Comparison buying new but confused

[Ken45101]

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.

Wow! One definitely needs a guide book! LOL

Thanks for the clarification.

Ken

 

[msukegrat]

Wow, Thanks for all of the advice. Now I'm really a confused. I checked out a new Bobcat CT230 and 7TL FEL and it is really nice and good value. Dealer is close and sales rep lives close by. I like the 3pt adjustement, metal fenders (I know, rattles/rust). If I can work a little better deal I may go this route.

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.[/QUOTE]

 

[bp fick]

As someone maybe quick to tell you, the BobCat is a white, re-decal-ed Kioti. Although Kioti may have certain models they don't sell to BobCat? The larger Kubota B tractors that you mentioned are also priced with the competition in mind. I would offer you this mid course encouragement. Keep at it. Stay within your budget, and do not forget your budget for necessary implements, keeping in mind the projects and tasks you will need to do.

Slowly, it does come into focus.

 

[MESSMAKER]

It will not prove to be as difficult as it seems. It will work it's way down to 2-3 tractors and $. I went through this a couple years ago. I ended up going with Bobcat. Would probably do it again if need was there. Caught a good sale so price helped out. The big three were all in the running. I looked at Mahindra as well. I did not find a lot of good used tractors but impliments are everywhere. Some with little to no use. Do not buy without a loader. I use it almost every time the tractor runs. Try to stay above 20 p.t.o. hp.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

How I would attack it...

Shop around, kick some tires...this will do 2 things...

A) Give you a better idea of what you want, what you like, what you dislike on a certian model/brand/etc..

B) Give you an idea on the dealership & the quality of such...WAYY too many posts from all colors on how they are getting hassled, not getting warranty work done, the list goes on... Realistically all the brands discussed here have good products, what seperates them is the local dealer. My decision to "Go Green" was based on how the Kubota dealer treated me...and I've been 100% satisfied and happy with my decision. My bro made his tractor decision based on $$$ and he has alot more hassling to do to get service, etc.. He saved money up front, but is paying in the long haul.

Once you have the dealer picked out, you can then find what machine fits your needs.

 

[Gittyup]

Considering the implements you will need/use plays a big part in selecting a tractor. From the sound of it, it looks like you could benefit from grapple and a good chipper/shredder and log splitter, maybe.

The grapple would be awesome if you need to gather, stack, pile the tops left from logging. This means a good strong loader, and maybe QA style if you want a dedicated grapple as opposed to a bucket bolt on.

The chipper will need some PTO HP to run it. This would have me leaning for more hp.

Same HP considerations for a snowblower (I would think a must in MI). And a cab option to go along with it.

The log splitter requires good hydraulic flow for efficiency (BTW many would say to just get a stand-alone splitter).

Perhaps none of these are really on your want's list, but if they are, then these are things to consider.

The point being made by many is that its the implements that actually do the work. The tractor just has to be equipped to operate the implements.