Comparison buying new but confused

[msukegrat]

I am looking at these:

Cub Sx 3100: Really nice but $20K
Cub Ex: Same

Kioti CK 27: Again, really like it. Priced around $14,500

Kubota: L 2800, L3400. $18-$20,000.
-looking at the B series too.

I have 12 acres in MI. Just had 70 treees taken out with all tops remaining. Rolling woods so will want a PTO splitter, carry logs, move snow in the winter (300 ft drive) and move rocks. My wife will want to use it too (me 90%, her 10%). It won't ever get on our lawn so will go Ag tires I think. HST is a must for me. May want a blade in front for snow but will try a winter w/o. Maybe just add a blade to the back?? Kuboto has Zero % financing which makes it very attractive. Cub offer the same but a 3% fee. Kioti has free loader. I can go with any of the above but am leaning to the L-2800 or pay the extra for the 3400. Or, maybe I can go with the B 2920 since it may work better for my wife when she's using? Any help is appreciated. I have the 3 dealers all within 15 miles and seem knowledgable and promote good service.

 

[sksmsllc]

Sounds like a great deal of work ahead -- great for the right tractor! For the prices you've quoted I would seriously consider looking at low hour used with Front End Loader a must for your work. I believe you can get the perfect tractor with Front end Loader and boxblade and brush hog for the price of a new one witout these attachements. For the sieze property and terrain description I would encourage you to look at 4x4 only with Loader and consider New Holland TC 40DA; TC45DA; TC48DA; TC50DA all with 18LA Front End Loader. Should be able to find with less than 500 hours in excellent condition.

Adam

 

[bp fick]

Greeting from a fellow Mitten dweller. Any of those choices are great, but there are too many choices.

The confusion comes, in part, by looking at different machines, different sizes, different everything. Take a breath, and realize that if this is for both of you, and it sounds like it is to some degree, then HST isn't just for you, but likely appreciated for both of you.

Next, zero in a bit on the attachments and less on the somewhat wide size (hp) range you listed. When you've done that, say:

Front end loader. Check
Rear blade Check
Anything else? a box blade, perhaps for leveling a gravel drive?

Then, what is your budget? Let's say you two determine that $18K is plenty enough to spend for the tractor, with tax, with the implements. Don't leave the implements out of the total. A tractor is but an engine without implements.

If you do this, this helps you to focus on the work you want to do, not upon the vast, confusing array of tractor offerings. Setting your budget will then cause you to scratch a few off the "look at seriously" list. Next, which dealer do you like best and why? When you have your budget set, your dealers narrowed down to one or two, the implements determined, then the right tractor starts to come into view. You'll have it narrowed down to just one or two tractors, and that is as it should be. Drive them!!! That too is important. Sometimes, in the end, it is just a "this one is the one feeling" that makes the decision.

 

[timswi]

Greeting from a fellow Mitten dweller. Any of those choices are great, but there are too many choices.

The confusion comes, in part, by looking at different machines, different sizes, different everything. Take a breath, and realize that if this is for both of you, and it sounds like it is to some degree, then HST isn't just for you, but likely appreciated for both of you.

Next, zero in a bit on the attachments and less on the somewhat wide size (hp) range you listed. When you've done that, say:

Front end loader. Check
Rear blade Check
Anything else? a box blade, perhaps for leveling a gravel drive?

Then, what is your budget? Let's say you two determine that $18K is plenty enough to spend for the tractor, with tax, with the implements. Don't leave the implements out of the total. A tractor is but an engine without implements.

If you do this, this helps you to focus on the work you want to do, not upon the vast, confusing array of tractor offerings. Setting your budget will then cause you to scratch a few off the "look at seriously" list. Next, which dealer do you like best and why? When you have your budget set, your dealers narrowed down to one or two, the implements determined, then the right tractor starts to come into view. You'll have it narrowed down to just one or two tractors, and that is as it should be. Drive them!!! That too is important. Sometimes, in the end, it is just a "this one is the one feeling" that makes the decision.

BP nailed it...You'll know it when you drive it. Take your time. A FEL is a MUST.

 

[toolbox5]

i'd stay with the big 3 deere new holland and kubota just my opinion . dealer network and location are things to look at when you need parts and service . my dealership has like 7 stores and the 2 in my area treat me very well any time i stop by or call that's what made my mind up to spend a little more and opt for green . just my 2 cents good luck

 

[msukegrat]

Sounds like a great deal of work ahead -- great for the right tractor! For the prices you've quoted I would seriously consider looking at low hour used with Front End Loader a must for your work. I believe you can get the perfect tractor with Front end Loader and boxblade and brush hog for the price of a new one witout these attachements. For the sieze property and terrain description I would encourage you to look at 4x4 only with Loader and consider New Holland TC 40DA; TC45DA; TC48DA; TC50DA all with 18LA Front End Loader. Should be able to find with less than 500 hours in excellent condition.

Wow, I saw a 10 year old TC 45 DA, 500 hr for $17,000. Thats bigger than I probable need.

 

[sksmsllc]

I would encourage you to look at 4x4 only with Loader and consider New Holland TC 40DA; TC45DA; TC48DA; TC50DA all with 18LA Front End Loader. Should be able to find with less than 500 hours in excellent condition.

Wow, I saw a 10 year old TC 45 DA, 500 hr for $17,000. Thats bigger than I probable need.

That's too much $ but getting close. I believe you can find better price for less hours and 2004 2005 year range. That is a good indication however of why you should consider used with low hours. As you can see the tractor will hold its value for many years if you go with major brand like NH. I'm not convinced that 45hp is bigger than you probably need based on what you stated you will be doing. Removing the tops and rocks you'll need chain and Loader combo as well as Good Hydraulic Lift capacity. I think others with more experience can speak with more authority about the HP needs and limits.

Before I got my tractor I wanted lower HP and size due to lower cost but when an experienced farmer took a look at my needs it was clear I needed more power than I thought. If you have a friend who is experienced and would be willing to look at your property that would help a lot. I actually paid a small fee for my Friend to give me an objective recommendation before spending the money. Money well spent.

Adam

 

[beenthere]

If limited to the three...I'd go Kubota (can't believe I said that ).

Much better backing by a more solid company.

But doesn't mean you couldn't do ok with the other two.

Your call. We can't make your bid or your bet, or spend your money.

 

[Ken45101]

Also think about dealer support, repair parts for the next 10-20 years, etc.

Around here, there is only one Kioti dealer, 60 miles away and he doesn't look like all that strong of a business. OTOH, there are a half dozen Kubota dealers, all looking strong. Will there be repair parts in ten years for Kioti? Looking around here, I wouldn't be sure.

The local Cub Kadet dealer is a Radio Shack store !

Ken

 

[bp fick]

Folks tend to start out looking at tractors, and since there might be 500 models on the market, in 10 major colors, it is simply confusing for many. Understandable. My counsel, such as it is, to think in reverse, as it is more productive to the decision making process.

Again, just saying, start with your personal budget. Then, make a list of chores. Move dirt? move mulch? That's a Front End Loader.

Grade driveway? That's a back blade, or box blade.

Till a garden? That's a tiller, or at least a middle buster/disk/drag.

Push snow? Blow snow? That would be a snow blower/snow blade/FEL

By the time you make this list, you have a much better idea of your work needs and their priorities. By the time you budget for these implements, you know two things. 1.) How much money do we have for the tractor?
2.) How much tractor do we need?

Putting together a plan such as this keeps the focus on the tasks to do and the implements needed to do them, rather than the dizzying array of tractors. Finally, the tractor comes into view. What tractor is needed, within our budget, that will best accomplish this?

Point of fact. I would rather have a small Kubota B or John Deere 2000 series, or Mahindra 15 and have all my implements, than to have a Kubota Grand L sitting there with no money left for FEL and implements. No brainer.
Budget 1/2 the price of the tractor for implements. Sometimes, the total cost of FEL, Blower, Blade, Tiller, Mower, etc equal and can even exceed the cost of the bare tractor.

Sometimes, going to the tractor world's 2nd tier (in terms of popularity and support, not necessarily in terms of quality) gets you more tractor and more implements for the same money. The step there is simply owning the decision to do this. But, there is a reason why a couple of OEM's dominate the market and that is perceived quality, resale, parts and service network. Only you can decide.

Finally, none of this can happen until or unless you have the dealer with whom you want to work, one you can trust for support. There simply is no escaping the reality that SOME level of support is required, if for nothing more than for fluids, parts and possible warranty issues.