Buying a tractor - too many choices! Please point me in the right direction

[TJP89]

I agree with the others here. Size up. I have 35 HP on my place (25 acres) and it works great. I would never go less though. Position control is absolutely essential. 20K will be hard. Of the tractors you mentioned, the only one I would consider for you is the L3560. It is a heavy tractor of the next class in 35 HP, and as I was quoted 30+K for one, 22K is a deal. I would look in at least high 40s HP wise. You can probably find something basic w/o busting your budget to much. I would bite the bullet and pay for a comfortable tractor HP and feature wise that will make you happy for years to come. Implements can come later at a cheaper price and as needed. If upsizing is totally out of the question, The CK35 has worked well for me. I would certainly upsize if at all possible.

 

[jeff9366]

I bought my current tractor, Kubota 'Grand L' L3560 in January 2013.

Options: Greater lift FEL choice: LA805, Heavy-Duty Round Back Bucket L2296, Draft Control, R4 tires.

Finanaced with what Kubota terms 'O' percent financing + KTAC insurance.

$27,500 delivered (no sales tax on ag nor forestry equipment in Florida)

Wonderful tractor. 5,400 pounds/tires NOT loaded.

 

[Gary Fowler]

No doubt about it, larger, a bit more HP, etc is most times good but not always. I was looking for a 50 HP tractor with cab and HVAC and FEL. My B.I.L. had bought a NH 2030 and it was a little light for handling round bales but with proper rear ballast it does the job. Anyway I looked at all the brands and then found the LS P 7010C for less or about the same as the 40-50 HP Kubota, JD, NH, Case and Massey tractors that I had looked at SOOOO, I bought the LS. It was very good for all the big stuff like pushing over trees, digging and hauling huge amounts of dirt, tree limbs etc but after about a year of working all the larger projects, I found that it was just too big for many of my projects and for finesse dirt work with the cab, it was almost impossible to see the front edge of the FEL bucket. I then started looking for something smaller to complement the big LS.
I found it with the help of a Northern TBN resident who had found a used Kubota B26 (26 engine HP) but had about determined that he was not going to be able to sell his B25 so he point me to the B26 seller. I bought it with just photos and drove the 500 miles to get it (after buying a trailer to haul it) and it was perfect. Only had about 60 hours on it and was still showroom perfect. $20,500 and it was mine. It is my go to tractor 99% of the time now. After more than 4 years, my 2010 year model LS has only about 110 hrs. but my 2009 B26 which I got in 2011 has almost 400 hours.
So the moral of this tale is, You can get too big for 99% of your needs and in most instances, that other 1% could still be done with a smaller tractor given more time and/or effort.

 

[buickanddeere]

John*Deere 5055E Utility Tractor 5E Series (45-75 hp) Utility Tractors JohnDeere.ca with a 260H loader if it fits.
Dry tires with a rear weight box as there will be punctures to repair.

319E Compact Track Loader from John Deere

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

. . . .
Yeah, I'm getting that message loud and clear... Given that, Here's the few options that seem to be (tractor only) about 20-22K:

Kioti CK35HST
LS XR3037H
Kubota L3560HST

Those seem to be a step up and all well over 3K pounds. I'll have to get some prices, I guess, and go try them out in person. I guess then, when getting to this price point, it's going to come down to price out the door more than anything else. I'm not going to get one of the off brands like Tym as I want to make sure my dealer is still around. Maybe other options, too. I'll look into the 40HP+ prices of these as well and see where that goes. I'm not going to be able to get this done by tomorrow so year-end incentives go out of the window. It seems Kubota is already starting to leak their 2015 1Q specials as is Kioti so I'll just look for now and wait for a smoking deal. I was ready to pull the trigger on a G3033H but I'll do more research.

Of those 3, the LS XR3037H will probably be the best overall deal. The Kioti CK35 should be cheaper, but I think it's missing some of the features that are included as standard on the LS XR series. The Kioti CK series is equivalent to the LS G series. (You have to step up to the Kioti DK series to get the same basic feature set on the LS XR series). The LS XR series is definitely a step up from the LS G series.

The Kubota L3560 is a REALLY nice tractor that includes Kubota's HST+ (which could spoil you very quickly). It does not include rear hydraulic remotes as standard, which are standard on the LS XR series and Kioti DK series. And it will probably be significantly more expensive than a Kioti DK or LS XR series tractor, especially when you add the cost of the standard equipment on the Kioti or LS.

Another possibility would be to follow Bart's suggestion of stepping up to the LS G3038 instead of the G3033 for probably not very much additional cost. The main difference in the G3038 and the XR3037 will be the extra features that are included as standard on the XR series, such as telescoping lower lift arm ends, rear hydraulic remotes, tilt steering wheel, etc. I suspect the additional features in the XR vs. the G would be well worth the cost difference.

Whatever you do, don't buy a tractor without a SSQA front end loader.

 

[noose]

Of those 3, the LS XR3037H will probably be the best overall deal. The Kioti CK35 should be cheaper, but I think it's missing some of the features that are included as standard on the LS XR series. The Kioti CK series is equivalent to the LS G series. (You have to step up to the Kioti DK series to get the same basic feature set on the LS XR series). The LS XR series is definitely a step up from the LS G series.

The Kubota L3560 is a REALLY nice tractor that includes Kubota's HST+ (which could spoil you very quickly). It does not include rear hydraulic remotes as standard, which are standard on the LS XR series and Kioti DK series. And it will probably be significantly more expensive than a Kioti DK or LS XR series tractor, especially when you add the cost of the standard equipment on the Kioti or LS.

Another possibility would be to follow Bart's suggestion of stepping up to the LS G3038 instead of the G3033 for probably not very much additional cost. The main difference in the G3038 and the XR3037 will be the extra features that are included as standard on the XR series, such as telescoping lower lift arm ends, rear hydraulic remotes, tilt steering wheel, etc. I suspect the additional features in the XR vs. the G would be well worth the cost difference.

Whatever you do, don't buy a tractor without a SSQA front end loader.

Thanks again. I had a long chat with the LS people. I like the features that are adding on the XR series including the rear remotes. For another $230, they'll add hydraulic tilt on the pto which would be a good reason to have the additional rear hydraulic. I've asked him to price me a XR3032 and a 3037 which are the same chassis and features -- just 5 horse difference. We'll see where that goes. Unfortunately, they don't have a 3032 or 3037 in stock at the moment as they have been cleaned out by end of year specials.

The rep did mention they have 8 each of the xr3032 and 3037h on order as they bought before a January price increase. Don't know how much or when, but apparently they are going up for 2015 models.

 

[jeff9366]

With the US dollars at eight year highs, there should not be many price increases on imports.

 

[GManBart]

Thanks again. I had a long chat with the LS people. I like the features that are adding on the XR series including the rear remotes. For another $230, they'll add hydraulic tilt on the pto which would be a good reason to have the additional rear hydraulic. I've asked him to price me a XR3032 and a 3037 which are the same chassis and features -- just 5 horse difference. We'll see where that goes. Unfortunately, they don't have a 3032 or 3037 in stock at the moment as they have been cleaned out by end of year specials.

The rep did mention they have 8 each of the xr3032 and 3037h on order as they bought before a January price increase. Don't know how much or when, but apparently they are going up for 2015 models.

The XR series are very nice machines, with a lot of features for the money. Just as a reference point, a local dealer is under $20k for the 3032 and jst over $21k for the 3037.

LS XR3032H hydro tractor loader

New LS XR3037 tractor loader

 

[TSO]

If you are considering the XR3032/37, then I strongly STRONGLY suggest bumping up to the XR4040 (or 46). The price difference will probably be at or under $2k. I know you're trying to stick to a budget, but here's why I think that for YOUR property, you should justify the jump:

Spec difference between 3037 & 4040

3pt lift, 1808 vs 2756 ... that's 53% more 3pt lift power.
loader lift, 2182 vs 2500 ... that's 15% more loader lift to full height.
loader breakout (strength at ground), 3420 vs 4354 ... that's 27% more breakout force.
wheelbase, 4040 is 3.4" longer (more stability).
weight, machine alone weight is 3567 vs 4334 ... that's 21% more weight (more stability and traction).
tires --- much MUCH larger tires, better traction & ground clearance.

You will likely be more productive with a stronger tractor, and you will not tax the limits of it's capabilities as often.

my thoughts anyhow... I'm on my 4th tractor in 3 years. I have learned & out-grown them. You might be able to just do it once if you do it right!

 

[KiwiBro]

TSO, that's why I like this forum. The experiences and wisdom of others is a great way to learn to avoid the same things happening to us, if we are open to learning.

That said, another thing I have realised is how darn easy it is to spend other people's money. But a few $k over however many hours of ownership is really a small price to pay for making the best choice, if that price is affordable to begin with.

Cheers.