Final thoughts before purchase in the 3500lb+ cab range?

   / Final thoughts before purchase in the 3500lb+ cab range? #31  
My dk45 can handle anything I throw at it with the loaded tires and standard bucket. But with max weight on the forklift attachment it was a different matter. I added a 1,000 # ballast box. That took care of any issues.
 
   / Final thoughts before purchase in the 3500lb+ cab range? #32  
I am pretty set on new since the used market is crazy right now. I am not going to pay 80-90% of new for a tractor for one with 500+ hours. For instance:
One reason for this is emissions vs non emissions. If it has what you want, doesn't have a DPF system, and is close I would make an offer.

Of course with used you may have a harder time with financing. Not sure if Kubota financing offers anything for used but that might be something to check into.
 
   / Final thoughts before purchase in the 3500lb+ cab range? #33  
So my tractor journey started here looking at something like a 1025r for basic yard maintenance, moving brush piles, dirt etc. As I looked into tractors, I started thinking about being able to clear some land, grade it, remove stumps, do snow removal etc. I was lucky enough to borrow a Kubota L4060 with backhoe last summer for a couple months and got a good idea of what I could do with a tractor, and what I couldn't do.

I quickly decided that I would want a cab, both for bugs/snow/heat, but also because I don't have space in a garage. I also realized that if I was going to spend $20k on something like a 1025r, I might as well jump up in size and get a more capable tractor.

My needs are: snow removal, clearing trees/brush on wooded land (and maybe chipping), grading cleared land, moving dirt for gardens, moving rock for landscaping etc. After renting a 13,000 lb mini excavator, I have talked myself out of paying the premium for a backhoe. The backhoe on the L4060 is nothing compared to a mini excavator. I am sure I there are a few tasks around the house where I would want one, but I can't justify the extra money.

Attachments: Loader, grapple, rear blower, box blade, (borrow a chipper)

The dealers around me are JD, Kubota, LS, New Holland, and a little further are TYM, McCormick, Bobcat. I am looking for something that is over 3000lbs with a cab.

Kubota - The dealer seems ok, although I think the tractors fly off the lot without any effort. An L3560 is about $37k and they have 0% for 84. I don't love the treadle but it is fine.
JD - Almost nothing on my local lot. Sister dealerships have 3 and 4 series but they are so expensive that I haven't bothered to go look.
LS - 0 tractors in stock locally. 2 hours away there is an MT357HC for $37k, and I think they have 4% for 84.
New Holland - Best customer experience so far, I know they are marked up LS tractors but the dealer seems solid but small (they mostly sell large construction equipment). There is a Boomer 40 (same as XR3140) for $34k, or Boomer 45 (same as MT347HC) for $38k. I HATE the gear shifter on the MT3 sized tractor, it is right against your right knee, next to the loader joystick. Terrible design. They have 0% for 60.
TYM - Such an odd dealership, they sell tons of recreational type products, and have a pretty huge operation of RVs, trailers, boats, etc. They were nice enough, but the TYM products don't seem polished. Definitely the cheapest option, but I don't want to deal with them if I have any issues.
McCormick - No HST on the lot, but the tractors look nice!
Bobcat - No call back and no stock.

I am leaning towards the New Holland Boomer 40 (which is an XR3140). I know I am paying a little extra, but they are right down the road, and seem to have a good reputation. I'm not sure I love the loader being far out on the tractor, you gain visibility at the expense of max lifting load. I definitely like the old shifter location on these tractors, not how it is on the Boomer 45+. The little tires on the front worry me a little bit with traction and getting stuck, we do sometimes get soggy/muddy areas. Not sure if that should hold me back though. I also like that I get two rear remotes. Not sure I would ever use the mid-pto.

Any thoughts on anything I am missing?

Thanks for this great resource!
Did the Kubota dealer have any L4701 or the new MX 60 tractors. The MX tractors come from factory with cab. Good luck, Larry
 
   / Final thoughts before purchase in the 3500lb+ cab range? #34  
I havea TYM and Scott's was great to deal with. They email frequently to see how happy i am. I haven't needed any warranty work but they are very helpful with questions i have about service. I Have about 200 hours on my T394 cab model which i have had for 8 months. I am very happy with my tractor and the dealer. I live in Jackman if you are close enough and want to give it a try
 
   / Final thoughts before purchase in the 3500lb+ cab range? #35  
With Loaded tires and backhoe its VERY stable. I wouldn't be without by backhoe. I dig a lot of trenches, stumps, trails etc. But the biggest advantage to a backhoe is when you make a mistake in the woods in the middle of winter. So many times i was able to free my tractor with the backhoe from the snow filled ditch.
20210314_144150.jpg
 
   / Final thoughts before purchase in the 3500lb+ cab range? #36  
I stay out of my woods, except for my established trails, In winter. Winter is my time to have feet up in front of fireplace.
 
   / Final thoughts before purchase in the 3500lb+ cab range? #37  
I am surprised the Boomer felt tippy. I have an LS XR3135HC, which I thought was the same chassis. I do know they use different loaders, but my LS always feels very solid. I do usually have something on the back, from a brush hog to a regular back blade it always feels stable. Just an impression on the LS, I really like it. For me the small tires are a bit of an looks issue but haven’t found a performance problem. I budgeted for a JD or Kubota so was able to get the LS with cab AND backhoe in a deal at my price point. It’s nice but I still do a lot of my land shaping with a tiller and box blade. I had looked at a lot of tractors as we have a lot of dealer options around. In the end it came down to Mahindra or the LS. I would have gone Mahindra if I had my old wooded property as the ground clearance and undercarriage protection looked better but we have a tame ‘farm’ place now. Very happy with the purchase. I never see them for sale used. It is a crazy market out there for sure. Best of luck!
 
   / Final thoughts before purchase in the 3500lb+ cab range? #38  
So the Boomer 40 was sold and I went back to try the Boomer 45 one more time and they are very helpful and let me play around with a pile of dirt/clay. I am glad I did because I am not sure I feel comfortable with the loader that far out. It was extremely tippy and I hated the feeling. Granted the tires aren't currently loaded, and this didn't have a backhoe on it like the L4060 did, but this was an eye opener. And not just tippy front to back, but with a slightly unbalanced bucket load it was kind of scary. Now I am not sure what to think! Is a better loader geometry going to help? Do loaded tires really help that much? Should I just get a smaller and lower CoG tractor? Makes me want to buy a track loader instead!
As has been said, without ballast on the rear any CUT is going to feel 'tippy' with a load of whatever in the bucket and an offset load is going to feel unstable side to side without ballast on the rear. Running with a box blade, mower or other weight on the 3pt is going to make a significant difference on the feel of a loaded FEL. I had a NH TC35 that I did a lot of dirt work with and if you have nothing on the 3pt while doing that work, you will experience a certain amount of 'lightness' on the rear. In the cases where I didn't have something on the rear (rarely) and didn't want to take time to hook something up, you have to have a balanced load and keep the FEL close to the ground while transporting a load. If those are not options at any given time, at least put the box blade on and have at it. The fulcrum on these is the front wheels and even though a box blade isn't the heaviest implement, the leverage it exerts overall is enough to make a significant difference. I would not let that limited experience with the Boomer 45 discourage you from that particular tractor. If anything, go back and have them attach an implement and then go play in the dirt some more. :)

YMMV
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

200 Gallon 3pt Sprayer (A39161)
200 Gallon 3pt...
(11) USED 5.5"X15"X I BEAM, APPROX 410'. SELLS OFFSITE MARLOW OKLA STEPHENS COUNTY 1 (A40517)
(11) USED...
NEW CENTURION 14 FT POWER FORCE TREE PRUNER NEW SUPPORT EQUIPMENT (A40023)
NEW CENTURION 14...
Mower King QA Forks (A41856)
Mower King QA...
2012 Nissan Altima Sedan (A41185)
2012 Nissan Altima...
Case-IH P170 6 Cylinder Power Unit (A39161)
Case-IH P170 6...
 
Top