Buying Advice The new guys first post who knows nothing about tractors....

[Rmally]

Well.....I just bought my first piece of land, a very nice 21 acre parcel that we will soon begin building on. I have never owned more than 1 acre in my life (or lived on any) and so my need for a tractor will be imminent. I just have a few quick questions regarding the future tractor.

I'm not going to ask the "best buy" as so many people like different brands that it's often hard to narrow that down. I did want to ask about the trailer I would need for a tractor (I'm planning on a 35-40 HP tractor). I've noticed a lot of dealers offer trailers in a package buy (usually 7x16) is that size fine for hauling the tractor around or do I need bigger. I would only plan to haul for service issues otherwise the tractor will stay on the land.

My primary use of the tractor will simply be to bush hog, I will finish mow about 1 acre and bush the rest so will a 72" make a huge difference over a 60" in terms of time.

Finally the cab....is it worth the extra cost and can they be added later if you buy one that's cab free.

I'm sure I'm in for a rude awaking having this much land, but the views, the privacy, the elbow room etc will certainly be worth all the extra work. Also one day maybe the kids will move out to our land and throw up a house.

Thanks,

PS.....The three tractors I've looked at so far but only in the looking stage have been:

1. JD 3038e
2. Kubota L3901
3. RK 37S

I haven't driven any yet and there are still a few more to compare. This Forum is fantastic for getting reviews and owners perspectives.

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

There are just a few more initial questions before we can help you spend your money (we're quite good at that! :thumbsup

1. Is the terrain fairly flat, hilly or a mixture.
2. Generally speaking, where in the world is this piece of land... this will assist in advising a cab or not.
3. Are there a lot of trees that you'll be dealing with... again, the cab question.
4. Where are you going to 'keep' the tractor... indoors or out?

Enjoy the site.

 

[Rmally]

Thanks for the welcome!

We are in beautiful East Tennessee, the land is a mixture....flat at the top and gently rolls downward. The trees are only on the perimeter of the property, so basically if I want trees near my house I will have to plant them. I shouldn't have to deal with any clearing but will need to maintain a crush and run driveway.

In terms of storing the tractor it will be in a shed or metal building. I'm currently looking at metal pole barns, lean to sheds and the like.

 

[oosik]

Welcome to TBN.

Will you have a driveway to maintain.

Will you need to plow snow.

If your only use for a trailer is to take the tractor in for service - consider having the dealer transport the tractor. I've had two tractors in the 38 years out here. Only had to have dealer service twice. One time the dealer came here for the service call - one time the dealer transported the tractor for service. 38 years - $400 dollars for transportation.

A list of what you will be doing with the tractor will dictate what implements you should consider purchasing. It will also determine how you want/need the tractor outfitted.

A carport/shed/barn where the tractor can be stored out of the sun will pay for itself in the long run. The UV rays from the sun can damage/ruin all rubber parts on your tractor. Won't do the plastic parts any good either. Even a big tarp is better than exposure to direct sun. The tires will receive the greatest amount of damage.

The size of a tractor will, more or less, dictate the most efficient size of bush hog to use. Also the size/type of most other implements.

I did research for two years prior to upgrading to my current tractor. Time, patience, research will get you the most suitable tractor.

Sit on each unit under final consideration. How does it "fit". How do the controls feel - do they "come to hand" easily.

Remember a properly maintained tractor can last a lifetime. I had my first tractor from brand new in 1982 until traded in 2009. It was still in excellent shape when traded and I received $1000 more as a trade in than I initially paid as a new unit.

 

[Doc Tombstone]

I bought a new tractor last fall, have about the same amount of land as you, had an old Ford I was limping along with.
I narrowed it down to either an LS or a Kubota, I ended up with the Kubota, mostly because of dealer proximity and hearing good things about the dealer, the LS had more bells and whistles for the same money.
The wife actually tried to talk me into a cab, I like being outdoors and even though I am in Montana and plow snow I knew I would dislike the cab for 9 months of the year.
I also have a lot of trees which can be tricky with a cab.
If you like being outdoors in your climate go open station, you did say "beautiful East Tennessee". If its humid all year and full of ticks and chiggers that may be a different story.
I did get a canopy and like it a lot.

 

[CMV]

A lot of the trailers offered in package deals you see are iffy. I'm sure some people are bundling good trailers, but lots are bare minimum. I borrow a friend's that came with his package deal since it's a dovetail and rated for more weight than mine. He used it to take tractor home from dealer, and maybe a few other times here & there. Doubt it has seen 1000 miles and never abused. It's already in way worse shape than mine which I frequently load to max weight & probably has 4k miles.

Unless you know you will need to move the tractor from A-B frequently, I wouldn't get a trailer just for the tractor. Dealer will bring it to you on a rollback, or like you saw, can get a package deal. That could influence you purchase decision a lot. A nearby dealer who will come get it for free or very low cost would be a strong point if you didn't want to maintain a trailer just for the infrequent service trips. But you will probably have lots of other uses for one, so I'd buy the trailer you need for what you primarily need it for & just make sure it can handle the tractor too. Unless you do need to work somewhere else, you're not dragging all your "stuff" along with it. Many can easily leave the loader at home too, so you could get by with a relatively small one (not a Lowe's or HD utility type, but not a full blown equipment trailer either).

Everyone makes a 35-40HP utility tractor, so you will have lots of choices. Continue visiting dealers and just compare different features to find out what you'd want on yours or what you wouldn't want to pay extra to have. They're all more similar than different..... You very well could find Tractor A, B, or C would be just fine for your needs, they cost roughly the same, and have roughly the same specs and features. But one dealer was a lot better to deal with - that will make the difference since it will eventually need service, a part, a new attachment,.....

Cab is a big initial expense. Lots of factors to consider beyond much larger price tag. If you think you want one, you want to get it that way from the factory. There are soft types you can add-on later but not the same.

Storing under cover is ideal, but it can sit outside. You wouldn't have to worry about the pole barn or whatever on day 1. Choosing cab vs open station will be a factor for parking.

 

[metalbender]

Being fairly new here myself, guess I can still welcome you. Just moved to a property last fall. Was looking at new tractors and after the sale of my city house, I ran to the Massey dealer to purchaae a 1742 cab tractor. Didn't even test drive, just felt good. Right size for snow blower, bush hog, verge mower, land plane and hyd angle ft blade. Maintain a half mile lane to the highway. If you have a Massey dealer close, worth a look. Highly recommend a cab model for ac and heat. Also great for keeping wasps and dust out in summer. Good luck in your search, you'll get lots of help to spend your money from the members here.

 

[jeff9366]

A cab on a new tractor is about $7,000 more than an open station tractor.

If you want a factory cab after purchase you sell the open station tractor and apply the proceeds towards a new tractor with a factory cab.

An inside stored cab tractor will require a quite tall door.

Kubota standard L tractors, such as L3901, are not available with factory cabs.
Kubota 'Grand L' models, such as the L3560, are available with excellent cabs.
A cab model L3560 has an entry height of 92" (+/-), depending on tire selection.

VIDEOS: Kubota Standard L-Series. L251 L331 L391 L471 features and operation. - YouTube

Kubota Standard L Series VS. Grand L Series - YouTube

Kubota HST Plus Transmission Features - YouTube

We are in beautiful East Tennessee, the land is a mixture....flat at the top and gently rolls downward.

Tractor neophytes are usually surprised how unstable tractors are on slopes. Instability is rooted in small front wheels and large rear wheels. Discuss with your sales persons how difficult it is to increase tractor rear wheel spread to increase tractor stability on slopes. This varies considerably between tractor models.

 

[jeff9366]

If your only use for a trailer is to take the tractor in for service - consider having the dealer transport the tractor.

Good advice.

A 35-horsepower to 45-horsepower cab tractor with options is pretty heavy. You probably will not be towing tractor loaded trailer safely with a standard pickup truck.

A quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important for tractor neophytes. Most new tractors are delivered with a glitch or two requiring correction. My Kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment after seven years. Dealer proximity is less important for those experienced with tractors and qualified to perform their own maintenance.

VIDEO: "How To" Operate and Drive a Tractor: Part 1 - YouTube

YEAH, some coaching is valuable.

 

[wcampbell47]

I am a happy L3901 owner for full disclosure. For a first time tractor owner go with HST vs gear. Be sure you get a FEL. It is easily detached if not needed. Land plane for sure to maintain a driveway of any length. My L39 pulls a 72" Rhino just as easily as it does a 60". A rounded leading edge mower will help keep you from hanging up in fences. 4 wheel drive will push the FEL into material so much better than 2 WD. An option that I should have purchased is the quick attach for the FEL. Pallet forks are so very handy. Quick attach for the rear as well will save you time and your back. If you are going to do any gardening you will want a tiller. When buying the tractor ask the dealer if any attachments you buy at the same time will go onto the 0% finance plan. Could play into whether to buy implements then or later.