Where to start? 30ish HP Utility Tractor

[Ivan49]

Check out the Deere's and compare with the others. The one I looked at was the 3038e and the drawbar was extras and I don't think it had steering brakes. The loader on the one I looked at was not a quick detach loader but you could up grade to a removable one

 

[DK35vince]

I don't think Deere holds its value all that much better than any other brands these days...maybe a little bit, but not enough I'd worry about it. I don't like the 2-range HST transmission, the aluminum rear end, or the non-removable, non-SSQA loader. .

Also if I remember correctly that model is not recommended for a backhoe if you would ever want one.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

If he wants a nice tractor, reliable, user friendly, and will hold it's value above the rest, go with a newer Kubota L series.

 

[Cooter76]

Thanks for the opinions guys. Keep 'em coming!

Did he go to RCO and look at the LS tractors? I would bet he'll get more for his money there than at the John Deere dealer. I'm not knocking Deere, but you do tend to pay a premium for them. I think the "E" series are much more price competitive with brands like Kioti and LS, but you give up some weight and some highly useful features that are standard on the LS and Kioti. But if the goal is to buy a tractor with green paint, the "E" series is the cheapest way to do it.

I don't think Deere holds its value all that much better than any other brands these days...maybe a little bit, but not enough I'd worry about it. I don't like the 2-range HST transmission, the aluminum rear end, or the non-removable, non-SSQA loader.

Even an LS G3038 will have a 3-range HST, weigh 500+lbs more, have an FEL that goes higher, and lifts 50% more, plus more hydraulic pump flow, and more powerful 3PH, removable FEL, and SSQA standard...all for around $16K last I recall.

The only problem with LS is the nearest dealership to my parents is 120 miles away. I think Kioti is event further. I'm in Austin, but they're near Corpus Christi. Dealer support would be a concern.

Check out the Deere's and compare with the others. The one I looked at was the 3038e and the drawbar was extras and I don't think it had steering brakes. The loader on the one I looked at was not a quick detach loader but you could up grade to a removable one

Good to know. I wasn't aware you could upgrade to a removable FEL.

Also if I remember correctly that model is not recommended for a backhoe if you would ever want one.

Not really a concern, but thanks for the info.

If he wants a nice tractor, reliable, user friendly, and will hold it's value above the rest, go with a newer Kubota L series.

The (at least perceived) quality/reputation of the Kubota is the reason he still wants to look at them.

Based on specs alone, I'd lean toward the Mahindra, myself. Mahindra and Kubota have the treadle pedal for their HST variants, correct? Seems JD's dual pedal design would be better. Also, does Kubota offer an independent PTO? Based on my experience operating the JD 1020, I'd be hesitant about a 2-stage clutch.

 

[boggen]

early 80s and old farmer / rancher.

i would say "cab" with air conditioning. keep him cool. and let him do his thing. without having a heat stroke.

if there is going to be any FEL (front end loader) work such as digging with it. 4x4 / MFWD would more likely shine, 4x4 / MFWD can shine in softer dirt "working a field" and keeping all wheels spinning. vs 2WD rear wheels loosing traction.

TNT (top and tilt) = replacing top link and a side link on 3pt hitch with a hyd cylinder, the implements noted would most likely make things easier both hooking up, but just adjusting things from seat with a couple levers. TNT = 2 rear hyd remotes, with normally 1 more remote for a total of 3 rear hydraulic remotes would be suggested, or less some 3pt hitch something requires more rear hyd remotes.

a 3pt hitch quick hitch (telescopic lower lift arms, to pat's easy hitch, to various other types of quick hitches, triangle types to upside down U shape types) basing this on, 80 year old boy, and trying to heave ho stuff around. heck 80... mid 30's here and that bigger equipment just does not budge.

sorry not much about brand specific / models. above more about ease of use.

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and with above.....

Versatile Tractors,Compact Tractors,Trailer Packages,Landscaping,Utility Vehicle Rentals,Mowers-Power Trac everything attaches to the front. tractors are competitive priced compared to similar other brand units. the implements cost a little bit more than 3pt hitch stuff. but driving all day with ya head twisted behind you, is not a whole lot of fun.i wouldn't mind owning one of their units. being able to be right up near front with engine behind you. awe!

if ya not needing to go on road for anything, and/or no field work. a "skid steer" my be an option as well. they are slower compared to everything else in MPH. but they can be might beasts in what they can do. and everything attaches in the front.

telehandler / telelift (do not remember person TBN nick right off), but loves his. kinda of skid steer / regular tractor mix. i wouldn't mind owning one of these as well. (again up close to the front. easier eye sight on things and no doing back flips of what is behind you)

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http://tractorhouse.com = used some new stuff for sale. might help either selling or get some sort of "price" for old tractor and/or implements to be sold / traded for.

301 Moved Permanently = search multi cities of http://craigslist.org at one time. kinda of a pain to search, due to everyone uses a slightly different word to describe something... example bush hog / rotatory cutter / mower. but it is there.

http://www.machinerytrader.com (sister site of tractorhouse.com but for industrial machines) = for telehanlders, and skid steers

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not sure what way things are going. as in buying and leaving to you, or just getting something for himself. so he can keep his pride and keep on going for a few more years longer and getting out and about.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I'm not gonna add too much to what has already been said. Let him get what he likes but I would strongly advise getting him in a a cab tractor to try out. Texas is HOT in the summer and the comfort is worth the added price. Most all larger farm tractors are now cabbed and now you are seeing more and more cabbed smaller tractors. I guess Kubota was one of the first with the B3030 but now you are seeing more and more in the mid sized units. To me the extra $$$ is worth it.

 

[TJP89]

My dad finally went to visit some dealerships yesterday.
- First stop was Mahindra, where he found out the local dealership has plans to build a new facility, including a service department. They currently outsource service & maintenance to an independent shop with a good reputation that is not too far from my parents. He looked primarily at the 1538 HST. I think he's a bit hesitant about the unfamiliar brand, but he didn't have anything bad to say about it.
- Next was the local Case dealership to look at a used 45a 2WD. He seemed to think it was overpriced for what it was.
- Last stop of the day was the local John Deere shop, where he looked at a 3038e. He was surprised by the competitive price, and seemed to think the JD would retain its value better on name alone. They're also going to give him a bid to fix the 3PH on his 1020, which he'd likely use as a trade-in.
He plans to visit Kubota later this week, then start crunching numbers. My guess is that they'll be showing him the L3800 as a competitor to the 3038e.

Does anyone have specific recommendations or objections to any of these models? I've seen mention online of the 3038e as having a cast aluminum rear housing and that the FEL is not removable, nor is it skid-steer compatible. I don't know if any of these things are a real concern. Mahindra's website has a comparison chart between these models, plus a New Holland 35. Of course, the Mahindra's specs are the best in almost every category.
One of the salesmen told him that a 4WD is equivalent to a 30% larger 2WD tractor. Sound plausible?

Thanks!

L3901 is the new replacement for the L3800. L3560 is the really nice one. 4WD is always useful, wouldn't have a tractor without it. Going to have to duck, but IMO the JD 3E series is a POS, cheaply built, know someone that had his completely give out, can't compare to other brands in terms of quality and features and capabilities. JD makes some excellent tractors, but the 3E series isn't one of them. Mahindra has a good reputation. Sounds like you're going the right direction.

 

[buickanddeere]

The classified ads. Lots of 5-10 year old tractors with 50 to 200hrs . Folks buy a rural estate and a tractor . A few years later they are either broke, retired, tired of all the work, becoming ill or dying .
Just make sure you are not looking at some unit a landscaping company has thrashed with hired operator's and over sized projects.

 

[Cooter76]

The classified ads. Lots of 5-10 year old tractors with 50 to 200hrs . Folks buy a rural estate and a tractor . A few years later they are either broke, retired, tired of all the work, becoming ill or dying .
Just make sure you are not looking at some unit a landscaping company has thrashed with hired operator's and over sized projects.

I thought the same thing, but I've been watching craigslist in several TX cities for two months now. The few tractors I see in his size range with a FEL are either worn-out or priced like new.

 

[varmint]

Not to add fuel to the flickering fire, but around here, on the Eastern Seaboard/ Maryland area, in my opinion based on watching (and occasionally participating) in the CUT market, clean used Kubotas seem to sell better, for more of their original value, than do similar Deeres. And it ain't dealer support that makes the difference, by and large, since we don't have any outstanding dealers (Messicks in Penn. is an exception). Kubota must have done something right?