Do I need a tractor?

[creekbend]

Here is a website that might aid you in your selection. www.TractorData.com If it were me, I would get a rotary mower and a Tooth Bar for the FEL. You can buy a Box Blade later on. Best wishes. Please take your time and purchase what you need for both present and future needs.

 

[cardiologist]

What about if I just was going to mow the lawn, aerate, move dirt and mulch around, maybe till. No tree moving or grappling. I don't think I'm willing to move up to the L3200 series/size and spend over 20k.

 

[jeff9366]

Shoot, I was having such fun with your money.

A Kubota 'Grand L' is more fun than any Lexus.

 

[chim]

Back in 1989 we built on 2-1/4 acres. Whatever isn't taken up by the house, driveway, creek and sheds is grass. Moving here from a 1/2 acre lot I realized the 30-some inch riding mower needed replaced. I've had a few different tractors. One had a 5' belly mower, two had 5' rear finish mowers and the current one has a 6' RFM. Snow here ranges from nothing to an occasional blizzard. A front blade did OK and I managed to make it through a memorable winter with only a rear scraper blade on a 4WD. Both the current tractor and the one it replaced had loaders and rear blades. Without going the snow blower route, a loader and rear blade are the hot setup.

Mowing roughly 2 acres took me nearly an hour and a half with the 5-footers. With the 6-footer it's around an hour. The loader has been more useful than I thought it would be, and is frequently used for loading and unloading heavy things from my pickup or a trailer. My wheelbarrow has been given away. I've used the loader to mix and pour concrete. Recently built brush forks have been a big help handling trimmed limbs. I'm in the process of expanding the yard another 1-1/3 acres with the recent purchase of adjacent land. So far I've cut off some high spots and stockpiled topsoil. It's a place to go and play when I need some tractor time.

I'd feel "nekkid" without a tractor and seat time is theraputic for me. It's sometimes handy to have two tractors. I kept the old Ford 1210, and it can wear the york rake or other implement while the Kubota has the loader a different implement.

 

[jeff9366]

I don't think I'm willing to spend over 20k.

All right, all right!

Kubota B3300SU, what I drive. $19,000 with everything; bottom line price.

Kubota Tractor Corporation - Tractors | B Series | B3300SU


Still, I'm holding an L3560 for you......

 

[cardiologist]

All right, all right!

Kubota B3300SU, what I drive. $19,000 with everything; bottom line price.

Kubota Tractor Corporation - Tractors | B Series | B3300SU

Still, I'm holding an L3560 for you......

Ok. That sounds decent. Found some of those on tractor house even cheaper, lime even just 10-12k. Can you mount mowers I those?

 

[jeff9366]

Yep.

Mid-PTO, which i do not recommend, is optional on B3300SU. This is a small, real tractor. Real tractors do not have mid-PTOs.

You need to buy a Finish Mower or a Flail Mower to mount on the Three Point Hitch. Both are powered by the PTO.

I use mostly 60" implements. You can go 72", possibly wider, on a Finish Mower. I have not purchased a Finish Mower yet, so I cannot offer very valuable advice on widths.

Another Tractorhead will chime in on Finish/Flail Mowers, I am sure.

B3300SU has a Category 1 Three Point Hitch. Every new implement is produced first for Category 1 tractors, the largest category.

http://www.everythingattachments.com/Tractor-Finishing-Mowers-Grooming-Mowers-Finish-mower-s/242.htm

http://www.iowafarmequipment.com/tractor-skidsteer-boom-disc-flail-zeroturn-mowers.html

 

[orezok]

Ask any Cardiologist "Do you need a heart?" Of course you do, can't live without one. Same with Tractors!

 

[chim]

What about if I just was going to mow the lawn, aerate, move dirt and mulch around, maybe till. No tree moving or grappling. I don't think I'm willing to move up to the L3200 series/size and spend over 20k.

My L3200 with R4 tires, loader and HST was under $16K. Less than $2K for a 6 foot rear finish mower and you can be in business for less than $18K.

 

[murphy1244]

Do you have a Kioti dealer near you? Check out the DK line.