Class I or II Boomer?

[Anonymous Poster]

First time poster, although I've been lurking for awhile. We recently purchased 5 acres in rural Okeechobee, Florida, not too far from the Big Lake. Land is flat, sandy, has some wet spots that should dry up when our pond is dug, scattered live oak, red maple, saw palmetto, wax myrtle and queen palms -- we're going to leave as many native trees and shrubs as possible. Remainder will be grass - manicured near house, otherwise fieldgrass. Daughter next door has 2-1/2 acres, nearly all cleared and decent grass. Between us we have 2 garden-variety lawn tractors, but I'm gonna need a little bit more serious tractor.

I'm already convinced Blue and compact is the way to go. I love the TC33D, but the price is a little out of range. Dealer is pretty firm at $19,000 with 7308 loader and no other implements - by the time I add box blade and cutter, would be over $20K. I can't get that past my other half. Dealer does have a 300 hour TC33D with loader and some other brand backhoe (Bradco?), but I'm not sure I need the hoe, and I think it would be difficult to convert back and forth to the 3 point. He wants $17K with no other implements.

The dealer thinks I might be wanting too much tractor. I'll be using it for maintenace of a dirt driveway, getting rid of nuisance shrubs (wild grapevine and brazilian pepper), mowing, fairly light loader use, and handling pallets (under 700 pounds). He's recommending the TC18, 4wd hydrostatic, 12LA loader, and will include a 4' rhino bush mower and a 4' box blade for a total of $14,800. He'll also swap to any tires I want (turf on it now, but I'll probably go with industrials, at least until all the wet ground is eliminated). He's also convinced me that the 21 or 24 HP are not worth the (considerable) extra $$$ in the same Class I frame.

I can get that price past the better half. My question is, will I be sorry later for buying the smaller tractor? Actually, what I need is a bigger tractor now, while construction is going on, and the smaller one later for maintenance. But, we're subbing out the rough clearing (Cat 436 with brush rake), and my primary first job will be to box blade all the ruts from the big machine, and drag out the remaining roots from the ($%@*%$) wild grape vines. I have enough time to do it with the smaller box blade.

I guess what I really want is someone to say, "Sure, the smaller tractor will be fine as long as you take your time."

Don Horner

 

[SAM123]

I really do think you would be sorry if you bought the smaller tractor.
I would try to no end to have her see things your way and the both of you will be better off. It's only money not your health.

Good Luck,

Sam /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[spencer200]

at that price your dealer is in the 2700.00 range for profit he should be willing to give some of that up or find yourself another dealer!

 

[spencer200]

Also if you have to cut cost I would look at the TC30 this is a lot of tractor for the money and almost as much HP as the TC33.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Spencer, is that profit for the 33, the 18, or either/both? Say I make it a package deal, like the 18 - TC33D, 7308 loader, 5' Rhino bush hog, 5' unknown brand box blade. What should I offer him?

 

[spencer200]

thats on the tc33 he should be happy with 1500.00 to 1800.00 over his cost.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

OK, I just talked to the dealer again. I can't get a sense of how much he'd budge on the TC33D - I might be able to get the bush hog and box blade thrown in @$19K. He's also going to work up a price for me on a TC29D that has about 20 demo hours on it, but still qualifies for new warranty and 0% financing. His quote, without haggling, for a TC30, 4WD, hydro, w/7308 loader, was ~$17.5K.

The dealer is Sunrise Tractor, stores in Fort Pierce, West Palm Beach and Okeechobee, FL, a fine, old-line tractor company since the 40's, now run by a reputable person I know. A first class dealer, with no worries about warranty, pickup & delivery, field repairs, etc. - Okeechobee is rural and a major tractor market, so they have someone running around there all the time.

On the other hand, they are the only dealer within 100 miles, and I think they know it - which, combined with their excellent service, is why they don't have to dicker price. I'm willing to pay something for that kind of reputation (even though price is my wife's primary concern).

I'm going to do something, even if it's wrong /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif , within the next week to 10 days, so I appreciate any help or advice here. Once I get the tractor and a little experience, I'll be able to pay it back...

Don

 

[John_Mc]

I've heard of folks getting $17,500 for a TC33D w/7308 loader up here in Vermont & upstate NY. (those numbers are a bit old, but were also when there were no major factory incentives going on). I just heard from my dealer that there is a bit of a price/financing war going on between NH and Kubota (he deals in both), so you may get some decent deals of you shop around.

Make sure he's including the heavy duty bucket in your price. The light duty isn't worth much, IMO.

John Mc

 

[thcri]

Don,

I know this won't help you much but I bought a TC29D with hydro and supersteer. Pretty much deluxe. I got the 72" MMM and the 7308 loader with a 60" bucket. I paid just under 20,000.00 Broken out the tractro was under $15,000 and the loader was 2400.00 and the mower was $2,450.00. But prices vary some area to area.

The other thing I want to tell you is I first purchased a TC21D and because of my hills I was pretty much forced to take it back and trade in on the 29. I really was going after the 25 but the dealer said it was only $400 more to go to the 29 and then another $800 to go to the 33. If you go with the 18 I really believe you will be sorry. I have two acres you have 5 plus another 2.5.

If finances are in the way look at the new TC30. Doesn't have all the features but would work great for you. Also Case IH has the same tractors except for super steer. You might want to check with them on pricing but I think your New Holland dealer is a bit hi.

murph

 

[Steelfan]

Hi OkeeDon,

Your post is very interesting. I was in pretty much the same boat that you are now about a year ago. The uses that you mention here are very suitable for a Class 1 Boomer. You stated mowing grass, and light loader work. All of these can be done with a TC18 through TC24. And a big thing that you should consider is "How is the lawn going to look after I mow it ?" The heavier the tractor the bigger the tracks, and with my Mid Mount Mower, the lawn looks great. I won't tell you that a Class 1 Boomer is right for you , but I will tell you that it works for me. And I use mine hard, mowing, loader work, and such. Good Luck.

Kent