Confused about which tractor to buy.

[GaryCrowell]

With what you're talking about doing I believe you'd be better served with a decent ag tractor instead of a CUT. Keep in mind that most folks on this forum are using CUT's for small homeowner properties, and they work fine on those small pieces of land. However, when you start talking bigger places, and 38 acres is sizeable, then you need a real tractor if you're going to accomplish much. The simpler and larger advice you got is good advice. Too many folks without much tractor experience shop for tractors like they do vehicles, they get wow'd by all the gee-whiz options on their like HST and cruise control and overlook the basic capabilities of the machine. I've noticed when I look at the CUT market that manufacturers are taking a lot of plays out of the car manufacturer's playbooks. They're built less stout than an ag tractor with more gadgets that give more opportunity for something to break in the future. They know that when all that stuff starts breaking in five years or so the owner is going to trade in the tractor on a new one, creating more sales opportunities. Engineered obsolescence is nothing new, it's been practiced by the automotive industry since day one. Ag tractors are built more like an 18 wheeler truck, more durable components with less cheap gadgets to break.

You'll be better served by a basic gear drive 45-55 HP ag tractor like the JD 5103 or something similar in any of the major brands. Those being Massey Ferguson, New Holland, and Kubota. I'd recommend sticking to those brands, there's a lot of other brands out there that flood the airwaves with marketing, but in 20 years you'll be glad you stuck with an established company instead of the latest wonderkid from India, Korea, China, wherever.

 

[toddol1971]

I think you would be very well to do with a 50 to 80 hp ag tractor. John deere 3020 or 4020 with fel or massey 283 or the like. Lot of them out there for under 11 grand. I'm talking primo condition too. I know that the cut's are cute & neet, but my cousins 35 hp massey doesnt mow nowhere as good as my massey 65. Now put a disk on there & forgetaboutit LOL.