Buying Advice First Tractor - Which way to go?

[vtsnowedin]

He also said he'd like to spend around $15K. I'm not seeing much chance of finding a solid FWA Utility machine with FEL for $15K, but I guess that depends on how old, and how many hours the OP is willing to risk.

Nobody is debating that Utility machines can do more than CUTs, but the part you jumped in the middle of was the comparison of the weight/power of a number of smaller CUTs...different topic.

Perhaps you fail to see that my point was that ALL the CUTs mentioned did not have adequate weight for their power.

 

[M303871]

Seeing as you are in the same area as me Foskett equipment is the local Branson, LS, and Zetor dealer they are in Woodstock CT. Big Boys Toys is the local Massey Ferguson, Yanmar dealer in Pomfret CT, Dubay tractor is the local Mahindra dealer in Danielson CT, and there is Westview tractor in Canterbury CT they buy and sell used equipment. They are all prety good to deal with.

 

[Eric C]

Sounds like you have more tractors than you know what to do with. Why so many so close in size?

Creamer --- I have them on different farms. The size works well for me. My time to use them is very limited. I find it much more productive to go and start working than load, haul and unload from farm to farm.

 

[brianb88]

I have a Branson 5220R (turbo) and am very happy with it so far plus I have great dealer support. This is probably more tractor than I need and from your post more than what you are looking for. Just for comparison with a tractor that has not been mentioned much in this thread you might check out the Branson 3520. It weighs in at just over 4000#'s and has a rear lift of over 3300#'s. If you have dealer support near you it might be worth looking into.

Good luck in your search. I know I looked and researched and then looked some more. I think most of us are happy with whatever brand we choose so long as we have really good dealer support.

 

[brianb88]

I have a Branson 5220R (turbo) and am very happy with it so far plus I have great dealer support. This is probably more tractor than I need and from your post more than what you are looking for. Just for comparison with a tractor that has not been mentioned much in this thread you might check out the Branson 3520. It weighs in at just over 4000#'s and has a rear lift of over 3300#'s. If you have dealer support near you it might be worth looking into.

Good luck in your search. I know I looked and researched and then looked some more. I think most of us are happy with whatever brand we choose so long as we have really good dealer support.

 

[gladehound]

No the OP Mason asked what tractor to buy for his 100 acres and wanting to do some heavy lifting etc. A utility tractor is more suited to his needs and can be had new or used for the same money as a CUT and better serve his needs.

I would agree that a utility tractor is more suited to his needs. And with 100 acres, he might want to go bigger than a JD5000 series if possible. I disagree with your view on cost. I guess it's true if you only shop green.

If you go beyond green, a CUT might be more suited to his budget and get them into a decent and respectably capable tractor right now. There are many large frame CUTS that are much less expensive than utility tractors. When shopping for my current tractor, I wanted a JD 5055E with a power reverser but didn't want to put out the $33K. I ended up with a Kioti DS4510HS (large frame CUT) and saved $14K. If I were to buy the same tractor used instead of new, it would be getting into the OP's price range. I looked at lots of other utility tractors, used and new. I had to get into some high hour stuff to get below 20K with loader (especially with the power reverser tranny I was looking for). So the lighter CUT can make a lot of financial sense. In general, Loader specs and hp are not much different between many large frame CUTS and many utility tractors. Weight / structure is the biggest difference.

That being said, I'd recommend the biggest well maintained used tractor the OP can get a good deal on that has the other features the OP thinks he needs (transmission type, 4wd etc).

 

[grm61]

You have a lot of research to do....most folks are saying 30 to 40 HP.....I would say 40+...skip the 27 to 39 hp machines.
With Cuts, at 40hp you go up in frame size...also double the lift capacity+- of most 27 to 39 horse units, that is with Kioti anyway, they lift and weigh more than most other tractors thier size.

Buy a lawnmower and a 40to 55hp Kioti

Good Luck

 

[newbury]

Thanks to all for the advice.<snip>
I really do appreciate all the good advice. Thank You!

Steve

Please keep us posted. Feel free to run pics and specs by us. Just be careful with CL ads because I think some other members might buy it before you do!

<snip>buy as large as you can for your wallet and you will be happy - good luck !

That's the point.

He also said he'd like to spend around $15K. I'm not seeing much chance of finding a solid FWA Utility machine with FEL for $15K, but I guess that depends on how old, and how many hours the OP is willing to risk.
<snip>

Apparently you missed my post.

IF you can get a decent bargain you WILL be able to lift 2,000 lb logs.
Pictured first is my Kubota M4700 w/ 2 rear remotes purchased for $11.5K plus tax etc. bought about the date on the picture. FEL is an LA 1001. Kubota used to rate their FEL's based on kilogram lift capacity, thus my M4700 is rated to lift a ton.

/edit its 50HP
<snip>

So the bargains are there.

<snip>

The bargains exist and are out there, but they usually require ready cash and knowledge of what you are buying to get it before someone else snaps it up.

I've seen many similar bargains since in my local area, but SWMB0 thinks two tractors are enough for now.

 

[vtsnowedin]

I would agree that a utility tractor is more suited to his needs. And with 100 acres, he might want to go bigger than a JD5000 series if possible. I disagree with your view on cost. I guess it's true if you only shop green.

If you go beyond green, a CUT might be more suited to his budget and get them into a decent and respectably capable tractor right now. There are many large frame CUTS that are much less expensive than utility tractors. When shopping for my current tractor, I wanted a JD 5055E with a power reverser but didn't want to put out the $33K. I ended up with a Kioti DS4510HS (large frame CUT) and saved $14K. If I were to buy the same tractor used instead of new, it would be getting into the OP's price range. I looked at lots of other utility tractors, used and new. I had to get into some high hour stuff to get below 20K with loader (especially with the power reverser tranny I was looking for). So the lighter CUT can make a lot of financial sense. In general, Loader specs and hp are not much different between many large frame CUTS and many utility tractors. Weight / structure is the biggest difference.

That being said, I'd recommend the biggest well maintained used tractor the OP can get a good deal on that has the other features the OP thinks he needs (transmission type, 4wd etc).

Isn't a large frame CUT a contradiction in terms? When crossing from one brand to another and switching from one weight class to another it is hard to get apples to apples comparisons. Then limiting your search to a particular (power reverser) transmission also narrowed your choices considerably. When I was tractor shopping I was willing to go about 30 K . I could have spent that on any number of CUTs but for 30K I bought the 5045E with the 72" cutter all fitted out as I wanted it. I could have also bought several other utility sized tractor from other brands for the same money or less but thought (and it remains to be seen) that the JD was a better value for each doller spent over time. I'll get back to you on that after twenty years or so or my heirs will.

 

[GManBart]

Apparently you missed my post.



The bargains exist and are out there, but they usually require ready cash and knowledge of what you are buying to get it before someone else snaps it up.

I've seen many similar bargains since in my local area, but SWMB0 thinks two tractors are enough for now.

No, I didn't miss that. As I said, it depends on how old, and how many hours someone wants to go.

The M4700 in your picture is at the very least 17 years old, which isn't bad, but machines do start to have a few issues once they get 10-15 years on them.....belts, hoses, seals, etc. The OP said he's handy with mechanical stuff, but doesn't need a project, and hasn't owned a tractor in the past. Buying a 15-20 year old machine as your first, and only, tractor is taking some risk. For folks like yourself, who have more experience, you know more of what to look at (or so it sounds like) when considering used.

I'm not saying used is bad (all of my current machines were bought used), I just think it's going to be a stretch to find a solid Utility machine in his budget that isn't getting a bit old, or has fairly high hours.