I'd like to thank everyone for their input and convincing me I need to spend more money
I'm now looking at the JD 3 series (3033/9r), Kubota MX5400 and the
L3560, all cabbed. I've been in all 3, and thought the JD layout and cab was particularly nice, but was concerned with the clearance since it will be spending time in the woods. The MX5400, as expected, was a little more basic, and I thought the cab was a little louder, but it was still quite nice. I liked the larger front tires as well and thought it might do better in the forest. I'm also wondering if less electronics means less issues in the long run. The
L3560 was also nice, but felt more cramped than the MX5400. Right now, I'm strongly considering either the 3033 or the MX5400, though I'm waiting for a price on the Kubota tractors just in case they're way above the deere price. I've been around to look at Mahindra, New Holland and the rest, and am going to choose between orange or green. The dealer network is much better where I am for those brands. Does anyone have a strong opinion for/against any of those 3, or think I should look at something different?
Couple of things about cabs. They're not good in wooded settings and if doing maintenance tasks requiring getting on and off often (like 99% are) the cab is a triple PIA.
I think you are making the right decision to move up to spending more money. That's a lot of land you have, and buying too small is a mistake nearly all of us have made. Not that the little machine won't do the work, but it does take much longer and beats you up more.
On orange vs green, I've had both - & still do. Twenty years ago I preferred green and now lean toward the orange - largely because I like some of their material selections and simper electrical direction they went at the time. But as soon as that trend make one preferable then the other side gets competitive. So I think that both are good. Electronics are getting better and more reliable all the time but are nowhere near as good as automotive electrics. Mechanical problems on all the top tier tractors are pretty much a thing of the past, but now we have electrical to contend with. I think that is sad to lose the old mechanically controlled diesels, but unavoidable. There are also several really good up and comers...but I don't know about them and would consider a good local dealer to be more important to you right now than the brand.
Cab vs Open Station.... again, we have both. And as a younger person OR a person just learning about tractors I would recommend an open station because it involves you more in the experience - plus it really is easier to get on and off. You will run into a few trees in the cab that you would miss with the open station - but here there is also the fact that the cab can protect you from being speared by branches...not as unlikely as you may think.
However, once you gain experience in operating the tractor - it takes a few years - then you will begin to lean toward a cab. But I think for a complete amateur there is a lot to be learned open station even though it is definitely less comfortable. One possibility is to buy a model that has an optional cab. It will cost more in the long run to add the cab later, but by then you will know if you want to do that or trade around.
That's all just my opinion on the cab or not choice of course, and you will find many strong opinions on open station vs cab. And most of it depends on how you feel about it. How much does cold or hot bother you? Dust? Does your motorcycle have a windshield? If so you may prefer the cab.
If you do get an open station, definitely get a 4 post canopy with an insulated top. The posts help you get on/off, and deflect branches. The insulated top prevents the canopy from refecting heat and sound down. The TLB model Kubotas
M59/
M62 are excellent examples of an insulated top. It's also a tractor with several aftermarket cabs available as well as soft cabs. So there are options - but non of the add-ons I've seen are nearly so nice as an original factory cab.
There is definitely a market for a windshield on the 4 post canopy type tractors, it would be easy to mount one, but so far no aftermarket that I know of. There are some custom soft cab builders. If you are near big water there may be a marine fabricator of dodgers who would make something up.
Spaciousness in a cab is a real luxury. Our JD has enough room to stretch out, so I put a folding buddy seat ours for my wife to ride along. Adding the dog makes it a bit cramped. But at low speed with the "ride control" engaged, radio for music, and AC on .... it's a goofy but fun way to go a couple miles to town with a load of slash for the town burn pile, then pick up a few groceries, and some fuel.
The quintissential cab was one I saw on an older 90 hp Zetor from the 1970s. Their factory cab had a full width seat behind the driver which I guess was for the whole family to sit. BTW, Zetor is an example of a good old tractor that made a wrong turn but are coming back strong. Although their lack of a dealer network plus the occassional mechanical oddity (square O rings?) is too much of a disadvantage for me.
So get a nice tractor that appeals to you. Put a nice loader on it with a SSQA adapter, and don't get too big of a FEL bucket. You want to be able to see what the bucket is doing. Get at least 60 hp, transmission of your choice - but make sure that transmission has a simple handy power reverser in every gear, and get at least one set of remote hydraulic outlets front and rear. That's about it.
Enjoy your new tractor!
rScotty
