Buying a tractor - too many choices! Please point me in the right direction

GManBart · Dec 31, 2014

Local price on an XR4040H is a few bucks under $23k.

LS XR4040H tractor loader, 4x4

bigcut · Dec 31, 2014

TSO said:
If you are considering the XR3032/37, then I strongly STRONGLY suggest bumping up to the XR4040 (or 46). The price difference will probably be at or under $2k. I know you're trying to stick to a budget, but here's why I think that for YOUR property, you should justify the jump:

Spec difference between 3037 & 4040

3pt lift, 1808 vs 2756 ... that's 53% more 3pt lift power.
loader lift, 2182 vs 2500 ... that's 15% more loader lift to full height.
loader breakout (strength at ground), 3420 vs 4354 ... that's 27% more breakout force.
wheelbase, 4040 is 3.4" longer (more stability).
weight, machine alone weight is 3567 vs 4334 ... that's 21% more weight (more stability and traction).
tires --- much MUCH larger tires, better traction & ground clearance.

You will likely be more productive with a stronger tractor, and you will not tax the limits of it's capabilities as often.

my thoughts anyhow... I'm on my 4th tractor in 3 years. I have learned & out-grown them. You might be able to just do it once if you do it right!

TSO & GMan, Both of you really put things in perspective...with facts and logic. I hope noose heeds your sage advice. The cost diff. over many years to come, is really quite small.

You got me wanting to buy that XR4040 and I only have 1/3 acre !! LoL !
John

noose · Dec 31, 2014

KiwiBro said:
...another thing I have realised is how darn easy it is to spend other people's money. But a few $k over however many hours of ownership is really a small price to pay for making the best choice, if that price is affordable to begin with.

Cheers.

Yes, Yes it is.

Let me back up a little. This started as a step up and we're now pushing into $30K territory as each step up brings another "well, if you are going to step up to that, you might as well step up to this"...

Facts:
-57 acres. Only 1 is lived on. The rest is 75% native pasture with some small evergreens here and there. The remaining 25% is mature oak. 3ish acres of pond exist.
-I will not be cutting hay, planting rows, or any other heavy agriculture. This will be a "hobby farm". I'll do the minimum to keep my Ag Expempt status and nothing more
-Once a few of the heavier things are done, I won't need anything more than a bush hog and a box blade as I'll let the pasture grow wild except for mesquite.
-If I get into 30K territory for a tractor, that pays for basic land maintenance for a LONG time and a little bit at a time.
-I just want to have fun on the land and doing some moderate work. If it gets to be too big of a job, I'll bring someone in so buying enough tractor is probably less for me.

On here I keep hearing size (weight) and features are more important than overall HP. The XR3032H here is 19,850 or so compared to 17,240 for the G3030H. I can probably get it down a little as I haven't even started bargaining. They sell implements rather inexpensively compared to what I can find used. $5xx for a 6' box and 6' brush with the tractor. About $600 all in for the auger and blade. This is still close to striking distance of my original under 20K budget (before tax) and isn't yet out of hand. Of course I could jump to the 3037. But if I'm going to do that, the 4040 is a better idea as it's not much more... but then if I'm going to go there, why not the 4046? I have to stop somewhere on the step up and decide that I have reached "good enough" for my needs. Is there some reason why a 3032 or 3037 isn't enough for what I've stated above?

TSO · Dec 31, 2014

noose said:
Yes, Yes it is.

Let me back up a little. This started as a step up and we're now pushing into $30K territory as each step up brings another "well, if you are going to step up to that, you might as well step up to this"...

Facts:
-57 acres. Only 1 is lived on. The rest is 75% native pasture with some small evergreens here and there. The remaining 25% is mature oak. 3ish acres of pond exist.
-I will not be cutting hay, planting rows, or any other heavy agriculture. This will be a "hobby farm". I'll do the minimum to keep my Ag Expempt status and nothing more
-Once a few of the heavier things are done, I won't need anything more than a bush hog and a box blade as I'll let the pasture grow wild except for mesquite.
-If I get into 30K territory for a tractor, that pays for basic land maintenance for a LONG time and a little bit at a time.
-I just want to have fun on the land and doing some moderate work. If it gets to be too big of a job, I'll bring someone in so buying enough tractor is probably less for me.

On here I keep hearing size (weight) and features are more important than overall HP. The XR3032H here is 19,850 or so compared to 17,240 for the G3030H. I can probably get it down a little as I haven't even started bargaining. They sell implements rather inexpensively compared to what I can find used. $5xx for a 6' box and 6' brush with the tractor. About $600 all in for the auger and blade. This is still close to striking distance of my original under 20K budget (before tax) and isn't yet out of hand. Of course I could jump to the 3037. But if I'm going to do that, the 4040 is a better idea as it's not much more... but then if I'm going to go there, why not the 4046? I have to stop somewhere on the step up and decide that I have reached "good enough" for my needs. Is there some reason why a 3032 or 3037 isn't enough for what I've stated above?

You would only want to step up to the 46 if you really needed more PTO HP for running larger implements, and it doesn't sound like that's an issue.

The reason to step up to the 40 is because getting into that larger frame size (basically that's the largest frame size that CUT'S go) means you have the loader strength, frame stability, and overall weight to handle pretty much any of the tasks you might run into on your farm, considering what your needs might be.

An extra couple grand up front won't mean a whole lot in the long run.

I mean hey, you could spend $13k on a 20 horse sub compact, and struggle around your property... But in the end, you might as well get the right tool for the right job.

KiwiBro · Dec 31, 2014

I don't think many people would advocate anyone bites off more than they can chew, financially speaking.

It sure is good though, to learn from those who have been there done that and learned many lessons along the way they are good enough to share with us.

tman1020 · Dec 31, 2014

I purchased my bobcat CT 225 with loader brand-new for 14,000 on closeout it is essentially the same as the kioti CK 27. I too was torn between the larger DK series but am very pleased with my choice. It has done everything I've asked it to and exceededmy expectations. Grapples are cool but I have found forks quite useful as well and much cheaper to purchase. As others have said make sure whichever way you go you get the quick attach bucket.

TomSeller · Dec 31, 2014

tman1020 said:
I purchased my bobcat CT 225 with loader brand-new for 14,000 on closeout it is essentially the same as the kioti CK 27. I too was torn between the larger DK series but am very pleased with my choice. It has done everything I've asked it to and exceededmy expectations. Grapples are cool but I have found forks quite useful as well and much cheaper to purchase. As others have said make sure whichever way you go you get the quick attach bucket.

Very nice and good value purchase. Pictures?

Poopdeck Pappy · Dec 31, 2014

C'mon noose, you know you want it:

noose said:
Yes, Yes it is.

Let me back up a little. This started as a step up and we're now pushing into $30K territory as each step up brings another "well, if you are going to step up to that, you might as well step up to this"...

Facts:
-57 acres. Only 1 is lived on. The rest is 75% native pasture with some small evergreens here and there. The remaining 25% is mature oak. 3ish acres of pond exist.
-I will not be cutting hay, planting rows, or any other heavy agriculture. This will be a "hobby farm". I'll do the minimum to keep my Ag Expempt status and nothing more
-Once a few of the heavier things are done, I won't need anything more than a bush hog and a box blade as I'll let the pasture grow wild except for mesquite.
-If I get into 30K territory for a tractor, that pays for basic land maintenance for a LONG time and a little bit at a time.
-I just want to have fun on the land and doing some moderate work. If it gets to be too big of a job, I'll bring someone in so buying enough tractor is probably less for me.

On here I keep hearing size (weight) and features are more important than overall HP. The XR3032H here is 19,850 or so compared to 17,240 for the G3030H. I can probably get it down a little as I haven't even started bargaining. They sell implements rather inexpensively compared to what I can find used. $5xx for a 6' box and 6' brush with the tractor. About $600 all in for the auger and blade. This is still close to striking distance of my original under 20K budget (before tax) and isn't yet out of hand. Of course I could jump to the 3037. But if I'm going to do that, the 4040 is a better idea as it's not much more... but then if I'm going to go there, why not the 4046? I have to stop somewhere on the step up and decide that I have reached "good enough" for my needs. Is there some reason why a 3032 or 3037 isn't enough for what I've stated above?