Hi my name is Nik and I need a tractor.

nfiorito · May 12, 2015

Just registered, first post!
Have been in the market for a tractor and have been reading a lot on this forum over the past couple months.
We own ~101 acres in Northwestern Ontario, Canada and just broke ground on our house last week. Our driveway is 1200' long and pretty steep in two spots. Our land has a pond, quad trails, fields, friendly neighbours, and even an abandoned gravel pit, so I'm sure I don't have to convince anyone on this forum that a tractor is in the cards for us.
Currently deciding between 4, all with mid-mount mowers, loaders, and backhoes (all new): Yanmar ex3200, 324, JD 1025R, Kubota B2606. Leaning toward the ex3200 for the jump in HP but any comments are welcome! This being Canada they're all pretty costly, from $26k-$32k.
Hopefully I'll be able to post pics of a new ride soon, thanks for listening to me babble!

EddieWalker · May 12, 2015

Welcome to the forum!!

With that much land, I don't think I would want that small of a tractor. Instead I would get a dedicated riding mower for around the house and as big of a bush hog type mower that you can pull with a much larger tractor. 4 wheel drive and the loader for sure. If you have the funds and you have to deal with snow, think about a cab.

The most important thing in deciding what brand to buy is in who is the best dealer. There really isn't all that much difference between the brands with similar set ups. Same HP, same transmission, 4 wheel drive, power steering and all that isn't going to be any different. Mostly it's paint color and dealer support. Some might be cheaper, but the support isn't there. What you need to do is visit each dealer, figure out what your top end budget is, look into what the financing options are at those dealers and any deals they will give with implements, deliver, and support down the road. Every tractor will break. It's part of using them. How long you are down and if they can even get the parts is what makes it the best tractor for you.

Eddie

Wagtail · May 12, 2015

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Everything that Eddie has said. Get a lawn tractor for mowing around the house and upsize the hp on a larger tractor for everything else. The mantra here on TBN is 'figure what size you need, then go one size bigger', if you can.

You've said that you're fortunate enough to have good neighbours. Use them. Ask their opinion and, dealer-wise, who's got the best reputation for sales and service.

Good luck & we'll help if we can... we love to spend other people's money. :laughing:

nfiorito · May 14, 2015

Haha, thanks guys!
I went and spoke with the Yanmar dealer today (previously was emailing back and forth). The knock against that dealer is that they're straight 9-5 and short hours on Saturday, but that aside I really liked the guy (owner) and it's the closest to my house, although neither the JD or Kubota dealer are more than 25 mins away.
The EX3200 is literally the last tractor they have on the lot that isn't sold, they're holding off before bringing in new ones due to the low CDN dollar, but these ones were purchased previous to the loonie's dive. They have a large service garage and it seemed like a pretty active place today with some friendly folks scurrying around.
I think at the 32 HP level it's a more than few grand cheaper than anything else I've looked at, so I'm going to see if he'll do a package (albeit a strange one!) of the 3200 + box blade, rear mower, chainsaw, and septic tank and pipe, as I need these items and they carry them!
I didn't really look at anything higher than this HP-wise at the other places, but from what I can gather they're sneaking up into +$40k range and that's not manageable for me right now.
Anyway, If this guy's a wheeler and dealer he may have won me over. Stay tuned!

Wagtail · May 14, 2015

All right then, Mate. However I'd really advise you to see what the Kubota and JD dealerships have to offer. I'd also advise you to take one of your knowledgeable good neighbours along with you... just to 'sit in the background' whilst talking to them, if you catch my drift. BTW, I'm not steering you away from the Yanmar, after all my JD 4105 has a Yanmar donk in it.

Here's the rig you're looking at: TractorData.com Yanmar Ex3200 tractor information

My only concern would be that you might be impulse buying the 'last tractor he's got'. You've got time, Mate, check the other dealers (with that neighbour)... you may be pleasantly surprised at the different variations & 'implement packages' that are out there.