help me pick out a tractor

[quackaddict]

new guy here...just joined this week. I've narrowed my search for a tractor down to a Kubota L2800, NH T1510, Mahindra 2816 and JD 3005. The prices I have been given, from cheapest to most $ is NH, Kubota/Mahindra, JD($19,700-21,950). These prices include loader, box blade, shredder, finishing mower, tiller, and post hole digger w/ 9" auger. All brand new and all models are geared and 4wd.

Here's what I need it for. I have 5 acres of what was once pretty flat pasture land. It slopes from front to back with a total of MAYBE 15ft elevation change. I'll need to shred about 2 acres of that, and finish mow most of the remainder. Put in a small garden, do some very light fence work, maintain 75yrds of driveway, maintain a compost pile, and whatever else may come along with owning that much land. Another issue, I'm currently over-seas and won't be home until the first of February, and I'm wanting to buy before the end of December when all of the special financing options go away. I've put quite a few hours on the TC30 and lots of different JD models, but nothing smaller than about a 45HP model, and I've put about 10hrs on on older Mahindra. I've never sat on a Kubota before. But I think that I like the Kubota the most out of the four.

So now that you know my story, could ya'll give me some input as to what ya'll think I should do? This will be the first tractor I have ever bought, but like I said, I have a fair amount of experience on them(worked on beef farms, horse farms, and nurseries for the better part of my short life). Thanks a bunch...love the site

 

[MarkV]

Sounds to me like you are in the right HP range for what you plan. It may be worth waiting until you get home and can sit on each model to see how they feel. I'll be surprised if the finance deals don't continue next year with the lousy economy. Nothing wrong with a gear tractor but with finish mowing being one of your major uses a straight gear tranny can slow you down if you need to change directions often.

MarkV

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would go to the one you likes dealer and say here is where I am. Give him the numbers and let him get closer. If he does not want to deal get the cheapest one, the NH. They are nice machines.

Chris

 

[IslandTractor]

I agree with MarkV, there have been excellent finance and other promotions on virtually all tractors for well over a year now and it would be shocking if they ended before next summer. I'd suggest you hold off until you have had a chance to drive each of the models you are considering. All are excellent so it really does come down to personal preference and dealer support. No one on TBN can really help with either of those important considerations.

 

[beenthere]

My recommendation for you is pick the dealer you think you will like (or already like) and make a deal. I lean to green (like the resale value, and I just really like the color green) so the others are not in the running for me. But I like running some of the new Kubota's too. No Mahindra for me.

 

[Ken45101]

If you only have two acres that need shredding, I don't know that it's worth buying a rotary cutter for that. What are you going to do with it after you cut it the first time? Let it grow back to weeds, or keep it mowed?

I think I would just clear it out with the box blade in spring (or maybe one time rent a cutter) and then keep it cut with the finish mower. But then maybe I have a different image of what you need to work with.

How big is a "very small garden"? We had a 40x75' garden and felt that it was too small for a 3 pt rotary tiller to work well. YMMV.

Ken

 

[robbianderson@netzero.net]

A good tractor will last you a long time.I think you should wait till you get home and check out the dealers that are in your area.A good dealer can be more important to you than what color the tractor is. Sit on a few,ask lots of questions,and take your time. The cheep financing is not free. It may even get cheeper.

 

[quackaddict]

thanks for all of the advice guys.

How big is a "very small garden"? We had a 40x75' garden and felt that it was too small for a 3 pt rotary tiller to work well. YMMV.

probably about 20x50'. YMMV???

 

[Ken45101]

YMMV = "Your Mileage May Vary". IOW (In Other Words), you may have different results and have a different opinion.

For a 20x50 garden, I feel that a walk behind tiller would be better (and less costly). It's a lot quicker and easier to get the walk behind out and use it than to hook up a 3 pt tiller and use it on small plots.

I have a 3 pt tiller. When dad died, I got his walk behind. For our garden needs, I prefer the walk behind.

I also love the little Mantis type tillers (carry with one hand) for breaking up the ground and weeding between the plants after the garden is started.

Ken

 

[bp fick]

At a certain point, the size of the garden makes the walk behind tiller wearisome and it calls for a tractor, at least to this old man's arms and back.
I till this patch with the walk behind, but in the second photo, I use the tractor. The first garden is 25 by 25. The second is 30 x 150.
Also, the first garden is enclosed with deer fence, making a walk behind mandatory. The third photo is just a perspective shot. Apologies all around for the little baby disk I borrowed from my neighbor.

 

[brin]

A good tractor will last you a long time.I think you should wait till you get home and check out the dealers that are in your area.A good dealer can be more important to you than what color the tractor is. Sit on a few,ask lots of questions,and take your time. The cheep financing is not free. It may even get cheeper.

I have seen many posts suggesting that a good dealer is the most important consideration but I offer a different view. When I bought my NH tC -29 in 2000 the dealer was only 15 miles from my house and was a great dealer but in 2002 they changed from New Holland to Deer and Kubota so there goes the importance of a dealer...Now the next closest on to me is 40 miles away and I do not trust them due to a previous experience I had with them a few years back with a ford jubilee I owned at that time. So just remember the only thing certain in life is Things Change, so don't count on a dealer always being there especially in this economy. There may be an independent tractor dealer or diesel mechanic near you and he may or may not be capable of working on a tractor. I am fortunate to have one close to me and have used him for some minor work.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have seen many posts suggesting that a good dealer is the most important consideration but I offer a different view. When I bought my NH tC -29 in 2000 the dealer was only 15 miles from my house and was a great dealer but in 2002 they changed from New Holland to Deer and Kubota so there goes the importance of a dealer...Now the next closest on to me is 40 miles away and I do not trust them due to a previous experience I had with them a few years back with a ford jubilee I owned at that time. So just remember the only thing certain in life is Things Change, so don't count on a dealer always being there especially in this economy. There may be an independent tractor dealer or diesel mechanic near you and he may or may not be capable of working on a tractor. I am fortunate to have one close to me and have used him for some minor work.

Very good point. Think of all the people who bought GM products. Many in my home town did. We now lost all the dealers in our area. There is not on single GM dealer within a 50 minute drive. I own one but its out of warranty so it does not really matter for me but I know for a fact its killing sales. My cousin was a GM man and lost his truck last month in a wreck and will not go back.

Chris

 

[Ken45101]

True, dealers (or manufacturers) may not always remain in business.

So far, I've been lucky, the only maintenance I've needed (on newer equipment) beyond warranty service was a leaky hydraulic cylinder seal on my B21. I've had two Kubota tractors for ten years and the B21 for six years.

OTOH, before my first Kubota, an old Farmall came with some land I bought. The 3pt didn't work. The IH/Farmall dealer had it for 3 months and couldn't fix it. I gave the tractor away to a friend of my son. Turned out the problem was an incorrect hydraulic filter!!!!!

Oh, BTW, that dealer is also now a Kubota & MF dealer. They are still an incompetent bunch of yokels and the only Kubota dealer that I won't deal with. Fortunately, there are plenty of other better dealers within reasonable distance.

Ken

 

[TheGoose]

My vote goes for the Kubota, but not the L2800. Get the L3400. With the L2800 your PTO HP is kinda low. The L3400 has 29 PTO HP (gear tractor), and you need that extra HP when running a PHD, mower, etc. Also, you can push posts with the L3400, not sure about what the L2800 can do, I don't know if is lighter.

If you're in Snook (your location isn't exactly clear if it's snook or SC) check these guys out.

NormangeeTractor.com

New Kubota L3400DT-1F Package


Includes:

Kubota L3400DT-1F 35HP 4WD Tractor
Kubota LA463 Loader W/Skid Steer Quick Attach
Armstrong Ag 5' Box Blade
Howse 5' Shredder
AG Tires

ALL FOR ONLY:

$18,649
-$500 Rebate

-$1000 Cash Rebate



$17,149.00

 

[TheGoose]

Also, I don't even think the JD 3005 is in the same category as the other ones you listed. I don't think it even has a shuttle shift.

 

[quackaddict]

i think i'm pretty set on the kubota. I'm in Snook, and looking pretty hard at Normangee. Russell is the guy that I'm tying to work out the deal with.

it's slightly ridiculous that the JD is more expensive than all of them, yet a LOT less tractor

 

[TheGoose]

Russ is who i spoke with. Ended up buying more local to me but I made my dealer match their price. He also keyed me into armstrong ag, which is in brenham. I got a 5' disc about $400 cheaper than the one the dealer was pushing.

I have not looked hard at the L2800, but my understanding is they are same as the L3400 with a smaller engine. I just bought a L3400 hydro with FEL, clamp on bucket forks, 5' disc. Why not get the bigger L3400 and have more HP? I think you'll be happier in the end. More HP= bigger implements. You lose about 5 HP from engine to PTO.

Definitely get the clamp on forks for the bucket, you'll be glad you did. I did not get the Kubota made ones b/c they put me over budget. I got my tractor with ag tires and saved $400 and I'm glad I did. The ag tires give more traction and that's what I needed. They are definitely not for lawns etc. PM me for more info.

 

[quackaddict]

what location are you in?

I don't think that i can swing the 2k price jump in the 3400. I'm going geared too...the couple of hydros that i have driven, i just didn't like whole lot. i felt more like i was driving a a lawn mower than a tractor. i thought about adding the clamp on forks eventually. getting AG tires and dropping the finish mower from the list. i decided that was a little overkill, and i can get a pretty decent lawn mower for the lawn part of my place for 1k less than the finishing mower...that and it puts my payments where i need them.

 

[TheGoose]

Near houston but in the country. I was just at A&M Yesterday for the Baylor game.

I was not aware there was a 2K price differential. I have the hydro. The whine takes getting used to but the control is awesome. The forks were $400, you'll be glad you got them. You can get the tractor a little cheaper if you axe the quick attach front bucket. It's for putting different attachements on the loader arms meant for skid-steer. If you're not getting the quick attach pallet forks then you won't need the quick attach.

And it is ridiculous what the Deere prices are for that class tractor. Stay away from the 3005, it is not in the same class. The closest tractor is the 303xE series, they don't have cruise control, temp/fuel gauge, or drawbar. You'll really like the kubota and armstrong makes great attachments.


I would defintely get a dedicated lawn mower instead of the finishing mower, 5 acres ain't that much mowing. Get a nice ZTR for around $3K and you'll be set. My parents had 5 acres growing up and you don't need a full tractor to mow. I would even cut down on the mowing area by either putting some livestock in the area or using it as a hayfield.

what location are you in?

I don't think that i can swing the 2k price jump in the 3400. I'm going geared too...the couple of hydros that i have driven, i just didn't like whole lot. i felt more like i was driving a a lawn mower than a tractor. i thought about adding the clamp on forks eventually. getting AG tires and dropping the finish mower from the list. i decided that was a little overkill, and i can get a pretty decent lawn mower for the lawn part of my place for 1k less than the finishing mower...that and it puts my payments where i need them.

 

[TheGoose]

There website is showing 17149 for the L3400 and 15749 for the L2800. That's a $1400 difference. I think you'll be happy in the long run for getting that extra HP.