Best Tractor?

[RalphVa]

You haven't mentioned whether your 8 acres are smooth or have hills, brush, etc. If any hills, valleys or brush, I'd look more seriously at tractors with more clearance and ones that don't have the hydraulic cooling fans underneath, as many of the smaller SCUTs have. I maintain trails along the creek and through the woods, mow a small field, do some brush hogging and remove snow from my 350' or so driveway with my JD 4010. My driveway is fairly level, and I can do it with turfs pushing my FEL or with a back blade. If your driveway is sloped much, you may need some chains or maybe R1 or R4 tires with metal screws into the outer part of the lugs. If I had a choice, I'd lean towards the R4 industrial tread tires.

Check out the Kubota "B" models or JD's 2320 or 2520. You might also look at the TYM SCUT if it's in your area.

Ralph

 

[Skipholiday]

I had in mind $15k maximum. My truck is paid off so I have about $350 in the budget for now. This will change once I need a new vehicle which will be about 4 years as a guess.

I also figure I can get just what I need for now, and just add the "extras" when I have the need/money.

BTW, I love the best bang for the buck!!

I know you weren't looking at John Deere but they have zero interest for 36 months until February 07.

2305 4-Wheel Drive Tractor $10,750.00
200CX Loader $2,740.00
62C In. Mid-Mount Side Discharge Mower $1,920.00
Configured Price: $15,410.00
For 36 months with zero interest your payment would be about $385 a month.
You could negotiate a better deal at your dealer, this is website figures.
I'm sure you could get a $1000 or better discount~!

John Deere 2305

 

[mr_shovel]

I am getting quotes of $15.5k for B7800 w/ loader.. Reasonable?

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I am getting quotes of $15.5k for B7800 w/ loader.. Reasonable?

HST or Gear? What options, if any? Does that include delivery? Etc.

Please also understand that pricing is very regional so a good price in New England is usually an outrageously bad price in the Midwest, etc.

 

[mr_shovel]

B7800 with industrial tires
LA402 loader
60" bucket
ballast box

$15,500.00 plus tax, delivered

I look on the spec sheet and i only see HST for an option

 

[jbrumberg]

mr shovel:

I liked the photo of your property. It made your requirements easier to understand. The B7800 is similar to my NH TC29DA as to clearance and performance. Knowing that your lawn tends to be wet the "B" being 700+ pounds lighter than the "TC" would have less impact on your lawn with unweighted R-4's if you intend to use a MMM. I believe the "B" has the power to do more than your stated immediate uses. You will probably need chains on the R-4's for snow removal as well as moving dirt when the need to move dirt arrives, but I would hold off on the chains until you discover what the tractor will do in the snow (global warming may help ). The price seems right to me. Can you get a 60" box blade thrown in to the deal instead of a ballast box? I spent a lot more for my new "TC", but I got a good trade-in on the old Ford 1100 and QA/HD bucket with a cutting blade thrown in. Now the readership can help you spend money on attachments !

 

[Bob_Young]

Hi Mr. Shovel,
I'm in your neck of the woods. I've had very good luck at Empire Tractor in Waterloo. Bought two Kubotas from them. No complaints yet. They carry NH as well.

As for your application, there's a couple of things worth mentioning. The smallest CUTs weigh about the same as the SCUTs but, with bigger tires, better ground clearance and a smoother ride. So, for the Kubotas (which I've studied the most), the B7510/7610 CUTs weigh about the same as a similarly equipped BX2350 and aren't much larger. If soft ground is an issue, you don't really hurt yourself by moving up to the smallest CUTs. With the bigger tires, a small CUT may actually have better flotation than the SCUT.

The price you've been quoted for the B7800 looks good to me. It should have the HP to do some serious slugging in those wooded areas. But it is a bigger and heavier tractor than either the BX or the B7510/7610. Amongst the trees and in other tight places where inches count, a smaller tractor is easier to live with.

Your quote for the B7800 w/FEL and ballast box is virtually the same as the one I got for a B7610 with loader, Mid-mount mower, and ballast box...a little closer to your one tractor do-it-all machine. Of course, with your open lawn, you probably don't need a mid-mount mower and could do just as well with a rear-finish mower saving around $1000 in the process.

So, running true to (TBN) form, I recommend you 'get what I got'....a B7610 w/turfs. Except substitute a RFM for the MMM and a rear blade for the ballast box. With that combination you can mow all summer in relative comfort and then, come winter, look old Man snow-belt Winter in the eye and say, "Go ahead, make my day.".....if you dare
FWIW
Bob

 

[Jimsntcrz]

I have 44 hours on this B7800 I paid $21,000 out the door..Top and tilt 3 spool hydraulics ran about $2,000 and California tax was about $1,800..Got the 3 year 0% financing...In three years I can sell this tractor for almost what I paid for it..
For Now I love this little sweety...

I have 7 acres in the Santa Cruz Mountains in CAlifornia...

Pics of my Orange love