Looking for my First Tractor

[camsoup02]

Hello All,

Been lurking here for awhile. Decided to sign up and ask about tractor selection.

Our property is in northern CA, about 2 hours north of Sacramento. We are in the western "foothills". Acreage is just about 11.5 acres total, 2.5-3 of that is level around the house. The remaining acreage is rolling oak woodlands, with a fair amount of manzanita. Slopes range from gradual to moderate/steep on occasion.

I'm looking to maintain the 2.5-3 acres around the house. I will need to maintain about 300+/- feet of driveway and circular drive, keep the field mowed for fire breaks and have a fair bit of manzanita and other brush to remove. There is on old track that leads to the end of the property, I would like to improve it to the point a pickup can travel when its dry. One other factor is tilling approx 1/4 to 1/2 acre in total, for gardens, food plots, fruit trees etc.

Whichever tractor is chosen, we will start with a FEL, box blade, rotary mower and a PTO tiller. I'm looking at tractors in the 25-35 HP range. Ive looked at JD, Branson Mahindra and Kioti in person. Truly local Dealers (less than 25 mi) sell Branson, Mahindra and Kioti. Stepping out to the 50-75 miles range includes JD, LS and New Holland. I like the idea of a dealer within 25 miles, but open to the idea of the other brands with a dealer in the 50-75 mile range.

I'm looking at a Branson 2515 or 3520 and the Kioti CK2610 or CK3510 currently. I cant decide if the slightly smaller 15 series Branson is enough tractor (even though it weighs more than the kioti's). One thing about the Branson(s) I like is the 2200 or 2700lb lift capacity on the loaders, there is a chance in the future I will need to move super totes of chicken or cattle feed.

I'm also open to other recommendations based on our property description. I'm not sold on any one brand, also realize that sometimes "buying" the dealer is the deciding factor. Would like to keep the price of tractor and listed implements under or as close to 30k as possible. Which seems likely with LS, Branson or Kioti. Maybe not so easy with Mahindra, JD or NH.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

[3gunr]

Sounds like you are on the right track. Any of those machines listed will get the job done. I would probably go up to the 30 to 35 hp range you wont be sorry.The smaller machines will just take a little longer.

 

[Roadworthy]

I like the criteria you have of "buying the dealer". One other things to look at really hard is tractor complexity. I determined 25 horsepower was a maximum for me when I learned above that they have something called EPA Tier 4 pollution requirements. This means a computer and a diesel particulate filter among other stuff to complicate my life. No thanks. Some of these Tier 4 tractors go with no problem "forever". Others are a perpetual headache. I'm not a gambler, I stayed simple. I mow ten acres, by the way, move big rocks, an whatever.

 

[shooterdon]

When I went through the process last year, I decided it was silly to buy a New Holland made by LS and pay thousands more. I was all set to buy the 3000 series LS and for a bit more money decided to go with the 4000 series...it was the right decision. Not many people wish for a smaller machine.

Think seriously about a cab. Unlike the other name brands, a cab on the LS is only $4000 more. Well worth it IMHO.

Whatever you decide, check out the dealer. A good dealer makes a difference.

 

[fried1765]

I like the criteria you have of "buying the dealer". One other things to look at really hard is tractor complexity. I determined 25 horsepower was a maximum for me when I learned above that they have something called EPA Tier 4 pollution requirements. This means a computer and a diesel particulate filter among other stuff to complicate my life. No thanks. Some of these Tier 4 tractors go with no problem "forever". Others are a perpetual headache. I'm not a gambler, I stayed simple. I mow ten acres, by the way, move big rocks, an whatever.

"Buying the dealer".
Sometimes the dealer closes his doors. You then loose some of the value that you paid for.
The tractor is a hard consumer item!
The dealer can be a crap shoot.

 

[3Lfarms]

Daves Tractor in Red Bluff is a contributor here and it a respected dealership. Should not be too far from you.

Manzanita is tough to deal with since it is so tough. I suggest a piranha tooth bar to help pop them up before they get too big. Driving over that stuff can damage a tractor if it is not kept short.

 

[rademamj1]

I don't think you can go wrong choosing any of the subcompact tractor brands on the market today. They are just so reliable, and you probably wont see your dealer but once every 3 years, and that for service only. All parts can be ordered online.

For your work area size, i agree with you in keeping it at 35hp and less, and preferably at 25hp. Regarding tires, I went with industrial R4 tires when I got my tractor, which have worked out well, but i do regret the constant damage they do to the ground. Recommend you consider radial R3 turf tires for your tractor, which are steel belted, low pressure turf friendly tires. They will handle tilling, mowing, snow removal, and loader work very well.

 

[ericm979]

Dave's is a great dealer. I bought my 3725 from them even though it's a 3 hour drive.

How much does a super tote of feed weigh?
I have a BL25 loader (the 2200lb one) on my 3725. The BL200 was not available when I bought it. It can just lift an IBC tote cage loaded with wet split hardwood. .38 of a cord of Madrone should weigh between 2000 and 2400 lbs. I can just pick up the tote with a pair of pallet forks. (since the tote cage weighs ~100 lbs and the forks are around 200 or 250, and the weight's CG is 2' from the pins, the loader's listed capacity seems conservative). If I fail to fully seat the forks, I can't curl the tote. With loaded rears and a 500 lb box blade on the back, the rear end does not get light.

The 3725's four cylinder engine is smoother and quieter than the 3520's triple, but the 3520 sounds and feels more tractor like.

 

[camsoup02]

Dave's is a great dealer. I bought my 3725 from them even though it's a 3 hour drive.

How much does a super tote of feed weigh?
I have a BL25 loader (the 2200lb one) on my 3725. The BL200 was not available when I bought it. It can just lift an IBC tote cage loaded with wet split hardwood. .38 of a cord of Madrone should weigh between 2000 and 2400 lbs. I can just pick up the tote with a pair of pallet forks. (since the tote cage weighs ~100 lbs and the forks are around 200 or 250, and the weight's CG is 2' from the pins, the loader's listed capacity seems conservative). If I fail to fully seat the forks, I can't curl the tote. With loaded rears and a 500 lb box blade on the back, the rear end does not get light.

The 3725's four cylinder engine is smoother and quieter than the 3520's triple, but the 3520 sounds and feels more tractor like.

Ive been impressed with Dave's so far, helpful with all questions and a great selection of tractors and implements.

A super tote (or super sack) of feed weighs in right at 2000lbs. We are looking to start a chicken operation in the future, somewhere in the neighborhood of 100-200 layers and maybe 50-100 broilers at a time. It seems like the 20 series would handle moving the totes easier than the 15 series. But I do like the price of the 15 series, as well as not having a DPF.

I have to say that the Kioti 2610 and 3510 are also nice tractors. I'm leaning towards the Branson brand when comparing loader capacity, tractor weight and price.

 

[camsoup02]

I don't think you can go wrong choosing any of the subcompact tractor brands on the market today. They are just so reliable, and you probably wont see your dealer but once every 3 years, and that for service only. All parts can be ordered online.

For your work area size, i agree with you in keeping it at 35hp and less, and preferably at 25hp. Regarding tires, I went with industrial R4 tires when I got my tractor, which have worked out well, but i do regret the constant damage they do to the ground. Recommend you consider radial R3 turf tires for your tractor, which are steel belted, low pressure turf friendly tires. They will handle tilling, mowing, snow removal, and loader work very well.

Do the turf tires handle soft ground and/or mud well? I do have several very steep slopes, not sure how well the turf tires do on steep terrain?

I have a riding lawn mower for the front yard, didn't think the R4 tires would be too bad on the ditches and fields. How much "damage" do you see form the R4's?