Decisions, decisions - I need help

[KennyP]

Alright, here's my first post. It sounds a lot like many I've read but I'm having trouble deciding what sized/brand tractor I need. I'm moving from a sub-division (80x80 lot) to a home with 10 acres at the end of the month and my budget is $15K (absolute max) but I'd like to go less if possible.

Here's the details on the propery:
-mostly open with a small (50' wide) tree line splitting it into two ~5 acre sections (the house is on the front half)
-there is about 1-1.5 acres of nice lawn
-400' gravel driveway
-the rest of the property has been left to grow (praire grasses and weeds)
-there's a slight roll to the property with a natural, narrow "drain" flow that breaks across the front of the property, the rest of the property is dry.

I will be putting up fences for horses immediatly after we move in, the wife has 2 ponies and 2 horses. Based on the discussions on this board I'm thinking I'll need about a 20-30HP CUT. I'm planning on a MMM, post hole digger, and maybe a bush hog. I'd like to add the FEL and maybe a backhoe later but I don't have the $$ for it now.

Question regarding the bush hog: I'll only be mowing the "uncut" portion of the property occationally since the horses will be grazing through it, do I really need a bush hog or can I get away with just the MMM?

Can you please recommend a make/model. I've looked at JD, NH, Kubota, and MF. There's a Kioti dealer in the area but I haven't made it up there. As this is my first tractor, I don't have a specific brand in mind but I definitely want something dependable.

Thanks,

Ken

20" Toro with rear bagger /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I just bought a Kioti 3054 30hp 4X4 with a FEL, 6' Finish mower and a 6' deluxe grader blade for $15,000 plus shipping. This should be perfect for what you need as well. It was alot cheaper than the JD and Kubotas I priced that had similar options.

The things that I really wanted as far as the tractor goes was a live pto for moweing and the shuttle shift for loader work. The JD was like 4K more and the Kubota was also pretty close to that as well.

ChrisW

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color="blue">… my budget is $15K (absolute max)…</font>

Real quick… stopped in for a quick sandwich… /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Check out the big 3 for low or interest free financing… this would get the noose from your neck and allow more movement on price to get “something you will probably own the next 20-30 years”… So try to get it right the first time around…

A tractor without implements… is just a tractor!

You can not do much work without implements… so you might as well get most of them on day one (with the right financing and payment arrangement to suite your monthly budget)

Anyhow… tomorrow is Sunday, load up the cooler with sandwiches and drinks, take a ride with the family around your new home, and check out the local tractor dealers… get out kick the tires… sit on everyone that catches your eye… write down the numbers of the ones that make your “butt” feel good, let “Momma” help ya decide too…

Just some food for thought… I gotta go back to work… /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I may be running counter to a lot of others on TBN, but I've seen some pictures of some of their yards, and they look like they could win a Better Homes & Gardens contest. Gorgeous. For this, you need a finish mower, and prefereably a MMM. On the other hand, since I got my tractor and started leaving it at my son-in-law's house, he's abandoned his big Craftsman garden tractor with finish mower, and is mowing his 2.5 acres - with my bush hog. Maybe because it's still pretty new and the blades are still in good shape, but it does a pretty good job - and a rotary field cutter is a heck of a lot less money than a finish mower, especially a MMM. If it were me, I'd skip the finish mower, use the Toro close to the house if you like, and put the money into implements that can do real work. The only reason you don't think you need a FEL now is because you haven't had one before....

 

[GaryG]

John's advice is excellent. It sounds like you need more tractor than 15K will buy outright. It is a no brainer to take advantage of the "0"% financing while it is available. Sounds like the Kubota B7800 is about right for size. When you buy several implements to start with the dealer should give you a good break. Good luck most of us know what you are going through. Remember the dealer can be more important than the color of the tractor. Be sure and test drive the different type transmissions available.

 

[frank_f15]

you really need to stay in the 25-30 hp range. and you should reconsider getting the fel with purchase of tractor. once u have it ,you will wonder how you considered doing with out it.

 

[r0GuE]

Look, you've stated a budget, so I'm going to meet it. Everyone in the group already knows what I'm going to say. 10 Acres does not make your required tractor any different than 2 acres based on what you stated that you want to do and what is inferred by your description.
Mow 1 or 2 acres, - Kubota BX2200 w/ 60 inch deck and turf tires (I paid $10,600)
400 foot drive,... uhh, perhaps plow some snow and move some gravel- front 4 way hydraulic adjustable blade (guess $2200) and an FEL ($2000).
Odd jobs around the property moving downed trees and branches - AGs ($250) and FEL.

Rent the post hole digger, honestly I doubt you'd need it after the first job.

BX2200,60" deck, Turfs and Ags, FEL, Front Plow
I have everything listed except the plow, and you could probably get away with a much less expensive rear blade instead, and what I have cost around 12,500. So for another 2500 you have the adjustable front blade

IT WILL DO THE WORK YOU NEED! A bigger tractor will too, and then some, but you're bases are covered with the Kubota BX2200 -or another colored copy of the original /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif!

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Just for fun(it never hurts to look) check this out.

Power Trac PT425 $8500.00
48" brush hog $900.00
60" finish mower $1200.00
45" five cubic foot bucket with teeth $400.00
48" ten cubic foot bucket $360.00
Post Hole digger head $600.00
6" auger $150.00
12" auger $200.00
60" power angle snow plow with gauge wheels $470.00.

TOTAL: $12,780.00

All implements mounted to the included FEL lift arms out front where you can see them. Post hole digger has power down(something to consider). Quick change lets you change non powered implements in 15 seconds without getting off the tractor. Powered implements take about 30 seconds longer. Super maneuverable(cleaning horse stalls?). Brush hog is a beast. Eats everything in front of you so you don't have to drive over it before chopping it up. Finish mower out front lets you get under overhanging branches by about 4 feet(can't do that with a MMM).

Anyway... welcome to TBN and take your time searching for the right tractor for your needs. Follow John's advice and sit on as many as you can. Ask lots of questions, and take some test drives. Good luck in your search. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Casimir]

Looks like most of the options have been covered /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif. I would add just one more - consider a used unit. One of the dealers may even have one on the lot they have taken in trade. Often, you can get a good used unit with several implements for considerably less than a new one. Anything with less than 1000 hours on it should have a lot of life left if it has been maintained properly. Buying it from a dealer may also give you some ability to get small items fixed as part of the deal. That's what I did, and I have been very happy with my Ford/NH 1520. (Under $10K with FEL, 4in1 Bucket, Bush Hog and rear blade)

Oh, yeah - get the FEL in the original deal. It is amazing how many uses you find for it around horse properties /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[KennyP]

Thanks for all the great advise. Let me clarify that my budget is $10-15K WITH financing, most of my cash will be tied up in other things after we move in. This is why I pretty much ruled out used.

Also, the reason I was considering buying the post hole digger is because we are going to start with wire electric fencing and we would like to eventually put up wood or plastic post & rail. Also, the house is the only building on the property, NO barn or out buildings. We will probably be buidling a barn in the first year or two - depending on finances.

I have looked hard at the BX and really thought that it looked like it would do everything I needed and more. I've just started looking at larger so I'm not quite sure what's out there. I did price a NH TC24D w/ MMM --- $15K (sounds high - no?).

Anyway, keep the info comin' and thanks again.