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

[houska]

Welcome Rmally. I'm brand new here too - see my own request for newbie advice thread here.

Lots of experienced and helpful people here will chime in. Rather than answers, let me suggest some questions to ask yourself.

• What *other* uses will you want? You've mentioned bush hogging as primary, but what else? If you're not sure, think about how you imagine yourself using your 21 acres (after you've built). Are you a mow-once-a-week-and-then-kick-back-with-a-beer kind of guy? Or will you want to put in a garden/foodplot? Or prepare several cords of firewood a year to use in the winter? Will you want to steadily improve the land in some way or is it minimal maintenance only?
• You mention you will build soon. Are you outsourcing that to a builder (and your tractor will be safely parked far away), or are you doing some of it yourself? A tractor can help in a myriad ways in land clearing and even building, especially if getting in more specialized equipment is a hassle due to remoteness.
• How much of a greasemonkey are you? If you're going to have the dealer do all maintenance, then dealer proximity (and personality) will influence brand. If you'll do everything yourself unless there's a big problem, different story.
• Resale. Is this a purchase to last you through decades? Then research and optimize carefully, like I am. Or do you expect to revisit in a few years as you learn more? Then don't overthink it; buy the best available good quality used that fits the bill for your immediate needs and be prepared to buy your better tractor after you have a few years experience and know more what you like and dislike about the first one. Also -- somewhat debatable, but so I've been told -- if you know trade-in will be important to you, might be more inclined to go with the most popular brands like JD or Kubota, while if you are a buy-and-hold type then you can probably get comparable-or-better functionality for less with less well-known, up-and-coming brands.

In my thread, the most important thing I've learned is consider weight and stability as much, if not more, than HP. (And for bushhogging as a primary use, mainly on flat, it will be PTO HP rather than engine HP that matters).

And YouTube is your friend. Lotsa good stuff (as well as some not-so-good). As a fellow newbie, some of the most informative I've found are the channels Outdoors with the Morgans (who has 3 RK's loaned as freebies...) and Messicks (a great Kubota dealer, it seems, with informative videos regardless of brand).

 

[Bigpuddie]

Look at the Massey Ferguson tractors. They dont have DPF and you will have less issues with emissions.

 

[KennyG]

The 7 x 16 deal is probably a 7K trailer which means more like 5K load capacity. That's marginal for a 35-40 HP tractor and any implements. I have one for my 24 HP tractor and it's just "OK". If you really want to haul the tractor, you should have a 10K trailer, probably 18 feet or more. Of course, then you have to ask if you have a truck that's ready to pull it. The spiral never seems to stop. Welcome to the world of tractors.

 

[fried1765]

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.

As Jeff9366 suggests, please add your general location to your profile.

 

[Rmally]

Thanks everyone for the input and advice! Everyone was very helpful and y誕ll had some great info that I actually never even thought of.

Taking the wife today to 鍍est sit on a few, I think hydrostatic is a must particularly if she wants to use it (not being sexist it would just be easier for all). In the next 3-6 weeks the most immediate use will be digging post holes, so that痴 a must, then mowing in the spring. I know I want 4wd also. I had no idea the dealer would deliver and even pickup for service so that may save me from buying a trailer right now. Wow, so much to consider......Thanks again for helping the rookie. More questions later I知 sure.

 

[nwut05]

Welcome to TBN and welcome to the neighborhood depending on where and exactly what you are calling east tn. If you are close to the Virginia line look up O'quinn Trailers in Coeburn Va. Now i am NOT! saying buy from them or anyone else but, to be able to look at a lot of trailers in one place, and get helpful advice and hands on with what you may need that's one place that has a lot of trailers on the lot at all times. As far as the tractor TAKE YOUR TIME.....especially if you have never been around one....there is more knowledge on here and a lot of good advice to soak in before you buy anything and don't be surprised that when you do spend your money on the "perfect 1st tractor" that you get it home only to figure out that maybe it's not what you really need. My advice for you when you consider your 1st tractor is this...........ROPS NO EXCEPTIONS.....SEATBELT AND USE IT NO EXCEPTIONS.........4WD NO EXCEPTIONS........Loader NO EXCEPTIONS.....these may sound crazy in the new tractor market, but in the used market these are things that as a new tractor owner you will want, and use......

Also it would be helpful to know and make sure you consider.....What would you be pulling the new trailer with....

 

[Rmally]

Also it would be helpful to know and make sure you consider.....What would you be pulling the new trailer with....[/QUOTE]




Currently I have a Chevy Suburban, it tows great but towing a tractor maybe not so much...I haven't looked into the weight of these tractors yet.

PS....Yep I'm that new, had to look up what ROPS meant. With some of the slope I have will defiantly need that and a seat belt. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

 

[fried1765]

Welcome Rmally. I'm brand new here too - see my own request for newbie advice thread here.

Lots of experienced and helpful people here will chime in. Rather than answers, let me suggest some questions to ask yourself.

• What *other* uses will you want? You've mentioned bush hogging as primary, but what else? If you're not sure, think about how you imagine yourself using your 21 acres (after you've built). Are you a mow-once-a-week-and-then-kick-back-with-a-beer kind of guy? Or will you want to put in a garden/foodplot? Or prepare several cords of firewood a year to use in the winter? Will you want to steadily improve the land in some way or is it minimal maintenance only?
• You mention you will build soon. Are you outsourcing that to a builder (and your tractor will be safely parked far away), or are you doing some of it yourself? A tractor can help in a myriad ways in land clearing and even building, especially if getting in more specialized equipment is a hassle due to remoteness.
• How much of a greasemonkey are you? If you're going to have the dealer do all maintenance, then dealer proximity (and personality) will influence brand. If you'll do everything yourself unless there's a big problem, different story.
• Resale. Is this a purchase to last you through decades? Then research and optimize carefully, like I am. Or do you expect to revisit in a few years as you learn more? Then don't overthink it; buy the best available good quality used that fits the bill for your immediate needs and be prepared to buy your better tractor after you have a few years experience and know more what you like and dislike about the first one. Also -- somewhat debatable, but so I've been told -- if you know trade-in will be important to you, might be more inclined to go with the most popular brands like JD or Kubota, while if you are a buy-and-hold type then you can probably get comparable-or-better functionality for less with less well-known, up-and-coming brands.

In my thread, the most important thing I've learned is consider weight and stability as much, if not more, than HP. (And for bushhogging as a primary use, mainly on flat, it will be PTO HP rather than engine HP that matters).

And YouTube is your friend. Lotsa good stuff (as well as some not-so-good). As a fellow newbie, some of the most informative I've found are the channels Outdoors with the Morgans (who has 3 RK's loaned as freebies...) and Messicks (a great Kubota dealer, it seems, with informative videos regardless of brand).

Lots of folks on here are going to tell you that you do not need a trailer.
I am of a different school.

You are going to build a new house.
If you are planning to do any of the house construction yourself...you NEED a trailer for materials.
In East Tennessee....how far is it to a place/dealer for repairs when/if they become necessary?

If you do get a trailer, do not get less than 12K capacity, or less than 20' length.
Such a trailer can probably be bought new in your area for around $3500.
I would shy away from a trailer/tractor package deal.

Trailers hold their value incredibly well. Trailer depreciation might be $400 the first year, and $200 per year thereafter.
Is the minimal annual cost worth it to have a trailer always available?
It is for me!
I probably spill more than that!

 

[fried1765]

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.

"crush and run"??
I assume that you mean.... "crusher run"
As the material comes out of the crusher.

 

[3Lfarms]

Make sure you visit all the dealers within 50 miles of your place and at least sit on all the models that are in your size range. Some dealers and models will self-eliminate in just a 30 minute visit.
If you have no trees to deal with,then a cab is an excellent option. Remember, the cab isn’t just a cab, it also includes heat, A/C, and usually a stereo. A Bluetooth radio is the best part of a cabbed tractor, IMO. I listen to whatever music I like, and I can field calls while mowing the back 40. The wife likes to call me in for mealtime and to just check up on me.
Resale is usually better. Just like a 4WD or an FEL bring the best prices at trade up time. The cab also protects the operators station and all the electronics from water and mud. The seats are usually cloth and are much nicer to sit in for hours on end.
Its nice to still be clean and dry at the end of the day when you get done with your work mowing. Cabs usually have air filters to keep you breathing easy. Almost a Godsend if you have allergies.
Downside of a cab is initial cost ($5-8k) and cost to replace glass if you break one. But like I said, if you aren’t going to be in the trees, I don’t see any reason not to get a cab.