Buying Advice Newbie needs opinions and advice

ACDNate · Mar 14, 2012

I recently moved into a new house with 5 acres. The majority of the property is clear, with the north east corner of the lot being blocked from the remainder with an approximately 15" wide band of trees/brush. This blocks a rental house from view of the main house.

I had a friend come in with large track excavator and remove 3 concrete slabs that were of no use to me, and rework my drive way with a few loads of fill and crushed concrete. Was a good start to things. He worked out a good deal for me but his time and equipment cost money to operate.

I need to bring in a decent amount of fill over the next year or so to level up the ground and build up the grade around the main house's slab foundation. I'll need to bring in more material for the driveway as time goes on(8' wide by approx 290' as well as a 20'x30' parking area). I'll also need to bring in fill to prepare for 2 slabs on the property. One will be a smaller slab to put a mobile home on in the ne corner next to the existing rental to generate more rental income. The other will be for a large steel building for my personal use, approx 30' x 90'. Will add steel as budget allows.

I know I need a tractor for moving/grading dirt and other material. I will want a bush hog to mow the back 2.5 acres of the land. I will likely pick up a smaller lawn tractor to finish mow the front 2 acres to a nicer finish. I definitely want a front end loader.

All that being said, I don't have a clue what else I need or even need to know.

How many HP?
Hydrostatic or manual?
4 wheel drive?
Prob focus on USED, what should I know when looking at used tractors?
How many hours is too many?
How old is too old?

I do have a Mahindra dealer relatively close by, as well as a LS dealer that I will go talk to and look around but I wanted to know a bit more before dealing with a salesman.

Sorry for the lengthy read, I appriciate any help I can get.

dusty3030 · Mar 14, 2012

I'd look at a "mid sized" compact utility tractor with loader 4wd, HST preferred. Around 30 hp + or -.

This would be the range that is not the smallest, but not the largest of the offerings of any given brand.

I know John Deere the best so anything that is comparable to a JD 2520 on the low end to a JD 3000 series tractor on the top end.

For Mahindra something like the 3016 HST fits what I would have in my mind to do what you want perfectly. Not too big, not too little.

I know nothing about LS.

Kubota a L2800 or L3400

Hope this helps.

RoyJackson · Mar 14, 2012

It really depends on how much you want to spend...

I'd suggest a Deere 790 or a 4300. Good tractors and very simple to operate and maintain. One Deere I don't recommend is the 4200 with HST (some guys love 'em...but these machines are a bit weak on power).
Any tractor I buy used (and I've bought three used machines), I prefer less then 1000 hours on the meter. Age of the machine is less important to me...to a degree.
Deere has the best dealer and parts network. Kubota is supposed to be pretty good too. However, I doubt if you need many parts except for filters and such.

TripleR · Mar 14, 2012

Pretty much what Roy and Dusty said. I run geared as well as HST and for what you are doing HST will be the easiest for a new operator.

I buy new or used, just depends. Like Roy hours mean more to me than years. I bought a seven year old tractor with 700 hours and was tickled to get it. Try to get maintenance records and get someone to check it out for you. I have been driving tractors for well over 50 years and still want someone with more mechanical knowledge than me to look at it.

ACDNate · Mar 14, 2012

All good info. Keep it coming.

My initial thoughts, based on reading around the web, was nothing smaller than 25hp. Seems like I was close in that regard.

When does a tractor get too big for what I'm looking at?

For example, I stumbled across mid 70's Ford 3400 with 1400 hours that has a FEL at a good price. Tractor appears very clean and well maintained, no leaks and good tires. Not 4 wheel drive which is a bit of a downer, but my terrain is fairly level so I'm not sure I would absolutely need it. What seems to be a reasonable asking price of $6495.

Another example for discussions sake. Found a Yanmar 2000D with a fresh engine rebuild (seller has pics/receipts to prove). On the smaller side of the power I wanted by a few hp, but has 4 wheel drive and the loader I want, no leaks and good tire. Could use a bit of paint here and there. Again what seems to be a reasonable asking price $5999

Buying a new tractor isn't completely out of the question, but if I could find something that works for my needs at a much lower price I'd be thrilled.

Western · Mar 14, 2012

You can get finish mowers for small tractors, my neighbors has one of the smallest Kabota tractors, maybe a 25hp, he has a rear finish mower and it cuts better than my push mower. He opted for the turf tires and suffers with less traction when it's wet though, plus his tractor is "light". On my small tractor i prefer the Industrial style tire.

I've also bought 2 used tractors and feel the same way as Roy and TR, as far as hrs and age. I avoid any "grey" tractors, but that's just me.

TripleR · Mar 14, 2012

Under no circumstances will I buy a two wheel drive tractor with a FEL, been there done that and really got sick of getting stuck. I know people who have them, but they are older tractors with dual wheels.

You will get a difference of opinions on this as there are a couple of pretty long threads on it, so don't just take my word.

As to the question of too big, when your primary job is moving dirt, our 8540 isn't even close to too big, but would be after the work is done.

By the way, there certainly isn't anything wrong with buying a big tractor use it for a few years and trade down when it's no longer needed; easier to do with used machines.

ACDNate · Mar 14, 2012

"grey tractors"???

TripleR · Mar 14, 2012

ACDNate said:
"grey tractors"???

Gray market, not originally designed for use in this country.

dodge man · Mar 14, 2012

Gray Market tractors are ones built overseas and imported into the U.S. Some of these can be good deals, but often the are questionable quality. Some Yanmars might be gray market, some aren't.

To big of a tractor? Its too big when you can't get it where you want it, or it tears up a yard to much. Its also to big if you can't trailer it with the truck and/or trailer you currently have.

I'd look for a used CUT (compact utility tractor) in the 30 horsepower range if I were you.

ACDNate · Mar 14, 2012

Ah ok. So some Yanmar's are and some aren't grey market? I did see a dealer selling Yanmars labeled with a strange name "SanSui" or something along those lines. I was under the impression those labeled Yanmar are not.

Is there any rule of thumb in determining this?

TripleR · Mar 14, 2012

There is a gray market forum on this site, someone there might be able to help you. A friend of my son in law used gray market tractors a lot, but I know next to nothing about them.

Grey Market Tractors - TractorByNet.com

Western · Mar 14, 2012

Sorry for the confusion I started (Grey tractors)

What I understand and have read shown about the "Grey" tractors, is allot of them have been worked to death overseas in the rice paddy fields, (mud and water) get cleaned up new tires and paint and come over here for cheap.
Read these if you want to get a better idea. Better explanation.

Gray market tractor

The Small Tractor FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

May be "cheaper" up front, but....

ACDNate · Mar 15, 2012

Ah ok some of that is making sense now. Lots of good reading for me to do. Thanks!

hotwire45 · Mar 17, 2012

I have about the same amount of land, 5 acres, more or less and due to price, I chose the LS S3010 with FEL. I bought a "bundle" package consisting of the tractor/fel, 5' modern ag bush hog, and 18' tandum trailer for $17,000. I have since added a 6' maschio finishing mower and a 5' box scrapper and have not been disappointed with the performance. I have leveled off a 42x40 area for my new garage/workshop, bush hogged the back side and mowed the front 2 acres. Pricewise, the LS was between 3-5k less than the price of the big 3 and about the same as the Mahindra. I went with the LS more so than the Mahindra due to dealership being closer and it was a heavier tractor. Just a little info for digestion.

Gittyup · Mar 17, 2012

You are in the right ball park, size wise. It sounds like you will be doing a lot of heavy lifting. Given this and the amount of ground engagement work, I'd be looking for weight and loader performance. In the weight category, the heavy guys are Kioti (or Bobcat equivalent), Branson, and Mahindra. Kubotas are generally lighter, but still outstanding machines. You've been given good advice on Kubota and Deere. In MF, you might look for a lightly used 1500 series. If new, might think about Mahindra. Good deals now on the 2516. But, the Max 28XL looks to be a real nice newcomer. New Holland TC30 or 33. I would say definitely 4WD unless you move up to a utility tractor. They are heavy enough with just 2WD in most cases. LS in the new kid on the block. They appear to be offereing good deals to lure customers. Most owners seem happy.

Nicest new tractor for the money: Kioti. You get alot of extras, is well designed too.

High Brook Hills · Mar 17, 2012

When buying make sure you have a good parts availability. Old Fords, Farmalls, Massey Fergusons, etc can make you a good tractor! Make sure the FEL works well. Older machines will have a slower "spool" rate so the hydraulics do not work as quickly as on the newer machines.

Try several, spend some time with them and make sure everything works. Ensure the PTO will engage and disengage. Hook things up and make sure the hydraulics function. Makre sure the PTO can operate a mower or some other piece of equipment. Make sure the 3pt will go up and down and will lift equipment. Also, make friends with someone who can work on the older ones ;-)

Wish you the best!