City Boy Could Use help

Libertine · Jan 4, 2004

Maury:

I'm going to offer a slightly different suggestion, to wit: don't take anyone's advice. Figure out what YOU want in a tractor. How? The way I did it was to purchase a 50 year old Farmall Super C (about 3,000 lbs, 120 cubic inch engine). I learned lots about what I really wanted, and didn't want, from that experience. In addition to older Farmalls, the old John Deere 50's and B's are very solid machines, not too big and very easy to work on. About the only thing you can't do with them (easily) is FEL work. But you said I would like to have a front-end loader, to use basically as a power wheelbarrow. A dump wagon/scoop will "sorta" work as a power wheelbarrow (although you can mount a trip FEL - the JD 50 even has power steering). You can install a 3 pt on any of the old tractors that don't have them and thus use most any implements which you can take with you when you buy a new unit. If you are concerned about slopes you might consider an old 8N or similar. If you have real slopes, consider a two wheel tractor which can more safely operate on 35%-45% slopes. And the cost is minimal (compared to something new). Just remember, the issue of safety as the older units, especially tricycle setup, can get you into trouble - but you can get into trouble with anything if you're not careful.

Anyway, that's my suggestion. I'm glad I did it that way. Learned a lot about tractors for almost nothing. When I bought a new one I knew exactly what I wanted and didn't want (for example, I wasn't suckered into the hydrostatic transmission).

JEH

PineRidge · Jan 4, 2004

Anyway, that's my suggestion. I'm glad I did it that way. Learned a lot about tractors for almost nothing. When I bought a new one I knew exactly what I wanted and didn't want (for example, I wasn't suckered into the hydrostatic transmission).


Some guys will fight the modern technology to the point where they would cut off their own nose to spite their face. 4-wheel drive, 3-point hitch systems, and hydrostat transmissions are here to stay. Why? Because they work. Try them for yourself, drive an old Ford with 2 wheel drive, a drawbar, and a manual transmission and I don't think you will be asking for the old technology for your own use.

I love the vintage tractors and I really like to go to the shows to see them restored. But when there is serious work to be done I jump on a tractor that makes work a pleasure and gives me the ability to get it done correctly in a fraction of the time.

5030 · Jan 4, 2004

( I wasn't suckered into the hydrostatic transmission. )

If you are a grown person, of stable mind, you don't get "suckered" into anything. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

A hydrostatic unit has it's place as well as a powershift or shuttle shift transmission. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

JerryG · Jan 4, 2004

Guys, Guys. Lets not let this turn into a Hydro/Standard transmission thread. If is does, it will get away from what Maury basically wanted to know.

Bob_Skurka · Jan 4, 2004

Maury, I am a transplanted city kid too. About a 15 years ago I bought land in the country. Moved onto it about 9 years ago. Bought my first tractor about 10 years ago. We bought 6.4 acres, which has grown to just under +/-11 over the years, but I am in a private neighborhood and I control another several acres of "common area" that adds up to about a 20+ acre total parcel. Much of my property has STEEP hills and is fairly bumpy.

Mowing is done with 2 tractors, a Cub Cadet garden tractor and a NH TC24D. Both have HST transmissions which are fantastic for mowing. The Cub has a belly mower. The NH has a 60" Befco finish mower mounted on the 3pt hitch. The smaller the tractor the easier it is to mow! The rear mount allows me to back under trees, back down stream banks, etc. The Cub allows me to drive UNDER the tree limbs and mow to the trunks. The Cub is 10 years old. The NH is about 7 months old.

I have a Kubota B2910 with FEL and Backhoe. It is a nice tractor, several years old. The Kubota has HST and I would (personal opinion here) NOT want to have a tractor with a FEL that did NOT have HST transmission. The tractor size is 1 frame size larger than the NH TC24D and it is probably too big for most of what I do now and it is unused most of the time. When I was CONSTRUCTING my landscape it was very useful. Now I mostly MAINTAIN and it is simply too big for most of what I need. I also use the Kubota for some neighborhood duties. The NH stays on my property. I think I probably could have lived with the NH if it had a FEL instead of buying the Kubota, but the Kubota was purchased long before the NH.

The NH and the Kubota both have Industrial R-4 tires, and I find them suitable for mowing and for work. I play with antique tractors too, those have Ag tires and I would not recommend them for mowing. For that matter I would recommend you stay away from an old tractor until you get your feet wet and start playing with tractors.

I would recommend, like several others, that you stay away from the SUB-compact tractors as they have very little ground clearance.

For about 4 acres I would NOT go too big. I think something in the 20 to 25 hp range would be good. Perhaps a Kubota 7500 or a NH TC24D. I looked at both, I personally liked the NH better than the Kubota. Both both are strong machines. In fact the 24hp NH amazes me as to how much power you can put into a fairly small tractor. And small makes things easier for chores like mowing and parking in the garage, etc. My garage will fit 4 cars but I keep tractor implements inside and so I only keep 2 in the garage, with 2 tractors and all the implements and all the assorted other toys. When you build, build as big a garage as you can afford, it won't be big enough, but . . .

Do yourself a favor, buy HST transmission. That is a hot topic for debate, but for a city boy (like me) it is a great thing. Always, and I mean ALWAYS wear your seatbelt and keep your ROPS in the up position.

Buy from the dealer that treats you right and gives you value, not just price. I don't like my local JD dealer so I can't speak to their tractors, but I can't imagine you can go wrong with them. Any of the big three are good machines. If you took my pulse today, I'd say that my favorite is the NH TC24D. Kubota is good, but the designs seem a little dated looking, they are very functional. In fact all are very functional and will do the job with ease.

Again, just my humble opinion, but the small frame compacts like the NH TC24D and the Kubota 7500 should be nice machines, not too big, and still plenty strong.

jinman · Jan 4, 2004

Maury, I know gullies (see attachment). I know of nothing that will make you safer around gullies than a hydrostatic transmission (or buying a flat piece of land /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif). On my tractor, the only time I use the brakes is if I want to change gear ranges while on a hillside or set the brake on one side to make a sharp turn. When you take your foot off the "go-pedal" of a hydrostatic transmission, the tractor stops, no braking required. You will not be sorry if you buy hydrostatic, any brand. I think you'll see what I mean if you test drive one.

Moon · Jan 4, 2004

Maury, congrats on retirement. I think your doing things in the right order by checking here before going to the dealers. Now when you do go shopping your armed with knowledge of hydrostat trannies and how handy a FEL can be. I shopped a bigger variety of dealers because of input here on TBN. I firmly believe, as many before me have said on here, the more seats you sit in the better decision you'll make. Once you find one you like revisit as many competitor tractors as you can. It will reenforce your decision or make you reevaulate it.
I had a Ford 8N before purchasing my Kubota Grand L 3010. The 8N is a neat little tractor. But it sure makes me appriciate 4wd and hydrostat trannies. I also tend very hilly terrain and the hydrostat makes it easier for me. I could not accomplish near as much work with the 8N with the same size brush hog as I can with my modern 4wd tractor. Enjoy your hunt for your new tractor, it can be just about as much fun as working a new tractor.

28RedHorses · Jan 4, 2004

Maury,

Welcome!

I think I might work this question in the reverse direction then you asked. Instead of a brand ask yourself what you want to do with this machine? Whether /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gifthat's mowing (Soundguy was right...brand name decks are expensive...look at the BEFCOs or BUSH HOGS) or excavating or "Wheelbarrowing" and size the machine up from your requirements.

You need to budget what you want and then get the highest HP at the PTO in your budget (regardless of the brand). Then go visit the dealers. Ask a million questions then tell them you want them to drop off a demo unit (with the FEL and mowing deck) at your place for a few days for you to try. Make sure that the tractor feels right for you. If it does not then don't get it. Also have them show you how to use the tractor and all of its safety devices.

Good luck with whichever you wind up with (I'm partial to Red /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )

And again welcome!

28Red

Slamfire · Jan 5, 2004

Maury, as you've probably discovered, you can't seperate the good advise from the not so good advise you get here. That's the trouble with free advice, it is worth the price. There are a lot of good tips though, and you'll just have to figure out what works for you.

GrayBeard · Jan 5, 2004

Welcome,
I didn't see it mentioned but you may want to look at "yellow".
I was ready to sign on the dotted line for orange but then looked at Cub Cadet 7264.
It seem a better "fit" for me and I bought it.
So far so good.
GrayBeard