Toying with buying a new tractor, what would be the right choice?

[dirtyb115]

Hi there. I have a 6 acre property and i really "want" a tractor with a loader. I would use it to clear honeysuckle, move gravel, log splitting, and possibly mowing if it would be faster than my 46" riding mower? I can not afford to pay cash so was toying with a 60 month interest free purchase. I would hate to buy something to small if it will not work for me, but also dont want to pay for more than i need. Does anyone have any recommendations? Whats the best value (money is definitely an issue). Also need to do some light grading here and there

 

[Gary Fowler]

For value, I don't think you can beat the LS brand of tractors. Like the Kioti they are made in South Korea in a modern plant. Quality, Fit and finish is second to none on these tractors. I have both an LS and a Kubota and both have been mechanically flawless. I have broken a couple of things on my LS due to abusive use (or maybe just over extending the power usage), but all were replaced by warranty.
As for as the best tractor for you, you will need to get in the seat and drive one around for a while and use the controls, adjust the seat etc to see if things are fit to your body. It seems every tractor and every model of every manufacturer is a bit different, so you are going to have to try them all out.
I don't think you can buy a bad tractor as they all seem to be pretty well designed to the same degree of longevity, although I would still stay away from any Chinese made tractors as they do seem to have more problems and parts availability might also be a problem.

As to size, I would think a 26 -29 HP model would be perfect for your needs. As to speed of mowing, you may not see any difference in time with tractor vs tractor style of mower. Personally rather than spend $4-5K on a belly mower for use with your tractor, I would just use that money and add a 1000 or so to it to get a professional grade of zero turn. You can speed up your mowing a lot with that. I have timed mowing one of my pastures with my 52" zero turn vs my tractor with 84" mower and I can mow it just as fast with my ZTR and get within inches of trees, get into tight areas and mow that I couldn't get to with the tractor AND get a better cut on the grass.
The width difference is more than made up for with the faster turns and less overlapping to get around the trees as close as possible which is still about 4-6 feet from the trees and there isn't that many trees in the pasture. If I were trying to mow my lawn, It might take me days to mow it since I have so many trees, shrubs and flower beds to go around and I would still end up with a push mower and weedeater to use. With my ZTR mower, I use the weed eater maybe once every 2 months to weed around trees where the ZTR doesn't get all.

 

[jeff9366]

A $400 Ratchet Rake attachment for your bucket is excellent tearing out all manner of brush, collecting yard debris into piles, for spreading top soil and compost and for minor grading. Perhaps my favorite attachment.

Available through the T-B-N store with convenient UPS delivery.

If you want a 3-Pt implement to tear out Honeysuckle by the roots, consider a $900, spring-protected Field Cultivator. You can adjust the tine spacing to, say, 36" and probably get most of it in one pass. Then spray the refugees with 2-4D herbicide.

My FC was manufactured by Dirt Dog in Georgia. Mine is 66"/5 tines. Dirt Dog also offers 48"/3 tines and 60"/5 tines. Fred Cain manufactures similar spec Field Cultivators.

As to size, I would think a 26 -29 HP model would be perfect for your needs.

I second Mr. Fowler's recommendation.

You can buy a well reviewed Ryobi 110 volt electric log splitter for $250 from Amazon or Home Depot.

 

[GManBart]

I'd echo Gary's comments pretty much entirely. Something like the link below, which is on the large end of Sub-compact tractors, and small end of Compact tractors would go all of the work you're talking about without much trouble. I had an LS R4047H until I needed to go much bigger, and it was great...perfectly reliable, easy starting and very capable. Honestly, just yesterday I was doing a landscape repair (after a utility pole removal) and mentioned to my wife how that sort of task is just perfect for a machine like the LS below.


LS XJ2025 tractor loader, 4wd

 

[dirtyb115]

Thanks everyone for the input, exactly what i was looking for. I used to have a bobcat 743 and thought about trying to find another similar machine, but thought the versatility of a tractor would be nice.

I had a feeling the ztr was the best way to go for cutting the grass... I do however have 3 working riding mowers right now, so hard to justify getting one, but it also takes me 3-4 hours to cut the grass so I have definitely been thinking about it. I do think ill start shopping around and see if i can find a deal at a LS dealer. Its funny, my wife drives new vehicles, but i am in a truck with 326,000 miles, and a car with 218,000 miles. If i did buy a new tractor it would be the nicest thing i have ever gotten for myself.

 

[Poke]

I will 2nd the Ratchet Rake, I keep it on my tractor from April to December, and it has cleaned out tons of brush, prepped gardens and food plots, and graded countless driveways.

 

[TSO]

I agree that a ZTR is the better choice for grass. If you're trying to stick to one machine, I can understand the desire to get a tractor with a mower-deck...but it still doesn't compare to a ZTR. I also agree that something in the large SCUT (sub-compact-utility-tractor) to small CUT (compact-utility-tractor) range, 20-30 HP, would fit the bill for your jobs. I've had experience with numerous brands, and I think that pretty much any modern brand will provide good offerings. LS is definitely the current "value-leader" out there. I owned one and it was a very nice tractor. What dealers do you have in your area?

 

[AxleHub]

Hi there. I have a 6 acre property and i really "want" a tractor with a loader. I would use it to clear honeysuckle, move gravel, log splitting, and possibly mowing if it would be faster than my 46" riding mower? I can not afford to pay cash so was toying with a 60 month interest free purchase. I would hate to buy something to small if it will not work for me, but also dont want to pay for more than i need. Does anyone have any recommendations? Whats the best value (money is definitely an issue). Also need to do some light grading here and there

Everyone will have recommendations . . those are easy to come by. But maybe a little more info from you would make the opinions more valuable

1. You said 6 acres. How much of that do you mow and is it flat or hilly area to cut? (you already have a mower).

2. You want a front end loader and you don't have much available cash . . so I'll assume you want smaller tractor or used . . . not some zero turn rider ??

3. Financing choices. You mentioned 60 month . . but did you know some manufacturers offer 24, 36, 48, 60, 66, 72, and 84 month choices (Massey) ? Why important ? . . it gives you more options depending on your credit quality. AND many of those I listed are also part of a cash discount that is available too.

Personally, I think you might need to decide about "size" and financing of tractor before you focus on brand.

Drive past some dealer locations when they aren't open . . just to see sizes sitting on the lots. Why when they aren't open? So you don't get distracted.

Everything you listed can be done by a sub compact tractor (kubota, massey, yanmar, etc.). Or it can be done by a larger unit (ls, mahindra, kioti, cabelas).

Getting more for your money is about more SAFE uses . . Not more pounds of weight or inches in size.

 

[GManBart]

Thanks everyone for the input, exactly what i was looking for. I used to have a bobcat 743 and thought about trying to find another similar machine, but thought the versatility of a tractor would be nice.

I had a feeling the ztr was the best way to go for cutting the grass... I do however have 3 working riding mowers right now, so hard to justify getting one, but it also takes me 3-4 hours to cut the grass so I have definitely been thinking about it. I do think ill start shopping around and see if i can find a deal at a LS dealer. Its funny, my wife drives new vehicles, but i am in a truck with 326,000 miles, and a car with 218,000 miles. If i did buy a new tractor it would be the nicest thing i have ever gotten for myself.

A ZTR is often the best choice for mowing, but if you happen to have large open sections that need to be mowed, a larger/wider 3pt finish mower might cut down on your overall mowing time. You could easily pull a 6' finish mower with the kind of machines we're talking about in this thread, and that would let you cut nearly 2' more per pass....that can add up.

 

[AxleHub]

A ZTR is often the best choice for mowing, but if you happen to have large open sections that need to be mowed, a larger/wider 3pt finish mower might cut down on your overall mowing time. You could easily pull a 6' finish mower with the kind of machines we're talking about in this thread, and that would let you cut nearly 2' more per pass....that can add up.

I think a ztr is not the best of options. He can improve his mowing with a tractor (speed) . . but with 3 existing working mowers and little money . . it would seem that being focused on his other needs is a much greater priority. As you mention . . a pull behind or belly mower will cover more than 46" that he has now.

But I'm suspicious that his terrain is not all grass. 3 or 4 hours cutting with a 46" deck doesn't equal 6 acres. And honeysuckle etc. sounds like fallow land not cut . . Either rough ground, woods, or hill.

Because I sense money is a bigger issue than being mentioned . . he can maximize his fel and 4wd benefits. Does he need an LS ? I think visiting a several dealer lots of different brands (after hours) would give him an idea of sizes desired.

He is not a farmer . . any scut is bigger than he is used to . . and he'll enjoy whichever size he feels comfortable with.
Just my 2 cents . . because I don't know his terrain.