraulic flow and a lot of lift capacity, and certainly seem very capable. It is certainly a contender for my purchase.
Kubota - Models looked at 3540, 4240, 4740
Pros: Excellent total package, great full featured hydro transmission, excellent FEL with the 4240 and up in particular
Cons: Whoever had the idea of putting the hydro pedal and steering brakes on the same side of the tractor should be shot, cab could stand to be a little bigger
The Kubota is clearly an excellent tractor. They, like the NH/Case kind of remind me of a good utility infielder in that they do everything pretty well if not anything quite the best. The brake and hydro pedal configuration is a real handicap for FEL work in my opinion but particularly for my purposes it certainly isn't a deal breaker. There isn't a whole lot to say, except that it's great tractor and an outstanding value. I personally felt the FEL joystick was in the least desirable position for me out of all the tractors, but that is my opinion and could be different for others. I will likely go with at least the 4240 if I go orange if for no other reason than to make sure I get the better FEL. I certainly think that the Kubota is high in the competition for my dollars.
So that's been my experience so far. I've had a few personality conflicts with a couple Kubota dealers but nothing that can't be overcome. I would honestly be happy with any of the above tractors and feel that they all will easily do what I need. I'm probably leaning the most towards the MF and NH tractors right now due to the 72 months 0% financing vs. the 60 months for JD and Kubota. However the Kubota 4240 may come in at such a great price for what it offers that it could overcome the financing edge on the MF. Who knows. Feel free to comment and share your experiences and opinions as well. I thought that this post would be a nice starting point for a good discussion.
I've looked at John Deere, New Holland, Kubota, Case/IH and Massey Ferguson. These brands are all well represented in my area so finding a good dealer is not an issue for me. As has been preached on here before, I tried to shop the dealer as much as the tractor and I found all the dealers to be pretty comparable. They were all pretty helpful, even if some were more pompous than others. Also every one of them followed up with a follow up phone call or email after my initial test drive which I found to be professional and helpful. I did not evaluate or consider Mahindra, Kioti or some of the other smaller brands represented here on TBN. This is not an indictment on any of those brands. Instead it is the fact that there are no dealers for those products within about 50 miles of my place, whereas there are multiple JD, Kubota, MF, NH, Case/IH dealers all within 30 minutes of where I live. So it was more a matter of ease of getting parts and service, etc. without having to go a great deal farther. The only exception to the closeness is Kioti. There is 1 Kioti dealer within about 15 minutes of me. However they are new and had virtually no inventory to demonstrate or even look at. This to me was as good as not existing since I have so many other colors to choose from in close proximity.
So as for the testing. I looked at several models of certain brands and only one model of others. I'll group New Holland and Case/IH together as they are essentially the same tractor, heck even the dealers of each respective product agreed that that was the case. I'm only interested in purchasing a cab tractor and will not consider a tractor without an air conditioned cab at this point. However in a couple of circumstances if a cab version of that tractor was not available to evaluate I would look at the non cab version. Similarly I am going to purchase a front end loader with the tractor, but there were a couple of tractors that had other implements attached in the front so I evaluated them sans the FEL. Anyhow, I submit the following for your information and enjoyment.
John Deere - Models looked at 3520, 3720, 4320, 4520
Pros: Great engines, high horsepower for size tractor, cab interior was the most like a car interior, good fit and finish.
Cons: Not standard with telescoping end links, 3520 and 3720 FEL's not quite on par with similar HP tractors' FEL's from other brands, somewhat small cab, somewhat loud, pricey.
I liked the John Deere tractors. Their cabs feel the most car like to me, and their operation is very easy and intuitive. The biggest hurdle for me on the 3520 and 3720 is just how narrow they are. I don't feel as comfortable in them on any slope, and I also think they are not as aesthetically pleasing due to their narrow stance. So that leaves the 4320 and 4520. Since the green machines are already pricey and the 4520 just is more machine than I really need, that leaves the 4320 for my consideration. I enjoyed the Deere engines the best of all the tractors, they really seem powerful and I think that is their best feature. Operationally I like the position of the FEL joystick the second best behind NH. Everything seemed like it was well positioned, but the cab doesn't feel as roomy as the rest. Certainly a good tractor that anyone should be proud to own. At this time though, unless the JD dealer drops the price some more (approx. $36,500 with 400X loader, radio ready, telescoping end links, rear work lights and 1 rear remote) I likely won't be buying green.
New Holland / Case/IH- Models looked at Boomer 3045/TL 2320 and Farmall 45
Pros: Roomiest, most comfortable cab, nice wide stance, comes standard with a lot of features that are options on other brands, seems to be a good value, good PTO HP to gross HP ratio.
Cons: Least desirable transmission tested (based on hydro transmission)
I can't really say anything bad about the NH and Case tractors. They almost seem to me to be like utility infielders (do a lot of things well if not the best in any category) and offer a good value. I think before discounting they might be a little pricey but it looks like they are trying to move them now. I like the placement of the FEL joystick the best (it feels the most like the backhoes that I've used and am used to) and everything else is well placed. They offer a good amount of PTO horsepower for their size which is nice. The hydrostatic transmission pedals took the most effort to depress out of all the tractors tested and this is the only hydro tractor that I tested that had only a two range transmission. I realize that there is a high and low speed in each range but it just doesn't seem as good as a true 3 range tranny. I also tested a farmall 45 with the new CVT transmission that had 3 ranges and was the most user friendly to use but it was priced too high quite frankly and did not bear further consideration. These are nice tractors in general and still definitely in the running.
Massey Ferguson - Models looked at 1643, 1648, 1652
Pros: Excellent hydraulic flow for all units, best FEL capacity in the class in the case of the 1648 and up, beefy axles, gives feeling of heavy duty, most standard equipment of all tractors.
Cons: Most spartan interior (only cab tractor with vinyl seat), could stand to have a little more PTO HP per gross HP.
The Massey tractors also offer a lot of features and come with a lot of standard equipment. Along with the NH, it's the only tractor that has rear windshield wipers, rear work lights and completely radio ready as standard, and it is the only tractor to come standard with one rear remote. It's obvious that they've put a lot of effort into the 1600 series design. I wish that they put out more PTO horsepower per unit of gross engine horsepower. I'd probably buy a 1643 hydro if the PTO ponies were at least 35. There is a lot of options on these tractors. You can get a hydro, syncro shuttle or power shuttle depending on which tractor you go with, it's pretty much hydro only on the other brands. These tractors put out a lot of hydraulic flow and a lot of lift capacity, and certainly seem very capable. It is certainly a contender for my purchase.
Kubota - Models looked at 3540, 4240, 4740
Pros: Excellent total package, great full featured hydro transmission, excellent FEL with the 4240 and up in particular
Cons: Whoever had the idea of putting the hydro pedal and steering brakes on the same side of the tractor should be shot, cab could stand to be a little bigger
The Kubota is clearly an excellent tractor. They, like the NH/Case kind of remind me of a good utility infielder in that they do everything pretty well if not anything quite the best. The brake and hydro pedal configuration is a real handicap for FEL work in my opinion but particularly for my purposes it certainly isn't a deal breaker. There isn't a whole lot to say, except that it's great tractor and an outstanding value. I personally felt the FEL joystick was in the least desirable position for me out of all the tractors, but that is my opinion and could be different for others. I will likely go with at least the 4240 if I go orange if for no other reason than to make sure I get the better FEL. I certainly think that the Kubota is high in the competition for my dollars.
So that's been my experience so far. I've had a few personality conflicts with a couple Kubota dealers but nothing that can't be overcome. I would honestly be happy with any of the above tractors and feel that they all will easily do what I need. I'm probably leaning the most towards the MF and NH tractors right now due to the 72 months 0% financing vs. the 60 months for JD and Kubota. However the Kubota 4240 may come in at such a great price for what it offers that it could overcome the financing edge on the MF. Who knows. Feel free to comment and share your experiences and opinions as well. I thought that this post would be a nice starting point for a good discussion.