Jon E
Member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2009
- Messages
- 31
- Tractor
- 2014 TYM T353HST
Hi,
I am in the market for a new tractor. I just sold my old machine, which was a JD 4100 with several attachments. The JD was always just a little too small for my needs and I have been looking at something in the 28-38 hp range to replace it. Specifications that I have been giving to dealers include hydrostatic transmission, SSQA loader frame with 66" QA bucket, R4 tires w/ loaded rears, front and rear hydraulic remotes, at least 2000 lb lift @ 3-point, 1200 lb on loader. I work on 30 acres of woods, much of it fairly steep. Tractor will be used for dirt and rock work, snow removal on 400 feet of driveway, firewood skidding and transport, log handling for a portable sawmill, grading and clearing. I am considering grapple rake, pallet forks, snow blade (front), box blade and small forestry winch as attachments. No mowing, so mid PTO not necessary. Also no cab - it would die a quick death in the woods.
There are several dealers near me that offer a substantial lineup of new equipment, including (2) each Kubota, Mahindra and John Deere dealers, and New Holland, Massey Ferguson, Branson, and Kioti. So far I have looked at and driven the Mahindra 3016 and a Kubota L3301. I have also looked at, but not driven, Mahindra 3616, NH Boomer 30 and NH Worksaver 35, and JD 3520.
Out of the two I drove, the Mahindra seemed OK but really paled in quality, fit and finish to the Kubota. The Kubota, all things being equal, was $3000 more than the Mahindra, but the M3016 is a Tier 3 machine and the Kubota is a Tier 4. I don't care either way, but the dealer told me that the "new" Mahindras (which they don't have yet) will be Tier 4 and $3000 more expensive. So it's a wash. I have been avoiding another Deere because the local dealer (3 miles away - he's the closest by far) has been sketchy with service over the years, and I just found out today that they are no longer going to be a dealer by the end of the year. However, the 3520 is one of two new machines still on their lot (the other being a 2720) and I know I can get it for a song. It's a bit bigger than I want, and there will be no dealer support locally after the sale, but there is a big dealer about 25 miles away that will service the machine. I love the green tractors but hate two things about a new one - the crazy prices and the proprietary loader attachment system (hooks and pins). If I can find a way to convert the 300CX loader to a quick-tach system and get the machine for under $22k, I would be happy.
I am going to be looking at the MF 1736 in a week or two, and also considering a bit of tire-kicking on the Branson and Kioti tractors, although not seriously since both dealers have some issues (the Branson dealer is brand-new and set up in an old 1-bay garage; the Kioti dealer owner is older than dirt and there's not much of a chance the dealership will live on after he quits). I didn't really seriously consider the New Holland machines. They don't seem very robust or of good quality. I would consider a used machine but have had no luck locally in the range I'm looking for, and the prices on low-hour used equipment seem awfully high. Also tried to find a new L3200 Kubota - they're gone. Both local dealers only have the Tier 4 lines available.
So after writing all this information, I am looking for opinions. I'd like to know if there are any of you out there that have one of these tractors or something in the same general class, and can tell me what you think of it and how you like it. I realize that the best way is to drive it and see for myself, but it's hard to spend five minutes on a tractor at the dealership and get a decent feeling for the long-term use and maintenance of the machine. Most important things to me are lift capacity, slope stability and reliability. Price not really a concern, they are all in the same general range (20-25k-ish) and I look at it as a 20-year-plus investment.
I am in the market for a new tractor. I just sold my old machine, which was a JD 4100 with several attachments. The JD was always just a little too small for my needs and I have been looking at something in the 28-38 hp range to replace it. Specifications that I have been giving to dealers include hydrostatic transmission, SSQA loader frame with 66" QA bucket, R4 tires w/ loaded rears, front and rear hydraulic remotes, at least 2000 lb lift @ 3-point, 1200 lb on loader. I work on 30 acres of woods, much of it fairly steep. Tractor will be used for dirt and rock work, snow removal on 400 feet of driveway, firewood skidding and transport, log handling for a portable sawmill, grading and clearing. I am considering grapple rake, pallet forks, snow blade (front), box blade and small forestry winch as attachments. No mowing, so mid PTO not necessary. Also no cab - it would die a quick death in the woods.
There are several dealers near me that offer a substantial lineup of new equipment, including (2) each Kubota, Mahindra and John Deere dealers, and New Holland, Massey Ferguson, Branson, and Kioti. So far I have looked at and driven the Mahindra 3016 and a Kubota L3301. I have also looked at, but not driven, Mahindra 3616, NH Boomer 30 and NH Worksaver 35, and JD 3520.
Out of the two I drove, the Mahindra seemed OK but really paled in quality, fit and finish to the Kubota. The Kubota, all things being equal, was $3000 more than the Mahindra, but the M3016 is a Tier 3 machine and the Kubota is a Tier 4. I don't care either way, but the dealer told me that the "new" Mahindras (which they don't have yet) will be Tier 4 and $3000 more expensive. So it's a wash. I have been avoiding another Deere because the local dealer (3 miles away - he's the closest by far) has been sketchy with service over the years, and I just found out today that they are no longer going to be a dealer by the end of the year. However, the 3520 is one of two new machines still on their lot (the other being a 2720) and I know I can get it for a song. It's a bit bigger than I want, and there will be no dealer support locally after the sale, but there is a big dealer about 25 miles away that will service the machine. I love the green tractors but hate two things about a new one - the crazy prices and the proprietary loader attachment system (hooks and pins). If I can find a way to convert the 300CX loader to a quick-tach system and get the machine for under $22k, I would be happy.
I am going to be looking at the MF 1736 in a week or two, and also considering a bit of tire-kicking on the Branson and Kioti tractors, although not seriously since both dealers have some issues (the Branson dealer is brand-new and set up in an old 1-bay garage; the Kioti dealer owner is older than dirt and there's not much of a chance the dealership will live on after he quits). I didn't really seriously consider the New Holland machines. They don't seem very robust or of good quality. I would consider a used machine but have had no luck locally in the range I'm looking for, and the prices on low-hour used equipment seem awfully high. Also tried to find a new L3200 Kubota - they're gone. Both local dealers only have the Tier 4 lines available.
So after writing all this information, I am looking for opinions. I'd like to know if there are any of you out there that have one of these tractors or something in the same general class, and can tell me what you think of it and how you like it. I realize that the best way is to drive it and see for myself, but it's hard to spend five minutes on a tractor at the dealership and get a decent feeling for the long-term use and maintenance of the machine. Most important things to me are lift capacity, slope stability and reliability. Price not really a concern, they are all in the same general range (20-25k-ish) and I look at it as a 20-year-plus investment.