New tractor purchase, 30-40k price range, struggling with choice

[fried1765]

First off, the size of your property may or may not dictate what you need, it’s your intended uses. A B26 like already said is more a piece of construction equipment, it’s got a much stronger loader and backhoe for its size compared to a tractor with that equipment. I personally am not sure s 3 series John Deere wouldn’t work for you, but might be on the small size. Keep in mind there is no right or wrong answer, but after you have had the tractor a year, you will probably know if it was the right choice.

and .......then you can go buy a bigger one!

 

[swamp monster]

First off, the size of your property may or may not dictate what you need, it痴 your intended uses. A B26 like already said is more a piece of construction equipment, it痴 got a much stronger loader and backhoe for its size compared to a tractor with that equipment. I personally am not sure s 3 series John Deere wouldn稚 work for you, but might be on the small size. Keep in mind there is no right or wrong answer, but after you have had the tractor a year, you will probably know if it was the right choice.

I appreciate everyone's time and thoughts. This has been helpful to steer me in the right direction. This is a large purchase for me, and as such am just trying to learn as much as I can before pulling the trigger. I am thankful for the above thought in particular, as I often see folks recommending a tractor based on acreage, but I am not intending to pull much in the way of implements other than a bush hog to keep trails and lanes clear, keeping brambles/blackberries in check, and this was all hard to balance in my mind. That said, I absolutely realize the benefits of a larger/heavier tractor, but have had concerns about limitation in certain wooded tight spaces. I appreciate the though of renting a mini skid loader or the like if I truly am limited in such a situation.

All in all I am now leaning towards the JD 5045e or a Kubota MX as many suggested. It seems I have many more options nearby for a lightly used 5045e than a kubota, and may be able to get all the attachments I could want and stay within budget.

 

[sea2summit]

I appreciate everyone's time and thoughts. This has been helpful to steer me in the right direction. This is a large purchase for me, and as such am just trying to learn as much as I can before pulling the trigger. I am thankful for the above thought in particular, as I often see folks recommending a tractor based on acreage, but I am not intending to pull much in the way of implements other than a bush hog to keep trails and lanes clear, keeping brambles/blackberries in check, and this was all hard to balance in my mind. That said, I absolutely realize the benefits of a larger/heavier tractor, but have had concerns about limitation in certain wooded tight spaces. I appreciate the though of renting a mini skid loader or the like if I truly am limited in such a situation.

All in all I am now leaning towards the JD 5045e or a Kubota MX as many suggested. It seems I have many more options nearby for a lightly used 5045e than a kubota, and may be able to get all the attachments I could want and stay within budget.

If you plan to primarily brush hog the B is absolutely not the right machine, you're not likely to turn a 5' brush hog through any type of dense grass and have enough power to go uphill. That MX is probably absolutely the way to go IMHO, love mine and it's done a ton of work for me.

 

[airbiscuit]

I think your sweet spot is a 40-60hp large frame CUT

Kubota Grand L60 or MX series
John Deere 4xxx or 5xxx series
Kioti NX series
40-60 hp New Holland/LS/Yanmar

Maybe buy one of these for your trenching work

 

[mx1alex]

FYI - I just bought a new cabbed MX5400/loader with fluid in the tires, and 3 remotes for right at $40K

 

[jeff9366]

I am not intending to pull much in the way of implements other than a bush hog to keep trails and lanes clear.
Soil varies: much clay, clay/loam. The clay can be stubborn.

Tasks I need to accomplish:

-200yd gravel drive maintenance BOX BLADE or LAND PLANE/GRADING SCRAPER (LPGS)

-Maintaining logging roads and trails. BOX BLADE, HEAVY DUTY ROTARY CUTTER

-rebuilding several long stretches of logging road, trail and three ponds torn up by poor water management. BOX BLADE, "DIGGING" BUCKET TOOTH BAR, MIDDLEBUSTER, RATCHET RAKE BUCKET ATTACHMENT

-Regrading along house foundation BOX BLADE, RATCHET RAKE BUCKET ATTACHMENT

-Dragging out the odd fallen tree. REAR/CENTER DRAWBAR, CHAIN FOR ATTACHMENT
Rear/Center Drawbar included standard on MX tractor.

-Assist with building a pole barn and carport, and laying pex water lines and electrical lines. SUBSOILER, CHAIN GRAB HOOKS ON FEL BUCKET, REAR/CENTER DRAWBAR, PALLET FORKS

-Tilling 2 acre family food plot- TANDEM DISC HARROW

-General maintenance for fruit and nut orchard HEAVY DUTY ROTARY CUTTER, TANDEM DISC HARROW,
PTO-POWERED WOOD CHIPPER, RATCHET RAKE BUCKET ATTACHMENT, PALLET FORKS

-Digging a small pool, digging an underground cistern. BOX BLADE, "DIGGING" BUCKET TOOTH BAR


"LOAD" REAR TIRES 50% TO 75% WITH FLUID FOR TRACTION AND STABILITY.


Purchase implements and attachments one at a time as you have a need. Research each implement carefully, BUY HEAVY.

 

[buck12]

TBN is always good at helping one spend money. Acreage alone does not dictate tractor size. I have 72 acres plus an adjoining lease hunting lease of 615 acres. I kept this up with a 26 hp tractor for 12 years. I don’t remember the PTO hp put it had no problem with a 5 foot bush hog.

Last year we decided to build a weekend cabin on the land which changed my needs and I stepped up to a 54 hp tractor to match my needs.

My point is look at your primary needs. Then decide on the implements you need. Then match a tractor you like to the implements. You may have the majority of your 100 acres in timber and only need to maintain a few trails which is much different than maintaining all 100 acres.

 

[jeff9366]

I have a 40k hard stop budget for the short term, but of course would like to achieve my goals with less

4WD HST FEL MX5400 TRACTOR W/FOLDABLE ROPS - OPEN STATION - NO BACKHOE

Base Price $29,975.00
[+] Selected Attachments $6,136.00
Manufacture's Suggested List Price
$36,111.00

Available Manufacturer Rebates:
Cash Customer Instant Rebate Up To($1,000.00)
Finance Customer Instant Rebate Up To($500.00)
Orange Plus Implement Discount Up To($500.00)

 

[fried1765]

4WD HST FEL MX5400 TRACTOR W/FOLDABLE ROPS - OPEN STATION - NO BACKHOE

Base Price $29,975.00
[+] Selected Attachments $6,136.00
Manufacture's Suggested List Price
$36,111.00

Available Manufacturer Rebates:
Cash Customer Instant Rebate Up To($1,000.00)
Finance Customer Instant Rebate Up To($500.00)
Orange Plus Implement Discount Up To($500.00)

Then too: There is the 20% Equine discount, which seems to be relatively easy to get.

 

[sea2summit]

4WD HST FEL MX5400 TRACTOR W/FOLDABLE ROPS - OPEN STATION - NO BACKHOE

Base Price $29,975.00
[+] Selected Attachments $6,136.00
Manufacture's Suggested List Price
$36,111.00

Available Manufacturer Rebates:
Cash Customer Instant Rebate Up To($1,000.00)
Finance Customer Instant Rebate Up To($500.00)
Orange Plus Implement Discount Up To($500.00)

Just enough left over for a grapple.