Buying Advice advice for first time tractor buyer

bmschreier · Jun 2, 2013

Hi All,
I apologize for another "what kind of tractor do I need" post, but I wanted some opinions on the new models that are out there. We bought a house on 3 acres a couple months ago, and have quickly realized that having a SCUT is going to make our lives much easier. A little background: the property is mostly flat, clay soil, hasn't been landscaped or maintained in ~5 years. What we plan to do with the tractor: maintain/regravel ~150' of driveway, prepare/maintain a ~1000 sq ft garden, prepare/maintain a ~1500 sq ft orchard, mow ~1.5 acres of field grass a few times a year, and do some general landscaping on the rest (grading, mulching, etc).

I was originally sold on the BX2370, but I just heard about the Mahindra Max 25 and it looks like a much more capable machine. It seems like they would both work for me, but seeing as it's my first time thinking about tractors I'm sure I'm missing many things. Should I just choose the one with the better price and ergonomics? BTW, this house is likely a 7-10 year investment, so resale-ability of the tractor is key.

Perhaps the more important question is what implements do I need? Definitely a FEL and a field mower, but for such a small(ish) garden do I really need a tiller? Should I just get a box grader with rippers (or a plow?) and use that to loosen up the area for the garden, then buy a (much cheaper) walk behind tiller to prepare the seed beds? I don't like the idea of spending $1900 on a tiller that I will use a couple times a year unless it is absolutely necessary.

Ok, enough rambling. This is our first house with acreage and it sure is keeping me busy! Thanks in advance for any advice!!
Brian

Rmart30 · Jun 2, 2013

For just a 7 yr investment I would probably look at used tractors in the 30-35 hp range such as this one on ebay ..Nice 2008 Kubota L3240 4x4 Hydo Compact Tractor W/ Loader

A little bigger tractor will let you run a little larger cutters and save time on cutting.

As far as a tiller id get a BB with rippers for double duty on driveway and garden. A used BB in the 5 or 6 ft range should be pretty easy to find on CL for around $250. Same for a scrape blade. It will help cut ditches and maintain driveway.

flusher · Jun 4, 2013

I've owned both brands--2005 Kubota B7510HST with the LA302 FEL ($12600 new) and a 2008 Mahindra 5525 with the ML250 FEL (~$19K new). My place is a 10 acre farm/ranch (flat pasture).

Something like that B7510 would be fine for 3 acres. I had a 4-ft wide box blade, 4-ft wide King Kutter brush hog and a 4-ft wide rototiller ($350 for a used Yanmar RS1200 model that I used to put in my lawns and the vegetable garden).

Kubota trade-in value is OK (lost about $1200 per year). I hear John Deere is better but I don't have the numbers.

chim · Jun 5, 2013

As far as real experience I can tell you part of what you're asking. As flusher says, a "B-sized" tractor should be sufficient. I had a 2002 B7500/HST/FEL/R4's from new until last year about this time. With 1,100 hours on it a dealer bought it for $3,000 less than I originally paid AFTER we made a cash deal on a new L3200/HST/FEL/R4's for under $16K, but before doing the final paperwork. I'm not PA Sales Tax exempt. so the B7500 showed as a trade on the new tractor and that lowered the taxable amount to less than $7K. Other than filters, grease and fuilds it cost me about $300 per year for the B7500.

If you have patience and/or luck you can do well on a used tractor. The last two times I shopped the used tractors I came across were either very used or priced very close to new.

I'd stick with a tractor of at least 20 or more horsepower. It will get the work done if you are patient. I had a couple tractors before the B7500 and it was enough tractor to get things done. Even so, there were too many times that I wanted a little more FEL capacity, or didn't like the way it slowed while dragging the mower up a hill, etc.

My last two tractors were new Kubotas but I still have an old Ford 1210 and had an International first. When I shopped last year I also considered Kioti, Mahindra and Bobcat. I would have been happy with any of the tractors I was looking at. The deciding factor was where the best deal was to be had.

Grandad4 · Jun 5, 2013

Everyone has their own opinions, of course, and mine is that a BX-sized machine can do plenty. If I had 3 acres, it would definitely be at or near the top of my list. Our BX has done everything you've described, except tilling... no tiller for it, and many more things, reliably for 8 years. Grade the road? Sure. Mow a couple of acres? Of course. Landscape work? You bet. They are easily capable of doing the kind of work you describe on a 3 acre property. Actually, that's pretty much what they were designed for.

I'm not saying a larger tractor wouldn't do more or do it faster, but it's just unexpectedly impressive what these little workhorses will do. Our BX has been great but by all means look at the available brands to find the one you like best.

I will say the smaller sized implements for a subcompact will sometimes cost less if you're buying new, but there are more used deals on larger implements. For a 50x20 garden, I'd buy a walk-behind tiller you can also use to cultivate with.

dusty3030 · Jun 5, 2013

1000 sq ft garden just rent a walk behind once a year or so or buy a good used one.

I think you are on the right track as far as the Kubota BX, Mahindra Max, and I will throw in another for you - Massey Ferguson GC series.
All three would have a good Japanese engine, plenty of nice features and serve you well. Pick the one you like best, then see who has the best deals, and then play them against each other and let the best dealer experience between them big a factor.
Being a first time owner poke the dealers you visit on free delivery and pick up for warranty or service, how well are they willing to spend time with you fully going over the machine and how to operate it / check fluids / etc.
Dollars wise you are going to be close one way or another if you buy new. Dealer wise good dealer of the worst tractor versus a bad dealer of the best tractor you would be happier with the worst tractor. Fortunately for you, what you are looking at there is not worst tractor so you are good to go!

Tractor Seabee · Jun 6, 2013

I have a Kubota BX25 that does everything you describe. 1000SF garden is pretty small to be plowing and disking due to the constraints. My 4' Roto Tiller (RT) works real well ands great for mulching up the weeds and end of year dead plants. If you want to amend your soil with compost and other stuff you really need the RT anyway. I have a disc but use it for improving grassy areas and my Christmas tree plot. The BX comes with a BH standard. If you have it you will wonder what folks do w/o one. It save renting something and then having to hurry you project to get it back and lower that rental cost and probably a hefty delivery fee.

Kubota, John Deere, New Holland and probably other make comparable machines and have the 0 down 0 interest 4-5 years including implements. They are all good for your use. If you are not mechanical and do your own maintenance and minor repairs, choose a brand that has the dealer w/shop closest to you. I go 40 miles to a dealer because the one 15 miles away turned out to be less than desirable. Check that shop out first. I have a 12K trailer so I do not have to pay pick-up and deliver fees. Avoid the one mechanic shop unless you know and trust them well. They are always overloaded and take a long time to respond. I cannot afford to be w/o mine for the 1 month that caused me to change shops.

Used, be careful, these SCUTS and CUTS hold there value. Up here I could only save 10-15% and was buying a pig in the poke, so, I bought a new one. You cannot finance a used one except at personal loan rates, up here that is 18%.

Lot's of luck on your first one. Ron