Help me spend some money

[Blee]

City mouse who bought a place in the country. Just spent a bundle of money clearing 3 ac. and having it seeded -- not to mention my new-paved 1200' steeeeep driveway. The driveway is at its steepest on a shaded, North-facing, right-hand turn.

I don't believe that my Sabre is up to the task of maintaining this (Lord knows, I've tried) while helping me clear another 2 acres or so of wooded, underbrushed land.

I've got about $18-20K left to spend on a tractor/implements. I value power/dependability over the more convenient options (I don't mind shifting gears to save money).

I believe (not etched in stone) that I need: FEL, finish mower, bush hog, snow removal -- but maybe not right away. I am thinking 25-35hp and lean toward the higher end because of the driveway (AAA has had to pluck my wife off of it twice last year).

So far? I've looked at the JD790, JD 4310 (used - 135 hrs), Mahindra 2810, and want to check out the NH TC30.

Open for suggestions/questions/comments.

Thanks.

 

[dieseldoc]

blee,i own a mahindra 4500 and have been very pleased with it's performance although it's not a 2810 i can say the mahindras are good machines,all of the machines you mentioned are good, i would have to base my decision on the dealer(good dealer,bad dealer)i would also add to your wish list a good spreader for salt and sand to use on your steeeep driveway.good luck!

 

[shvl73]

While I can't speak for the other machines, my 2810HST has been an excellent tractor. I believe the HST was $1000.00 more than the gear version. I've recently used a friends shuttle shift tractor and it made me glad to get back on my hydro. There is an endless amount of discussion here on gear vs. hydro but, I am very happy with my choice. On the 2810HST, the hydro pedals are easy to use and the side by side set up is my preference over the rocker pedal on other brands. The wide open, flat floor is really nice, it's very comfortable to use and it's a really strong tractor for its size, real stable with the rear tires loaded. I run a Blizzard 64" 3pth snowblower in the winter and a Woods BB60 in the summer, handles both very well.
Good luck

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Don't be afraid of a used tractor with 135 hours on it. The other tractors are nice machines too. The NH TC30 and the JD790 are well established models that have been on the market for a long time, both are well proven machines that are tough to beat. If there is a Kioti dealer nearby, take a look at the CK30 in some regions those are priced very competitively, it has more deluxe features. Another very popular basic machine is the Kubota B7800, it has a large fan following and compares well to the NH TC30 and JD 790. I am a big fan of having a good dealership near by to hold my hand. I moved from the city about 10 years ago and while I have learned to do a lot of minor stuff (and have even restored a couple antiques) when it comes to having problems I want a dealer to bail me out . . . fortunately I've not had any serious problems, but I have 2 dealers to care for my tractors and both are excellent dealers, well established, good sales/parts/service departments.

Any of the machines you list could easily run a 60" snowblower or a 72" snowblower so you can keep your lovely wife on the driveway this year. I fashioned a hitch to the front bumper of a tractor to hold a small salt spreader (100# capacity) to the front while I use a 3pt snowblower on the rear. You might want to consider salting the corners and steep spots too.

 

[johnday]

Blee; TC35, 16LA loader, a weight box, or better yet, a boxblade is more versatile than a weight box, maybe a set of tirechains, then have fun. All that will probably be in the ballpark. I say the 35 because you get a bigger framed [more weight] and a couple extra HP for not a huge amount of extra money. Seems like you'll need the weight for yuor sloping almost 1/4 mile drive. Man, that's a long driveway. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

And besides, that BLUE tractor goes good with the RED truck I just know you already have /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Maka]

Hi Blee,

I have a suggestion for you that you may not have considered. I am a big supporter of the LG Montana line of tractors. You have a few dealers in your area, or at least close.

I am a dealer over in the No. West U.S. and have very satisfied customers. The LG Montana is manufactured by LG and is powered by Mitsubishi in the size range you are looking at.

LG manufactures Long/Farmtrac, some TAFE, is a liscensee for some of the larger NH models as well as many others. They are a multi-billion company that is very diverse. LG electronics, LGPhilips, LG petro chemical (manufactures Havoline Motor Oil), LG Telecom etc....

The tractors come from their Agricultural Machinery Division, LG Ag Machinery

These tractors are extremely well designed and built, have excellent standard features and are very afforadable, relatively speaking.

You could probably easily get an LG Montana LG3040 (30hp), with FEL, Backblade and both mowers for your stated expenditure.

This particular tractor has the following, 4 cyl. Mitsubishi, 4x4, 12F/12R synchro shuttle and synchro trans, hydro steering, elec./hydraulic pto, rear remotes, rear working light, folding ROPS, diff lock, you choice of Ag, industrial or turf tires, 3 year or 1000hr factory warranty limited (year 1 bumper to bumper parts and labor and 2&3 powertrain parts and labor).

This is a great machine with awsome capabilities. In our area we sell lots for snow removal during the winter, field maintenance, logging clean up etc..

In our area weight is important for the heavier tasks our customers tend to do and this is a heavy tractor at 3418lbs with no weights, loader or loaded tires.

Our dealer network is rapidly growing and customer satisfaction is excellent. I hope I am not over stepping my bounds but I would take a look and drive one, drive all of them and see what fits you best, your budget, your dealer comfort etc. All of the tractors you are looking at are good machines but different people feel better on one over another so sit on them and drive them and go with what best fits you and your needs.

Here is the LG Montana number to find the dealer closest to you 1-800-872-1910.

I have pictures of the various tractor model in the LG line that my customers have purchased including the 3040 if you would like. Just send me a message and I would be happy to send you some pictures.

Good Luck,
Maka

 

[KubotaSteve]

I have to reccommend the Kubota B-7800. Depending on how expensive you go on the implements you should be able to get all of the items for under $20,000. I would caution getting too large of a machine though could cause problems mowing.

 

[ChrisW]

I have a Kioti LK3054 I am selling with 110 hours on it. Details at: http://adcache.equipmenttraderonline.com/9/8/6/71296286.htm

PM me if you have any questions.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

Congrats on the land, and if, like your subject says.. you are looking for help to spend your money.. then you have come to the correct place. Probably no other website will provide you with more opinions on how to spend as much of your cash as possible.

With your description, the steep hills.. etc.. 4wd is going to be a must.. also.. I'm going to break from tradition and do something I've never done before... I'm going to recomend you get an HST style tranny vs a gear tranny.

I'm a gear tranny man myself.. love them.. always used them.. don't care much for automatics. However.. steep slopes means you have to operate your gear tractor safely and know what you are doing.. like letting the engine control descent and not relying on brakes.. and NEVER taking the tractor out of gear while descending a slope... as you probably won't be able to get it back into gear until the wild ride is over and you need a new set of shorts.

New owners that are immediatly put into situations like yours, where they don't have the time to build up a couple years worth of safe operating habits should benefit greatly from the options that an HST tranny provides. not to mention that loader people tend to prefer HST.. or at very least shuttle trannies if they do any kind of extended fel work.

Have fun.. and over all.. be safe!

Soundguy

 

[dbelisle]

Give some thought to HST if you on hills. I live on the side of a mountain and do a lot of work in the woods. I have a Kioti DK-40 and a Mahindra 2810 HST . If I have to stop on a hill with the Kioti I have push in the clutch and the brake at the same time. Remember tractors don't have front brakes, so if your rear tire is on a round rock or anything that can move , your moving. even if you don't want to be. 4WD doesn't do you anygood with the clutch pushed in.

With HST , when you let off the the pedel , you don't need the brakes , you just stop. and if your in 4WD your front tires are holding also.

Thats not to say I don't like the Kioti with shuttle shift, there are a lot of projects I do with that machine , but for Working in the woods on rough terrain that is hilly I like my HST.

Also check into the 2810HST they had a bonus cash back on that model that brought the price in line with the shuttle shift.

A friend bought a Kioti CK30 with HST and he loves it.

Dave in NH