Price Check Need Some help choosing a tractor and Pricing

LadyLooking · Apr 7, 2009

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking around here for a while and just joined to finally post my question. There is a wealth of knowledge here and I'm happy to have found this forum. I'm hoping you all can help a lady out here

I'm new to the country life and have 16 acres, some wooded, some pasture. I'm tired of paying people to do things around my house that I could do myself so it's time to buy a tractor, a Kubota.

Primary uses : Mowing, hauling firewood, mulch, heavy objects and mowing.
I know I need a loader, a mower (not sure if I'm going with midmount or rear yet)I know the rear mower can be clumsy when trying to get area tight areas so maybe I will do the midmount. However, I heard the midmounts get in the way if I'm messing around in the woods and need the space underneath clear. . I would like to eventually get the the attachment that looks like a claw (sorry, can't remember the name of it). I will opt for the turf tires to save my grass. I will also be doing some small scale "farming" and will eventually get a tiller.

I think I need at least 25hp so I was looking at the B2620. I spoke to a dealer today and he priced me around $18,000 for a new one with loader and rear mower ($1,999.) Used tractors and attachments are hard to come by here. They sell quickly I've been told.

He also had a used (I think it was 2005) B3030 (200 hours) for $13,000. Add a mower ($1,999) and we're at 15k. If I go with a used tractor I have to put up the cash or else the financing is 9% which I won't do. The new ones have good programs so I'm leaning that way. I'm just not sure what a good deal is and not having much knowledge in the area I'm sure the dealers see an easy, high, sell when I come walking in.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions and your help !

newbury · Apr 7, 2009

As always
Location, location, location where you live may determine price.
"claws" or backhoes, or BH run about $6K, and if you KNOW you wil need one are often best gotten when the tractor is purchased.
If YOU KNOW you have to have a Kubota then Barlow's Barlow Equipment - Home of the Kubota Tractor Package Builder
is a good place to start for pricing.

Also note that Kubota is offering a kick butt deal, 2% below prime, for financing used.

Good luck!

LadyLooking · Apr 7, 2009

newbury said:
As always
Location, location, location where you live may determine price.
"claws" or backhoes, or BH run about $6K, and if you KNOW you wil need one are often best gotten when the tractor is purchased.
If YOU KNOW you have to have a Kubota then Barlow's Barlow Equipment - Home of the Kubota Tractor Package Builder
is a good place to start for pricing.

Also note that Kubota is offering a kick butt deal, 2% below prime, for financing used.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info. I'm in central PA. I don't think I was referring to backhoe. My friend has a tractor with an attachment that looks like a claw. We used it to pick up large logs. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a backhoe so hopefully whatever I'm talking about isn't 6k

I didn't see that "kick butt deal" on their website. I'll check it out again. My problem is actually finding a used one. I called around and the dealers don't have them right now. I can wait a while I suppose.

Thanks again!

LadyLooking · Apr 7, 2009

newbury said:
As always
Location, location, location where you live may determine price.
"claws" or backhoes, or BH run about $6K, and if you KNOW you wil need one are often best gotten when the tractor is purchased.
If YOU KNOW you have to have a Kubota then Barlow's Barlow Equipment - Home of the Kubota Tractor Package Builder
is a good place to start for pricing.

Also note that Kubota is offering a kick butt deal, 2% below prime, for financing used.

Good luck!

Checked out the used tractors at Barlow Equipment. What does HSD or HST stand for?

medicshawn · Apr 7, 2009

It's the type of transmission. Hydrostatic or hydrostatic drive. Basically it's like an automotic car step on the pedal and go. I would highly recommend one. I also bought from Barlows he is one of the nicest people you will ever deal with. He beat my local dealer by alot. If you search on here about him you will have trouble finding someone who has something bad to say.

JOHNTHOMAS · Apr 7, 2009

Barlows have a big turnover of equipment so their web site my not be up to date with what they actually have in stock. They also have trades coming that are usually sold before they get them. Call or email them with your questions of their inventory. The B has higher ground clearance than the BX's and it looks like you need a B. I have a B and a BX but it looks like the B is what you need. HST (hydro static transmission) and HSD (hydro static drive) mean they have an automatic transmission which is the only way to go in my opinion especially if using a FEL. I've bought 7 and all of them have been HST. I'm not recommending it just because your a woman. I knew a woman in Montana years ago and she could shift faster than any man that I ever saw could.

easygo · Apr 7, 2009

HSD/HST stand for hydrostatic transmission. It's just like an automatic car transmission. That is probably what you would want to go with. Don't get me wrong I'm a die-hard manual shift guy but in tractors I prefer Hydro. The claw you refer to might be a grapnel (mounted on the front end loader). The mid-mount mower is a bit of pain to hook up, but it will let you mow around obstacles easier. If you want to do stuff in the woods you can take the mower off for a day or three. No big deal to hook it back up.
If you have a dealer near by ask to test drive the machines. Then just sit in the seat with the engine off and the sales guy well away from you. Go back and forth between the tractors. The best one is where you can easily reach the levers and pedals, don't bang your elbow and don't have a backache when you hop off. I spent some time at the dealerships when they were closed. Just checking out my options and for seat time. Best of luck with your search.

GreenWannabe · Apr 7, 2009

The claw-like device you refer to is probably a grapple, if it is on the front end loader, Very handy for brush cleanup, etc. Search for posts by IslandTractor; he has written many posts about his grapple experiences.

newbury · Apr 7, 2009

LadyLooking said:
<snip>
I didn't see that "kick butt deal" on their website. I'll check it out again. My problem is actually finding a used one. I called around and the dealers don't have them right now. I can wait a while I suppose.

Thanks again!

From Barlow's used page:

"In February, you can also get a 1.25% interest rate on a Kubota Credit Card with potential credit limits of $20000. The rate adjusts with prime and is calculated by prime - 2%."

Revolving Credit Offers <--link

Also - since you are in central PA - there are other well respected vendors that frequent this site
- Kioti - Wallace tractors Wallace Tractor and Equipment NEPA Compact Tractors Lake Ariel Poconos Honesdale PA and
- Kubota - Messick's Messick's | Dealer for New Holland, Case IH, Kubota, Cub Cadet and More | Online Parts, Sales & Service.

carpenter383 · Apr 7, 2009

You should look up farm credit services. I got a loan for a tractor from them the other day. New tractors they will loan up to 7yrs. at 5.6% interest. Used tractors they will loan up to 5 yrs. at 5.1% interest. I have good credit, but they had a check ready for me the same day I called them! They didn't even ask for proof of income! I have a DK40se coming soon from wallace tractor. If you're thinking 9% is the best you can get it would be worth calling them