Finding the Perfect Machine

Eric Salop · Dec 18, 2014

Been looking at buying a bigger compact tractor for a couple of years now.
Over the last 6 months the search became serious. I seem to have spent all my spare time reading tbn forums, scrutinising manufacturers spec sheets, then going out talking to dealers and test-driving the most promising models, to say nothing of the hours viewing tractors on YouTube.

Can't think of anything I have contemplated buying in my entire lifetime that was as difficult to weigh up all the various pros and cons as when trying to decide which machine to buy.
Not sure what the tractor equivalent of a computer nerd is, but I fear I've being turning into one of them.
Plenty of these machines are more than good enough for my needs, so think it's time I stopped searching for perfection and just make a decision.

Did anyone else find this process so hard, or is it only me ?

Parkanzky · Dec 18, 2014

It took me a few months to buy my current tractor. Eventually, I came to the realization that I would like any of the machines on my short-list and that I just needed to buy one. If I ever have to buy another tractor, I bet the whole process will take a fraction of the time!

Thomas · Dec 18, 2014

You sure did some homework....
Seems the only thing left who's the better dealership w/service,and go w/your got feelings.

mddorange · Dec 18, 2014

Yes, that is what I did, went with the best dealer. While the MF dealer was the closest, I would not buy a dollar for a nickel from him.

TSO · Dec 18, 2014

I did much the same with each of my tractor purchases, including spreadsheets with power ratings and cost analysis' included.

Unfortunately there is no "perfect machine" and probably not even a "perfect machine for you" as there are compromises involved with each and every machine out there.

I'm curious to know what your research had narrowed down your choices to?

Poopdeck Pappy · Dec 18, 2014

+1 to what TSO said. I researched and compared and narrowed it down to 4 then 3 and then 2. Then it got really hard.

I finally decided that they were both good tractors and there is no perfect tractor. So I picked one and I have been happy with it. I would likely have been just as happy with the other one.

Just pick one and buy it from a good dealer. Just don't pick one that's too small.

s219 · Dec 18, 2014

It would be easy if money was no object. Unfortunately, both of my tractor purchases involved quite a bit of financial butt clenching, and that meant lots of decisions.

Citydude · Dec 18, 2014

Through out my lifetime I've bought numerous cars, trucks, houses and a start up business. I never put half the energy into those decisions as I did deciding on a tractor. In my case, I was over thinking everything. As others have offered, find a good dealer, go get your tractor and don't look back. Have fun!

cford36 · Dec 18, 2014

I know exactly how you feel. Been in this process for about a month now. But I think I am set in one. Probably not going to do anything until spring, so I am sure I will continue to analyze this to death.

Billrog · Dec 18, 2014

I'm sure you'll be happy with what ever you choose Eric , best of luck to you.

roadhunter · Dec 18, 2014

Dealer. Makes all the difference in the world.

bcp · Dec 18, 2014

This thread reminded me of a saying, that I had to look up.

"Watson-Watt, who developed early warning radar in Britain to counter the rapid growth of the Luftwaffe, propounded a "cult of the imperfect", which he stated as "Give them the third best to go on with; the second best comes too late, the best never comes."

Perfect is the enemy of good - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bruce

MinnesotaEric · Dec 19, 2014

Eric Salop said:
Been looking at buying a bigger compact tractor for a couple of years now.
Over the last 6 months the search became serious. I seem to have spent all my spare time reading tbn forums, scrutinising manufacturers spec sheets, then going out talking to dealers and test-driving the most promising models, to say nothing of the hours viewing tractors on YouTube.

Can't think of anything I have contemplated buying in my entire lifetime that was as difficult to weigh up all the various pros and cons as when trying to decide which machine to buy.
Not sure what the tractor equivalent of a computer nerd is, but I fear I've being turning into one of them.
Plenty of these machines are more than good enough for my needs, so think it's time I stopped searching for perfection and just make a decision.

Did anyone else find this process so hard, or is it only me ?

I did the same thing.

jeff9366 · Dec 19, 2014

My Kubota 'Grand L' L3560 has worked out perfectly for my needs.

My learning tractor was a long-term loaned JD750 sub-compact. After several hundred hours on that I though I knew what I wanted and bought a new Kubota 'B series' B3300SU tractor loader package. A big step up from the JD750 but after 400 hours I determined it was really too light for the woods work I do, sold it, and bought the L3560 new.

I wish I had bought the L3560 as my first new Kubota, eliminating the intermediate B3300SU.

As is often preached here, BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR. WEIGHT IS YOUR FRIEND.

tman1020 · Dec 19, 2014

I love tractors always have. I have had many, researched most everyone of them before I purchased. Most of them were used due to financial situation at time. I was happy with most of them but found things that I would like to change or upgrade if the opportunity ever presented itself and as I got older my needs change. It seems I always wound up with the one I felt was the best deal (the most for the money) and that has worked out so far. It's always been that about the time I start thinking I'd like to upgrade a tractor comes along at a good price that has just what I'm looking for however like I said I like tractors in general there aren't too many I don't like. The tractor I had before the one I have now I thought was just about perfect for me except that it was getting old and so was I it wasn't the easiest to get on and off of and started longing for a Hydro stat. It was a Yanmar 1702. It is very similar to a John Deere 750 probably would've kept it to except I found a incredible deal on the bobcat CT 225 that I now have and I am very very happy with it. I even kept the Yanmar for months after the purchasejust in case I liked it better than the new one.

Xfaxman · Dec 19, 2014

Eric Salop said:
Been looking at buying a bigger compact tractor for a couple of years now.
Over the last 6 months the search became serious. I seem to have spent all my spare time reading tbn forums, scrutinising manufacturers spec sheets, then going out talking to dealers and test-driving the most promising models, to say nothing of the hours viewing tractors on YouTube.

Can't think of anything I have contemplated buying in my entire lifetime that was as difficult to weigh up all the various pros and cons as when trying to decide which machine to buy.
Not sure what the tractor equivalent of a computer nerd is, but I fear I've being turning into one of them.
Plenty of these machines are more than good enough for my needs, so think it's time I stopped searching for perfection and just make a decision.

Did anyone else find this process so hard, or is it only me ?

Since you are in the UK and depending on your needs, you might look at compact telehandlers with a 3 point hitch.

I have owned more tractors than I can remember over the last 31 years and this is what I have now, I would not trade it for any conventional tractor of any size, on the planet! :thumbsup:

It does every thing that I need to do on our 80 acre horse ranch.

You can see more here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...mpact-telehandler.html?highlight=#post3243370

tman1020 · Dec 19, 2014

That is really cool. Those Tele handlers are amazing machines

Eric Salop · Dec 22, 2014

Xfaxman said:
Since you are in the UK and depending on your needs, you might look at compact telehandlers with a 3 point hitch.

I have owned more tractors than I can remember over the last 31 years and this is what I have now, I would not trade it for any conventional tractor of any size, on the planet! :thumbsup:
View attachment 403311

It does every thing that I need to do on our 80 acre horse ranch.

That does look a very versatile machine, although a little out of my price range. I like the way you can use it to get out of sticky situations. Must be difficult to get completely stuck in the mud with one of those, unless you try really hard.

Danny C · Dec 22, 2014

Eric Salop said:
Been looking at buying a bigger compact tractor for a couple of years now.
Over the last 6 months the search became serious. I seem to have spent all my spare time reading tbn forums, scrutinising manufacturers spec sheets, then going out talking to dealers and test-driving the most promising models, to say nothing of the hours viewing tractors on YouTube.

Can't think of anything I have contemplated buying in my entire lifetime that was as difficult to weigh up all the various pros and cons as when trying to decide which machine to buy.
Not sure what the tractor equivalent of a computer nerd is, but I fear I've being turning into one of them.
Plenty of these machines are more than good enough for my needs, so think it's time I stopped searching for perfection and just make a decision.

Did anyone else find this process so hard, or is it only me ?

I simply made a list of the "musts", that is what is MUST do or have. Lift capacity, dimensions (to fit in my buildings), travel speed, etc. I then made a list of "wants" If I didn't have to plough snow on steep, curved driveways and have to do some road travelling, I would have bought a Compact Track Loader instead of my 50hp CUT. Almost anything you can do behind you with a 3pt hitch, you can do in front of you with a SSQA and operate most impliments via hydraulics rather than PTO.