Buying Advice First Tractor purchase advice

[CobaltSky]

I have a Kubota L3200 & live here in Parker, CO. East of Denver, but out into the planes a bit to get some pretty wind driven snow banks.

My tractor isn't enough to drive through, much less plow a few of these recent snows. I picked up a 3pt blower & that does the trick when I don't have enough machine to plow.

It does sound like you want more machine than I have though. Feel free to hit me up if you want to give it a test drive.

My only disappointment is lack of cab, which may end up driving me to upgrade. Debating if I'll upgrade to a 4,000 series machine if/when I upgrade. Looking at Kubota, LS, TYM & maybe Kioti (although the cabbed machines are probably to big for my needs).

Thanks Fallon.

I did test drive an L series in Kiowa. Nice tractor.

People don't understand the winds here until they live here! That blizzard last week almost blew us into New Mexico... I even had a ton of snow in the attic. It somehow worked its way into the roof vents on the north side. I decided then and there a cab was no longer optional.

 

[AxleHub]

I've been looking at this from the OPs perspective, as I always try to do. I don't why on earth anyone could possibly think a SCUT would be appropriate. My uses are smaller than his, but I went through the same logic. I wanted something that could plow snow, mow, and be general utility on my 25 acres. Now, I could 80% of the time get away with 25HP. But I determined that if I needed to pull a car, or plow big snow, run more efficient implements etc, 35HP was better. I also judged that I was making a once in a lifetime investment (20K on a tractor is one time for me), and it was worth spending a few extra K, spread over a few years, to make sure that I got a machine that would cover 95% of my possible needs. Now, if we get 10ft of snow, or a semi-truck gets stuck, I can't handle that. But that possibility is very far-fetched. My investment has ensured that I can handle almost every reasonable scenario that occurs around me. Some don't occur very often, but when they occur, I can handle them.

The same applies to the OP. He's not going to be plowing the road regularly unless he goes 75HP+. No need for that. But he doesn't want to spend 20+ thousand only to know that if it snows decently he has to rely on his neighbor to plow him out. Also, at 40HP, if he really needs the road clear, he can do it, might take a while, but can be done. There is nothing he mentioned that requires a smaller tractor, so I'm not sure why Axle is pushing his usual argument that all properties can be maintained with SCUTs.

Brand wise, LS is a solid brand. I really liked them, but the dealer by me is infamously bad, and at the point I was looking, Kioti was the better tractor. The XR series is very impressive IMO. You are correct in that Kioti offers a factory cab only at the NX4510 and up. The NX is also a good tractor, worth a look. I don't think 45HP is overkill at all in your situation, I would think that'd be about right actually. Not sure if it's turbocharged, that is definitely a plus at your elevation, very likely a deal-maker for the LS, as often those aren't available until 50HP or above. I don't know what the LS is priced at, but the NX4510HC with loader tends to run about 29K, IIRC.

Greetings Tony,

I was talking about scuts because initially Cobalt sky 's needs and desire list and finances fit with a scut. You might recall I also talked about Yanmar 324vand 424 product. But then he went ta numbet of dealers and his thoughts started tonchange.

Recently one of his selections he was considering was a Massey 1736 and with his needs changed I'd been supportive of choices like that.

My point is I don't try to automatically assume the needs of any op. I listen to their comments and plans first. As you recall . . the start of this thread included consideration of getying a used rider and then figure outbthe next step when they had a plan and he couldn't get a tractor and a mower . Nowvwere up to a 24,000 tractor instead of a 15,000 scut or a 50 hp tractor at ???

Did anyone ever read about a new born baby in this thread until 3 posts ago?

 

[paulfun9]

In my case, my worst case 1% scenario may have already happened. We had a wicked blizzard on Nov 17th and I was completely unprepared. During the blizzard overnight, my wife went into early labor (after being at the OB that very day, complete with ultrasound, and being told she probably had 2 weeks left). I could not get out of the driveway. I called 911 and informed them and they started talking me through home birth procedures. Over an hour passed and no one came. I was told they were trying to get to us. Eventually my wife couldn't hold back and I saw.... A FOOT! Our daughter had done a flip in the night! She started to push and soon I had half a baby, but contractions stopped and the other half was stuck. Just then a group of firemen showed up at the door. Their 4x4 had gotten stuck on our community road and they had walked in through the blizzard. Just as they came in, the delivery completed. Baby was blue and not responding. They administered O2 and other measures and finally she breathed and eventually cried. They were on radios and told us that 6 emergency vehicles were stuck trying to get to us. Another hour passed and another fire crew hiked in with more oxygen and supplies. My wife was bleeding pretty badly. I had called neighbors with skid steers to help, early on in the process, but no one had any luck getting a vehicle in here.

Finally they got word to a huge CDOT plow and were able to get him directed to the right place. He plowed out an ambulance and escorted it to our door, then escorted the ambulance and my SUV to clearer roads. We drove 20mph all the way to the hospital.

So, do I think having anything short of a monster tractor with chains and a cab and a plow or blower would have gotten us out that morning? No, not in that exact situation with the storm still raging and active labor counting down, and my presence as the only other adult in the house needing to be indoors, helping. But it does weigh heavily on my mind and in a certain less dire, less urgent situation I'd like to at least have a chance to punch our way out, without sacrificing some of the things a smaller framed tractor is good at, and without breaking the bank.

Thankfully everything worked out!

 

[TJP89]

Greetings Tony,

I was talking about scuts because initially Cobalt sky 's needs and desire list and finances fit with a scut. You might recall I also talked about Yanmar 324vand 424 product. But then he went ta numbet of dealers and his thoughts started tonchange.

Recently one of his selections he was considering was a Massey 1736 and with his needs changed I'd been supportive of choices like that.

My point is I don't try to automatically assume the needs of any op. I listen to their comments and plans first. As you recall . . the start of this thread included consideration of getying a used rider and then figure outbthe next step when they had a plan and he couldn't get a tractor and a mower . Nowvwere up to a 24,000 tractor instead of a 15,000 scut or a 50 hp tractor at ???

Did anyone ever read about a new born baby in this thread until 3 posts ago?

I see where you're coming from. I don't think the OP needs to go more than 40-45HP, and might be able to get away with 35. In snow I think it's more a matter of weight than sheer HP (Cab helps with weight too, if the OP needs another reason to go for one)

Cobalt, my price on the NX is based on a 32Kish price on a NX6010, and comparable prices on the 50s and 55s. Don't quote me on the 29K. My point is the 4510 is not going to be way out there, this is a free market you know! As someone said, looking at tractors is fun, and the NX is well worth at least a look. This isn't to knock the LS, great tractor, But I'm a firm believer in looking at all the options.

 

[CobaltSky]

Spoke to Kioti dealer. They quoted $32100 for NX4510 HST cab with SSQA FEL and a 72" rear blade, rim guard and delivery.
Removing the blade from the package takes off just $450 and they are motivated to sell it off the lot before they start paying for it in 2 months, so they said I would have a little room to deal, but not taking it down to LS XR4140 prices (although it is another extra 5hp tractor...)

So I'm considering a trip up there on Friday to test drive it and compare it to the others and see if it is an option.

Anyone have any tips on what I can be looking for as value added features or specs or quality on the Kioti?

 

[Fallon]

I got mine from the guys in Kiowa, nice guys. The economy (00, now 01) models are very different machines than the Grands (use to be 40, now 60 series). Grands have all the bells & whistles, not to mention nicer transmissions & more weight. Doesn't sound like you are going that way though.

Kioti has been around a while & was the OEM for Bobcat tractors until Bobcat stopped selling tractors a year or 3 ago. Traditionally they have been very high quality machines with beefy front axles & class leading lift capacities. My only reason for not looking at them harder if/when I upgrade my Kubota to a cabbed machine is I'm not sure I want as big of a machine as their smallest cabbed machine.

You checked out Legacy Tractor Sales & Service - New & Used Tractors & Packages For Sale - Colorado, Nebraska & Wyoming up in Ft. Collins? They sell TYM, LS & Kioti, so makes it easy to one stop shop. Haven't been up to the lot yet myself but did look at their 4000 series cabbed TYM & LS machines at the stock show. Liked the feel of the LS a bit more, but nothing to specific.

LS is the OEM for New Holland I think, pretty TYM was the OEM for another badge, maybe Maysey. At any rate all 3 have surprisingly good pedigrees & reputations.

 

[CobaltSky]

I got mine from the guys in Kiowa, nice guys. The economy (00, now 01) models are very different machines than the Grands (use to be 40, now 60 series). Grands have all the bells & whistles, not to mention nicer transmissions & more weight. Doesn't sound like you are going that way though.

Kioti has been around a while & was the OEM for Bobcat tractors until Bobcat stopped selling tractors a year or 3 ago. Traditionally they have been very high quality machines with beefy front axles & class leading lift capacities. My only reason for not looking at them harder if/when I upgrade my Kubota to a cabbed machine is I'm not sure I want as big of a machine as their smallest cabbed machine.

You checked out Legacy Tractor Sales & Service - New & Used Tractors & Packages For Sale - Colorado, Nebraska & Wyoming up in Ft. Collins? They sell TYM, LS & Kioti, so makes it easy to one stop shop. Haven't been up to the lot yet myself but did look at their 4000 series cabbed TYM & LS machines at the stock show. Liked the feel of the LS a bit more, but nothing to specific.

LS is the OEM for New Holland I think, pretty TYM was the OEM for another badge, maybe Maysey. At any rate all 3 have surprisingly good pedigrees & reputations.

Yes, LS is OEM for NH. My friend in Elizabeth on 5ac has a NH 1725, wishes he had a cab.
Haven't been to Legacy in Ft. Collins, but I did request a comp quote from them on the LS I looked at in Penrose. Legacy was higher $, and further away.

 

[grm61]

The first time you shut that cab door when its 21 degrees and snowing sideways, take your coat off, and a big sip off your favorite beverage, dial up some of your favorite music, and get down to work, you will NEVER wonder if you should have spent the extra money for a factory cab. It sucks though when ya gotta pee, its cold out there :shocked:

 

[airbiscuit]

So I'm considering a trip up there on Friday to test drive it and compare it to the others and see if it is an option.

Anyone have any tips on what I can be looking for as value added features or specs or quality on the Kioti?

Did you get a chance to look at this?

New Kioti NX451 hst walk around from Barrett's Equipment - YouTube

I think it will come with telescoping links and stabilizers, fixed drawbar, lots of gizmos on their cruise, pretty good hydraulic flow. I think it will be good to look it over good and do a good test drive, to see how you like the "feel"

Did I mention that it is fun to go looking at tractors? Plus you notice different things each time. For example, how do you like their bucket level indicator?

 

[Tompet]

Thanks Fallon.

I did test drive an L series in Kiowa. Nice tractor.

People don't understand the winds here until they live here! That blizzard last week almost blew us into New Mexico... I even had a ton of snow in the attic. It somehow worked its way into the roof vents on the north side. I decided then and there a cab was no longer optional.

I came back to this thread and see your considerations have really changed. Good for you. Upgrading later is more costly though the bigger cost now will make you pause...for a moment.

I've suggested to people in the past the more you look, within reason, you do notice more details important to your decision like Airbiscuit just wrote. Anyway, you are narrowing down your choice as your knowledge of various models broadens. It will be interesting to see your final choice.
It is windy in parts of the West, snow blown into attic...a cab would sound good