I'm looking to purchase a tractor in the next little while (25-40hp), but I'm on the fence as to what brand I should get. I'd like to keep it to my local dealers. Case, NH, Massey, McCormick, JD are the local choices. I am in Canada.
The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Tractor weight is more important identifying tractor capability than tractor horsepower.
The most efficient way to shop for tractors is to first identify potential tractor applications, then, through consulataton, establish bare tractor weight necessary to
safely accomplish your applications. Tractor dealers, experienced tractor owners and TractorByNet.com are sources for weight recommendations.
Bare tractor weight is a fundamental tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used. Shop your weight range within tractor brands. Budget will eliminate some choices. Collect a dealer brochure for each tractor model in your weight range.
I spreadsheet tractor and implement specs, often a revealing exercise which cuts through specification clutter. I have a column for cost per pound.
Selling a used tractor is easy. Selling multiple light implements in order to buy heavier, wider implements for a new, heavier tractor requires a lot of time. Depreciation on implements is worse than depreciation on a tractor.
A quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important for tractor neophytes. Most new tractors are delivered with a glitch or two requiring correction. My Kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment after eight years. Dealer proximity is less important for those experienced with tractors and qualified to perform their own maintenance.
- Twenty-five horsepower tractors weigh from 1,700 pounds bare weight to 2,900 pounds bare weight.
- Forty horsepower tractors weigh from 3,500 pounds bare weight to 4,500 pounds bare weight.
When considering a tractor purchase bare tractor weight first, tractor horsepower second, rear axle width third, rear wheel/tire ballast fourth.
Brand? Models to look at or avoid? Buy new or used?
The Three Point Hitch tractor has been marketed in the USA since 1939 -- 82 years in 2021.
The basic design is generic.
Kubota and Deere have most of the market through 6,000 pound bare weight tractors in the USA.
The up and coming tractor brands in the USA are Korean: Kioti, LS and Branson. There are other Korean brands.
You must critically assess dealer stability while shopping minor brands.
Korean manufacturing labor is paid 50% of what Deere pays its union work force. Japanese manufacturing labor is paid 70% of what Deere pays its union work force. Labor costs influence tractor prices.
BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR
