Newbie: a deer in the headlights

[RNeumann]

Purchasing a USA tractor does make sense. Most folks have country pride and would like to do the same. It's just not reality right now. Google Mahindra, Yanmar, Kubota, JD and others and find the "plants" where the machines are made. Find the source for the steel, tires, loaders and chassis. The results will shock you. I know a lot of the JD SCUTs were Yanmar tractors and a lot of the motors still are.
It's like saying I want an American car and realizing the "most" American car isn't one of the big 3 at this point.
Your last comment is far different than your first. Based on the "new" criteria I'd start with something from about 50 years ago or call a machinist.
This will break a lot of hearts-
The 216 Cars.com American-Made Index

 

[cford36]

I know that ALL tractors are made from parts sourced all over the world. It just kills me that I can't get a real US made with US parts tractors. That being said, I want to get as close to US as possible.

Does this make sense?

I understand completely, however, that may be easier said than done.

A quick Google search leads me to believe as early as 2005 a large portion of John Deere smaller tractors are made in India. (Large stuff still in the US) But you may need to do some research to figure this out. Good luck.

 

[Joemac8]

The new 2032R is supposedly a completely JD redesign for 2017. While it still has a Japanese motor and who knows what else, it is assembled in the USA and a U.S. corporation makes the profit. I would rather support a company that puts paychecks in the pockets of US workers.

No, I'm not wealthy. I'm a retired P.O., I could certainly get more bang for my buck with a Korean tractor. I could also buy a KIA or a Hundai automobile, but I buy Chevrolet. This country has given me a wonderful life. I appreciate that fact and in my own way, give something back whenever I can, even at the price of paying more

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

So in my area I found Mahindra 1533 to be the best bang for the buck out of Case, NH, Deere and Kubota.

1. Mahindra 1533
2. Deere 3038E
3. Kubota L3701
4. Case and NH (CNH) were tied, way over priced.

As people has mentioned, non of the tractors are made here, lots have assembly plants here, Kubota has a big one in Georgia I believe ext.

I was about to sign for a brand new 1533 with a 5ft land plane, 6ft rear blade, FEL and Pallet forks for 23k.

I ended up buying an 05 4320 for around the same money, here's why I needed a bigger tractor on 3 acres.

I also figured up that I put around 3h a month on my tractor, so I have roughly 155 years left before she's wore out lol, that's at 6k hours, she could go past 9k hours with proper maintenance, I'm 26 years old, my grandkids could get my tractor lol.

That being said I'm super glad I got the tractor I got, it's not too big at all, actually I wouldn't mind a 55hp tractor to run a proper round bailer. I could run a 4x5 round bailer but just barely, but I like all the options a big tractor has to offer.

Due to FEL lift capacity (round bales weigh 700-1500lbs), I needed to be in the 3 series (30-40hp) range. That bale in the pic was over 1000lbs and I was glad I didn't have a smaller tractor to handle it with. It was so heavy my 400 loader couldn't curl it at ground level, I had to lift it 3-4ft to get it to fully curl.

I started a thread on here asking the question of which brand of tractor is best, mainly to argue with the people who bleed green and orange who think anything else is junk, all those guys that bled colors on other threads agreed that the best brand is the tractor your excited to own and will fully maintenance.

So like others have said, if you want a green tractor, get one, take pride in it, keep it clean, greased and oils changed in it and I'm sure you will be passing it on.

I will be honest, I don't like the E series tractors, I barely liked the non grand L tractors, I like Mahindra tractors and I really like the higher class tractors like Case, Grand L, R series ext but those are thousands more than the "Economy" series tractors.

I have farmers in my family, 3-4 generations and on that side they have mainly Case IH, my grandpa likes Deere and my dad has always had a JD445. I asked the farmers in the family what brand should I buy? They told me to buy the tractor that's easiest to get parts for because they all break down.

So I'm excited to have a Deere in my barn, I love the local Deere dealer (even know there parts price are jaw dropping sometimes) but they have a good service department. I guess I would get more excited about Deere and Case because they have more Heritage in my family, nothing more.

BTW my tractor was built in Augusta Georgia, I was surprised to find that, I was told 75hp and under JD tractors was made out of the states, India I believe. Big stuff is made here.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Also if you end up with the 2 series, if it was my tractor, I would get turf tires, 72in belly deck instead of the bush hog and pallet forks.

My set up is a 6ft rear blade, forks up front and I have never mounted the bucket, it's just chilling in the barn.

Being the 2 series is 4x4 with deff lock, turfs would suit me just fine, I thought about getting turfs for my 4320 but they take a diff rim. Turfs are better in the snow, R4s are crap in the mud so there wouldn't really be a loss there and turfs are obviously better on the lawn. Unless your running over small trees, I would prefer a 2000 rpm mid mount mower over a hard to maneuver rear mower.

I like the 2 series a lot, small enough to mow with, large enough to get some tractor work done, the R series are fitted with a beefier FEL also.

 

[TripleR]

Decide how important a good dealer/shop is to you, find who has what and go from there. We've owned new Case, John Deere, Massey Ferguson, Kioti and Kubota. LS dealer hates shop work and especially warranty work, Kioti has poor shop and inventory, so since I'm not a mechanic, MF, Case, Kioti, LS and Mahindra are a no go.

Between the Kubota and JD in the size mentioned, it would be the B2650. In the deluxe models of Kubota and JD, either will make me a happy guy.

 

[Joemac8]

I have two local dealers, John Deere and Kubota. Anyone else is at least 65 miles away.

Turf tires you say?

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I have two local dealers, John Deere and Kubota. Anyone else is at least 65 miles away.

Turf tires you say?

R4s are better at puncture resistance and have stiffer side walls so they can handle a load better on the FEL but with my experience and if I was ordering a new tractor yes, I would order the widest turf tires I could get under the tractor.

My dads 445 has I believe 4 ply turf saver Titans on it, both him and myself have mowed thickets 6-7ft tall, last year I mowed down a thicket of black raspberry bushes, idk I would say 1/4 acre on the side of a steep hill, the mid mount mower handled it with ease cutting small trees about the size of your thumb and the tires still hold air.

This is just one example of many which is why I would chose the mid mount deck over the bush hog, I see more benefits of a mid mount finish mower that can still handle thickets with the deck up high. With the R series JD it already has the Mid PTO.

Also that 445 has the wide rear tires, I have had that tractor in sloppy mud on the same steep slope by accident, thought I was buried but was able to get out eventually with the deff lock, it's 2wd. Now granted the R4 tires look cooler but I would like to do what I needed without marking up the grass like I do now. R4s are absolutely horrible in sloppy mud and snow.

So lots of FEL work and terrain that has sharp rocks I would go with R4s, rolling on the lawn, mowing grass and driving in the woods in dry conditions, I would go turfs, in muddy conditions with little driving on the lawn, I would go R1s. Also you can add chains to all the above for more traction.

Just my 2 cents based off my experience and usage (3 acres, all mowed, FEL work feeding round bales to cattle).

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Also remember the rule of thumb on Rotary cutters is 5hp per ft. Bailers are usually 25-90hp at the PTO for square bailers, round bailers are 45-120hp at the PTO.

You can get away with less but generally it's just a good guideline to go by.

Ground engagement attachments are more based on tire size and weight.

 

[Joemac8]

John, and all. I just got home and showed the brochures to the Warden. She thinks the 2032 is too small and wants me to look at the 3 series JD or L series Kubota. As I mentioned earlier, the daughter will eventually end up with the tractor for her horses. It will need to be strong enough to make square bales. 25hp at the PTO will be minimum. The JD 3025E is just not enough hp so it will have to be something with a larger motor.

Thanks for the replies and the opinions, all help.