Hello & looking for a tractor on the MS Gulf Coast

[Rick in MS]

I'm in Stone county, on 13 acres. Pasture/woods/lawn. I was looking in 2010 and with the help here on TBN I ended up buying a new Kubota Grand L3940. It has the treadle and brake pedal(s) on the same (right) side, but I have never found it an issue, as I never use the brake unless I am setting to park on any type of a grade. With hydrostatic, braking is inherent to the fluid flow so you don't use the brake to stop the tractor, just let up on the treadle.

I have owned my tractor for over 6 years and still feel that it is the right size for what I do. It isn't a bulldozer, and won't rip up trees, but it does everything I need it to do. Whatever you go with, you should consider the following options: front hydraulic remote with 3rd function station; rear hydraulic remote; hardtop/shade top with work lights; 4WD, rear weight bucket (sooooooooooo much more convenient that keeping a bush hog or box blade on the back. With a loader and bucket on the front and a cutter on the back the tractor is 600000000 feet long).

I went with Ag tires and that has worked well, though I have to be careful when driving on the lawn, especially if using the 4WD.

There are a number of dealers in the coastal county area. I typically deal with Parish Tractor in Picayune, or Toomey in Lucedale. I bought my tractor from Barlow Equipment in Kentucky, after reading about them on here and comparing their prices to everyone else. There were some issues with shipping from Barlow's, and I had to return the tractor the first time as it was not configured as ordered, and then I had to push them to keep the return schedule they had promised me. That was a minor inconvenience, and I would buy from them again, but would give the local guys a shot at matching price. I have purchased equipment from Parish. Barlow did not play any pricing games - I gave them the make and model, plus a list of dealer added options, and they shot me a price; a very good price, delivered.

If you plan to eventually bale hay, you will need more horsepower, about 45 at the PTO minimum to run a bailer effectively.
Your truck will be plenty capable of towing the tractor. I suggest a dual axle trailer, as most rigs in the 35-40 horsepower range will weigh in just south of 4000 lbs.

Anyhow, I hope this helps you to at least get started in your search.


Big Al

Appreciate the info on the local dealers. I've not been to Toomey's yet - but they are located about six miles from the new place.

Snead Tractors in Centre, AL currently lists a L3901HST with 525 Loader, 5' Bush Hog, 5' Box Blade and 18' trailer for $24,725 (financed).

Smith Tractors in Jay, FL lists a John Deere 4105 with FEL, 6' box blade, 6' bush hog and trailer for $29,999.

I also saw a 3038E with FEL, 5' box blade, 5' bush hog and trailer for around $26k but can't remember where.

I believe I was told AL has 4% sales tax on agriculture equipment while FL has zero and MS has 7% unless you have a farm. I'm not sure how to go about claiming farm use.

I have no plans what-so-ever to bale hay. I was really trying to rationalize being able to get by comfortably with something in the low 30 HP range but the more people I talk to the more I hear stay with the upper 30 HP range or larger. I don't want to have to spend an entire day every weekend during the summer trying to keep 3 1/2 acres of grass under control if I can do it in an hour or so.

 

[Snapper Head]

Those prices are about where you would expect. Give Barlow's a shot, you might be surprised.


Big Al

 

[newbury]

Haven't been on/around any kind of tractor in many years.

Just purchased 10 acres. 3 1/2 of that is already cleared and has been used for hay. The rest hasn't really been touched since the paper company replanted it with pines. Most of the pines are now a foot or larger in diameter and it's difficult to walk through the undergrowth. My "driveway", as it is, is almost 1200 feet of rough grass/dirt.

I think I'm looking for something in the 30-40 HP range. Initial implements will be a bucket, 5 ft bush hog & blade (preferably a land plane/grading scraper).

Would like to clear the undergrowth from at least some of the piney area, but that will not be for a while. Also have about a dozen stumps I really need to do something with. Will also need to plant some posts for a fence in the future. <snip>

Appreciate y'all providing input & insight as my hunt goes forward.

What are you going to do with the pines?
How many hours a year do you expect to use it?
Are you a "weekend warrior" who will put on a few hundred hours a year?

The Ford my step-dad used on our 2 acre pasture with Bermuda grass back home was a '96 1715. He feels I shouldn't go less than 50 HP. That's just out of my price range for a new tractor.

As I'm not much of a wrench, I'm reluctant to go with a used tractor. Still keeping my eyes open, but...

I'd like to keep the price of a new tractor with FEL, rotary cutter, land plane and trailer to $25k.

A good trailer for that size tractor plus some implements will cost $2 to $3k. Looking at Everything Attachments a small land plane will be about $1.5K, a 5' rotary cutter $1.5K, add in some chains, manuals, oil etc. and your looking at $5K out of your $25K. And didn't you want a PHD?

I don't really follow prices on non-Kubota brands, but for a new 4WD Kubota, even a L2501 (w/HST, SSQA, FEL, bucket, 2 remotes) you'll probably blow $20K BEFORE tax WITH discounts. I think even most "lower level" competing brands in the 40HP range would quickly stretch your budget.

Sure new is nice, we all love that new tractor smell, but it dissipates quickly.

For 10 acres in Gulf Coast Mississippi to brushhog, driveway maintenance, fencing, and ? I would recommend you try and get by with a bigger budget and a lightly used well maintained tractor.

And if you are going to be moving those pines around you can definitely use 40HP plus.

Definitely look into the tax situation quickly. If you can write off the tractor and buy all your stuff tax free that makes a huge difference.

I went the well used much bigger approach and got a 50HP Kubota M4700 for $12K, last seen in Fulton, Ms.

 

[Rick in MS]

What are you going to do with the pines?

The ones that are alreasy cut I just need to get out of the way. May use them to make a back stop for a short shooting range.

How many hours a year do you expect to use it?
Are you a "weekend warrior" who will put on a few hundred hours a year?

That's a good question that I don't have an answer to. I don't plan to spend any more time on it than I have to but I have no problem using it as needed.

A good trailer for that size tractor plus some implements will cost $2 to $3k. Looking at Everything Attachments a small land plane will be about $1.5K, a 5' rotary cutter $1.5K, add in some chains, manuals, oil etc. and your looking at $5K out of your $25K. And didn't you want a PHD?

I don't really follow prices on non-Kubota brands, but for a new 4WD Kubota, even a L2501 (w/HST, SSQA, FEL, bucket, 2 remotes) you'll probably blow $20K BEFORE tax WITH discounts. I think even most "lower level" competing brands in the 40HP range would quickly stretch your budget.

Sure new is nice, we all love that new tractor smell, but it dissipates quickly.

For 10 acres in Gulf Coast Mississippi to brushhog, driveway maintenance, fencing, and ? I would recommend you try and get by with a bigger budget and a lightly used well maintained tractor.

And if you are going to be moving those pines around you can definitely use 40HP plus.

Definitely look into the tax situation quickly. If you can write off the tractor and buy all your stuff tax free that makes a huge difference.

I went the well used much bigger approach and got a 50HP Kubota M4700 for $12K, last seen in Fulton, Ms.

A PHD would be nice, but that's not on the short list.

I've set my upper limit at $30k, being able to put 15-20% down as necessary - but I'd really like to keep it at $25k or less if possible. I may not be able to get all the extras at time of purchase but I'm a firm believer in buy once, cry once.

I'm trying to get with a local CPA who specializes in farms to discuss my options as far as taxes.

 

[Rick in MS]

Pictures of the driveway and easement. Trees need to be removed, stumps ground/removed, and driveway graded/maintained.


Here are pics of the "yard".


And pics from behind the house that really show the undergrowth that I need to clean up.


There is a lot of room between the pines so a large tractor should have no problems maneuvering once I get the undergrowth under control.

Still appreciate everyone's comments/recommendations.

 

[jeff9366]

Your undergrowth pictures show mixed softwoods and hardwoods. My undergrowth is pretty similar but with more hardwoods, especially Oaks and Hickorys and a lot of wild grape vines, wild climbing rose and Yaupon holly.

A Ratchet Rake bucket attachment will be one of your most useful tools. I have had two new Kubotas. The first tool I bought for the second Kubota was a second Ratchet Rake.

VIDEO: ratchet rake brush clearing - YouTube

 

[Rick in MS]

I'd like to keep some of the oaks and take down some more of the pines in the future. The important thing for me is to be able to maintain my privacy but make the land look cleaner,

I've been looking at the ratchet rake.

Another option that I'm considering is a grapple.

Any reason to believe the L3701 (or equivalent) would not be big enough to clear what I want to clear? I realize I may have to cut those pines into shorter lengths but that won't be an issue.

 

[jeff9366]

An L3901 will have no trouble towing pines of that size provided the butts are elevated.

See photos in Post #6.

 

[TheMadOne]

What's an L3701? If you're talking about the L3901 the only advantage it really has on the 3301 for your jobs would be more PTO HP for the bush hog. You were planning on running a five foot bush hog anyway, which the 3301 would handle as well. Not sure if there's any reason to spend the extra for the HP if you don't plan on using it. Jumping to the L4701, then yes, that would make quite a difference for your tasks, as it has a stronger loader and more weight.

 

[Rick in MS]

What's an L3701? If you're talking about the L3901 the only advantage it really has on the 3301 for your jobs would be more PTO HP for the bush hog. You were planning on running a five foot bush hog anyway, which the 3301 would handle as well. Not sure if there's any reason to spend the extra for the HP if you don't plan on using it. Jumping to the L4701, then yes, that would make quite a difference for your tasks, as it has a stronger loader and more weight.

Yes - I meant L3901. The L4701 is also a tractor I've been internet shopping.

Loader capacity, the need to cut the thick, heavy grass and the need to clean the underbrush as pictured above is what has me looking at the larger tractor - even if I only use a five foot bush hog. If my thoughts are not accurate as to my needs I'd be obliged to listen to reason. I'd rather pay just a little bit more now for more power than I need than to get started and realize I don't have enough without abusing equipment.

Other than the initial purchase of a bush hog and blade I don't know what other implements I'd desire in the future. A grapple is definitely at the top of my list (my plan is to cut, sort and stack the hardwood for firewood). Also a post hole digger (this I can probably borrow from my step-dad, only requires a 500 mile round-trip to pick it up and return it). A spreader and a rotary tiller would be desirable if I get in a local hunting club and want to make food plots.

But I do keep coming back to how much is too much, or how little is too little.