I just bought acreage and I am looking for a tractor

[murphy1244]

x2:thumbsup:

 

[LeeWorm]

TripleR,

I meant no disrespect and wasn't trying to troll or anything like that it's just that, in my opinion, there is a big difference between the construction side and the residential/agricultural side. Not to mention that I value the opinions, knowledge, wisdom, and experience of equipment owners more so than I do the highly polished and massaged marketing and advertising of the manufacturers.

It has also been my experience with forums that it is best for "newbies" to reply to the comments and questions of the veterans rather than give some sort of dissertation substantiating their knowledge of the forum's subject.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Hello,

My wife and I just purchased a 2.5 acre lot and the agreement with the wife was that if she wanted to go back to the "country" then I get a new tractor. The land is completely cleared but not flat as the soil settled in the same profile that the harrow left so it is slightly rippled. I am looking for a compact in the 25-30hp range with a loader and considering the work that needs to be done, over time, involving trenching and shallow digging; I am also looking for a backhoe attachment.


Any advice, suggestions, or critiques are welcome and greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Lee Bourgeois

My son in law recently bought a house with 2.5 acre lot and then bought a Kubota B2960 with FEL (least I think it is a 60 series) a tiller, middle buster plow and 60" belly mower all for around $20K. It does everything he wanted (my daughter does all the mowing which is what he wanted). I know a back hoe is nice to have, I have one, but really, how much digging can you do on 2.5 acres that is barely above sea level. As a CPM, you should know that renting is most of the time the logical thing to do for short term projects. When I got my TLB (B26 Kubota) I used the heck out of it putting in sprinkler system, running additional water line for faucet location, digging up tons of rocks,and they keep coming every year (no rocks in Houma though) and digging up stumps from dead trees etc but now it is mostly a FEL tractor for small jobs.
The problem with dedicated TLB like the B 26 Kubota and JD 110 is you are limited to rear attachments for mowing, but it looking behind you all the time isn't a problem, the that isn't a drawback.
Like you said, tractors are a personal thing, what fits one person, doesn't necessarily fit comfortable to another. I think you don't need advice here as you are doing what needs to be done: Going to all the dealers sitting on them, driving them and seeing what fits. Money is no object when it comes to getting the right tractor to fit your bum and you needs.

 

[LeeWorm]

My son in law recently bought a house with 2.5 acre lot and then bought a Kubota B2960 with FEL (least I think it is a 60 series) a tiller, middle buster plow and 60" belly mower all for around $20K. It does everything he wanted (my daughter does all the mowing which is what he wanted). I know a back hoe is nice to have, I have one, but really, how much digging can you do on 2.5 acres that is barely above sea level. As a CPM, you should know that renting is most of the time the logical thing to do for short term projects. When I got my TLB (B26 Kubota) I used the heck out of it putting in sprinkler system, running additional water line for faucet location, digging up tons of rocks,and they keep coming every year (no rocks in Houma though) and digging up stumps from dead trees etc but now it is mostly a FEL tractor for small jobs.
The problem with dedicated TLB like the B 26 Kubota and JD 110 is you are limited to rear attachments for mowing, but it looking behind you all the time isn't a problem, the that isn't a drawback.
Like you said, tractors are a personal thing, what fits one person, doesn't necessarily fit comfortable to another. I think you don't need advice here as you are doing what needs to be done: Going to all the dealers sitting on them, driving them and seeing what fits. Money is no object when it comes to getting the right tractor to fit your bum and you needs.

I also could not agree with you more on the typical correctness of renting-vs-buying as it is a topic that I deal with quite frequently. However, considering that we are planning on doing the property development over a 5-7 year period primarily on the weekends as “family” time; the costs of repeated weekend rentals or even extended rentals and leases would quickly exceed the cost of most backhoe attachments.

 

[LeeWorm]

The JD 110 TLB is a tough act to follow with a smaller machine. Especially at your height.

Have you ever thought about buying a used one? Just about all you can get are used since they are discontinued, but an older one might be just right.

I have looked into possibly purchasing a used JD 110 TLB but, as with any used piece of equipment, you are really gambling on whether or not the previous owner(s) maintained the machine properly. Also I have seen how machines that are used by more than one person, such as construction equipment, are misused and abused. Even if my employer gave me first shot at buying the 110 that we have I would not purchase it because I know it has not been maintained to the standards that I would prefer. The cost of a newer 110 is also out of my budget and quite honestly; more than I would need in the long run.

 

[murphy1244]

I guess your SOL.

 

[LeeWorm]

I guess your SOL.

Well I would not say that Murph…

But I do wish that I could simply allocate $30-35K and then my main concern would just be what type of landscaping I would like to do.

 

[murphy1244]

How much you want to spend on a new machine?

 

[LeeWorm]

How much you want to spend on a new machine?

I am willing to go up to $25K depending on the financing available.

 

[Larro Darro]

I am willing to go up to $25K depending on the financing available.

I thought your budget was smaller. I was quoted $18K out the door price on a L3200 with FEL. It was a gear drive, and didn't have the backhoe, but I think adding on what you wanted would still have you well under $25K. The bigger frame and higher HP will make all your tasks easier. And it would be a more comfortable ride.