First tractor

[reconmarine]

I apologize for the basic question but I am trying to find the "right" tractor for my small farm in north Georgia. I realize I am trying to find one that will stretch across a wide range of tasks but I do not have the money for different machines. I have an acre lawn of bermuda that I need to cut as well as a 1/2 mile gravel drive to maintain and various digging/hauling jobs. Currently I have someone else taking care of hay pastures so I don't need to maintain them. I believe I need a 4WD model since there are several pretty "soft" areas on the farm. Also, someone mentioned that a number of makes have "belly mower" options that might be good for the lawn cutting at least.

Any advice is appreciated, especially specific makes/models.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

I just looked at your first post - in January 2002!

"With apologies to all who have been here before and already addressed the question of which tractor is the "best" for a given application, I need help. I am a retired Marine (not yet a farmer) and have just built a house on 30 ac. in north Georgia. I need a tractor to maintain a gravel road about 1/2 mile long, cut a 2 acre bermuda lawn, bush hog around pastures (hay is cut and baled by others on halves) etc. Primary usage will be lawn cutting and road maintenance but I have lots of clearing of understory and scrub to do in the wooded areas as well. I also have a river bottom pasture that stays pretty wet so I think a 4WD is necessary in any event. I have looked at a 50 HP Kioti but there are also Ford, Kubota, MF and JD dealers nearby. I would appreciate any suggestions/recommendations anyone might offer me."

Did you go back on active duty in the interim?

There are lots of good tractors and brands. My suggestion is to go out and try them all, then ask questions about the ones you like.

 

[KiotiJohn]

I know most people seem to think you need a lot of tractor, but in so many cases you really don't. I get very much done with only 21 HP on my CK20HST. I think an LK3054XS would be a good choice for your place and it would be a lot less than a DK50 Kioti, but no mid PTO for mid mount mower (MMM). The CK20 takes a MMM. The DK35 also will take MMM with optional mid PTO and is less than the DK50. Each of these tractors also has a splined crankshaft for use as a front PTO. Any of those,or comparable Kubota, NH, J. Deere, Mahindra would be good selections. There are other good ones as well, but I know something about those mentioned, not the others, except I wouldn't buy a gray market tractor, just too much hassle unless you're a good tractor mechanic and have plenty of time to wait for parts.

 

[lablovers]

As KiotiJohn said the CK20 or LK3054XS would be fine choices. I recently purchased the 3054XS and found it a great machine. You will find when you have your own how many things you will use it for. I really don't think you can go wrong with many CUTs. It is almost overwhelming when you start looking at all the different tractors out there. Take your time and enjoy shopping. Your fun is just beginning.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

I agree with the rest of the responders about most everything, except I would would look at a 3PT hitch finish mower in stead of the the mid-mout. Much easier to put on/take off, you don't need a mid-PTO and you can get them cheaper (I think). Also you can opt for side discharge or rear discharge (rear is the way to go for neat looking lawns). A number of dealers on this list have them and can ship to your front door very reasonably. Anyway, Recon if you're goin' out the door you gotta go all the way....Thank you for your service to this Country. BobG in VA

 

[blackwell]

Welcom to TBN!

I would take a look at Power Trac. We now have six PTs, all sizes. These 4WD, articulated machines are easy on turf and the purse and have over 40 front mounted attachments, mowers, buckets, forks, post hole diggers, etc. All attachments are quick attach and can be changed in seconds, many times without getting out of the seat.
They are a tough little machine worth taking a hard look.
www.power-trac.com
Good luck,
EB

 

[EFSIII]

First, let me join BobG in VA in expressing my gratitude for your service to our Country. Big thumbs up!!
I,too, was a little overwhelmed at the choice of CUTs when I first began my search.
A common theme that seemed to appear consistantly throughout my search was the advice to "buy as much power as you can afford". I'm sure that doesn't mean overkill, but it sounds like you can (or will) be able to justify 20 to 30 HP. The Kioti brand mentioned are within that range.
I also heard frequently that engine power is important, but what really counts is the PTO horsepower (almost always less than engine HP). More PTO HP means using/driving/operating larger equipment faster and more efficiently.
I think most everyone will say (if you can afford it) get an FEL.
Personally, I agree and agree with a tow behind mower as opposed to a belly mower.
FYI...the New Holland TC18, TC24, and TC30 seem to be within the range your looking at with a wide variety of options and features. They would be comparable to the Kioti mentioned.

 

[JRobyn]

I have fairly similar needs and finally settled on a Kubota L4330. Probably could have gotten by with a 3830, but went with the HST, so I went up one model level to get enough PTO power. Plus, I figure the big 4330 will easily do anything I ever need. The best deal I found was at Goss in Jasper. Decided on Kubota because I was convinced that it would be both reliable and that it would hold it's value better than any other make (check some used prices on the Georgia Market Bulletin!) It took a while to come to terms with the total cost (w/FEL, box blade, bushhog), but I don't regret it!

 

[ljh2]

recon,

I agree with the folks above who think you might not need that big of a tractor for your stated purposes. I have a big tractor and you just plain couldn't use it for mowing the yard unless your yard was a wide-open field.

This brings me to my one point where I don't agree that we have enough information to offer advice. A rear-finish mower (RFM) doesn't work too well if you have a lot of trees or other obstructions to mow around. They are great if you have a lot of open spaces. With a mid-mount mower you can easily see where your mower edges are all of the time. If anyone else who is not accustomed to pulling 3pt implements is ever going to be mowing with your machine, you can almost count on them swinging an RFM into something you don't want damaged.

The decision of MMM/RFM is one that you should consider based on your actual situation. The area to be mowed and who you expect to operate it. If there are a lot of obstructions in your lawn, I'd stay with the MMM.

I agree that it is possible that a non-conventional type of machine may fit most of the needs that you specified. Power-trac does make some nice machines. I don't know if they fit all of your needs but they are something to consider. The largest advantage that I see with them is all of your work is 'in front of you'. I think this has a safety advantage and will help keep you from getting a huge kink in your neck. You can also get a hydraulic-angle dozer blade for them that would be nice for grading your driveway. A half-mile driveway is a long way to spend constantly looking over your shoulder to see how the blade is doing behind you.

I think a 25-30 hp CUT w/FEL or a non-conventional tractor should meet the needs you state. The only way to know is to check some of them out.

I'd like to echo the thoughts expressed above and tip my hat in thanks to you and others in uniform for your service to our country. Thanks!


BTW - PowerTrac doesn't sell through dealers. They only sell direct either at their shop in Virginia or through their web-site. They offer maintainence and repair training at their shop. I haven't ever seen one up close, but they look like a great machine.