plowhog
Elite Member
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2015
- Messages
- 3,046
- Location
- North. NV, North. CA
- Tractor
- Massey 1710 / 1758, Ventrac 4500Y / TD9
Thanks to all for excellent input to this totally "green" shopper for a first-ever tractor. I bought one and spent a couple of hours using it at the property yesterday!
I researched John Deere 1025R, Kubota BX-25D, Kioti, Mahindra Max 25, and Massey Ferguson GC1710/1720. I drove all of them except the Mahindra. And I also briefly explored a Kubota B-series- 2301 or 2601. I also evaluated dealers, but to be fair, I focused more on the machine than the dealer(s.)
I bought a Massey Ferguson GC1710, TLB with loader and backhoe. The dealer who delivered it said my property is situated such that I should consider a mid-mount mower instead of the rotary cutter-- he felt it was level and smooth enough that this might be a better route. (2.5 acres, about 2 acres of pasture.) Thank you to everyone for assistance with making a decision. I was creeping into "over-analysis" when I read from JOHNTHOMAS. More than what he said, based only on his numerous tractor purchases, trades, swaps, etc. I realized that this is my *first* tractor, possibly not the holy grail of tractors for this particular property. I intend to start using it immediately to start pulling out 50-year old juniper bushes and stumps, do some driveway leveling with a box scraper, and use the backhoe to improve some water irrigation ditches and do some trenching for new outbuilding(s.)
I fully realize I decided contrary to more traditional choices-- which would have been the John Deere or Kubota. And after a year of experience, I may consider moving into a B-series Kubota or a the Deere equivalent. Right now I doubt that but time will tell. My backhoe needs should be concluded by next year, so a B-series tractor would be less expensive next year (no backhoe) than this year (I need a backhoe.)
Thank you all again-- it's time to go play, er, I mean do some work!
I researched John Deere 1025R, Kubota BX-25D, Kioti, Mahindra Max 25, and Massey Ferguson GC1710/1720. I drove all of them except the Mahindra. And I also briefly explored a Kubota B-series- 2301 or 2601. I also evaluated dealers, but to be fair, I focused more on the machine than the dealer(s.)
I bought a Massey Ferguson GC1710, TLB with loader and backhoe. The dealer who delivered it said my property is situated such that I should consider a mid-mount mower instead of the rotary cutter-- he felt it was level and smooth enough that this might be a better route. (2.5 acres, about 2 acres of pasture.) Thank you to everyone for assistance with making a decision. I was creeping into "over-analysis" when I read from JOHNTHOMAS. More than what he said, based only on his numerous tractor purchases, trades, swaps, etc. I realized that this is my *first* tractor, possibly not the holy grail of tractors for this particular property. I intend to start using it immediately to start pulling out 50-year old juniper bushes and stumps, do some driveway leveling with a box scraper, and use the backhoe to improve some water irrigation ditches and do some trenching for new outbuilding(s.)
I fully realize I decided contrary to more traditional choices-- which would have been the John Deere or Kubota. And after a year of experience, I may consider moving into a B-series Kubota or a the Deere equivalent. Right now I doubt that but time will tell. My backhoe needs should be concluded by next year, so a B-series tractor would be less expensive next year (no backhoe) than this year (I need a backhoe.)
Thank you all again-- it's time to go play, er, I mean do some work!
