help me pick out a tractor

[quackaddict]

thats with the cash rebate. i'll be financing, so i don't get that extra 1k off. i might ask him next time i talk to him what kind of deal he could cut me on the 3400 instead, but i don't think i can get my payments where i want them with that price increase. i didn't think about the quick attach loader either. good idea.

the lawn area won't be but 1.5-2 acres at the most, so i don't know why i thought i needed a finishing mower to begin with. i can get a nice ariens 42" cut for 999, or fix up my grandaddy's older JD(it just needs some deck work) for a couple hundred bucks, and use that for the next year or two. the rest of the place will be garden(might go bigger than i originally posted), used for dog training, and maybe a few goats. who knows.

Thanks Goose

 

[TheGoose]

BTW: my insurance through kubota is about ~$17/mo for a $18,000 tractor. I financed half.

Good luck, let us know what you find out.

 

[quackaddict]

i was told the same for insurance. $16-$18 a month. will do

 

[Diamondpilot]

thats with the cash rebate. i'll be financing, so i don't get that extra 1k off. i might ask him next time i talk to him what kind of deal he could cut me on the 3400 instead, but i don't think i can get my payments where i want them with that price increase. i didn't think about the quick attach loader either. good idea.



the lawn area won't be but 1.5-2 acres at the most, so i don't know why i thought i needed a finishing mower to begin with. i can get a nice ariens 42" cut for 999, or fix up my grandaddy's older JD(it just needs some deck work) for a couple hundred bucks, and use that for the next year or two. the rest of the place will be garden(might go bigger than i originally posted), used for dog training, and maybe a few goats. who knows.

Thanks Goose

Have fun mowing with a 42" mower. I mowed 2.5 acres and it took about 4.5 hours with one. I can mow my lawn with a 72" Caroni finish mower in 1:20 minutes. I picked mine up in 2007 brand new for $1000 on sale at Rural King. Stay away from a 3K ZTR. Too many cheap components to wear out. They last 4 years and are done.

As for the quick attach bucket, get it. You will kick yourself for not. When I bought my tractor it was not available but was a year later. It would make things so much easier. As for the clamp on forks they are great. I had mine made for some work I did in trade and use them at least once a month.

Chris

 

[quackaddict]

i have no need to take the bucket off and i don't mind cutting grass for 4hrs...some people enjoy being outside as much as possible

 

[IslandTractor]

i have no need to take the bucket off and i don't mind cutting grass for 4hrs...some people enjoy being outside as much as possible

Being outside sounds great. Doing it while sitting on a screaming bouncy cramped riding mower does not. Been there, done that. I'd spring for a used RFM for about the same cost as a riding mower.

 

[duckhunt]

quackaddict,

I dont think you will be disappointed with any tractor you are looking at. I feel you will be much happier with the L3400. The L2800 has a single stage clutch, which is no fun when trying to bush hog. They are the same frame size tractor only a few more HP and a better clutch setup. I think its worth the extra $.

When I was shopping back earlier this year I bought a Mahindra 2816. It has no bells or whisles just a basic tractor.

I will admit when looking though, the kubota seemed a bit more nice, and also about $2,000 more.

 

[quackaddict]

what's the difference b/t the two? is it when the PTO kicks up when you first let off and then the transmission engages at the "end" of the clutch?

 

[quackaddict]

and the mahindra is actually being priced a little more to me than the 2800

 

[Ken45101]

i was told the same for insurance. $16-$18 a month. will do

OUCH! It only cost me $20/YEAR to add a new tractor (M9540) to my farm insurance.

I would suggest checking with your farm or homeowners insurance before paying those premiums.

BTW, I have all my equipment (except the 10 year old 4wheelers) covered by the insurance.

Ken

 

[quackaddict]

nice tip there Ken. thanks

 

[Diamondpilot]

Being outside sounds great. Doing it while sitting on a screaming bouncy cramped riding mower does not. Been there, done that. I'd spring for a used RFM for about the same cost as a riding mower.

I agree. As for taking the bucket off???? Do you ever want a snow blower, snow plow, ect. I have 3 things I run on my FEL and if I had a quick tack FEL it would open more possibilities. Saying you never will is only going to lead to disappointments down the road.

More and more items for tractors are going to the quick tack FEL adapter like Bobcat has used for so many years. I would look more toward the future. I wish I would have.

Chris

 

[bp fick]

OUCH! It only cost me $20/YEAR to add a new tractor (M9540) to my farm insurance.

I would suggest checking with your farm or homeowners insurance before paying those premiums.

BTW, I have all my equipment (except the 10 year old 4wheelers) covered by the insurance.

Ken

Don't be surprised if a mere rider on your particular homeowners does not meet with the approval of the Finance people. Just sayin'. The Finance people call the shot on that one. It's their money.

 

[Diamondpilot]

A single stage clutch is no one that controls everything, both drive wheels and pto. A dual stage will allow you to stop the movement of the tractor and allow the pto to keep running. I can not believe any tractor is still made with a single stage, that crazy.

If using a single stage clutch and a bush hog when you get to the end of a run and press in the clutch the bush hog has built up energy that spins back to the tractors transmission and propels the tractor. This is very dangerous. You may move another 15' before the tractor will stop. A dual stage allows you to isolate the implement like a bush hog as soon as the clutch is depressed.

If you are planning on doing bush hogging do not even consider a single stage clutch tractor.

Chris

 

[quackaddict]

If using a single stage clutch and a bush hog when you get to the end of a run and press in the clutch the bush hog has built up energy that spins back to the tractors transmission and propels the tractor

that's why they have over-runs...to keep that from happening.

i live in texas...no snow

 

[Ken45101]

Don't be surprised if a mere rider on your particular homeowners does not meet with the approval of the Finance people. Just sayin'. The Finance people call the shot on that one. It's their money.

Kubota finance was happy with my insurance coverage. YMMV.

Ken

 

[bp fick]

YMMV yes sir.

 

[Diamondpilot]

that's why they have over-runs...to keep that from happening.

i live in texas...no snow

Yes they do, its the best 1950's tech you can get. It seems like you came here looking for advise but do not want to take it. We were all in the same situation as you and have learned a little from our mistakes. I am just trying to help you from doing as I had done.

Have you ever used a Post Hole digger with a single stage clutch? Turns the operation into a 5 times harder chore.

Chris

 

[duckhunt]

and the mahindra is actually being priced a little more to me than the 2800

I got my setup all for $16,000 plus insurance and tax. Tractor, Loader, Cutter, and Blade.
My insurance cost $730 for 5 years. They required it since I went with the 0%for 60 months.

My closest Kubota dealer's quotes were very high. I think he wanted $17,999 for just the tractor and loader, L3400. That single stage clutch turned me against the 2800. Plus the Kubota dealer acted like a car salesman, he wanted to negotiate. My dealer was no frills kinda guy, you like that tractor, it cost $Blank, any questions? I like that kind of business.

I'm not trying to push mahindra by any means, I like kubota too, just sharing my buying experience.

 

[quackaddict]

that's a better deal than i was quoted on the mahindra. i asked the dealer what the price difference is with the package i have set up b/t the 2800 and 3400, so i'm waiting to hear back from him on that.