3054

[fcpnorman]

I am a new user to this site, found it on accident, and have been hooked ever since. I am considering buying a Kioti-3054, and have also been looking at the TC-30. I am looking for advice on two subjects, the first is, has anyone co-owned a tractor with a neighbor. My neighbor and I are considering buying a tractor together. I can do it myself, but obviously it would be better financially if we bought it together. I am worried about problems with usage, as I have livestock, and quite a few projects to do, some of which would require me to use the tractor almost every day. Does anyone have any experiences with that? The second portion I need help on is, I have 5 acres in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. My property is sloped but not steep. I will need the tractor for mowing, a lot of bucket work, a little disking, and a future project of building a riding arena. I am looking at the 30 horsepower range , I am wondering if this is the right size, or if I should look for a smaller tractor. My property is fairly heavily covered by oaks and pines, si I have to get around them?? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[RanchMan]

Hello fcpnorman!

I'll throw out a couple of comments, although I'm sure there will be plenty of folks with more experience in this department than me...

As far as you buying the tractor together, one concern based on what you say is if you will need to use it "almost every day" - how do you effectively "split" the time with your neighbor? I mean, you might have scheduling conflicts, or, he might just not feel that it's "right" to share 50% of the cost if you are using it 90% of the time. Same thing for repairs and such - who pays, how much, & when? I understand the desire to reduce the cost (they don't give tractors away!! /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif) but the old saying of how "money is the first thing that can come between friends" has some merit. Just something to think about.

As far as the size issue - I'll leave that to someone else to post on. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Just my $.02 /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[ByuBill]

<font color=blue>"money is the first thing that can come between friends"</font color=blue>

I couldn't agree more. If you want to stay friends, buy the tractor yourself. Loan it , rent it to your friend or do what he needs done for him.

I have a 3054. Really like it./w3tcompact/icons/love.gif Can't really test it very well here on the side of this mountain. Had trouble keeping the rear wheels on the ground with the Fel loaded. Added lots of weight and solved that problem. I don't have a flat spot anywhere.

 

[woodmills1]

I have a 3054 it really works, but it is only 30 horse. not being very heavy it is easy to lose traction on hills, not get stuck mind you but just not hooking up to move. remember though I usually am towing a trailer full of oak logs so get very close to negitive tounge weight. have you rented any tractors to compare horsepower. If you do and find a 30 horse works, then I would say a 3054 will do it and do it well. my only complaint is the platform is a little small for my feet so I must be careful getting out. let me add again I work my 3054 hard and it doesn't complain. i WOULD NOT BUY A TRACTOR or any other machinery on shares. besides the time and friendship thing there is the problem of multiple uses being much different on the equipment.

 

[RanchMan]

Off the subject just a **little** -

Woodmills1 - have you added water/weights to your rear tires to help with the traction issue? Just curious.../w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[woodmills1]

No added weight yet, though I might for next winter. I found a local farmer/deisel repair man who has the set up to add calcium. I do have some great chains though.

 

[Tscott]

First, I'd like to say welcome. As far as joint ownership I can think of many more negatives than i can positives. After you get your tractor i think you'll find more projects to do than you originally had thought. this usually means more attachments. For me, its nice to know that I can start and finish any given task when i want to as apposed to working around schedules. I have a dk35 which I'm very happy with. More HP is better than not enough. Check out some of the other Kioti post as there is talk of some smaller HP DK series units that are going to be produced. Either way I'm sure you'll be happy with your descision.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

You would be much better off being a good neighbor with the loan/ rent option. Maybe even create an alternate weekend work schedule where he's at your place one weekend and then next weekend you do something at his place. Two heads and four hands can make a difference! This option usually keeps the wives happier because BOTH places get fixed up at about the same pace.

 

[BTI]

Buy it yourself, with the explanation that it just wouldn't be right you using it all the time and only paying half. Agree on the terms BEFORE you buy it. Money ruins more friendships than anything else....been there, done that, ain't gonna do it again. Ask for a free test drive most dealers will let you demo.
BTI

 

[helobubba]

Like the other posters said, buyer a tractor with your neighbor is a bad idea and I won't beat that dead horse anymore. Comparison of the 3054 and the TC30 - After an extensive comparison between blue, green, orange, Kioti, and a few less popular brands, I chose the Kioti. I not only saved a few thousand but I feel I got the best built tractor in it's class. Size - The 3054 should be plenty big enough for the appications that you mentioned. If you do a lot of FEL work I recommend keeping an attachment on the back to put more weight on the rear. Just my 2 cents worth - good luck with your purchase.