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

[noose]

First the closest dealer is about 45 minutes - Kubota. Another half hour will get me to LS, John Deere, New Holland and Kioti... If I'm willing to go a couple of hours, I can get just about every major brand. The closest, by far, is a Kubota dealer at 30-40 minutes drive. I'm closing on 60 acres in about 30 days and there's an immense amount of work to be done. I won't be doing any planting, hay cutting, etc., as I'll be moving from Ag Use to essentially enjoyment of the land with a Wildlife Exemption. That will require some basic work such as brush hogging, road maintenance, fence work, and lots of cleanup work on old, dead trees, junk left out in the woods, and so on. I'm thinking I can get away with a 30ish horse but I want the weight so I can box blade the crappy driveway and roads into something more usable. I'll have road base delivered and I'll slowly work on a road across the property to the back. All total mabye 2000' of road built over time. (lots of time)

I've honestly done a ton of research and come up with the following list of things I think I want:

30ish HP tractor with FEL
Hydrostatic
R4 Tires
3-point Quick Hitch
Brush Hog implement
Box Blade implement
12 auger for some fence post repair (quite few of them are rotten or just poorly done)
540 PTO

Now... Some of the things I don't understand yet. Do all the 3-points on these CUTs hydraulically raise/lower as I've seen in "how to" videos or is that an "option". How important is weight going to be for my uses? There's a significant difference in weight in some of the CUTs. I'm assuming with FEL work, chassis weight is quite important.

I'm looking to keep the above package from getting over $20K. I really like the feature set of the LS G3033H and with implements above in a package, I'm in around that price or a tad over. I guess I'll leave at that and await a few points of advice and come back with more questions.

Thanks for all the help, in advance.

 

[nybirdman]

All CUT's have power"up" on the three point and "gravity"down.You have your size about right,weight is your friend for the most part.If you like Kubota look at the "L" series of tractors.
Ask about "extendable" end links on the three point(or some type of quick change) makes changing implements much easier.
Buy big enough the first time,saves trading down the road.Most of us have bought too small the first time.

 

[MAN IN BLACK]

I would look more at the 50-60HP range.
Full size ag tractor...better hydraulic capacities on FEL & 3PT and more weight for added traction.
You'll be glad to have the extra weight and power to work in the woods.
You won't be buying all that stuff new for under 20000$
The hydraulics you mentioned as option is the back couplers to activate a woodsplitter,dump trailer, etc...usually on ag tractors they are standard, on most CUT...optional and I strongly recommend them.

 

[noose]

Concerning price, I know "buy bigger than what you think you need" so it's right the first time. Locally, the L3301DT (non hst) with above implements is literally $20K delivered. I'm going to have to stay around that range which means that, a G3033, etc. All those seem to be in the high teens and with implements cracking the 20-21K range...

 

[motownbrowne]

Go one step up. Weight and fel capacity is more important to me than HP. Look for something that'll easily lift a ton on the loader. Not much more money than the size you're looking at, but way more capacity. I almost bought an l3800. For $4k more, I bought an mx4700. Double the loader capacity, ten extra HP, much heavier. The additional cost over the life of the machine is miniscule, and I'm really happy I stepped up a size.

 

[ovrszd]

You will get more confused as this goes along. Choices are many. You'll get down to a gut feeling about tractors as you spend time sitting on them, running them and poking around on them. Go for the gut feeling in the end. Each individual has individual tastes. That's why you have half a dozen choices in paint color alone.

As for the implements. No way I would buy a package deal with the tractor. Go on Craigslist (use Searchtempest) or Tractorhouse or Fastline and look at used equipment. You'll spend 50% or less for the implements and that will free up money to buy more tractor. In the end you'll be more satisfied and possibly avoid being back on here in a year telling us you are considering trading up because you want more fancy options or more size/HP.

Remember, a Box Blade is basically just a chunk of iron when you are down in that size. It'll sit and rust most of it's life. Don't need a new one to do that.....

 

[GManBart]

I'm looking to keep the above package from getting over $20K. I really like the feature set of the LS G3033H and with implements above in a package, I'm in around that price or a tad over. I guess I'll leave at that and await a few points of advice and come back with more questions.

First off, welcome to TBN!

I had an LS that did a great job for me until I needed to go to something much larger, so I'm still a fan of LS when it comes to band for your buck. If you like the G3033, consider the slight increase to the G3038...it has the same frame, but a more powerful loader (like 25% more). Buying used implements would let you make up the difference in price.

 

[GManBart]

As for the implements. No way I would buy a package deal with the tractor. Go on Craigslist (use Searchtempest) or Tractorhouse or Fastline and look at used equipment. You'll spend 50% or less for the implements and that will free up money to buy more tractor. In the end you'll be more satisfied and possibly avoid being back on here in a year telling us you are considering trading up because you want more fancy options or more size/HP.

Remember, a Box Blade is basically just a chunk of iron when you are down in that size. It'll sit and rust most of it's life. Don't need a new one to do that.....

Yep. It's not hard to come up with solid, used implements like brush cutters and box blades for $500 or so that will do the job just fine.

 

[Pete6114]

I hate underbuying.....been there, done that, and i now find it cheaper in the long run to buy at least one step higher then i think i need. I would look at bigger then 30ish. It may take you over 20k, but there is nothing worse then finding out you under bought and are cursing yourself. Always best to have extra power, then not enough and working equipment into the ground....
Let us know which machine you pick!

 

[rgr33]

I have the LS 3033h that you mention. got about 130 hour on it so far and have been really happy with it. the other tractor I liked was the Kioti ck 35. Both those units were very easy to operate,well built, and affordable. I think either of those two brands will give you what you need in the price range you mention. just be sure the dealer seems capable and will still be there when you need them, In this area,we see Tym and Branson dealers come and go with the seasons, sorry to say. no matter what brand you end up with, the time may come when you want to upgrade, that is when you will be glad your dealer is still there carrying your same brand. assuming I guess that you made a good choice the first time.

 

[big bubba]

i'm with motownbrowne size & wt are equally important as strictly hp. and the suggestion of extendable 3rd arm is indispensable for safety & time to hook up. the mx series can't be beat in the mid range hp tractor. imho a small utility tractor for your 60 acres would be ideal for future applications. would recommend loading rear tires. used is an option, not sure how financing works on that. & get those pics out to the forum once it's a done deal. my suggestion is don't move too quickly in the buying fever, ball's in your court. sleep on it.... best regards

 

[TripleR]

Do you have any experience with tractors, if not or it's been a while, you might want to go rent something in the general size range or really any tractor for a weekend to get a baseline for comparison.

Tractors seem to shrink and lose power once you get them and use them a bit. In 2008 after owning several tractors, I decided I need another one to keep from running between farms. I went looking for a 35HP machine and my wife talked me into a 50HP and I sure was glad she did.

Most of us go through the same thing you are when buying and sure empathize with your dilemma; good luck.

 

[ovrszd]

Most of us go through the same thing you are when buying and sure empathize with your dilemma; good luck.

How can something so enjoyable be so stressful!!!!

 

[murphy1244]

Make a map of tractor dealers within a range of 50 miles. Go to these places and sit your butt in as many tractors as you can find. Talk to the dealers but do NOT buy yet. At home write down your likes and dislikes about each dealer and tractor. Add it up and your tractor will come to you. Enjoy the hunt and the Victory of the find. Whatever you do DO NOT price your machine after you buy!

 

[jeff9366]

Will you want to operate your tractor on all 60 prospective acres?

That is a lot of ground for a light tractor like Kubota B3301, which will only pull five foot wide implements.

If less than 60, how many acres will be tractor-active? How about slopes? What type of soil?


All tractor Three Point Hitch PTOs operate at 540 RPM. A few are two speed, 540 RPM + 1,000 RPM.

 

[ovrszd]

Make a map of tractor dealers within a range of 50 miles. Go to these places and sit your butt in as many tractors as you can find. Talk to the dealers but do NOT buy yet. At home write down your likes and dislikes about each dealer and tractor. Add it up and your tractor will come to you. Enjoy the hunt and the Victory of the find. Whatever you do DO NOT price your machine after you buy!

Wise words Murph, wise words. Especially the last sentence. Never look back.

 

[Danny C]

I believe weight is more important that HP for most tractor tasks other than for hydraulic and PTO related tasks. It provides stability and better traction when doing ground engaging work like working a box blade, ploughing, and front end loader (FEL) work. Even though I'm a gear tractor kinda guy, I think HST is perfect for your application.

I also believe that you should scrap buying new impliments spend that money on buying as much tractor as you can and buy used impliments as you need them (been there, done that and got the t-shirt). Shoot, you can even rent things like post hole augers (more economical). The FEl on the 3038H lifts 1900# v. 1600# with the 3033. Weight is about the same.

You won't go wrong with an LS Tractor. I have one, a couple of friends have them and none have had a problem other than the fuel guage showing 1/4 tank when actually empty. You don't see many complaints here about them either. Does that size come with telescoping lower links?

I made a list of "Must Haves" and a list of "Wants". In order for a tractor to be considered, it had to have all the "Must Haves" then I weighed price against the "Wants" and came to my conclusion and bought my tractor sight unseen. i also read every review I could find and watched every YouTube video I could find on them too!

 

[noose]

Thanks all for the feedback. In the "size up" argument, I've already come up from considering something like a J2030HST so I've already sized up once. It seems it's never ending... Each step up brings another feature I'd like to have! That said, I won't be working much of the land to speak of. I'll brush hog around the tanks (two of them totaling about 3.5 acres), brush hog the trails leading across the property being accessed by 4-wheeler, and maintain the road into the property which is about 400' to the area set aside for water/septic/electric. In that area (total of .8 acre or so), I'll mow it with a ride on. There are enough fence posts that are bad that it will be worth getting an auger to make that job a lot easier. Over time, I'll probably make the "trails" across the property into narrow "roads" that I will access with 4wheelers and/or off-road golf carts. I just can't see how the 30ish horsepower G3033H at $17K can't get what I want done with extra to spare. The loader is rated at 1600 pounds and the unit weighs about 2600#. There are equivalents in this size in JD, Kubota, and Kioti nearby as well and I can look at all of them and will do so very, very soon as the property closes in 3 weeks and I'll need to get started as soon as I can make a decision on the hardware.

Thanks for the feedback for testing each one as I hadn't really considered that part. Ergonomics are important, no doubt.

As far as telescoping lower link, at least in LS, I think I'd have to go to the R series instead of the G series. Big jump up to 39 horsepower, and price...

Another question:

The G series list hydraulic lift control as "manual"
The R series lists hydraulic lift as "position/draft" What's the difference?

 

[TSO]

Position control means that the lever will go from say 1 (lowest position for the 3pt arms) up to like 9 (highest position). If you put the lever at any of the increments, it will lift the arms (or lower them) to that position. The other option is usually "valving" and the lever moves the arms up or down in small increments with each lever movement, forward or back. But, you can't just jump to position "3" because it doesn't know position... It can only take baby steps up or down.

But I think the G series is all position control.

Personally, for the size property, you should be stepping up to the larger frame CUT'S, 40-60 HP. If you buy smart, you may only have to buy once.

You can likely get an XR4046 HST with loader for around $22k. Good tractor for the money! Will come most deluxe options like SSQA plate on the loader, two sets of rear remotes, draft control, telescoping 3pt ends AND stabilizers.

Like others have said, buying NEW 3pt non-mechanical implements is usually a waste of money. You should be able to find a good used 6ft box blade for under $400 & a good 6ft brush-hog for under $500.

Good luck!

 

[ovrszd]

I'll say this from practical experience. And I'm not yelling at you, just want you to get the importance of this point..... GET POSITION CONTROL 3PT, DON'T CARE WHAT IT COSTS!!!!!!!!!!!!