Flying blind with less than a clue....

[GeauxLSU]

OK, after a friend let me borrow/rent his brand spanking new (less than 20 hours) Kubota L3103 (GST, FWD, FEL) this weekend to bush hog my pastures, I called for pricing on new Kubotas.
Can't (don't want to) swing for the FEL now, but maybe a new B7800, L2800, L3400 is in my future? I tell you, I know a few things about a few things but tractors aren't one and to me, there is an awful lot of similarities between models within the SAME brand.

 

[Doc_Bob]

OK, after a friend let me borrow/rent his brand spanking new (less than 20 hours) Kubota L3103 (GST, FWD, FEL) this weekend to bush hog my pastures,

Darn, nice friend! How did it go? Nice machine? What did you think of the GST?
Bob

 

[Bird]

there is an awful lot of similarities between models within the SAME brand.

Yep, the Kubota salesman I bought both of mine from said his biggest complaint with Kubota (he also sold the big Case International tractors) was that they had too many different models. But of course there are differences that may be small, but are important to some buyers.

 

[GeauxLSU]

Darn, nice friend! How did it go? Nice machine? What did you think of the GST?
Bob

You have to remember, I have NOTHING to compare it to.
One thing I have to maintain my property that works to my advantage, is TIME. Given that, the machine was more (bigger) than I need I believe. I've no doubt when I got really used to it I could maneuver it adeptly enough but first impressions were that a smaller footprint would be better. The GST was easy enough to use but I can see why HST is nice especially for finesse jobs.
I had never spent ANY time on a tractor before so again, keep that in mind.
I know the FEL was impacting my sense of manueverability a lot and given the price for one, I'm going to pass for now.
Any of the three I mentioned above are at least slightly smaller (and the B7800 is significantly lighter) and would appear to work in theory for my needs. It's tough not knowing what I could eventually use the machine for and having competing desires, but such is the price of tuition when you haven't a clue I guess.

 

[Soundguy]

If you had a FEL.. what would it's uses be.. or do you just not need the fel.. so therefore can't justify the price. ( If you need one.. get a tractor that will be well suited for adding it on later.. ).

Soundguy

 

[knute_m]

Lots of good advice. Here are just a couple more things to think about.

As you've found, used tractors are a little hard to come by. That's not all bad, because if you find one and don't like it, you can usuallly sell it for what you paid. There are some real good bargins out there if you are willing to do just a little work.

Over the years I've bought and sold a number of small tractors that mostly just looked awful, but were in good mechanical condition. The Yanmars are my favorites because they are such incredibly simple tractors (but absolutely no frills). Parts are readily available at reasonable prices. But, they are not for real big people. As was mentioned above by MotorSeven, they don't have a lot of leg room.

I've had too many "classic" tractors (Ford N series, Allis Chalmers, Massey's, others built before 1965) to suggest them to a newbee. I'd also only really recommend a diesel. On the older gasoline tractors, it seems you are forever having to clean and readjust the points, the carburator, etc. The diesels just need clean fuel, an oil change at least once a year, and a little grease now and then.

Also, if you buy used, buy a tractor that has been in use for at least a year. Don't buy one that has just been "reconditioned" by a dealer or importer. There are way too many of them that are nothing but trouble.

Tractors in the 20 - 30 hp range generally get 50 to 100 hours of use per year. Be wary of anything with real low hours on the hour meter. Most diesels in this category can go at least 2500 hours without major engine issues.

FELs on small 2WD tractors are not worth a darn. They are even worse on a 2WD without power steering.

Buy something. Use it for a year. You might even beat the heck out of it while learning about tractors. Every month do something to it. Add a little paint, put on some new decals, etc. You should be able to sell it for several hundred more than you bought it for.

Also, if you are looking at new tractors, don't just limit yourself to Kubotas. Most of the tractor brands are pretty good. Good local support for a new tractor is probably more important than the color. You can learn a lot about brands from reading the many postings on this website.

Good luck,

Knute

 

[GeauxLSU]

If you had a FEL.. what would it's uses be.. or do you just not need the fel.. so therefore can't justify the price. ( If you need one.. get a tractor that will be well suited for adding it on later.. ).

Soundguy

That's just it, it would be a $3,000+ wheel barrow. I can think of a lot of 'maybe one day' uses but in reality, I don't need it for what I have to do now which is simply plant and maintain open pasture. The ability to get it in the woods, haul stuff etc... is certainly a nice to have, but I'm having a very hard time justifying that much of a price jump for a nice to have for my needs right now. I 'could' use some a front blade in lieu of it perhaps or I may just bite the bullet, but it's a big bullet.

Believe me, I understand the 'better to have and not need than not have and need', but for me, with a pending new car purchase, that phrase also applies to money.

A guy also has a very low hour hour TC25 for $8,900 with a squealer bush hog and a scrape blade.

Way too many decisions for a newbie. Can't we talk about hunting or motorcycles or something? I have a full 3/4 clue on those topics.

 

[Soundguy]

I agree.. an extra 3K on an item you really don't see a need for is hard to swallow. I believe that you can get by with a rear scoop for digging, a boom pole for light lifting, and a box blade and angle blade for most of the blade work. Not at all as usefull as a fel.. but will be a workaround.. for about a third of the cost.. pluss each implement has other well suited taskes ..etc.

Soundguy

 

[roxynoodle]

I sent you a PM on a reputable Yanmar dealer if you thought you might want to go that route. Without a FEL he could hook you up with a nice tractor within your budget.

Others have mentioned that if you are big or tall you might find the Yanmars to not have enough room. This is true. I am a 5'4" woman and find mine a perfect fit. My neighbor, a man who is about 5'9" did not think it was uncomfortable, but a female friend of the same height who is overweight was completely crammed in there. Some guys on the Yanmar forum have mentioned replacing the seat to better accommodate them. I have a 1510D. I would think the bigger Yanmars would have more room? At any rate, the dealer I sent you the message about would be upfront with you about that.

 

[meledward23]

I don't want to push the FEL on a guy not wanting one, but dang that is the most useful piece I have ever had. Especially when you are talking about a lone guy working several acres. Of course you may be able to rent one. But gee, I sure do use the daylights out of it. I have found with my Tractors what I think I am going to use the most, and what I do use the most on them varies somewhat. A small tractor like that is a Great WheelBarrow!!! especilly the older I get the less my bakc wants to move.

I have a TC-30. Great little tractor. Price is right, very basic machine. May be more than what you are looking at. I think the tractor 4wd, hst was 10,500 + 3000 for a loader. I am just trying to remember. Anyway that should be close for a ball park comparison.

A few things I would like to point out that are not bent on countering your thoughts.
1) used implements are great. In most cases they look worse for they wear but are in good shape. It helps if you have awelder or know someone with one. I call up my dealer and tell him what I am looking for. When he is making deals on trade ins, he knows to try adn get certain pieces from people because he already has a target buyer.

2) If you havent seen one of these you may want to look at them. See attached very small image. I love this thing. Very usefull...

Well good luck. Whatever you decide I hope you are happy with what you get and that it lasts you a long time!