Advice on first tractor purchase.

[hiker88]

Hello everyone,

I'm hoping you can help steer me in the right direction on my first tractor purchase. I've been lurking for awhile and want to run a couple things by the group.

I live in central Maine, and I originally started looking at ATV's last winter to work around the house. However, after a good deal of research, I think a mid sized tractor might be the way to go.

I am primarily looking for a tractor for processing firewood and clearing land. I get some of my firewood delivered tree length and I process it on my own. I think the tractor would be great help around the wood pile and hauling the splits off to a small wood lot I have been clearing the last couple years. I will also be using the tractor to clear land of trees, brush and rocks. I live on about 3 acres of densely forested, rugged (sloped, rocky, rutted you name it) land that was logged about 30 years ago. The woods are a real mess, and I want to clean then up.

I also have a 300-400 foot gravel driveway that I have been using a walk behind snow blower on for the last 7 years or so. The driveway is twisty and goes over a small stream, so I Have never dared have someone plow it. I have a commercial grade snow blower, but because of the layout, the twistiness etc., it is the better part of 3 hours to clean up after a storm whether we have 2, or 20 inches. For now, I would probably just use the bucket for dealing with snow, or maybe a plow? I'd appreciate advice on that - I see a lot of talk about blowers here, but I think whatever I do will be better than the walk behind, and I'd rather put the money into the tractor for now and maybe upgrade my snow handling equipment in a couple years.

I am leaning towards a used tractor because I think I could get more tractor for my money. There are two tractors in my area right now that have my interest. One is a 2006 Kioti ck25 for 10,500, and the other is a 2010 Kubota L3800 for 18500 - I am leaning more towards the Kioti mostly due to price I guess. Kubota has about 250 hours, the kioti about 550.

So, do those seem like appropriately sized tractors for what I am looking to do? Any other comments are appreciated.

 

[Larro Darro]

Welcome from NW Florida. I'm no good for snow removal advice, due to my location and total lack of snow knowledge. But as for the tractors, either one of them would do what you want. I think in the long run the L3800 might be the better value, but you have to get what you can afford. Good luck.

Larro

 

[case245]

for 18.5k you should be able to get a new l3800 you have to travel you may get one for a little less check to the south of you that where I would start last year I had an l3800 with fel r4 tires I paid 17.5k

 

[Larro Darro]

That was a good price, Case. I priced a L3200 w/ FEL in Panama City Fl for $18K. {out the door}

 

[murphy1244]

Check Tractor house You can buy newer for 18500.00. I would go Kioti do to the jerky hitch on the Bota.

 

[grm61]

The l3800 is the smallest tractor I would consider, not that the small tractors can't do work, just not my cup of tea, the ground is hard out here and the lighter tractors just bounce off stuff.

The DK series Kiotis are a very good value, 2 and a half times the lift capacity of the l3800 and heavy enough to put some power to the ground.

Also take a look at the DK Cab tractors, they come standard with heat, a/c CD player etc.

I'm looking forward to being dry and warm this winter, instead of walking behind the snow blower with the wind blowing the wrong direction :shocked:

I started looking at used and wound up with a new one.

Its a journey, figure out what you want and buy enough tractor the first time.

If you have any inclinations about adding a cab later, your better off just getting a factory cabbed tractor, much nicer and not much more money than an aftermarket cab, and then adding a heater etc.

 

[Don87]

My opinion to the op...........(and considering we don't have exact acreage), would be a 'B' sized Kubota or equivalent in other brands, get the blade, but also 'consider the snowblower' (front mount blowers are expensive, but save neck strain). A subcut is generally good for up to 5 acres, and the 'B' series or equivalent is good for up to 10 acres..........depending on the usage. Yours sounds like a go for a small CUT tractor like the 'B' series due to the extra ground clearance in the woods.

Either that you listed will work, but you would be happier with the L3800..........even with the 'possible' jerky 3pt. hitch.

 

[murphy1244]

Maybe a SubCUT like the Mahindra Max Series a Max-28

 

[jeff9366]

I have 400 hours on my Kubota B3300SU tractor/loader, 33-hp/1,900 pounds/4-WD, largest in the Kubota 'B' series.

It works great in Florida rock-free, sandy-loam. I think the OP needs more tractor in rocky Maine with woods that are "a real mess".

L3800 is the MINIMUM tractor I would consider.

I would think tractor/loader prices drop in Maine after September 15 or October 1, and cash always talks.

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH A USED TRACTOR. I am brand neutral. I just want you to get enough tractor, based on my experience.

I recommend a Ratchet Rake for your FEL. Link below. I can't advise on snow removal but while on the Ratchet Rake site check out their SNOW EDGE, it might be what you need.

Ratchet Rake, LLC - All Terrain Rake, Snow Edge, Bucket attachment, Landscape rake, Brush remover

 

[dave1949]

Hello and welcome. I live a bit to your west, near Farmington.

I think you are sorting out your needs pretty well. I cleared snow in my 600' feet of drive with just a bucket for several years. It works, it's slow, it's way better than the walk behind blower, you need decent tire chains, if your drive has drop-offs along the edges, stay away from those to avoid getting stuck. 4WD is almost a must around here.

The loader on a small/medium tractor is such a work saver for firewood. Most of us use our tractors as powered wheelbarrows for hauling, lifting and moving stuff. A cab would be nice in winter but it's hard to keep them out of the trees in the woods unless you trim everything high along your trails.

You could consider a PTO log splitter if you are splitting by hand now.

To clean-up three acres, I really think you would be money ahead to hire want you want done rather than buying a tractor that won't really be big enough anyways to tackle large rocks and stumps, and you would need a $$$ backhoe attachment too most likely. Once the clean-up is done, you can easily maintain it with a 25-30 hp tractor and 5' bush hog.

I would be sure to get the quick-attach style loader, a standard bucket, and a grapple. You need what is called "3rd function hydraulics" for the loader to operate the grapple. You can add those to a tractor that isn't equipped with it. Being able to grasp, lift and carry things that are beyond bucket size, or dang hard to scoop up (like rocks and brush) is priceless. Someday, I'm going to get one. :laughing:

Good luck. I know you will appreciate whatever tractor you get.