Help buying a new tractor

zxracer3 · Jun 20, 2007

My grandpa is looking to buy a new tractor and is not sure which one to buy. I know nothing about tractors but he does not know how to use the internet and I told him that I would go to a forum (I am into cars know how helpful they are). He’s had several older tractors but has never bought a new one before and wants to get the best for his $$. He would just ask the people at the dealership but they keep giving him all different answers, so I am asking you for your help. He will mainly use it for brush hogging so a 3 pt. hitch is mandatory. There are a lot of hills (he will be brush hogging around 100 acres). His price range is around $25,000-$30,000. He plans on having the tractor for the rest of his life so it has to be reliable. All makes are alright except Kubota since he was in the war and has a strong disliking towards anything Japanese made. He has looked at several tractors already and so far he likes the Kioti dk45 the most. What do you guys think would be the best tractor. Is the dk45 a good choice for him?

Thank you for any help!

GaryCrowell · Jun 20, 2007

I would personally pick one of the established makers instead of the kioti. The kioti may be a fine machine, but they are new to the U.S. (at least they are around here) and who knows if they will be around in ten years. My concern with buying an off brand is that you might not be able to find parts in years to come when it starts breaking. All tractors will eventually break, it's not a problem IF parts are available. I know this from buying an off brand tractor 15 years ago. It's now an expensive boat anchor because I can't get parts unless they're shipped in from timbuktoo at prices higher than the value of the tractor.

He'll be better served by sticking to an established brand like John Deere, Massey Ferguson, or New Holland. All three make excellent machines that will last him the rest of his life, and he'll be able to get parts in the future. If he's looking for a 45 HP machine and has a budget of 25-30K then he should have no trouble finding one within that price range. If he's got a lot of hills then I'd get a 4WD. Look at a John Deere 5205, Massey Ferguson 3600 or 500 series, or New Holland TN60.

I understand his reason behind not wanting to buy anything japanese. My neighbor was a WWII vet who served in the south pacific and until the day he died I believe he would have shot any japanese that came on to his property. The japanese certainly earned his animosity through their butchery during that war and it's not for me or anyone else to tell a man he should feel otherwise after their experiences.

Dmace · Jun 20, 2007

GaryCrowell said:
I would personally pick one of the established makers instead of the kioti. The kioti may be a fine machine, but they are new to the U.S. (at least they are around here) and who knows if they will be around in ten years.

Kioti has been in the US since 1986 and the parent company Daedong has been building tractors since 1947. They are not a new company by any means.

I think the DK45 would be a great fit for him. It has a real nice cab and more features than any other comparable tractor. I have some good hills, so I had the tires filled at the dealer for extra weight below the center of gravity. If I were him I would look at getting HST for ease of use. He wasn't in the Korean war, was he?

JDGREEN4ME · Jun 20, 2007

If your Dad likes the Kioti that is all that matters. I really don't think Kioti is going anywhere but up in the market place over the next ten years. I plan to take a good look at them when I buy my next tractor.

Jaybr · Jun 20, 2007

Dmace said it well, and I wouldn't worry in the least about Kioti's future or parts.

I recently purchased a Kioti CK35 and I'm very happy with it. My first new tractor was a 2000 JD 790 which I sold last year, it was a great tractor but the quality of the Kioti appears to be every bit as good.

zxracer3 · Jun 20, 2007

Dmace said:
He wasn't in the Korean war, was he?

Oh he was. He managed to get into WWII as well as several other small time ones. He was in the Navy and the Air force for as long as they would allow him to be and he joined at 17. But yeah the Korean war is the one he seems to have the most concerns about. He doesn't dislike any race other then the Japanese. Its funny because he is the nicest guy but mention anything Japanese and its like watching Dr Jeckel and Mr. Hyde.

Yeh he's really looking at getting the best tractor he can. I have asked everyone and all I have gotten is mixed emotions. He has went to New Holland, John Deere and Kioti and so far I think he likes the Kioti the best. Is there any one tractor that stands high above the rest? Or should I say, which one would you guys purchase?

Cacinok · Jun 20, 2007

zxr, for the most part, quality will be similar with most of the major brands. from my experience, looking at many new tractors, prices will be similar, but the bells and whistles will vary slightly. for example, i would rather have an extra set of remote hydraulics than the ability to control how quickly the tractor slows down after taking your foot off of the go pedal. that's just me, however, and the best thing to do is test drive all that you (your grandpa) can and get a good feel for the lay out and ease of use of the tractor. have your grandpa decide what bell or whistle each tractor has is useful, to him, or simply fluff. also, i would look hard at the service you get at the dealerships, this can make or break your experience. a good tractor purchased at a poor dealer makes life **** down the road when the inevitable break down/need for parts happens.

brush hogging 100 acres will take a while even w/ the largest of tractors, so definitely get the biggest tractor you (your grandpa, i mean) can afford.

flusher · Jun 20, 2007

zxracer3 said:
My grandpa is looking to buy a new tractor and is not sure which one to buy. I know nothing about tractors but he does not know how to use the internet and I told him that I would go to a forum (I am into cars know how helpful they are). He’s had several older tractors but has never bought a new one before and wants to get the best for his $$. He would just ask the people at the dealership but they keep giving him all different answers, so I am asking you for your help. He will mainly use it for brush hogging so a 3 pt. hitch is mandatory. There are a lot of hills (he will be brush hogging around 100 acres). His price range is around $25,000-$30,000. He plans on having the tractor for the rest of his life so it has to be reliable. All makes are alright except Kubota since he was in the war and has a strong disliking towards anything Japanese made. He has looked at several tractors already and so far he likes the Kioti dk45 the most. What do you guys think would be the best tractor. Is the dk45 a good choice for him?

Thank you for any help!

100 acres is a lot of brush hogging. You'll need a large batwing mower unless you want to spend a week in the saddle to finish that mowing chore.

Does the budget include the mower or just the tractor?

Does he want a cab on the tractor? Air conditioning?

Assuming he wants 4WD, hydrostatic transmission and a cab, something like a John Deere 4320 would cost around $30K new. It's a 40-hp (pto) tractor, which is way on the small side for working 100 acres. I doubt that you could run much more than an 8 ft mower with this small tractor.

If you back off on the cab requirement, you could fit a JD 4720 with 4WD and hydrostatic transmission into your $30K budget. This would bump you up to 50 hp pto, which is still too small for a large batwing mower.

A bare bones 2WD tractor without hydrostatic transmission and cab, like the JD 5425, would fit into your budget and give you 65-hp pto.

Woods makes a 15' batwing mower (model 3180) that Wengers sells for $3950. However, the JD 5425 is a bit small for this mower. I just mention the Woods mower to give you and idea of the price.

Wengers of Myerstown

putt_putt_green · Jun 20, 2007

Why does your grandpa want to brush hog 100 acres?

One option is to lease a large portion of that land to a farmer to help pay the taxes. He could then brush hog a smaller portion with a smaller tractor.