HunterdonPaul
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2000
- Messages
- 99
Crazy me! I moved back to NJ 5 years ago after living in Atlanta for 8 years. When I say move back home I mean 1/2 mile from my parents home (where I grew up) and 3/8 mile from my sisters home in the other direction. Its beautiful here in Hunterdon County, NJ. Despite the high price of homes, taxes, insurance and just about everything else I love it here and am very pleased that I can raise my children here like my parents did. Hunterdon, although growing still has some rural charm...some of the last of NJ. Hunterdon is nestled along the Delaware River and is just loaded with captivating scenary... yes in NJ!
When I moved back, I said I wanted acreage and a big tractor. I bought about 6 1/2 acres with a small pasture and 2 stall barn. I have been cutting that 3 1/2 acre pasture with a 15 year old 16 HP Simplicity Tractor which I bought used. This tractor needs some major repairs now but served me well in the last couple of years.
Well I finally decided to by a real tractor while JD and Kubota were offering their rebates. The local dealers were really high in price and wouldn't budge. I started looking in PA and found a bunch of dealers that were tremendously better in price. I did my best to research these dealers including several e-mails with some of you. I believe I found a good one - Messicks Farm Equipment in Elizabethtown, PA. My salesman was Mel Zimmerman. Mel was unlike alot of other salesmen - he actually knew and understood the products Many salesmen that I spoke to knew the buzzwords and some vague details, but Mel understood the tractors. He could actually answer all of my questions.... I found out why. He has been working there for (30?) years. He was a mechanic and for many of those years as well as an office worker. Now he is in sales and he is really a pleasant person to work with. Thanks Mel.
After debating the JD vs Kubota thing for nearly the whole 5 years I finally went with Kubota. It was down to the very last day when I decided (July 31, 2002). I had a faxed quote from Messicks for an L3710HST, R4s, FROPS, L681 Loader and 6ft rotary cutter. I know, I know ...why do I need such a big tractor for 6 1/2 acres... I don't know I guess I like 'em big and powerful.
When I arrived there and started looking at the tractors again, I finally came to my senses. I moved down to the B series and finally bought:
Kubota B2910HST
FEL
R4s
Foldable ROPS
Canapy
Woods BB60 Rotary Mower, slip clutch, laminate wheel
For this property I'm sure its all the tractor that I will ever need. I think I made the right choice and am very happy with the price. I won't post the price but would be happy to share it with you in email.
I am supposed to receive the tractor in a couple of weeks and just can't wait. I hope to post a little more and share my projects with you all. I know I will have alot of questions. In fact, let me start now...
[1] When using the loader on this model, do I need ballast in the back of the tractor?
[2] When using just the rotary mower, do I need ballast in the front of the tractor?
and the hardest question to answer -
[3] Why isn't my wife as excited about this purchase as I am? The kids are. Is this common with wifes?
[4] More to come...
I'm counting those days go by.. I can't wait....
Paul
When I moved back, I said I wanted acreage and a big tractor. I bought about 6 1/2 acres with a small pasture and 2 stall barn. I have been cutting that 3 1/2 acre pasture with a 15 year old 16 HP Simplicity Tractor which I bought used. This tractor needs some major repairs now but served me well in the last couple of years.
Well I finally decided to by a real tractor while JD and Kubota were offering their rebates. The local dealers were really high in price and wouldn't budge. I started looking in PA and found a bunch of dealers that were tremendously better in price. I did my best to research these dealers including several e-mails with some of you. I believe I found a good one - Messicks Farm Equipment in Elizabethtown, PA. My salesman was Mel Zimmerman. Mel was unlike alot of other salesmen - he actually knew and understood the products Many salesmen that I spoke to knew the buzzwords and some vague details, but Mel understood the tractors. He could actually answer all of my questions.... I found out why. He has been working there for (30?) years. He was a mechanic and for many of those years as well as an office worker. Now he is in sales and he is really a pleasant person to work with. Thanks Mel.
After debating the JD vs Kubota thing for nearly the whole 5 years I finally went with Kubota. It was down to the very last day when I decided (July 31, 2002). I had a faxed quote from Messicks for an L3710HST, R4s, FROPS, L681 Loader and 6ft rotary cutter. I know, I know ...why do I need such a big tractor for 6 1/2 acres... I don't know I guess I like 'em big and powerful.
When I arrived there and started looking at the tractors again, I finally came to my senses. I moved down to the B series and finally bought:
Kubota B2910HST
FEL
R4s
Foldable ROPS
Canapy
Woods BB60 Rotary Mower, slip clutch, laminate wheel
For this property I'm sure its all the tractor that I will ever need. I think I made the right choice and am very happy with the price. I won't post the price but would be happy to share it with you in email.
I am supposed to receive the tractor in a couple of weeks and just can't wait. I hope to post a little more and share my projects with you all. I know I will have alot of questions. In fact, let me start now...
[1] When using the loader on this model, do I need ballast in the back of the tractor?
[2] When using just the rotary mower, do I need ballast in the front of the tractor?
and the hardest question to answer -
[3] Why isn't my wife as excited about this purchase as I am? The kids are. Is this common with wifes?
[4] More to come...
I'm counting those days go by.. I can't wait....
Paul