Another "Help me pick a tractor" thread

[THEPARTYHOUND]

I'm sure tradosaurus's heart is in the right place, but you will find that they offer a cash price and a different price about 6k higher if you finance with them or want to trade something in. You will usually be better off finding the best interest rate ya can from a bank and then bringing a check in to buy the tractor.

 

[tradosaurus]

Lol. Try $500 rebate for cash.
I financed $28000 for 5 yrs, no money down, 0% interest, including two implements.
No brainer.

 

[niterydr]

Bringing this one back as I do need a tractor around here after being here for 7-8 months.

I've borrowed a tractor, JD 5100E, 100hp. I used it for some grading around the house, but overall this was way to much of a tractor for me and my place. Really a nice machine but I can't justify something that large and that expensive for this small of a homestead.

I just rented a smaller Kubota locally, L3800. 4wd, Open cab, hydro transmission. I liked the size of this one. The open cab is killer here as the temperature gets rough, but I do have a budget of a cash purchase of in/around $6k. Used it for brush hogging (5') and the box blade for cleaning out the horse run in shelter and grading the riding arena we put up. The brush hog did okay, when I buy one I want one that follows the ground a bit better, this one seemed to leave very uneven cutting on the trails and pasture fields. Overall a good machine and very utilitarian.

Thinking my must have's have changed:
4wd
Loader capacity of 1000lbs or so, mostly for moving dirt and such. We've gotten over to the square bale side of the world with the horses and it works very well for our needs. Easy to stack, store, and we have a feeder that takes one and has very minimal waste.

In looking at our pastures I think we can eventually flip 4-5 acres for square bale production. This would allow us to positively know what goes into our animals and the square balers seem to require a significant amount less PTO power.

Does anyone hobby farm with a "classic" machine? Recommended older tractors with a loader and 4wd I should be looking for? Very mechanically savvy and am fine doing maintenance.

 

[niterydr]

I've been talking to my local Deere dealer, thinking I am going to go with a 3025E with loader, MFWD. Adding a Frontier RC2060 and a 5' Standard duty box blade. Optioning the tractor with the i-Match quick hitch setup and a Canopy to keep the heat off me.
The lack of the new emissions equipment is a strong pull for me. The price is right on this combo and it will allow me to maintain the property as is and grow into it. The 0% interest deal Deere has now is also a no brainer. This should allow me to maintain the arena, trails, and pastures with ease.

 

[nrosario]

I've been talking to my local Deere dealer, thinking I am going to go with a 3025E with loader, MFWD. Adding a Frontier RC2060 and a 5' Standard duty box blade. Optioning the tractor with the i-Match quick hitch setup and a Canopy to keep the heat off me.
The lack of the new emissions equipment is a strong pull for me. The price is right on this combo and it will allow me to maintain the property as is and grow into it. The 0% interest deal Deere has now is also a no brainer. This should allow me to maintain the arena, trails, and pastures with ease.

If that machine fits all your needs, by all means.

Before you commit I encourage you to check the following video, it seems that tractor Loader is on the weak side, specially when you have to curl the bucket.
This is a 3032E which I believe comes with the same loader as the one you are looking at
John Deere 332E Review, Lift Capacity and Curtis Cab! - YouTube

-My neighbor was also checking into the 3E series but he decided not to get it for the same reason, weak loader. The 1R series has a better loader...


That particular frame size is hot, every manufacturer has a model in that range.

Kubota L2501
Kioti CK2610 *Hast the biggest loader capacity on this category / 1,835 @ PITVOT PIN*
LS MT225HE *Has the second loader lift capacity on this category /1,600 @ PIVOT PIN*
MAHINDRA 1626
MF 1726E

 

[niterydr]

If that machine fits all your needs, by all means.

Before you commit I encourage you to check the following video, it seems that tractor Loader is on the weak side, specially when you have to curl the bucket.
This is a 3032E which I believe comes with the same loader as the one you are looking at
John Deere 332E Review, Lift Capacity and Curtis Cab! - YouTube

-My neighbor was also checking into the 3E series but he decided not to get it for the same reason, weak loader. The 1R series has a better loader...


That particular frame size is hot, every manufacturer has a model in that range.

Kubota L2501
Kioti CK2610 *Hast the biggest loader capacity on this category / 1,835 @ PITVOT PIN*
LS MT225HE *Has the second loader lift capacity on this category /1,600 @ PIVOT PIN*
MAHINDRA 1626
MF 1726E

I watched the video and all of his tests are over rated capacity...not entirely sure what he is proving here.
The cab, while boxy, does look cool and is a neat option.

I'm not buying a 3 series tractor for any loader capacity, wrong machine for that application.

I am looking to buy something that will work for 80% of my needs. If I need to move some serious earth my neighbor's "little tractors" are all 5 series or equiv 100+hp tractors I can borrow, or I'll rent an excavator.

How do you like your tractor?

 

[nrosario]

I see what you mean, it seems you have it figured out, I'm glad.

How do you like your tractor?

I like my little tractor, actually is too much tractor for my current needs.
My only issue is that I really need a belly mower that I can use around the house and contour our trees.
But we are looking at 4k or more for the mid-pto kit and a mid-mower deck.
It might be better just to buy a simpler ride-on mower, but another machine will be hard sell to the Finance Committee.

 

[niterydr]

I see what you mean, it seems you have it figured out, I'm glad.



I like my little tractor, actually is too much tractor for my current needs.
My only issue is that I really need a belly mower that I can use around the house and contour our trees.
But we are looking at 4k or more for the mid-pto kit and a mid-mower deck.
It might be better just to buy a simpler ride-on mower, but another machine will be hard sell to the Finance Committee.

I hear you. Last night finance committee stated "well you can now sell the cub cadet rider". I advised that the cub cadet will be for home mowing and light duty only, tractor will be pasture mowing, she agreed when I showed her the damage to the cub cadet in trying to use it for more than it is intended. I also advised that this tractor may tear up the yard, even with the industrial tires.