Which tractor for small operator? 5'1" petite farm owner

[stevem5215]

I would get one with Shuttle shift at least. And as always with tractors, get one a size bigger than you think you need. Otherwise it'll be underpowered for your jobs.

 

[Quaffer]

Shocking, but I have not grown, I”m still 5’1”. I do share my toys with my husband…if he’s nice, he’s 6’. My husband is not buying the tractor though, and odds are good, he’s not even going to LOOK at tractors with me.

Amazing you are still shopping 7 years later!

 

[sd455dan]

Steve,

Frederick isn't too far. Thanks! It probably is worth it to check out the Kioti.

As an aside, I'm not sure I want an HST either, I think that is part of what I did not like about that JD I tried last year. I'm fond of my manual transmission.

Mel

I agree, the older Yanmars would be great for a smaller built person.

I felt trapped on the 2310D even got my feet stuck because of just how small the operator station is.

 

[rScotty]

The Case needs new brakes and a rebuilt transmission. And it leaks Hydraulic/Tranny fluid, which is the same reservoir on my model. It's time to let it go! Plus, we just don't have the storage space for little-used equipment.

You are very correct on the on/off being a bit of work on the taller tractor! The one time I tried a cab, I disliked it. But I still miss a convertible that I drove for a decade! I like the outdoors! I do admit that snow is the one time I might like a cab, but that's maybe 2 days of use every 3 years!

I talked to a salesman at the MF dealership (the Frederick one) and I'm going to make a trip up there this week. They have a 2860 with the shuttle shift I can try, several 1840s with the HST, and I think the manual is sitting up at the Frederick Co Fair, it's a 2850, IIRC. They also have a skid-steer bucket that is beat up that I can swap onto the tractor I'm trying and a stone pile that I can use to see how I like the FEL.

Their HST is a forward/back pedal (as you probably know!), not two pedals and there is cruise control for when I'm mowing, because I don't want to keep a foot on the pedal while mowing/dragging.

My current Case has both the telescoping 3pt lower arms and a box crank, and since I bought that as a 20 year old tractor, I was assuming all tractors have that, so I'm glad you mentioned that, because we absolutely use the telescoping arms every time we swap implements. The leveling lever, I don't use as often, but I do still use it.

I agree. Time to pass the Case to someone with more time to deal with it.

Just about the best thing on our current tractor is nothing I would have known before using it for a day....but it is how easy it is to get on/off!! It has a four post insulated canopy top - that gives a perfect compromise between a cab and open station. And the front left hand post is perfect for getting on and off. What a wonderful difference such a small thing like easy on/off makes.

I find cabs are just too much work to get on/off of for a moderate climate. And I like the open air and good visibility.

The HST forward/back pedals come in a bewildering variety of shapes and sizes. They CANNOT be changed or adjusted . If it doesn't fit, try a different brand tractor. I like Kubota, MF, Yanmar, for our own use. But the dealer certainly counts.

Telescoping and box cranks are still available, but most dealers don't even know about them since the emphasis is now on quick attack. I like the old style myself, and find them to be less work plus safer.

Some dealers will rent or lease. Not all, but worth a try. Frankly, I wouldn't buy it without a trial period, but that is just the way I do business. It is becoming more rare now than formerly.
rScotty

 

[LouNY]

When I was looking for a small tractor for my "wife" who's only driven it once, I looked at the new Yanmars and they felt a bit smaller then the Kioti CK 2620 I ended up with.

 

[rScotty]

When I was looking for a small tractor for my "wife" who's only driven it once, I looked at the new Yanmars and they felt a bit smaller then the Kioti CK 2620 I ended up with.

Lou, I haven't looked at the CK2620.

The Yanmar 359C is 59 hp, power shuttle shift 8F/8R, and weighs 4000 lbs bare. That is, without loader, weights or implements. That size and power seems to be in the range of her old Case tractor, and even in a similar color...

I admit to having a bias toward Yanmar quality - but just like the other makes, how well it works for a person depends a lot on finding a professional dealership.

Personally I bought a Kubota last time and it has been remarkably good.

Anyway, here is a link to those Yanmar specs if you are curious.

https://www.yanmartractor.com/webres/File/YM359%20Spec%20Sheet.pdf

rScotty

 

[mvoght]

I’m not an impulse buyer…7 years isn’t such a long time to wait. I guess to the dealer I seem like an impulse buyer though.

So, I think I’m going to pull the trigger on the MF 2860E with shuttle shift. FEL with the quick attach, telescoping arms.

It is the first tractor I’ve driven that I felt comfortable with immediately, but the safety kill switch in the seat… when I leaned forward to see the FEL to attach, I killed the engine with the seat kill switch, so they are going to see about making that less sensitive.

I tried the 2850 with the HST, really did not like that. At ALL. I sat in a cab model to check out 2850M controls and layout, different style HST pedals. L/R vs forward/back single pedal. That Forward/back single pedal doesn’t fit my feet, but since I don’t like the HST anyway, hated how it just stops hard if you take your foot off the pedals. I just like the ability to coast to a stop with the clutch. No doubt there is a learning curve to making it smooth, but seems difficult.

I took off the new, FEL bucket to attach a heavy skid steer bucket and go dig in a pile of millings with the tractor. It is very comfortable in how similar it is to the Case. I like the feel of the joystick, the smaller size, but not too small. It felt good going between forward and reverse and I was almost getting used to the column shuttle by the time I swapped the bucket back to the new one that it sells with.

It’s 18” narrower than the 585 and I can actually see the top of the tractor. I sat on the 1840, but it’s going to feel under powered. I’m feeling like Goldilocks. My first tractor was too small, my second one, too big, hopefully this one will be just right. At least this one can fit under the porch in my barn.

It will take a few uses to get used to the shuttle shift on the column vs the extra gear, and the throttle is opposite, the Case is a pull down to increase engine speed, the MF is push up to increase engine speed.

It’s not final yet, but very likely. The Yanmar’s do look good on paper, but I liked this dealership and well…it’s been several years of slow looking, and I definitely liked how this one drives for me. I could call the dealership down in Nokesville tomorrow, and see what they have in stock, try to skip a bit more work, I’ll see how I feel in the morning.

My husband is glad I’ve finally found a tractor I like.

Thanks everyone for all the help over the years, is this longest wait for a new tractor? I did find my old thread from 20 years ago when I bought the Case!

Mel

 

[aesanders]

I’m not an impulse buyer…7 years isn’t such a long time to wait. I guess to the dealer I seem like an impulse buyer though.

So, I think I’m going to pull the trigger on the MF 2860E with shuttle shift. FEL with the quick attach, telescoping arms.

It is the first tractor I’ve driven that I felt comfortable with immediately, but the safety kill switch in the seat… when I leaned forward to see the FEL to attach, I killed the engine with the seat kill switch, so they are going to see about making that less sensitive.

I tried the 2850 with the HST, really did not like that. At ALL. I sat in a cab model to check out 2850M controls and layout, different style HST pedals. L/R vs forward/back single pedal. That Forward/back single pedal doesn’t fit my feet, but since I don’t like the HST anyway, hated how it just stops hard if you take your foot off the pedals. I just like the ability to coast to a stop with the clutch. No doubt there is a learning curve to making it smooth, but seems difficult.

I took off the new, FEL bucket to attach a heavy skid steer bucket and go dig in a pile of millings with the tractor. It is very comfortable in how similar it is to the Case. I like the feel of the joystick, the smaller size, but not too small. It felt good going between forward and reverse and I was almost getting used to the column shuttle by the time I swapped the bucket back to the new one that it sells with.

It’s 18” narrower than the 585 and I can actually see the top of the tractor. I sat on the 1840, but it’s going to feel under powered. I’m feeling like Goldilocks. My first tractor was too small, my second one, too big, hopefully this one will be just right. At least this one can fit under the porch in my barn.

It will take a few uses to get used to the shuttle shift on the column vs the extra gear, and the throttle is opposite, the Case is a pull down to increase engine speed, the MF is push up to increase engine speed.

It’s not final yet, but very likely. The Yanmar’s do look good on paper, but I liked this dealership and well…it’s been several years of slow looking, and I definitely liked how this one drives for me. I could call the dealership down in Nokesville tomorrow, and see what they have in stock, try to skip a bit more work, I’ll see how I feel in the morning.

My husband is glad I’ve finally found a tractor I like.

Thanks everyone for all the help over the years, is this longest wait for a new tractor? I did find my old thread from 20 years ago when I bought the Case!

Mel

That’s a very nice tractor and should work out very well for you. If they have an M model with a power shuttle, you may want to give it a quick peak. It’s got a few more gears, as well as the power shuttle feature. Both the 2860e and M are quite fine machines and both are nice.

 

[rScotty]

I’m not an impulse buyer…7 years isn’t such a long time to wait. I guess to the dealer I seem like an impulse buyer though.

So, I think I’m going to pull the trigger on the MF 2860E with shuttle shift. FEL with the quick attach, telescoping arms.

It is the first tractor I’ve driven that I felt comfortable with immediately, but the safety kill switch in the seat… when I leaned forward to see the FEL to attach, I killed the engine with the seat kill switch, so they are going to see about making that less sensitive.

I tried the 2850 with the HST, really did not like that. At ALL. I sat in a cab model to check out 2850M controls and layout, different style HST pedals. L/R vs forward/back single pedal. That Forward/back single pedal doesn’t fit my feet, but since I don’t like the HST anyway, hated how it just stops hard if you take your foot off the pedals. I just like the ability to coast to a stop with the clutch. No doubt there is a learning curve to making it smooth, but seems difficult.

I took off the new, FEL bucket to attach a heavy skid steer bucket and go dig in a pile of millings with the tractor. It is very comfortable in how similar it is to the Case. I like the feel of the joystick, the smaller size, but not too small. It felt good going between forward and reverse and I was almost getting used to the column shuttle by the time I swapped the bucket back to the new one that it sells with.

It’s 18” narrower than the 585 and I can actually see the top of the tractor. I sat on the 1840, but it’s going to feel under powered. I’m feeling like Goldilocks. My first tractor was too small, my second one, too big, hopefully this one will be just right. At least this one can fit under the porch in my barn.

It will take a few uses to get used to the shuttle shift on the column vs the extra gear, and the throttle is opposite, the Case is a pull down to increase engine speed, the MF is push up to increase engine speed.

It’s not final yet, but very likely. The Yanmar’s do look good on paper, but I liked this dealership and well…it’s been several years of slow looking, and I definitely liked how this one drives for me. I could call the dealership down in Nokesville tomorrow, and see what they have in stock, try to skip a bit more work, I’ll see how I feel in the morning.

My husband is glad I’ve finally found a tractor I like.

Thanks everyone for all the help over the years, is this longest wait for a new tractor? I did find my old thread from 20 years ago when I bought the Case!

Mel

Sounds like a nice upgrade. Nice that they have the telescoping lower arms....That makes me wonder what else is optional for a reasonable price?

You might ask the dealer if you can look at his "Whole Goods Catalog" for that model. Whole Goods is what dealers use for commercial customers or gov't agencies to enable those types of customers to bid on equipment for jobs. Sometimes dealers are shy to share the "Whole Goods" because the prices are often lower. But all the options are listed in there along with prices. It's the only way to know for sure what features the manufacturer offers on each model.

Most front end loaders these days come with an option for the skid steer type of quick bucket attach - called a SSQA, and one size fits almost every FEL attachment that exists. Since you swapped the buckets, it sounds like it has that feature. Isn't it great? SSQA sure makes the FEL more versatile than the old "one size loader bucket fits every job".

With the SSQA, We now have three different buckets for our 60 hp tractor, and are thinking about a another - a 4n1 front bucket...and maybe a set of forks too.....well, someday. Another recent loader option you might want is the addition of a front accessory hydraulic outlet which is operated from the loader handle. That can provide the power to run the 4n1 bucket if we ever really do get one. Or it could run a front blade or something. Nice to have it on ours, even if it hasn't been used yet.

Sometimes I like to prefer to stand and concentrate when doing careful work with the loader. The seat switch and backup horn both had to be deleted on ours. Much as I appreciate the safety, I'd rather not have those distractions.
Luck,
rScotty

 

[mvoght]

Ok, things are moving along. I'm going with the 0% 60 months financing, called my insurance agent to add the tractor to the farm policy with the finance company as loss payee. Total price is $36580, that's with the 0% financing. It would be $1020 less if I paid cash.

The salesman was apologetic when he told me I had to insure it, I was a bit puzzled, of course it has to be insured if financed, and I'll be removing the Case from my policy, so a net addition of $27000 in insured value, as I still had the Case insured at $10K.

Trade in quotes he's gotten so far, based on pictures and my upfront disclosure about needing new brakes immediately and a new clutch in the near future and the leaks, have both been $3000. I put it on Facebook marketplace for $5000, but my hay guy might be interested, I'll just offer him trade in price.