Another new guy asking what to buy...

[Egon]

Re: Another new guy asking what ton buy...

The OP seem to be looking at a used tractor. He also knows what he wants and has help in evaluating the machinery conditions.

I think he will make a good choice all on his own!

 

[mattg43]

Thank you for the vote of confidence, but please don't assume that my answers and implied understanding are an accurate replacement for the knowledge earned through working with these items.

I am leaning heavily on those around me with decades of experience in their fields, but a handful of people to help are not a replacement for information here. All of it will help me in my decision and hopefully limit the chances of learning through my own mistakes!

 

[k0ua]

Matt, it seems you have a pretty fair handle on things, but something you can add to your thinking in terms of weight is the fact that you will be using a grapple. Weight in the tractor is your friend when it comes to lifting and tugging on things with a grapple. it will make your operation just that much safer.

I have owned the light for size Standard L series Kubota in the past, and while they are good tractors, they ARE light in weight for their horsepower and overall size. They are made to a price point and well they are just lighter. A grand L or one of the nicer Kioti's will typically weight considerably more for a given horsepower rating.

My Kioti is still in the same horsepower class of the Kubota L3400 it replaced, yet it weighs 1066 lbs more bare tractor weight. It just simply has more steel in it. From the front axle on back, it is just heavier. It makes quite a difference.

Tractors are all about traction and keeping all 4 wheels on the ground to apply that power. And weight works for you not against you. Tractors are not about speed where in an automobile the one that weighs less will outperform the one that weighs more with a given level of horsepower. In tractors it is just the opposite. I would much rather see you on a used Grand L vs. a new Standard L. Just my two cents.

 

[mattg43]

Came across a 3130 with low hours, in great shape from a gentleman who had downsized, and just bought his new home and no longer needs the tractor. Took great care of it with grease in all the spots, regularly serviced, and in perfect working order.

Hope to have it picked up next Sunday afternoon. Puts me into the ~3300lb bare tractor territory, with the opportunity to add if needed. We have a closing date on the property just over 2 weeks out, so things are certainly moving along.

Thanks very much for the information and help!

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN! :thumbsup:

 

[nybirdman]

Came across a 3130 with low hours, in great shape from a gentleman who had downsized, and just bought his new home and no longer needs the tractor. Took great care of it with grease in all the spots, regularly serviced, and in perfect working order.

Hope to have it picked up next Sunday afternoon. Puts me into the ~3300lb bare tractor territory, with the opportunity to add if needed. We have a closing date on the property just over 2 weeks out, so things are certainly moving along.

Thanks very much for the information and help!

I owned a L3130 HST;great tractor;only traded up to get a cab.

 

[MechanicalGuy]

If you're like me, you sit on and look at a tractor and it seems really big, too big, but I promise you, as others have said, once you get out and start doing, the tractor will shrink in size and capability. The first time I sat on a mx5200, I thought it was a huge beast, after just a short time working it on my property, I was really glad I didn't buy smaller.