4wd Tier 3 Cab/AC/Heat/FEL best bang for my buck that will pull 7' mowers/bush hogs

[MPLV]

I have closed on a 70 acre tract and am about to add 23 more to it. I am planning on logging about half and maintaining pasture. I would like a 4wd with cab tractor that will pull around 7' implements without issue.

I am trying to stay as close to 30k as possible and would love to figure out a way to stay under.

I have most brands available in my market so I am looking for specific model numbers with input instead of the obvious "buy green or buy orange" comments as that really doesn't help me.

Id say visually the Kubota looks like the best built machine. I have glanced at Mahindra and Deere also.

I have a ballpark on a 6040 Kubota of 40k which is more than im trying to spend

Thanks in advance guys, the forum is great. I did some searching but with incentives and rebates and all this tier 3-4 stuff going on today I really would prefer current info.

 

[motownbrowne]

I think you could pull 7' implements with less than 60 horses. A 50hp machine could do the job. If you want "bang for your buck' you probably will find more of it in something other than a Deere or Kubota. I think you could get a real nice cabbed 45-60hp tractor set up how you want it for around 30k from someone like kioti, LS, or tym. These brands seem to make a great tractor without charging the brand name premium. Some feel the Deere or Kubotas are worth the extra price, and if you fall into that category, your budget will have to be a little bigger. Logging 50 acres is a pretty big job for a farm tractor. It will do it, but it's not what it was primarily designed for. I suggest if you want to do that much logging, to set aside some cash for a skid plate, extra tubing to protect the cab and operator, and a logging winch.

Really, I don't think we have enough info to make great recommendations. You'll have 100 acres. Will this be your only tractor? If you're thinking about another smaller tractor down the line, buy the biggest you can right now. Otherwise, maybe you want something in the large compact line, like the kioti dk50, something that will handle your big tasks and be easier to get into smaller spaces.

Also, transmission type is a big consideration. If you're willing to clutch a lot and aren't doing a ton of loader work, you could save some cash by going with a mechanical shuttle. Otherwise you'll want a power shuttle, or maybe hydrostatic. Do you know which you want? Have you driven the different types?

Your task list could be accomplished with many different tractors. Your budget will cover some, but not all of them. Keep us posted as you hunt.

 

[TSO]

There is a new LS U5030 cab model on tractorhouse now for $31k. That would be my #1 choice for value-performance. I doubt it would know the brushog was back there.

It has the synchro-shuttle trans. If that tractor came in HST, it would already be in my barn.

I don't think you'll find a better, stronger, more reliable overall package that will touch this tractor at that price.

 

[MPLV]

whoops, Im not doing the logging myself a logging company is. once we pop the stumps with a dozer we will need the tractor to get some pasture growing.

 

[MPLV]

the ls dealer offered me a XU5055 4wd with loader cab and ac/heat/radio for 31,899 but its a tier 4

 

[newbury]

If you still have the trees on the remaining acres you'll want the max hp you can get to start. From my readings right now Kioti is the front runner for price/reliability/performance in a new tractor and LS is a strong contender.

Whatever you do be sure to call Barlows, they are liable to have just what you need for a price that can't be easily beat.

 

[GManBart]

the ls dealer offered me a XU5055 4wd with loader cab and ac/heat/radio for 31,899

That would easily run 7' mowers/brush hogs. I'm running a 7.5' rear finish mower with 38.5hp (PTO) on one machine, and 45hp (PTO) on another....it's as if it wasn't connected. I'm looking at 7-8' rotary cutters now because 6' doesn't seem to come close to taxing the power available.

 

[TSO]

the ls dealer offered me a XU5055 4wd with loader cab and ac/heat/radio for 31,899 but its a tier 4

That's a nice price... though I'd go for the U5030 if you find one, if for no other reason to avoid Tier 4.

I'm going to disagree with Newbury ... I think that LS is the value/dependability leader between the two. I've owned Kioti & LS, the Kioti was back twice for warranty repairs in the first few months, the LS wasn't at all (only "problem" was a blown headlight fuse ). In my opinion, LS is one of the most reliable machines on the market right now. I think Kioti is great too ... but I'd choose LS over Kioti personally.

 

[bigbull338]

if you dont want a teir 4 tractor then id look at a good clean used 7040 cab.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I agree with TSO on the LS U5030 being the value pick. It's hard to find that much tractor for such a low price these days. The only negative (and the reason I don't own one) is that it is not offered with HST or a hydraulic shuttle. With the synchro shuttle, you have to clutch it to change directions from fwd to reverse and vice versa. If you're ok with that, it's a great tractor.

And it's Tier 3.