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

[GManBart]

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

LS XR4040H tractor loader, 4x4

 

[bigcut]

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]

...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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

C'mon noose, you know you want it:

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?

 

[tman1020]

I can only load one pic at a time for some reason

 

[tman1020]

 

[tman1020]

 

[batwing]

I went with 35hp 3000 pound tractor, not once have I wanted a smaller tractor!
Ron

 

[TomSeller]

I can only load one pic at a time for some reason

Very nice. Cab, loader, SSQA and backhoe. You are all set. Were you wearing a mask when you got that for $14K?

 

[whizdbiz2]

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.

All good advice here with my take being: get what you need and can afford. You can play the upgrade game to the point of bankruptcy. When I was looking there were a lot of used ones available in the size I wanted so that is always an option. I recently purchased the smallest Mahindra (eMax 22 HST with FEL) because my budget was tight and I needed the smallest size to get into my barn for clean up and the FEL was a very useful helper (not getting any younger here!). I don't have heavy woods but found that clamp on bucket forks are great for cleaning up downed branches and trees (once cut up) and brand new they were under $200 delivered. I don't feel bad when they sit in the barn most of the time at that price. Other than a new rear blade and quick hitch with the tractor, that ended up costing just $150 after rebate, I buy used implements as needed. I have some that I used with my Ford N small tractors. But I did find a brand new 5' finish mower at a sale for $600 that retails over $2,000. So, have the money and be ready to go when a bargain comes up.

 

[jd870]

Noose, i think the LS G3033H and attachments would work just fine for the work you need to do.

 

[tman1020]

No Tom he had a bunch of them. Thy did sell fast though. I'm very happy with it I feel it's a great size tractor for me. No complaints.

 

[TJP89]

To the OP. I get that you can play the upgrade game to much, but I would really bump it up one more to 40HP. That would handle anything reasonable and shouldn't run you to much. I started out looking at 18HP SCUTs and moved up 2 levels to 35HP, glad I did. You will be thankful you moved up down the road. There is a guy in the kioti forum right now who is regreting not going one size up and is looking at a trade in now at a 10K cost. I do not think you need to go beyond 40 however.

 

[TomSeller]

No Tom he had a bunch of them. Thy did sell fast though. I'm very happy with it I feel it's a great size tractor for me. No complaints.

And you sure should. I would love to have that setup for that price. And made by Kioti you get a good solid tractor.

 

[woodchipper]

First the closest dealer is about 45 minutes - Kubota. Another half hour will get me to LS, John Deere, New Holland and Kioti... If I'm willing to go a couple of hours, I can get just about every major brand. The closest, by far, is a Kubota dealer at 30-40 minutes drive. I'm closing on 60 acres in about 30 days and there's an immense amount of work to be done. I won't be doing any planting, hay cutting, etc., as I'll be moving from Ag Use to essentially enjoyment of the land with a Wildlife Exemption. That will require some basic work such as brush hogging, road maintenance, fence work, and lots of cleanup work on old, dead trees, junk left out in the woods, and so on. I'm thinking I can get away with a 30ish horse but I want the weight so I can box blade the crappy driveway and roads into something more usable. I'll have road base delivered and I'll slowly work on a road across the property to the back. All total mabye 2000' of road built over time. (lots of time)

I've honestly done a ton of research and come up with the following list of things I think I want:

30ish HP tractor with FEL
Hydrostatic
R4 Tires
3-point Quick Hitch
Brush Hog implement
Box Blade implement
12 auger for some fence post repair (quite few of them are rotten or just poorly done)
540 PTO

Now... Some of the things I don't understand yet. Do all the 3-points on these CUTs hydraulically raise/lower as I've seen in "how to" videos or is that an "option". How important is weight going to be for my uses? There's a significant difference in weight in some of the CUTs. I'm assuming with FEL work, chassis weight is quite important.

I'm looking to keep the above package from getting over $20K. I really like the feature set of the LS G3033H and with implements above in a package, I'm in around that price or a tad over. I guess I'll leave at that and await a few points of advice and come back with more questions.

Thanks for all the help, in advance.

NOOSE,
I have read all the replies you got on your thread. Good comments and suggestions. As you noticed, the trend is to go for bigger, heavier, etc...
You seem to have done your homework already, and that is to your advantage at this point in making a serious purchasing decision.
I will only say a few things that are on my mind at this point. The 35Hp range you are aiming at, seems bang on to me. The quick attach purchase...Not a beleiver as if you realy need it. With only two rear implements? If you get the extandable lower arms, then that is more than a bonus for hooking your BB and BH. If you still decide to go for the Quick hitch, you will realize that it extends your implements a few inches further to the back. It is sometimes a good thing!
In any case, make sure they both are QH compatible when you decide to purchase them. As for HST, if you don't mow your grass with the tractor, then why?
This is money that you could keep for other expenses, like maybe a grapple?
Visit your dealers, and try as many machines as possible in your price range. Ergonomics will be very important depending on the omount of seat time you will put!
Keep us posted as to what you narrow your choices to!
Good luck Noose!

 

[tman1020]

Woodchipper no disrespect but I think The quick hitch being referred to as I understand it is not for the rear implements. They were referring to quick attach for the front loader arms. As far as hydrostat goes I have had lots of tractors and this one is my first hydrostat and unless I'm plowing a field for my main use I'm never going back. But everyone has their own preferences.