Another new guy with another question

summitlion · Mar 7, 2004

I have only been coming to this site for about three weeks, but it looks like there are a lot of people out there in my shoes. I am in the market for my 1st tractor. I have 22 acres, but at the time only about 5-6 is cleared. I am planning on getting another 5-8 acres cleared and putting ina pond, garden, shelter etc. I also have bridle trails throughout my land. I have about 1/2 mile of road front that also needs continuously cut. I have lived here for 2 years, but have paid people to do the required upkeep.
I am now ready to buy a tractor (finally got wife's approval.) From what I have learned, I think I want a 30-35HP tractor with a FEL, Hog, box blade and maybe a chipper. I have looked at the major 3 plus the other Orange. Every dealer except JD is telling me that I do not need the Hydrostat trans. In fact the NH dealer near me doesn't even carry them. At this point I'm not sure if I do or not. The shuttle shift does not seem that difficult.
After looking for a while, I am down to a JD4310 w/ FEL, or a Kioti DK35 w/ FEL. I am actually leaning towards the Kioti. Although they are about the same price, I seem to get so much more with the Kioti. I am happy with the dealer, and there are actually 3 more within 50 miles.
Any help would be appreciated. BTW- the NH and Kubota are not out of the question, but they do not seem to have quite as much to offer. The NH actually came in higher than the JD that had more options.

Rob

Bird · Mar 7, 2004

( Every dealer except JD is telling me that I do not need the Hydrostat trans. )

Nope, you don't need it much more than you need an automatic transmission in a car. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif But many of us prefer it for convenience, speed of changing directions, especially for front end loader work, infinite speed control (some geared tractors have a creeper gear while some will not run as slow as you'd like when running the engine at PTO speed), safety (some say a geared transmission is just as safe contrary to my opinion /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif but they might be right if they're talking about experienced operators).

In other words (and just in my opinion) you'll be happier with the hydrostatic transmission, but you can certainly do without it; that's the reason they make tractors with different transmissions; just depends on personal preference and the jobs to be done.

HayDR · Mar 7, 2004

If you ever think you ever want to harvest hay you may want to consider the DK45. The DK45 would give you more options in using hay implements.

RoyJackson · Mar 7, 2004

For your amount of acreage, that 4310 seems to be an outstanding choice. I recently talked a friend of mine (with about 15 or so acres) to get that same tractor.
As Bird said, Hydro is a choice. Me...I prefer the gears. Same thing in both our vehicles...manual transmissions.

But either a gear tranny or hydro, I believe the Deere 4300 tractor would be a great choice.

Bob_Skurka · Mar 7, 2004

I would buy the one you like the best from the dealer you feel the most comfortable with. And as someone who was in your shoes a few years ago, I would recommend you get the hydrostatic transmission. It just makes things easier and faster and safer, especially for a novice. If you plan on plowing then get a gear tractor, if you are going to be doing things like mowing around shrubs that your wife plants (or has you plant) and doing loader work, then the HST is simple and fast and you will find it easier to get more done quicker.

Just my opinion.

Henro · Mar 7, 2004

What is the lay of the land? Lots of hills or table-top flat, or somewhere in between?

The steeper the hills the more I favor the HST. In addition to what Bird said... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

thcri · Mar 7, 2004

( Every dealer except JD is telling me that I do not need the Hydrostat trans. In fact the NH dealer near me doesn't even carry them. Rob )

Rob, it is ok for the dealers to make recomendations. But I always hate it when a sales person tells me what I need. Everybody's preference is different. I don't know what your preference is but I sure would check both transmission out. Test drive them both some. I sure would hate to have a gear when I really wished I had a Hydro or vice versa. If the other dealers are steering you away from Hydro it is either they don't have the Hydro's in stock or they just don't know how to work on them. Or it could be one of them area things too. I know in our area 95% of the compacts on the lots are Hydro.

I guess what I am saying the Hydro is a bit more expensive but if you take it out over the life of the tractor its not much. Just make the right choice up front.

murph

raynman · Mar 7, 2004

summitlion,

I know what that feeling is like when(you get the wife's approval)

My opinion is that if your only going to do what you state a hydro is the way to go, but if you ever plan on doing any ground engaging things plowing, disking, you would be better off with the gears. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I have 15 acres myself and just bought a 4510 in January of this year, you might want to go a little larger if you can($$$) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

KiotiJohn will have some good points for you on the Kioti, I can't say anything about them since I wanted to look at them but was turned off by the dealers attitude towards my questions about them. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I do love my deere /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Good luck, and make sure you keep us posted.

DK35vince · Mar 7, 2004

You need to test drive a hydro as compared to a syncro-shuttle and see for yourself which one you prefer.
I personally never even priced any hydro models. The hydro's are nice but was not worth the extra cost to me (my opinion only) .
I liked shuttle and thats what I got.

txdon · Mar 7, 2004

Rob, None of the dealers I spoke with ever said you don't need HST. They just let me test drive and I told them I want HST. HST has proved very useful for clearing under underbrush in woodsy areas and for moving sand with the FEL. When you looked at Kubotas did you look at the Grand L series tractors L3130-L3830? What ever tractor you decide on I think you will enjoy/need HST being a new tractor owner like me. Try this test: with one hand on the steering wheel and one hand on the FEL joystick and one foot on the HST pedal go into a pile of dirt and curl the bucket up and back out while lifting and curling the bucket and turning the tractor around while looking behind you in one continuous movement. Then try it with a geared tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif