Buying Advice Help me find a tractor to manage my 40 wooded acres

[TSO]

So I looked up the specs on the 4 tractors you are considering. At this price-point, that TYM is by far the strongest machine. It has DOUBLE the loader lift (and higher height) than the Kub or JD. It also has more hydraulic flow, about 30% more 3pt lift, and the most HP. Here's how the notable specs display. If the TYM dealer seems competent and stable, that machine seems like a winner at this price point. (NOTE: The below specs I found directly from each brand's website)

MACHINE:-------------------Kub L2501-----JD 3032e-------LS XG3032------TYM T354
PTO HP @ RPM:---------19 @ 2200-----25 @ 2500-----25.8 @ 2650-----26.8 @ 2800
Implement Hyd GPM:----------5.15------------5.3-------------8.2--------------6.3
Total Hydraulic GPM:-----------8.28------------9.3-------------13.4------------10.9
3pt Lift @ 24":-----------------1389-----------1356-----------1808------------1764
Machine weight:---------------2623-----------2222-----------2855------------3108
Loadr lft wt/ht @ pin--1131 @ 94.3"---1186 @ 84"---1612 @ 93.7"---2235 @ 101"
Trans - HST:-------------------3 range-------2 range--------3 range----------3 range

 

[gladehound]

A tractor with R1s can probably pull harder in mud. I think if the contest was to drive across a mud hole both or neither tractors would make it.

No doubt that R1s will pull harder.

 

[AllenArmory]

TSO, Thanks very much! I didn't dig that far into the TYM beyond price and hp.

 

[TSO]

TSO, Thanks very much! I didn't dig that far into the TYM beyond price and hp.

Just make sure you check the dealer out, the main concern that seems to exist with the TYM machines is dealer support.

 

[airbiscuit]

You could also look for left overs at dealers. These may be a year or two years old but were never sold from the dealer so they are technically new and qualify for all the rebates, financing, have full warrantee too but are sold at a lower price. This is the route I went and I got a 1 year old 45hp Kioti DS4510HS with FEL with 47 hrs for $19.5K. Got 4 year warrantee. They threw in the 50 hr service and delivered it for no additional charge. Knowing this, it makes me cringe to think you'll spend as much on a L2501 or 3032e.

You're going to get lots of last minute thoughts. If you could get a sweet deal like above, it would be a no brainer. Those Kiotis seem to give a lot of bang for the buck. That said, you will be happy with any of your stated choices, and you are the one who has to be happy with the purchase. Test drive each of the finalists twice. You will notice different things each time.

 

[AllenArmory]

I think you should revisit looking at used machines because you can get to more useful sized tractors on your budget. Do you need to finance through the dealer? Why not get a bank or credit union loan and buy used. The interest rate may be a little higher but you'll do so much better on the price that you'll be ahead in the end. Do you have a home? Could you use home equity?

You could also look for left overs at dealers. These may be a year or two years old but were never sold from the dealer so they are technically new and qualify for all the rebates, financing, have full warrantee too but are sold at a lower price. This is the route I went and I got a 1 year old 45hp Kioti DS4510HS with FEL with 47 hrs for $19.5K. Got 4 year warrantee. They threw in the 50 hr service and delivered it for no additional charge. Knowing this, it makes me cringe to think you'll spend as much on a L2501 or 3032e.

Another advantage with leftovers is you can get larger tractors that are pre-tier 4 emissions (less price & less troubles) if you can still find any.

I think you should look around a bit more and see what deals you can find.

Another option is use the $10K you have to buy a used tractor of the same size that you are looking at. You can get a nice 25hp tractor with FEL for $10K used. In a few years you can sell is for near what you paid and use the money you would have put to payments and buy a $25K tractor used (which at that point will be a barely used utility tractor). Using your plan, 3 yrs from now you have a 3 yr old 25hp tractor. Using mine, 3 yrs from now you have a 3 yr old 50hp tractor. It's your money.

gladehound,
I appreciate your input. I look on craigslist every day for deals, but I have not found any good tractors under $10K. Like I said before, I'm not a very good mechanic, so that's why I'm looking for new machines that will last me 4-5 years without any major problems.

 

[4570Man]

No doubt that R1s will pull harder.

Yeah, but the contest was just driving across the mud.

 

[TSO]

I'm adding one more machine into the mix - a Massey 1734e. Not sure if you have a dealer near you, but you can probably get one to fit at this price point. These Massey units are built in Japan by Iseki (Iseki has been building Massey compacts for decades). I have owned two Iseki-built Massey units and in my experience, they are right at the top for overall quality and reliability. They also come with a 5 year warranty. Worth taking a look anyhow. Here's one on ebay with a box-blade package in VA: 34 HP Package Massey Ferguson 1734 1734EHL Loader Box Blade Finance Up to 7 Yrs | eBay

MACHINE:-------------------Kub L2501-----JD 3032e-------LS XG3032------TYM T354------Massey 1734e
PTO HP @ RPM:---------19 @ 2200-----25 @ 2500-----25.8 @ 2650-----26.8 @ 2800----27.2 @ 2600
Implement Hyd GPM:----------5.15------------5.3-------------8.2--------------6.3-------- ------6.7
Total Hydraulic GPM:-----------8.28------------9.3-------------13.4------------10.9---------- --10.5
3pt Lift @ 24":-----------------1389-----------1356-----------1808------------1764-----------1600
Machine weight:---------------2623-----------2222-----------2855------------3108------------2767
Loadr lft wt/ht @ pin--1131 @ 94.3"---1186 @ 84"---1612 @ 93.7"---2235 @ 101"---1210 @ 95.7"
Trans - HST:-------------------3 range-------2 range--------3 range----------3 range----------3 range

 

[AllenArmory]

TSO,
Yes, there is a Massey dealer near my property. Another option to check out. Thanks and goodnight!

-AllenArmory

 

[RollingsFarms]

I guess I'm bummed because I really liked the 3032e when I drove it. It really felt like a quality piece of machinery. It has higher hp than the L2501, higher PTO hp, and is cheaper. Maybe when I test drive the Kubota I'll see what you guys are talking about. Right now, there's a $800 rebate for the L2501. Compare that to the $3200 offer on the JD (expires at the end of this month).

I mainly didn't like that it only came in a hst and only a two range hst at that. I also felt the levers felt way too cheap and I couldn't see them holding up over the years. I hated the operators platform was plastic, the hood and fenders I can understand but not the platform. I hate the rearend setup (aluminum) and the fact that you have to buy a drawbar, that's crap, all tractors should come standard with a drawbar for crying out loud! That's like buying a truck with no hitch. I just felt the Kubota was much better built and showed way more quality in the design, I think you'll notice this when you compare other brands in person. I just don't want you to go into this thing based on price alone because it will be very expensive to have to trade in a tractor when you realize you got the wrong one. The 3e might work great for you, it just wasn't for me and I'm glad I chose something else for my applications.