Buying Advice What to look for, where to look....

[deniedforbenf]

Good Evening.

I am looking for a tractor, but there are soooooo many to choose from I don't even know where to start.
New? Used? I don't know.
What models?
What brands?
My brain is full.

Building a home on 15 acres. No trees. Pretty flat - kansas. Would want at least a 6' deck to mow (I think). But would I want to pull it, have it center body, in front - I don't know. I will also have a 300ft driveway at the end of a road which I'm told will be the dead last to be plowed, in the winter.

So I guess big for me is mow - at least 6 ft. deck. Plow snow in the winter if needed - or pull a snow blower? push a snow blower?
I'll probably have a small garden in the future
I'll probably have a small hopyard in the future
I"ll probably have a small vineyard in the future
I'll probably have a small orchard in the future
As these "probablies" happen - the mowing yard will obviously decrease.

Don't even know where to begin looking..... Drop 25k and have it last me the next 40 years? Look and look and look till I find a good used one for $___. I don't know. Not sure I can afford new.
I was an airplane mechanic in a past life. If I can get a manual for the tractor I would feel comfortable doing some work on it - more so if it was older and simpler than some new fangled thing with computers and such, or what not...

Thanks for any advice.

 

[rScotty]

This is a good time for tractors. All of the major brands are good - and offhand I can't think of a single model to stay away from. As I'm sure you know, resale is best for the most popular makes. Right now I'd say the most popular ones are John Deere and Kubota. But close on their heels are about a dozen other makes - less expensive - and all darn good.
Lots of folks buy based on their being a local dealer whose service makes them feel comfortable. Of course as a former mechanic you can do your own maintenance and that gives you even more choices. Parts and manuals are reasonably available, but you'll probably have to order both online once you move away from the most popular brands serviced by local dealers.

When I was young I didn't have much money so I bought used tractors and implements. Now I'm older and tend to buy new. But frankly the tractors themselves haven't changed all that much. Buying new is popular today, and theused tractor market is not nearly as active as it once was.

We don't know how long a tractor will last. Attachments tend to be universal and tractor technology doesn't change very quickly. There are a fair amount of 40 year old tractors still working and running pretty much as they always have. Frankly, leaving a tractor out in the weather for a few decades probably puts more wear on them than working does. Even parked in the weather, it would be the rare 20 year old tractor that needed more than brakes, battery, a seat cover, and a few rubber parts - and it probably works just fine in spite of those things.... So even looking at the used market conservatively, buying a twenty year old tractor with 2000 hours on it should give you at least 20 more years to use it with minimal maintenance - probably more than that if it has been parked in any kind of shelter and maintained at least occasionally.
The other side of that coin is that new ones are expensive and older ones tend to hold their value. On the used market - since they all work more of less the same - it is the appearance, options, and included implements that tend to determine the asking price.
An interesting shift in the tractor market locally is that most dealers don't have as many used machines as new ones on their lot. Locally I've noticed that dealerships are mostly showing new tractors. When I was at the dealerships last week I couldn't help noticing that they don't seem to be selling used ones at all. I've no idea why that is..... or maybe it is just the way our local market is working. But it's different.
Enjoy the search,
rScotty

 

[Monster5601]

Just to give you an idea of what folks around me use for the type of chores you listed, a tractor sized somewhere around the Kubota B2650 is popular. It is offered in a cabbed model with heat/air, the older folks like this option (around me that is), I still prefer open station but I don't use the tractor for snow removal.

The B2650 and like horsepower tractors fall below the horsepower limit before you get into diesel emissions. I think most have worked out the issues with the emissions system but the cost of the emissions still kicks up the price around 3K.

Popular options;
loaded tires
Tire chains (ice issues)
60" Bush Hog
60" finish mower
Box blade or Land Plane
4x4
Hydrostatic drive

As far as new versus used, most manufacturers offer 60 months same as cash (0%) plus a full warranty, none of this comes with used and used tractors are typically on the scarce side but I'm sure that is regional.

As far as a brand name and a dealer, rScotty nailed it, "folks buy based on a local dealer who makes them feel comfortable". When I first came here looking for advice, it was the first advise the forum gave me, it was best advise too. After eight years of tractoring, it has paid off over and over.

 

[jeff9366]

I am looking for a tractor, but there are soooooo many to choose from I don't know where to start.

Building a home on 15 acres. No trees. Pretty flat - Kansas.

Would want at least a 6' deck to mow (I think).

I will have a 300ft driveway at the end of a road which I'm told will be the dead last to be plowed, in the winter.

So I guess big for me is mow - at least 6 ft. deck. Plow snow in the winter if needed - or pull a snow blower? push a snow blower?

To operate a six foot Bush Hog, you will need a tractor of 45-horsepower gross. If you want to mount a wider Bush Hog, or cut unusually long grass, you need more horsepower. Tractors in 45-horsepower to 60-horsepower range weigh 4,000 pounds bare and are about 66" wide.

A wider mower will preserve your time for other tasks and be somewhat more fuel efficient per acre cut.


In Kubota that would be the standard L4701, heavier, spartan MX series or the de Luxe four cylinder 'Grand L' series.

L4701 would do fine for a 6' (possibly 7') mower but I find the operating station cramped sitting on standard L models at my Kubota dealer. I spend a lot of time on my spacious Grand L - L3560, so L4701 ruled out for me on accomodation basis. L4701 may accommodate you comfortably.

Heavier tractors are more stable and more capable. What width mower you decide to buy should influence whether L4701 is enough tractor or whether you should purchase a heavier model. Bush Hogs are heavy and they protrude far to the rear, that 'hog weight wants to lift the front of the tractor, especially when mowing up a slope.

In my opinion the MX and four cylinder Grand Ls share the same chassis. However, kit is entirely different; MX minimal, Grand L maximal. Having owned two spartan tractors before a three cylinder Grand L3560, my Grand L money was well spent.

If in doubt after getting many opinions here, buy the one increment heavier tractor.

(There are many good tractor brands. I have purchased two new Kubotas in seven years from my excellent Kubota dealer six miles away, so Kubota is the brand I am familiar with.)

Consider tractor storage dimensions before entering too far into selection process. New tractors are prone to theft.


Kubota Web Site:

L4701: http://www.kubota.com/product/L3301/L3301.aspx

MX: http://www.kubota.com/product/MX4800/MX4800.aspx

GRAND L: http://www.kubota.com/product/LSeries/L60.aspx

 

[jeff9366]

Consider this brilliant advice:

Jeff is hitting on all 4 cylinders with his advice. Only thing I might ad is two or three donkeys will lower by a HUGE amount how much you'll need to bush hog. Those guys mow all day long.

Man, with the burros I would think about a cheap Kubota L2501 with the no EPA engine, and a nice 5 foot cutter. For just a cheap cut-some-grass machine that is hard to beat. If your really going to use the loader for lots of work might go up to the MX with more HP and hydro.

L2501 (2) : http://www.kubota.com/product/LSeries/L2501.aspx
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...523-warning-those-considering-gear-drive.html

L2501/HST ample for:
I'll probably have a small garden in the future
I'll probably have a small hopyard in the future
I"ll probably have a small vineyard in the future
I'll probably have a small orchard in the future

 

[jeff9366]

Someone help deniedforbenf with topic SNOW ~~~~~~~~

 

[rScotty]

"The B2650 and like horsepower tractors fall below the horsepower limit before you get into diesel emissions. I think most have worked out the issues with the emissions system but the cost of the emissions still kicks up the price around 3K."

Just a note here from an old-timer..... I think these modern low emission systems are working out pretty good. They did raise the price of the tractors, but all and all I think it's a good change. Along with the emissions we got some real increases in efficiency and longevity which should lower the pain of the higher price.

So if the tractor you want has the new emissions control systems just pony up and don't hold it against the new tractors. We're actually getting our money's worth with these new mods and add-on systems ..... even if it was forced down our throats by over-enthusiastic gov't regs.
rScotty
rScotty

 

[deniedforbenf]

To operate a six foot Bush Hog, you will need a tractor of 45-horsepower gross.


...but I find the operating station cramped sitting on standard L models at my Kubota dealer. I spend a lot of time on my spacious Grand L - L3560, so L4701 ruled out for me on accomodation basis. L4701 may accommodate you comfortably.

Grand L maximal.

Consider tractor storage dimensions before entering too far into selection process. New tractors are prone to theft.

Thank you for the reply....
So I'm looking for something with 45+ horsepower gross
Operating Station cramped - I'm 6'3" around 250 - don't know how I'll fit exactly then...
I assume it'll go in the third car garage to begin - before the outbuilding is built.

So based on some of what Scotty said "So even looking at the used market conservatively, buying a twenty year old tractor with 2000 hours on it should give you at least 20 more years to use it with minimal maintenance"

I could look at a 1998-2000 model
look for local dealers
look for 45 hp
cross compare and see what pops up?
then look for the attachments I'd want.

Is that the normal route?

thanks again for the help.

and for snow?

 

[jeff9366]

So I'm looking for something with 45+ horsepower gross
Operating Station cramped - I'm 6'3" around 250 - don't know how I'll fit exactly then...

The chassis common to Kubota L4060/L4760/L5060/L5460/L6060, (and preceding Grand L models) same chassis shared with the Kubota MX series, provides an operating station that is unusually spacious. I am 6'0" tall, 215 pounds. I have seat adjusted half way back. You will be comfortable operating any of above, new or "previously owned." Plenty of head room, that is for sure.


The standard Ls have a somewhat snug operating station.


Time for you to sit on some competing tractor brands. I would visit following dealers, closest to your property first: Kubota, Deere, Massey Ferguson, LS, Kioti, New Holland and Mahindra. Forget any brand without representation within forty miles.




Here are eleven used tractors for sale near Zip Code 66101: -Garden in Industrial Tractors | eBay

Here are completed sales, to give you an idea of actual market prices: Tractors | eBay
(Note: many are "RESERVE NOT MET")

 

[Deere Dude]

Thank you for the reply....
So I'm looking for something with 45+ horsepower gross
Operating Station cramped - I'm 6'3" around 250 - don't know how I'll fit exactly then...
I assume it'll go in the third car garage to begin - before the outbuilding is built.

So based on some of what Scotty said "So even looking at the used market conservatively, buying a twenty year old tractor with 2000 hours on it should give you at least 20 more years to use it with minimal maintenance"

I could look at a 1998-2000 model
look for local dealers
look for 45 hp
cross compare and see what pops up?
then look for the attachments I'd want.

Is that the normal route?

thanks again for the help.

and for snow?

I bought a 45HP JD 3720 in 2010 without really checking many other brands. I did check blue ones at the beginning but I did not know what to even look for so he kind of brushed me off. I didn't know if I wanted a 20 hp or a 50 hp but I just wanted one about that big, and pointed to one. He gave me a general price then I moved on.

I am 6'3 and 270 and the 3720 fits great. It is well thought out ergonomically and great operating. I don't regret it. It was built a year or so before tractors needed to regenerate at times, and some people have had nightmares dealing problems with this.

Dealerships can make or break a decision to buy a model or brand. Just be patient and inquisitive.

How many acres will be bush hogged and how much finish mowing?