First Post Advice needed on Tractor

[Dirtleg]

Hello all. First I want say I am really enjoying this site. Been reading it for about a week now and have been researching plenty on here for opinions and good/bad issues with all kinds of tractors.

On to my questions. I have 49 acres. 28 of which are cleared and pasture established on about 15 of them broken into 5 individual pastures. Primarliy being used for horses.(9 right now) I have about 6 acres of good growing timothy right now that I'd like to get hay from this year. We just closed on this place last month and I had to bush hog as the grasses were going to seed 2 weeks back so I've already missed one cutting. Much of our land is really steep so a 4 wheel drive is a necessity to do other tasks that a tractor is needed for.

I have been actively looking for a decent tractor for the last month and nothing has surfaced that meets my criteria. Those would be ;

4 wheel drive
Capable of pulling haying equipment on my less than level ground
Equipped with FEL
If cash less than $10,000 out the door.

So now I am onto looking at getting a new machine and financing it. I am looking at 55-65 hp but honestly I am as green as my ever growing fields when looking at them. I have used a Kubota L3010HST quite a bit but it is too small for my needs.

As far as dealers NH, JD, Kubota, Massey, Kioti, and Mahindra are all within 55 miles or closer.

I am not really aware of who's tractors fit my needs and when on the websites all you really get for information is like a glorified brochure that summarizes over all the details I have specific questions about so I am not getting any appreciable info there. They don't even list retail pricing so again I can't even get an idea of price ranges either. And having just moved in we are finding all the little issues around here that need addressing so finding time to go and visit all the various dealers has been impossible.

So what I am asking is who has what, how much is that model typically and what are the pro's and cons of each.

Thanks for any and all input.

 

[RoyJackson]

Try Used Farm Equipment & Agricultural Equipment - John Deere MachineFinder.com
Just type in your criteria and see what's available.

I bought my 790 from JAMES RIVER COMPANIES LLC which is located in Virginia. They have more then one location and, in my experience, are good to work with.

Good luck!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

All the dealers that you have available to look at have good machines that will do the work that needs to be done. One might spec out a little different than another, but in reality, all are close enough that each and every one would work for you. Just be sure that you compare apples to apples, not apples to oranges. Set in the seat of as many as you can, one might feel a whole lot better than another. And just because it feels good to someone does not mean that it will feel right to you. Get prices, get as many options as you might want, can afford at the time of purchase. Usually less $$$$ at initial time of purchase. Try to get a feel for the dealer, sometimes it just feels right and you will be comfortable working with that dealer and sometimes not. If you are making a living with your equipment then this is very important, but if you are a weekender, then in my opinion this would not count as much. Maybe consider the next size bigger, you would hate to get something to small. A lot of guys here say to figure out what you need and then go up a size. This may or may not apply to you. Sorry that I can't help out on pricing, hopefully some that are looking or have recently purchased will help out.

Good luck

 

[Rara Avis]

Good luck with those parameters...

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[BobG_in_VA]

Suggest you take a ride up to Stuart's Draft and sit on as many tractors as they have...They should have enough to keep you busy for a while...I've not dealt with Beverage directly but have talked with them a few times..they seem to have the time to talk if you know what I mean. From one Virginian to another...good luck. BobG in VA

 

[greggh]

Welcome to TBN. You are looking at about the right sized tractor. You will need at least a utility tractor to fit your needs.

Everyone is giving good advise. The problem is the pricing. Most of the newer tractors are going to be out of your range, so it will be better to have a good relationship with someone who knows tractors and who would possibly be repairing them. Even older tractors are bringing a premium price for a good one, but that being said, deals can be found if you are patient. Implements are another factor to consider. They are not cheap either, even used.

Good luck on your search, and keep us informed. We like to hear good news from people that have found and met their needs on purchases.

 

[Dirtleg]

Thanks for the responses so far. I guess my post wasn't precise enough so I will attempt to define things a little better here.

Due to the fact that I only have $10,000 cash available for the purchase of a tractor, and nothing that fills my needs can be had for that money used, I have decided it would be better to just get a Brand New Tractor and finance it.

I intend to go and sit on/drive as many as I can before I purchase I am just trying to determine which models I need to be looking at. It has become apparent to me that no one publishes their MSRP's so I have given up on trying to figure out pricing but I am really needing help on determining which models to start researching. This way I can minimize my running around time which I am severly lacking at the moment.

So far the only tractor I have seen in person/got a price on is a JD 5205 4wd with loader. Dealer said he'd take 26,500 for it.

What are the comparable models from Kubota, Mahindra, Massey Ferguson etc. This is where I am needing help the most.

BobG_in_VA I have seen Beverage Tractor ads and think it would be a worthwhile place to visit but it would be an entire day trip which is more time than I can spare at the moment. Who knows maybe in a week or two. I'd really like to be done by then but no guarantees.

As it is I am having to rent/borrow equipment to get things done (currently redoing the drain tile on my house). It's getting expensive and time consuming moving machinery around every couple of days. Got to take the excavator back this morning and pick up a loader to refill the hole with 18 tons of gravel and then push the dirt back over it.

 

[greggh]

So far the only tractor I have seen in person/got a price on is a JD 5205 4wd with loader. Dealer said he'd take 26,500 for it.

Sorry about the first post, I misread where you said you were going to go new. I bought a 5203 in November for 23,600. So I assume that the price you were quoted is in the ball park. The tractor is a very good tractor.