Help me choose! (Please)

[btracy]

I've been looking for a tractor to help me manage my 35 acres and a mile-long gravel driveway. I think I've narrowed my choices to the John Deere 4310 Ehydro, the Kubota 3130 HST, or the New Holland TC33DA Hydro trans w/supersteer. Prices are all about the same with loader. Can anyone give me insight about which to purchase?

 

[johnday]

btracy; Take a look at my signature, it says it all. I think I'd go a little larger than a 33hp though. When you get up into the Class III NH's, you get a lot more frame and weight and more HP to go. I can't tell from your bio what else you may use the tractor for, such as snow removal, dirt work, or mowing. Also what is your topography? Give us some more info and you'll get as many suggestions as there are tractors. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Henro]

btracy; Take a look at my signature, it says it all....

Whoops! Is that an echo I hear? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Actually they are all good choices. Test drive them all and see what feels the best to you. Talk to the dealers. Which do you like the best. Ask about the service and parts departments at each dealership.

The more you interact with the tractors and the dealerships, the more clear it will become which you will choose... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Have fun and enjoy the process! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[btracy]

johnday: Thanks for the reply! My land is about 50/50 wooded and pasture. No livestock, though. The terrain is relatively flat where I need to bushhog, with areas closer to the house that we mow. I have a JD tractor mower for that. The driveway has been there forever. From the main road back to the house, there is a moderately steep decline for about 1/2 mile (tree-lined), an incline for another 1/8 mile after a sharp curve, and a flat stretch the rest of the way. We are looking at bushhogging, maintaining the driveway, and snow removal....hopefully to make a buck or two in the winter.
We just sold a Bobcat 773 skidsteer and used to have a Kubota. My ex took that, and I don't remember what model it was.
Barbara

 

[johnday]

Barbara; For some reason ex's are like that /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif If I read your post right, it appears you've got about 10-15 acres to mow? Man , thats a lot of grass. I think I'd be looking in the 40-45hp range for that. I've got 21 acres mpstly woods with rolling terrain in northern Michigan. My 35 horse does good for me, but I don't mow anything with it. I can drag logs, push/dig dirt gravel whatever and have had no problems.

Henro, likes to dig at me at times, but he's right /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Just about any brand would be good. It all depends on which one you'd be most comfortable with. Try as many brands
as you can and go for it. They are all fun to run, even if you happen to really work one.

Welcome to TBN, and where's your Bio? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[aloha]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( about 10-15 acres to mow? Man , thats a lot of grass. I think I'd be looking in the 40-45hp range for that. )</font>

I brush hog 11 or 12 acres of dense, fast-growing guinea grass with my little Kubota B7800, and cover about 1 acre per hour. It would be quicker if the land was level. I think the tractors being considered are adequate.

A mile of driveway sounds like the big chore.

Snow removal is something to which I cannot relate.

 

[Freds]

One thing I don't like about my Kubota L3130, is the way the screen comes out that keeps debris from getting at the radiator. When the weeds are high and the pollen and seeds are flying, I have to stop every couple of passes to clean this screen (and the grill) or the engine temp starts to climb. It's nothing major, but taking the side panel of the engine compartment off just to pull this screen gets old quick when you're doing it every 20 minutes.

It's these little things that you really don't notice until you put some time on the tractor that should determine your decision. They are all reliable machines overall, look at ease of maintenance, comfort, controls position, dealer, does the tractor match your house.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I manage 26 acres and I love my 4310 but, I have a bigger 5420 to mow the "back 15" acres. I refer to my 4310 as the "weedeater". It is very nimble and with a 5' shredder, I can get in between most all the trees and close to the fences.

I would say if you have plenty of spare time and don't mind mowing in the hot summer, the tractors you are looking at would be OK.

If I had to do it with one tractor, I would look at about 40-50 hp. Go look at the 4120 or 4320 JD too. I use my 4WD quite frequently and recommend it. You are looking at all good tractors, I just think in the long run, since you have a lawn tractor, you'd be better off with a bit more HP.

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[OrangeGuy]

btracy,

Your choices are from the "big three". According to some of the TBN "experts", Kubota has a 50% marketshare, JD 25% and NH 15%. All are determined to be great tractors.

If all else fails, purchase a bag of MMs, place 10 orange MMs (representing Kubota's 50% marketshare), 5 green for JD's 25% and 3 blue for NH's 15% share in a bowl. Have an unbiased person reach into the elevated bowl and pull out your winner. It's a better bet than anything in Las Vegas because you win no matter whitch color is chosen. You also get a bag of MM's to eat while celebrating your "win".

OrangeGuy