Buying Advice About to pull my hair out.......

[MessickFarmEqu]

in this process, you'll find its far more important to choose the right dealer before the right tractor. Let a good salesmen help access your needs and focus in on the right model. Right now, it looks like you have little idea what you really need.

For what its worth, be ready that none of those tractors will preform like the B26 you rented.

 

[Sixty4nHalf]

in this process, you'll find its far more important to choose the right dealer before the right tractor. Let a good salesmen help access your needs and focus in on the right model. Right now, it looks like you have little idea what you really need.

For what its worth, be ready that none of those tractors will preform like the B26 you rented.

Yes I understand that these are not like the B26 as it is a whole different class being it is a TLB series, and you are 100% correct about finding the right dealer. I am not new to the tractor industry, I learned how to drive on a yellow 500 (I believe) series Ford back-hoe, Ford farm tractor, an Oliver Bulldozer, and Ford & International dump trucks, even drove a mid-articulating Dyna-Hoe. I am trying to find something that will work for me that won't be too small after the first month of use. I do have some idea, but a lot has changed in the past 20 or so years! I have watched quite a few of your video's on YouTube.

 

[DanHen]

Look at the specs, the B-26 is a whole different animal. It's more of a construction piece than an Ag tractor. I did the exact same as you, rented a B-26 for projects around my 5 acres and realized how much I needed one. 6 years later I have a new L-47 in my barn. The FEL capacity on the TLB's is nearly double but it is not removable. Could be a factor in lifting things like a skid of wood pellets in the winter, I didn't want to have to unload half by hand... The hoe is longer and stronger but can be removed for implements. I looked at Mahindra and Deere as well, only saw 3 point hoes which was a deal breaker for me. If I remember right, the 4wd system is heavier and the ground clearance is higher than comparable models too. It'll definitely make you pull your hair out (I'm bald after 6 years...) but list your needs and look at your budget. Consider future projects too, I have 6 acres of scrub to clear and that was a factor in getting the bigger model.

 

[WVH1977]

I live on 6 acres currently with another 16 acre lot I just bought. I have a 40 hp tractor and would not even consider going less than that. The clearance, size, and weight will come in handy when handling logs. I would suggest you get at a minimum 40 hp size tractor with a grapple bucket for handling the logs. The Kubota TLB's are really nice machines but expensive. Having a backhoe is also nice but expect to pay another $ 8,000 with your purchase.

Like others have stated, take your time looking and operate as many tractors as possible to find the one that fits you best. I have an older New Holland TC40 and it is a great machine, however I would shy away from that New Holland Boomer 37. There is a reason it is on sale and been setting at the dealership for so long. I looked at a 37 a couple of years ago and was not impressed at all with the tractor (just my opinion). The dealer really wanted it gone.

 

[hawkeye08]

There are many variables and it is easy to forget when you are on a tractor and it just feels so right..

Make of a list of must haves and must nots, along with nice to have.

Check the list on each tractor, don't compromise on the must have items. There is plenty of things to compromise on otherwise.

Budget is usually a hard line (it was for us, we wanted the Kubota L series after some time with smaller ones, due to budget, we got the bottom of the series (L3130), but it was the size we needed and I seldom need more power). We wanted a cab, but is was a nice to have, not a requirement. you get the picture..

Make sure to count the costs also, some deals come with stuff, others don't. What implements are must have, what are nice to have?

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Sixty, I would strongly encourage you to go talk to Drew a Townline in Plainfield. I'm in Meredith and drive an extra hour over MB-Tilton. Truly the best dealer I've found.

You are correct, the Deere place is horrible and MB is a close second-worst. I've only had limited dealings with Chappell.

There just aren't any good Mahindra, LS, or Kioti dealers in the area (not that I'd buy a Mahindra with stolen money unless from Dave...in California).

I also a believe that you should put a ton of weight on the best dealer. My last tractor was from MB and was so disappointed/frustrated by them I went looking for a better dealer. Time after time I have been impressed with Townline's sales, service, and parts. I am not a gusher or easy to please.


:2cents:

 

[rScotty]

Since you and your wife both liked the B26 so much, why take a chance on something else? The B26 is extremely popular for good reasons, so if you buy one you can always resell it if you decide to go bigger. In the meanwhile, you will have a tractor that is maintaining its value. If I were you, I'd change my search form the hair pulling form it's in now...into a search for a good low hour used B26. You still get the fun of the search, but it is a simpler search, and one where dealers can do most of the work, and it's for a machine that you already know something about Otherwise you are sort of searching in the dark. We don't know anything about those other tractors, but we do know what you used and liked.

Tractors are a pretty nifty investment. Yes, they are expensive....but think of it as an investment. Admittedly so far tractors haven't gone up in value, but there's always a chance . And the payback is awesome, you already experienced that. It's nice that the popular models do maintain value pretty well. And compared with cars, tractors don't have near the extra expenses. They are perfectly happy kept outdoors with a tarp over the seat, they don't need annual licenses or inspections, and they can be insured for a nominal fee or none at all under your homeowner's insurance policy.

IN summary, I'd go find a good used B26 and be done. It may not be what you end up with in a few years....but then again it might. And you already know that you both like that machine. That's a lot of advantages.
rScotty

 

[edgarrian]

You could browse the used market a bit more but I think you will find that the prices for used can be a tad high when comparing to new prices. Certainly how it was when I was looking. I had started my research of tractors about a 8 months out before buying. We were building a home on an 8 acre wooded lot in the country so I had plenty of time to do research. Im a little like you where a snow blower would be nice but they are pricey. I live in indiana so its not a must have but if i lived in NH I might change my mind. It doesn't take long before you everything adds up and you find urself spending a bit more than perhaps you had thought. I purchased a few implements at first then another about two months into ownership. I was fortunate enough the dealer let me get that same pricing when I initially bought the tractor. So far the dealer has been good but I also havent had any issues. I have heard they are good so hopefully I don't need to find out. Keep in mind you will always read about bad experiences on any of the brands. I feel for the guys who have basically bought lemons as you will see those cases on the site. At times those instances can be due to operator but who knows. I grew up on a farm and have ran heavy machinery a lot. When dealing with trees just be careful as to not spring the loader.

 

[mables357]

I bought a new massey 2610 bucket and back hoe. wish I had bought a good used big backhoe now. them little hoes wont pull nothing out of the ground. at least you got hair to pull.

 

[Sixty4nHalf]

Well all, lots of good information that you all have supplied, there has been lots to chew on and ponder, visited many dealerships since some many times over, looking at countless options and ways to go, looking at the different sizes and abilities, While each one we looked at all had their own pro's and cons they were equally awesome machines and no mater which one we choose it will be better than using a shovel and wheelbarrow to get our stuff done around the house and yard. We and by "we" I mean me, was torn between 2 tractors....... New Holland Boomer 33 and the Mahindra 1533. My last trip to the dealerships I brought my 4 year old son with me, we both test drove them and on the way home I asked him which one he liked better (I'll say what he said toward the end). Yesterday and today my wife and I visited the 2 dealerships that had the tractors we wanted, and was talking financial options, both offer 0% for 84 months, which will keep the payments lower, can make additional payments if we wanted to. I asked a bunch of questions and I feel that they were answered with true honesty. I asked about the warranty and service calls if needed. So when asking my 4 year old which one he liked, (he had the choice of Blue, Orange, Red, or Green) he answered "Daddy I think we should get the Red one"...... so with that said we decided on the 2017 Mahindra 1533 Shuttle shift, equipped with the 1538L loader and bucket, 1538B back-hoe w/ mech thumb, 5' SD box scrapper, & 2300# Skid Steer forks. Got a $100 test drive discount, $1000 in multiple implements discount, and a $200 military discount. Now this morning I was still contemplating the Boomer 33 but when given the price I was kinda turned off. IF money was no object then I think I might have gotten the Boomer for me and a Mahindra for him. But unfortunately that is not the case. now looking forward to the delivery so I can continue working my projects. Once again, Thanks to everyone!!! I do appreciate it.