First time tractor buyer

[Jeepskate]

Hello all, I am new to the group. I am in the process of deciding on a tractor. I have a 7 acre parcel in southeastern Michigan. split almost 50/50 with grass and a hayfield. I do not plan on keeping it hay, my plan is to some day use it for a large garden and pumpkins. So discing And tilling is a must. I will be cutting the grass at least once a week and hope to use the bucket for snow removal and general yard work. Time is not of the essence, as I do not really care how long it takes to cut the grass as long as it gets done. I have a few trees I値l have to maneuver around, but I知 pretty sure a compact will fit under 95% of them. I am really leaning towards Kubota, as the dealer down the street from me is a local supporter of pretty much everything in the little town I知 in and I壇 like to do my part. That being said I致e been looking at a Kubota B2320DT. My questions are am I looking at enough tractor and if I値l be doing mainly grass cutting, am I making the correct choice? Thanks for your time!

 

[Peter 315]

I think you should look at the kubota L series.....:2cents:

 

[airbiscuit]

It sounds like a good excuse to go to the Kubota dealer and try out the B, L, and LX series tractors. See how you like the "feel" of each, and learn what the price would be for each.

Just to keep them honest, I would also consider a Kioti CK2610HST

 

[jeff9366]

I am in the process of deciding on a tractor. I have a 7 acre parcel in southeastern Michigan. split 50/50% grass and a hayfield. I do not plan on keeping 3-1/2 acres hay. My plan is to some day use 3-1/2 acres for a large garden and pumpkins. So discing And tilling are a must.

I've been looking at a Kubota B2320DT. My questions are am I looking at enough tractor and if I'll be doing mainly grass cutting, am I making the correct choice?

1) If you want a light, small tractor you will have to use a PTO-powered Roto-Tiller rather than a Disc Harrow. Both Roto-tillers and Disc Harrows are soil mixers, they just mix soil in different ways. A B2320 weighs <1,500 pounds bare tractor. In order to operate a Disc Harrow with 20" pans, the minimum weight Disc Harrow which is effective, you need a tractor weighing 3,500 pounds bare tractor or more.


2) A B2320 can operate a 48" mower in fairly heavy grass. Allowing for 6" overlap that is a 42" effective swathe. With more power you could potentially operate a 60" mower over moderate length grass. How much time do you wish to spend mowing? Larger wheels and tires on a Kubota 'LX' permit slightly heavier tractors to bridge holes, ruts and tree debris with less operator perturbation, enabling faster ground speed.

MOWING CALCULATOR: Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour

3) 90% of light tractors are sold with HST transmissions. Two factors disproportionately diminish light tractor resale value: traditional clutch & gear transmissions and no Loader. Consider carefully if you must have gear. Have a Loader on your tractor at delivery. Dealer clutch rebuilds in low cost rural Florida are $1,200 each.

4) All these are small platforms. If you are taller than 5'-10", if you weigh over 160 pounds, if you wear larger than size nine shoe, be sure to spend some time on the small platform before signing an order.

VIDEO: YouTube

 

[chim]

As others have mentioned, get enough tractor. For anyone who uses a snow shovel, a loader bucket is a great snow removal tool. For anyone with a rear scraper blade, front plow, front or rear blower or a pusher - it would be a step backwards. Suggest you put a big pot of coffee on and read as much as you can tolerate in the Snow Removal section.

 

[powersrp]

Hey there, im live in cheboygan, i have 5 acres i mow, and a 500’ driveway to keep clear in winter. Not sure what your budget is but you will regrett buying too small. Do this one time, these tractors are not cheap nor are the attatchments. At a minimum you need 35 to 40 hp hydrostat with mid pto for a sbowblower, you will tear your yard and drive up using the bucket. Also think about a cab, i love the heat and air, when its 20 below you will not want to play on the tractor. When shopping include the snowblower and rear three point finish mower, (takes 5 min max to unhook or hook back up) in the transaction, better pricing when bundled. I own a kubota they are very good machines and in my opinion the best made. Not sure how far you are from traverse city but ginops kubota is a very fair dealership. Also dont be afraid of buying used, but condition, maintenance records and hours should dictate, with kubotas 0% interest usually better to just buy new. good luck

 

[RalphVa]

I really like the Kubota B23xx. It came out better in a spreadsheet comparison with the 2025R JD I have now, but the JD dealer is closer and had treated me well.

It still has turning brakes that are desirable for gardening row and snow work. 23 hp is plenty. I'd encourage your going to no till and cut out the tilling and discing. That's what I did for my garden down below for 12 years. Did once with Gravely rotary plow and then redid with JD soil ripper and big discs to make raised rows again when I got the JD. Sold the Gravely et.al. and gave away the soil ripper and discs. Used once each. Could get a cultivator rig for underneath or on 3ph to do most of the weeding. Just mulch around the plants and/or grow cover crop and get a seeder to seed through the cover. I just did mulching.

Ralph