Did I marry the right woman or what?

[Farmerford]

Cavinman:

Understand first that I am stuck in the 1950's when tractors had no plastic, no power brakes, (usually) no power steering, and always had a standard transmission with a clutch, and were expected to last at least 10 years in heavy farm service, and usually lasted 20 years.

I have now a 1995 Kubota, 2001 Kubota, and 2006 Kubota and they have gotten progressively more plastic and electronic. The 1995 Kubota has required a new fuel shut off solenoid and glow plug timer. The 2001 Kubota required a new fuel shut off solenoid, starter solenoid, and ignition switch. When I looked at the 2006 L4330 the next generation L4340's had just come out and I was completely turned off by the electronic engine and HST control system. Not only do I think they are unnecessary and even a hindrance to any reasonable operator, I can't imagine that the electronics will operate 10 years without failure. And 20 years from now parts are likely to be unavailable.

I know nothing about the other brand you are looking at except that they seem to get good reports on this bulletin board. But if they are cheaper, have no or fewer electronics, and you have a dealer close by, I would avoid the Kubota "40" series because they are simply too refined and complicated for long term use. The "old" series L4330 is too electronic for my tastes, but the local dealer is superb and that made the difference.

I am reminded of the early 1990's when Mercedes overengineered their cars with gadgets like "bumper markers" that raised up out of the rear fenders when you went into reverse so you could see where the bumpers were. Not only did that stuff break, it was expensive in the first place, and served no real purpose other than a sales tool.

OK. I will get off the soapbox. Enjoy whatever you get.

 

[ponytug]

Not to duck the first question, but if you are planning to use the tractor off of the 7-8 flat acres, I would go out and measure the slopes. (You can get a $5. angle meter from Habor Freight.)

If you have more than 10 degree slopes, I would encourage you strongly to consider a tractor made for slopes. (And before we get bogged down in a tractor color discussion, I've been out there with wheel weights, and calcium filled tires. For my $0.02, they are bandaid fixes to a sub-optimal slope design.)

If it is over 20 degrees and you want a front loader, it is a short list; Aebi, and Power-Trac. If you don't, consider a crawler.

Roll overs are a leading cause of death for farmers.

Live long, live happy.

Asked her what she wanted for our second anniversery, and she replied "A tractor!"

So now we're tractor shopping.

We have 70 steep hilly acres, including maybe 5 to 8 acres of level pasture - the rest wooded. Plus wife's best friend has adjoining 100 acres, similar layout. Will be using the tractor to cut and maintain horse trails, a cross-country course, general property maintenance, road maintenance, that sort of thing. No hay baling

Right now, after visiting a couple of (relatively) local dealers, we seem to be trying to choose between either a Kubota 3240 or 3540, and a Kioti DK35se. All three in 4WD HST, and looking at a loader, box blade, rotary cutter and rear finish mower and a trailer to haul it.

The prices are pretty close, the Kioti is about $700/1800 cheaper than the two Kubotas, but the Kubotas have a considerably stronger loader, and I must confess I like the intelligent HSD on the Kubotas.

Any thoughts? Is 35hp going to be sufficient for the kind of propety maintenance I have in mind?