Best tractor list

[Keith_B]

In terms of "best tractor", I'm having a hard time. I want a 25-30 hp, 4wd, hst, fel, capable of utilizing a 6' rfm for maintaining my 8 acres of relatively flat property. Any suggestions are welcome please explain why in your opinion. The Kioti dealer was the first to say a 25 hp (ck25) would be fine with the 6' rfm. I think weight should be an issue with the fel.

The 25-30 HP range is one that has a tremendous differential in physical size of tractors. If you don't have a lot of landscaping to mow around you can opt for a bigger physical sized tractor and get more capacity on the FEL and additional weight that will handle other tasks. The first question then is do you want the smaller or larger frame CUT?

No matter which size I would opt for a 30 HP to power the 6' RFM, as the extra HP you are going to gain is going to be helpful in cutting the grass if it is heavy or wet. Even at 30 HP gross you are only looking at 23 or 24 PTO HP on most makes of tractors.

 

[Keith_B]

Holy smokes man, you don't think I'm trying to threaten you by any means, do you?! Sure I can get serious, but I also play the jester at times and, if you find the right thread, I am the the one being picked on (in good humor....I hope ). Heck, I think if you can't laugh along at yourself at times you have other issues.

But, we are off the "best tractor list". If you want to place a "for the money" qualifier to the list, I would submit a deal I seriously thought about and missed while I waited. A local Rural King had their largest model, an 82 hp Cummins powered unit with a cab and A/C listed for a super sale price because of some sheet metal damage. I've tried to put it out of my mind because I think I should have bought it, but I think they ended up selling it for $14,995 with a matching Koyker (sp?) loader. It honestly was a very heavy tractor. I drove it around their lot (several times), and it worked fine. The paint was really faded on it and it needed new sheet metal for the hood and one rear fender. Still, for the price, I think that would have been a heck of a deal for the money. As you can tell, I'm still bothered that I waited (literally weeks) before I decided I'd add it to my fleet only to find that someone from out of state came in and was thrilled to get it. Figures.

No way did I think you were making a threat, just relating it to some of the people that are out there. I once had some guy want to meet someone and settle a discussion physically. I've received PMs where posters have been threatened by others via PM, really over the top stuff that the average poster on a board doesn't realize goes on.

That Rural King sounds like it was a heckuva deal. Lots of HP for the money, when you toss in the cab w/ac it gets even better. The Cummins alone would set you back a large chunk (all?) of that price.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I want a 25-30 hp, 4wd, hst, fel, capable of utilizing a 6' rfm for maintaining my 8 acres of relatively flat property. Any suggestions are welcome please explain why in your opinion. The Kioti dealer was the first to say a 25 hp (ck25) would be fine with the 6' rfm. I think weight should be an issue with the fel.

I don't know what the grass is like in S.E.Texas, but in most of the US, 6' of finish mower would be used with a 30hp tractor. I know I would choke a 25hp tractor with a 6' mower, heck I choke a 24hp tractor with a 5' mower if I wait an extra few days. As for FEL work, balance is more important than weight, I can site you many examples of lighter weight tractors that have greater capacity than heavier tractors. However, when driving into a packed pile of soil, a heavier tractor will have an advantage. Driving into loose rock, mulch, fresh soil, etc, pretty much any tractor will have the power to fill its bucket. It is critical that a tractor be properly ballasted for loader work, this is true for heavy, medium or light tractors. The curved loader design is a real asset and not a gimick, it dramatically increases visibility and speeds work but you'll get used to whatever machine you choose.

As you already observed, some tractors are only able to be entered from one side due to the loader control. Check for other design features like a dipstick that can be checked without removing a side panel or even lifting the hood. Make sure you can easily reach the fuel tank for refilling. Check the seat for comfort, make sure it adjusts to fit you. Make sure your knees don't hit any of the control levers if you slip forward during an impact, while going down a grade, etc. Test out the control levers to make sure you can effect the 3pt through its full cycle while watching the implement behind you. If something bothers you during a test drive, it will bother you forever. I recommend long test drives on your property if possible, if not possible then long test drives at the dealership. But don't settle for 15 minutes on the lot.

 

[MossRoad]

Thread closed until further notice.