Buying Advice Advice for replacing Ford 3550

[northpolefolks]

I am looking at buying a replacement for my Ford 3550 w/loader. She's been a great tractor, and still plenty of power, time for a 4wdrive and ability to adapt to more implements without continued fabrication of adapters.

I am looking at the LS4047 w/loader. Anyone have any experience with this tractor? I am also leaning towards the shuttle transmission to prevent losing much HP. My 3550 was rated new at 54 hp but i think a newer tractor with 47 will be comprable.

Anyone havea any issues with the hydrostatic transmission in these tractors?

Any thoughts and feedback would be much appreciated. Heck, even if you have an idea on a different tractor I will take the advise to ponder prior to putting $20K on a tractor.

I have looked at the following tractor brands-

Kubota-good reputation, spendy
Branson-good reputation, poor factory support to local dealer here
Kioti-don't know much abouit them, no dealer in Alaska so hard for service
Manhidra-don't know much about them, no dealer in Alaska so hard for service

 

[whodat526]

I am looking at buying a replacement for my Ford 3550 w/loader. She's been a great tractor, and still plenty of power, time for a 4wdrive and ability to adapt to more implements without continued fabrication of adapters.

I am looking at the LS4047 w/loader. Anyone have any experience with this tractor? I am also leaning towards the shuttle transmission to prevent losing much HP. My 3550 was rated new at 54 hp but i think a newer tractor with 47 will be comprable.

Anyone havea any issues with the hydrostatic transmission in these tractors?

Any thoughts and feedback would be much appreciated. Heck, even if you have an idea on a different tractor I will take the advise to ponder prior to putting $20K on a tractor.

I have looked at the following tractor brands-

Kubota-good reputation, spendy
Branson-good reputation, poor factory support to local dealer here
Kioti-don't know much abouit them, no dealer in Alaska so hard for service
Manhidra-don't know much about them, no dealer in Alaska so hard for service

it will be hard to compare a new compact to the 3550 you will not find one the the loader will lift as much and the 54 hp is at the pto so you will need to find a new 60 hp tractor with hst. to make a power comparision there is no comparision between the two styles of tractors

 

[RickB]

Nobody builds a tractor as robust as a 3550 in that HP size, period. Downsizing a few HP only further guarantees that what you buy will be even lighter and have less lift capacity and durability than the 3550.

 

[northpolefolks]

Thanks. I don't use all the ability of the 3550 now. The most I do HP wise is drag around a 7' brush hog and skid trees, which is limited by my traction. Moving round bales, dit/rocks and snow is the norm.

I was hoping to get something 4wd that to increase my ability to move around in the snow and early spring soft soil in places. I figured a 4wd 40-50hp would be suffcient and now was just trying to try and find the "best" buy for the money out there.

Seems LS is looking viable but have never owned one and was trying to see what the census was on them.