Another confused first timer

[K5lwq]

I didn't mean to start anything here..........

You did not. It should not be a part of your thread. Sorry for going off topic. I started a new thread to continue discussing brand market share if any are interested.

 

[LouNY]

Again I'll offer a different point of view.
I know the OP is requesting 4wd but I didn't hear snow removal mentioned as a task.
Consider a used 2wd tractor 30-60 HP if you have been getting by with a lawn mower any
farm tractor is going to outwork that even an old WD Allis chalmers or an IH 300 even a cub.
This size tractor can be found inexpensively and maintained with simple tools.
If traction becomes an issue tire chains will work in the dirt quite well.
We used small 2wd tractors with loaders for many decades and they got the job done.
Heck either of these tractors can be picked up for $5000 or less;

An Oliver 1550 Diesel utility,

An IH 574 diesel utility

 

[Hoodoo]

LouNY, I'll consider that, thanks! We do get snow being at 5000 ft, but only sometimes is it deep....usually just melts in a couple days. Both of my vehicles are 4WD though, I saw neighbors getting stuck last year......I tend to favor 4x4.

 

[LouNY]

4WD is nice it was one of the features my newest tractor had to have as was a cab with heat and AC,
those factors do drive the price up considerably.
In a funny note I just realized as I was typing this on my computer on the keyboard when I shift the number 4 key
it becomes the dollar sign so 4WD becomes $WD easily.
Both of the tractors in my previous post have worked and plowed snow on a very steep driveway and have pulled 4WD pickups up that driveway in the winter.
My preferred tractor is my newest most times;
4wd and cab,

 

[tree grower]

I have been following these 'which brand is best' threads for several months, and they have confirmed my decision to never buy new, and never buy in a hurry. My newest tractor is a 1986 JD 1050, and my real workhorse (pony) is a 1983 Ford 1210. I can do all my own routine maintenance and most ordinary repairs. When necessary I can get good service at nearby dealerships, but there is no warranty that shackles me to a specific course of action. If you can't do a lot of your own maintenance and repairs, better continue your research, and be prepared to develop a relationship with the dealership of your choice.

 

[rScotty]

Hoodoo, I'm curious if our discussion has helped and if any of your opinions have changed?

I have no idea myself what tractor you should start with.... or end with....

But it will probably be an imported compact diesel of 20 to 35 hp with 4WD ($WD) and a front end loader.
And whether new or used any of a multitude of brands, makes, and models will do a lot of work for you and educate you in the process.

Note that regardless of make and model, you can often buy the same tractor for a whole lot less money if it has 2wd, or one of the variations on manual shift transmission rather than hydrostatic transmission. If it And it will work almost as well although with more operator input required.

Don't be afraid to ask neighbors or even offer to buy a well maintained used tractor from same.
rScotty

 

[SSweetland]

Well here's the story....I have a 5 acre place in N Central Az. All flat, about 2 acres is horse pasture. Well not grass pasture, but dirt and rock. The other 3 acres are 'grassy' but not nice grass. Plus there are spots with rocks that need to be cleared and always DG to spread. I currently have a riding mower, but the mower deck just crapped out, and I use it more for dragging and cleaning the pastures anyway. My neighbors are great and stop by to help out with stuff, but I really need my own tractor, most people around here use them almost every day for something.

So after much searching, I basically know nothing much more than when I started looking. What I do know is that tractors are expensive!

Here are my parameters: Decent HP (24?) - 4x4 - rear box scraper - front bucket - canopy - mower deck. Other than that I'm flexible. Budget is under $20k. I'd like to go new to get a warranty, plus most manufacturers are offering $0 down and 0% financing which makes it doable....

Brand choice is another matter. John Deere is way too pricey, Kubota is a possible, Yanmar also.
What should I know or do to get this going? I'd like to have one by next spring.

All advice appreciated!

With the way you describe your land, You should look into a soil pulverizer to help pull out most of the rocks and things. They can be expensive, but you may find one at a dealer that has been sitting there for too long and they let it go pretty cheap. I found a brand new one that is 60" for $800, and they usually go for almost 3x that price.
It works better than a box blade for de-rocking. They have rippers staggered so will pull any rocks bigger than 4" as well as condition your soil so your horses don't hurt their legs in holes or hard soils. Also does great for planting a forage area and just plain maintenance.
24hp is ok. I have 7 acres and I had a 20hp, a 50hp and now have a 39hp. I learned not to buy a used tractor because people do not usually sell a working used tractor, they fix them, they sell them when they are close to being too expensive to fix. I ended up buying a new Massey Ferguson 1739e. I got a box blade, shredder, 2 bottom plow, tiller, soil pulverizer and a hiller, but I do more than just maintain my land. I have a 12,000 sf garden, a donkey pasture, and a goat pasture. Some points, a smaller tractor would be a little more convenient, and sometimes a larger one would be nice, but all in all, the 39 does all of what I need it to do, and is small enough usually.
I looked at Branson and a couple other discounted brands, but decided to go with the MF. The service contract is pretty decent, very easy to maintain, only thing that truly sucks is the diesel particulate filter system. It's a bit sketchy at times, and you will cause damage if you shut the tractor off while it is cycling. Not sure if this is something in all new tractors, but I will say, I'd rather have the new tractor than the older ones I tried before

 

[wraven]

First, estimate how many hours you realistically will be putting on the tractor. 100 a month? Yes, spend your money up front on a larger brand mostly for the service and support.
Most compact tractors are lucky to see 100 hours a year. Break downs will be minimal with proper use and PM.
In addition to the tractor name, you should also look at who builds the tractor engine. For instance, the Yanmar diesel is in green, orange, and blue tractors. My “no-name” LS tractor builds New Holland’s smaller tractors so don’t dismiss a brand because it’s made in Korea. (China in my opinion should be avoided for lack of QC.)

We have orange and green tractors in my family and last year I went with the LS225MT. 144 hours in and I’m mostly pleased with my LS tractor and my dealer.

I guess that’s my takeaway… you have to like your dealership to make your tractor owning experience a positive one.

 

[kellerw]

Well here's the story....I have a 5 acre place in N Central Az. All flat, about 2 acres is horse pasture. Well not grass pasture, but dirt and rock. The other 3 acres are 'grassy' but not nice grass. Plus there are spots with rocks that need to be cleared and always DG to spread. I currently have a riding mower, but the mower deck just crapped out, and I use it more for dragging and cleaning the pastures anyway. My neighbors are great and stop by to help out with stuff, but I really need my own tractor, most people around here use them almost every day for something.

So after much searching, I basically know nothing much more than when I started looking. What I do know is that tractors are expensive!

Here are my parameters: Decent HP (24?) - 4x4 - rear box scraper - front bucket - canopy - mower deck. Other than that I'm flexible. Budget is under $20k. I'd like to go new to get a warranty, plus most manufacturers are offering $0 down and 0% financing which makes it doable....

Brand choice is another matter. John Deere is way too pricey, Kubota is a possible, Yanmar also.
What should I know or do to get this going? I'd like to have one by next spring.

All advice appreciated!

Hello; first off, without going crazy, bigger and heavier is always better than smaller and lighter - when it comes to a tractor. Buying a used unit, even if you have to have it shipped, is always an option if you can find one. Just watch the hours. I've had super good luck with Kubotas (2 of them) from over 25 years. The BX2360 I bought a few years ago would work for you. Also, I would NOT purchase a belly mower due to the pain of installing/removing it. 3pt mowers are always easier to install, and are cheaper to purchase. Good luck!

 

[7010P]

Well here's the story....I have a 5 acre place in N Central Az. All flat, about 2 acres is horse pasture. Well not grass pasture, but dirt and rock. The other 3 acres are 'grassy' but not nice grass. Plus there are spots with rocks that need to be cleared and always DG to spread. I currently have a riding mower, but the mower deck just crapped out, and I use it more for dragging and cleaning the pastures anyway. My neighbors are great and stop by to help out with stuff, but I really need my own tractor, most people around here use them almost every day for something.

So after much searching, I basically know nothing much more than when I started looking. What I do know is that tractors are expensive!

Here are my parameters: Decent HP (24?) - 4x4 - rear box scraper - front bucket - canopy - mower deck. Other than that I'm flexible. Budget is under $20k. I'd like to go new to get a warranty, plus most manufacturers are offering $0 down and 0% financing which makes it doable....

Brand choice is another matter. John Deere is way too pricey, Kubota is a possible, Yanmar also.
What should I know or do to get this going? I'd like to have one by next spring.

All advice appreciated!

As far as your choice of brands I have looked at a few small LS Tractor combo's several months ago at about 18K in your HP range (Frontend loader and back hoe attachment I think). Look into LS tractors. Although they are a South Korean brand they are built in the Georgia plant. I own a LS7010 (72HP) that I bought used a few years ago and have been happy with it ever since. Find a dealer near you as they most likely will have some sort of combo deal. Also some one on here gave me a tip on box blades and I took it to heart not knowing understanding why at the time but the heavier the better Good Luck in finding the right tractor for you!