Buying Advice Help with Tractor purchase - newbie

[varmint]

Both of the Kubotas I have had with HST had the cruise control function- I think it's a given. Another plus is that you can set your engine speed at a constant, but change your travel speed at will- with a PTO driven item, that would be a real help. The easy forward/back convenience is also a given with HST.

 

[DK35vince]

Both of the Kubotas I have had with HST had the cruise control function- I think it's a given.

I'm not sure it is a given.
I swear I've read about cruise control being an option on some economy model HST here before. ( Don't recall the make or models)

 

[jeff9366]

I have purchased two new Kubotas. Cruise control was a $35 option for parts, which I paid; plus installation, which dealer did at no charge at purchase. Parts may be higher in 2015.

 

[varmint]

Live and learn. All of the larger Bs and Ls I've seen/owned had it. My economy L3400 has it.

 

[Grandad4]

The TYM uses the same engine as the Kubota L4240 (V2203). I believe this model's running gear is the same as the Mahindra 4110 (that's what I'm told).
..
Is the HST really worth $3 - $5K more?

Last I knew TYM used either Mitsubishi or Yanmar diesels in their tractors and the only tractors with Kubota diesels were Kubota tractors. All of those are excellent engines though.

Yes, HST is more costly, but also improves resale value almost as much.

 

[paulfun9]

The TYM uses the same engine as the Kubota L4240 (V2203). I believe this model's running gear is the same as the Mahindra 4110 (that's what I'm told).

The Kioti has 2 remotes with the cylinders for center & draft control (!). The L4240 has 1 remote.

Found a Kubota L4330 w/HST & 1 remote. Like the L4240, but not quite as fancy HST (no 'dual-range).

Lastly, I got a quote on a real (i.e. no scam) New Holland TN75 (canopy, Hyd shuttle, 2 remotes, Quick att bucket) delivered for $19K


Is the HST really worth $3 - $5K more?

WHen I looked at the TYM they had Perkins engines in them. I honestly never heard of them having a Kubota engine in any of their models are you sure you got your information from a good source. The TYM web site has the old models listed and it says Perkins engine

 

[kminnick]

WHen I looked at the TYM they had Perkins engines in them. I honestly never heard of them having a Kubota engine in any of their models are you sure you got your information from a good source. The TYM web site has the old models listed and it says Perkins engine

The owner's manual states that they use the Kubota V2203 and so does:

TractorData.com TYM T450 tractor engine information

The guy's pictures also show the Kubota in there (same engine/HP/filters, etc. as the L4240 & I believe L4330). The T350 ran the mitsubishi. I'm guessing it was cheaper to put in the Yanmar engine in the newer T453. Same HP, but the V2203 is a 4 cylinder.

 

[kminnick]

So, in summary, these are the contenders right now:

1. Kioti DK50SE - HST, ~670 hrs, hyd center & draft control/cylinders, QA bucket - Price shipped is $21,700
2. Kubota L4240 - HST, ~650 hrs, QA bucket, 1 rear remote, one owner, stored inside - Price shipped is $21,800
3. TYM T450 - 12F/R Shuttle, ~650 hrs, QA bucket w/ removable teeth, 2 remotes w/ hyd cylinders for center & draft, - Price shipped $17,600
4. New holland TN75 - 12F/R Shuttle, ~3200 hrs, QA bucket, forks, one owner (50 acre horse farm), canopy, 2 remotes w/center hydr cylinder - Price shipped $19,000

So, there is a $2700+ cost to get HST. We have a HST forklift at work and I still haven't gotten used to it (we had a hydraulic shuttle). I'm trying to justify the $2700+ dollars. That could buy some nice implements!

If I say I don't need HST, it seems like the NH has a lot of value for the money, but more hrs. Maybe that's not an issue for this class of machine? For $1400, I get a 75 HP machine. I need help organizing this in my mine! Help!

 

[Grandad4]

The owner's manual states that they use the Kubota V2203 and so does:

TractorData.com TYM T450 tractor engine information

The guy's pictures also show the Kubota in there (same engine/HP/filters, etc. as the L4240 & I believe L4330). The T350 ran the mitsubishi. I'm guessing it was cheaper to put in the Yanmar engine in the newer T453. Same HP, but the V2203 is a 4 cylinder.

Well that proves one is never too old, or at least I'm not, make a mistake and learn something new! Had not come across that before, and you're absolutely right!

As for the tractors, I have always liked the TN75's. Rugged farm utility tractors meant to survive hard use on the farm. The L5450, whose description I took to mean 226 hours on the new clutch, is a 1980's vintage classic, every bit as rugged as the TN75 and then some, but good ones are pretty rare these days. That price may be high, but a pristine unit would not be cheap. The L4150 is same generation tractor; smaller engine. No HSt with any of those of course.

Between the others, the condition of the specific tractor means a lot in making a choice, probably more than which brand it might be. If it's going to be primarily used for working in the woods, one of the old brutes has a lot going for it, if it's in decent shape.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Here is a different way to think about this without getting into details, and this analogy has only to do with the size, not the manufacturer. You are going to move, and you are going to move yourself, by yourself. What truck would you prefer to use?

A: Ford Ranger
B: F150
C: F250