Jon E
Member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2009
- Messages
- 31
- Tractor
- 2014 TYM T353HST
Hi all,
I have finally had enough of dealing with my little JD 4100 (1999 vintage). It's been marginally useful since I bought it, used, back in 2003. It came with a 410 FEL, and I bought JD forks, a Befco box blade, a york rake and custom-built a snowplow frame to fit a 6' Fisher plow (off a '66 Jeep CJ-5). I have about 3 acres of woods and steep slopes and another 30 acres of the same that my father owns next door. This isn't a farm tractor, it's basically a move rocks and dirt/grade driveway/skid logs/move firewood type of machine. Anyway, the little JD has been plagued with mechanical and electrical problems, and it always seems to be a little bit too small for the job I ask it to perform. I'd like to trade it in on something a little bigger, a little more stable, and relatively trouble-free (i.e. highly reliable). I don't want another Deere, as the local dealer is not in my good graces. Within a reasonable distance, I have most of the other major brands. I am leaning toward a Mahindra, Kioti or Bobcat, as the local dealers in those brands are pretty reputable. I also have Kubota, New Holland, Massey Ferguson and Cub Cadet nearby.
What I'm looking for in a new machine is something in the 25-35 hp range, less than 60" wide, > 1000 lb FEL lift capacity, > 1250 lb 3-point capacity, HST, independent rear PTO, front and rear hydraulics optional, and a skid-steer style universal FEL mounting for attachments. A little bigger than that is OK, but not smaller. I don't need a backhoe. Mostly this will be a woods machine, so weight, stability and ease of maneuverability will be paramount, but reliability is most important.
Please guide me in the right direction - at least where to start. I plan on getting through this winter with the little green monster, but I will be looking for a new tractor come spring.
I have finally had enough of dealing with my little JD 4100 (1999 vintage). It's been marginally useful since I bought it, used, back in 2003. It came with a 410 FEL, and I bought JD forks, a Befco box blade, a york rake and custom-built a snowplow frame to fit a 6' Fisher plow (off a '66 Jeep CJ-5). I have about 3 acres of woods and steep slopes and another 30 acres of the same that my father owns next door. This isn't a farm tractor, it's basically a move rocks and dirt/grade driveway/skid logs/move firewood type of machine. Anyway, the little JD has been plagued with mechanical and electrical problems, and it always seems to be a little bit too small for the job I ask it to perform. I'd like to trade it in on something a little bigger, a little more stable, and relatively trouble-free (i.e. highly reliable). I don't want another Deere, as the local dealer is not in my good graces. Within a reasonable distance, I have most of the other major brands. I am leaning toward a Mahindra, Kioti or Bobcat, as the local dealers in those brands are pretty reputable. I also have Kubota, New Holland, Massey Ferguson and Cub Cadet nearby.
What I'm looking for in a new machine is something in the 25-35 hp range, less than 60" wide, > 1000 lb FEL lift capacity, > 1250 lb 3-point capacity, HST, independent rear PTO, front and rear hydraulics optional, and a skid-steer style universal FEL mounting for attachments. A little bigger than that is OK, but not smaller. I don't need a backhoe. Mostly this will be a woods machine, so weight, stability and ease of maneuverability will be paramount, but reliability is most important.
Please guide me in the right direction - at least where to start. I plan on getting through this winter with the little green monster, but I will be looking for a new tractor come spring.
