Comparison buying new but confused

[HiddenHollow]

Plowing snow with a FEL bucket is a pain in the neck. Go with a blade on the loader or the back. A snow blower would be even better. IMHO

 

[Big Bri]

I am by no means an expert, but i think i would get some thing bigger than an L3400. I keep up with 3 lots the largest being 3 acres and i have a 50hp tractor, and there are times i wish it was bigger (to lift more). In my neck of the woods you see smaller L2800,L3400 tractors on small 2 to 3 acre lots, or on small business lots. For houses over 4 to 5 acres you see more L4400 and like size tractors.
I just think with 12 acres you will want to get your task done and get them done fast. The larger tractor will cut more grass and cut it faster. will dig and move more dirt and do it faster. The larger tractor will get you out of the field faster to get that cold beer or to beat the rain.
I think for the money it's better spent now on the larger tractor than later when you take a loss selling the smaller tractor.
just my 2cents
Good luck

 

[flusher]

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.

Yep--you're exactly right--think in reverse and the tractor will eventually appear, clear as day.

 

[magicheater]

I am by no means an expert, but i think i would get some thing bigger than an L3400. I keep up with 3 lots the largest being 3 acres and i have a 50hp tractor, and there are times i wish it was bigger (to lift more). In my neck of the woods you see smaller L2800,L3400 tractors on small 2 to 3 acre lots, or on small business lots. For houses over 4 to 5 acres you see more L4400 and like size tractors.
I just think with 12 acres you will want to get your task done and get them done fast. The larger tractor will cut more grass and cut it faster. will dig and move more dirt and do it faster. The larger tractor will get you out of the field faster to get that cold beer or to beat the rain.
I think for the money it's better spent now on the larger tractor than later when you take a loss selling the smaller tractor.
just my 2cents
Good luck

Whole heartedly agree with this perspective!!!

 

[TripleR]

All very good advice on which I really can't improve. My wife and I recently decided due to our age etc., operating our geared tractors on any kind of regular basis was just getting too uncomfortable, so we went new tractor shopping. We were intent on buying new and going with the 0% financing and leave our money where it was to make money.

As we already have some tractors and one with a cab, we decided to go an open station of about thirty-five to forty horse. Long story short, we bought a 2003 52 HP with a cab with 735 hours as we got the tractor and implements for less than a bare new tractor.

The tractor was bought at the same dealer where it was for sale and had the maintenance records, so I knew it had been well taken care of.

I have bough both new and used; sometimes one way works better than the other.

I own several brands though my preference is for Kubota, but they all make good tractors.

Oftentimes buying a tractor is like building a shed, figure out what you need then go a little bigger.

One thing of which I have no doubt however NEVER buy a tractor without a FEL.

Good luck

 

[jdbnh]

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.

why do you thikn kubota has better backing and is a more solid company when deere and new holland have been around much longer, deere and NH's market share is huge comapred to Kubota, there are a lot more NH and deere dealers around, the list can go on and on

 

[Ken45101]

why do you thikn kubota has better backing and is a more solid company when deere and new holland have been around much longer, deere and NH's market share is huge comapred to Kubota, there are a lot more NH and deere dealers around, the list can go on and on

How did Deere and NH get into the discussion? The OP asked Kubota, Kioti or Cub Kadet.

I think Cub is a division of MTD (low end lawn equipment), not the Cub Kadet of decades ago. Kioti has a sparse presence and (IMO) unknown future in the U.S.

Kubota is a major global equipment manufacturer that is stable.

 

[bp fick]

How did Deere and NH get into the discussion? The OP asked Kubota, Kioti or Cub Kadet.

I think Cub is a division of MTD (low end lawn equipment), not the Cub Kadet of decades ago. Kioti has a sparse presence and (IMO) unknown future in the U.S.

Kubota is a major global equipment manufacturer that is stable.

Cub Cadet = Yanmar. A highly respected tractor/engine builder.

 

[Ken45101]

Cub Cadet = Yanmar. A highly respected tractor/engine builder.

There seem to be multiple Cub Cadet brands, only one of which is associated with Yanmar. From the MTD corporate website:

The MTD family of brands includes Cub Cadet, Cub Cadet Commercial, Cub Cadet Yanmar, Troy-Bilt, White Outdoor, Yard-Man, Yard Machines, Bolens, Arnold, GardenWay, MTD Pro and MTD Gold.

Kind of confusing (which doesn't give me high confidence).

Ken

 

[bp fick]

Ken, yes it is confusing to keep up with all the decals and changes in the tractor world, but the Cadets for the past year, at the tractor level, not the lawn mowing level, are Yanmars, same builder the John Deere uses for all their subcut and cut tractors.

Given the OPs tasks, the CC he was referring to was the Yanmar tractor division of MTD. He gave the model numbers of what he was looking at.