Retirement = 1st tractor

[MartyMugwamp]

Hi there... new to this forum. I've been reading posts on and off for the last couple years. I will be buying a tractor in the next year or two as I transition into retirement in the country (bush). I will have a couple acres and a 3/4 mile winding rough driveway that is presently being cleaned in the northern ontario climate by my neighbour with his Kubota 2320 with front blower and rear blade. It's doing the job (I'm doing a lot of the work) but I'd probably go for something a little bigger like a 35-40hp with a factory cab (heat plz). Been looking at the Kioti NX (dealer about 120 miles), Kubota Grand (dealer 60 miles), MF 1700 deluxe (dealer 120 miles) and Mahindra (dealer 170 miles), JD 3039 (dealer 120 miles). I know, it's kilometers up here ...

I read posts and can't contribute much since I don't own a tractor but have been using the Kubota 2320 quite a bit, the Kubota L39 (neighbour's) a little, a MF1736 once. I have to say, there's something good to say in all those brands. Looks like Kubota is the most popular (if you're not a farmer + 60Hp and under) eventhough Mahindra claims it sells the most in the world.

Price is a factor but I'll kick it up a notch for reliability and dealer service. Right now, I'm in budgeting mode, learning and studying. I find that dealer info is unreliable (biased of course). Please keep up the good info and subjective comments ... makes for good reading. Thank you and looking forward to your expertise.

 

[TBN Support]

Thank you for joining.

It sounds like you already have a good idea of what kind of tractor you want.

 

[MartyMugwamp]

Actually, I flip flop a lot. I stopped by the Kubota dealer last week and saw an L3560 with winter cab and front snowblower outfitted... yummy is all I could hear. A couple weeks before, I swung by the Kioti dealer and was equally impressed by the NX5010.... haven't seen the Mahindra up close yet. When I do buy, it will be with a FEL, BH, Ft snowblower, rear blade and pallet forks. I will be moving dirt (all sand, no clay, no mud and no rock), some gravel, working for neighbours, trenching, and rooting tree stumps (jackpine).

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Enjoy the site.

The best advice I can offer (other than what you're already doing by slowly researching & test driving) is to listen to the opinions/experiences of your neighbours. The 'word in the pub and the paddock', if you will. They'll direct you as to what you will need in the way of capabilities you'll most likely require AND who is the most reliable/supportive Dealership in the area. This really does vary... I'd also recommend taking one of these neighbours with you when you've narrowed your search down and are ready to haggle.

A good Dealership will sell you the tractor/implements you need, not what's on the lot.

 

[mguitas]

:welcome:

 

[TripleR]

It sounds like you are in the right ball park, my preference is the Kubota Grand L Series for the HST+, but you pay a premium for it and I'm sure you can't go wrong with the Kioti, Massey Ferguson or John Deere, I have no experience with Mahindra, so I just don't know.

 

[TomSeller]

The best advice I can offer (other than what you're already doing by slowly researching & test driving) is to listen to the opinions/experiences of your neighbours. The 'word in the pub and the paddock', if you will. They'll direct you as to what you will need in the way of capabilities you'll most likely require AND who is the most reliable/supportive Dealership in the area. This really does vary... I'd also recommend taking one of these neighbours with you when you've narrowed your search down

Very good advice

 

[jeff9366]

Mahindra claims it sells the most in the world.

India has nearly one billion people and a large part of its population still works small farms.

John Deere produces greatest tractor revenue per year.

Price is a factor but I'll kick it up a notch for reliability and dealer service.

Tractor reliability comes first from tractor operator skills and prudence, second from dealer mechanic's skills, third from parts availability.

 

[jeff9366]

I will have a couple acres and a 3/4 mile winding rough driveway that is presently being cleaned in the northern ontario climate by my neighbor.

Clarify this, please.

 

[jeff9366]

Been looking at the Kioti NX (dealer about 120 miles), Kubota Grand (dealer 60 miles), MF 1700 deluxe (dealer 120 miles) and Mahindra (dealer 170 miles), JD 3039 (dealer 120 miles).

Kubota is the most popular .

With Kubota being the sole tractor outlet within a reasonable distance, no wonder.

Tractors break.

Will you make your own repairs? Do you know diesel engines?; hydraulic systems?

Do you have an appropriate truck and trailer to transport tractor for repair?

Common dealer charge to haul a tractor in North Florida is $1.50 per mile.

Kubota: 60 X 4 (two round trips) = 240 miles X $1.50 = $360.