Input and advice needed on new purchase

chrispy · Jul 15, 2005

I'm looking at buying a tractor for mostly personal use. I need to dig a pool (possibly a hard dig), landscape a 19K sq ft yard, and stuff like that. Renting one isn't really an options, because I'll need it, off and on, for about 6-8 months.

I also plan set up a company and do small side jobs until I get sick of doing it, then sell the thing.

I have been considering a Mahindra 3015 HST.
I can get one new with a backhoe and loader, for about $25k

My challenge is not being able to store a full size backhoe on my property. We have strict CC&R's and a big unit won't hide behind my yard wall.

I realize that the pool dig would be stretching the Mihandra's limit, but that would be about the biggest job it would ever do. Mostly, I'd just be digging trenches for landscape piping, holes for trees, and moving around landscape stone.

Other than operating a Case 580, about 20 years ago, I have no clue what I'm looking for. I do know that the Mahindras are much less expense than John Deere, and have high customer satisfaction (so says Mahindra).

I've thought about buying used, but there aren't many low hours machines to choose from. One of the concerns I have with buying a used machine is the maintenance. The Case I used to operate was always needing something done, and I just don't have the time or desire to be nursing an older machine.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

johan3400 · Jul 15, 2005

Welcome. It would help if you took time and filled out your profile. Where are you from, what soil conditions do you have and such. That seems to be a lot of money to spend to dig a pool and landscape a yard. Maybe a little more info would help us help you spend your money.

gippolit · Jul 15, 2005

I would also consider Kioti and Kubota. The pool dig will be very hard with that machine. Not the digging its self, but moving the dirt. Take a look at all brands. Kioti, Branson, Kubota.

Regards
Glen

chrispy · Jul 15, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Welcome. It would help if you took time and filled out your profile. Where are you from, what soil conditions do you have and such. That seems to be a lot of money to spend to dig a pool and landscape a yard. Maybe a little more info would help us help you spend your money. )</font>

Done. Thanks!

Where I live, just moving and spreading the landscape stone (crushed granite) would run about $2-$3k. Pool Dig $2k. Landscape irrigation $1.5k. Planting trees, shrubs, etc $1k. I also want to dig a pit for a trampoline, do some dirt mounding, and other stuff.

I'm in a new neighborhood, so several hundred homes around me need similar services. My plan is to do small jobs (not pools) for these neighbors, and sell the machine in a year or two. I'm not looking to get rich, just save a few $$ and have some "man-time" with my boy.

We have a lot of hard clay here, but it's generally down about 3'. My lot is bulit up, so I may not hit much "hard dig" clay.

Bob_Skurka · Jul 15, 2005

I would seriously doubt your ablity to dig a pool unless you've done it before. If a pool dig is $2K, then I would hire someone to do it, and lower your tractor budget by that amount and look at a smaller tractor since your biggest job has been eliminated. Digging a pool is best done by people who have some real experience in digging. Any large hole is a big project with a tractor/backhoe and is best done by any piece of equipement OTHER than the type you are looking at buying. Consider renting a mini-excavator for a couple days at about $125 to $200 a day, the job would go much faster. Most pools by me are done with skid steers or mini-excavators.

Also, if your lot is roughly 19,000 square feet, a big 30hp tractor/loader is going to be a hard fit for the other tasks you are talking about. You are talking about a lot that is ROUGHLY 90' by 210' and if there are already houses, drives, bushes, etc in place on many of those lots, then I would seriously consider a SMALL tractor.

For $6000 - to - $8,000 LESS than your budget you could get a Sub-CUT or a small frame CUT with a FEL & backhoe and that would probably be more useful on traditional neighborhood lots. The biggest I would go is a very small 30hp B7800, it is the smallest/lightest tractor of that HP available, but I don't think you need 30hp to run a hoe or a loader so you could go much smaller/lighter. We have a lot of landscape companies in my area using SMALL tractor because they don't tear up things and they FIT into regular neighborhood yards. Also, seriously consider TURF tires. If you do a job for a neighbor and tear up their yard, you will be replacing that. Many of the landscape companies here use lightweight tractors with turf tires AND lay down sheets of 3/4" plywood to drive over so they don't end up resodding yards, because homeowners don't want to resod their yards for every project.

chrispy · Jul 15, 2005

Bob,

Great stuff! I just met w/ my pool guy and he echoed your views. Please keep opinions coming and I'll keep watching!

Ledgemere Farm · Jul 15, 2005

Hello and welcome.

My immediate response would be to:
a). have the pool excavated by the pool contractor that will be putting it in (they should have the right experience and machinery

b).if you are planning on selling the tractor, buy used so that someone else has already taken the depreciation hit. You can buy a good used machine that should be reliable for years to come.

c). you may want to consider a warranty if you buy it from a dealer. I got a two year warranty on my 4210 for <$200. Money well spent I think. Nobody wants to be making payments on a vehicle or machine out of warranty.

d). buy my brand or else. Just kidding. You probably don't want to hear this, but for a 19k foot yard, I would wait until all of my projects were lined up, and then rent a machine for a week or two. You will save money in the long run. If you decide you really want a tractor, I would get a sub compact like a Kubota BX, the New Holland TZ or the CAse-IH equivelant. There are others, but these are the first ones to pop into my head. I see these things for sale used by the bus load. You might have to do some shopping, but you will find them.
e). remember, buying a tractor is allot like buying a car. We all have different needs and we will all tell you what WE would do, but YOU have to try them out and see what fits you best.

Good luck! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

chrispy · Jul 17, 2005

This is a message I got in response from a local Jimna dealer. I'm not sure they really understood my needs, because I would think a backhoe and FEL would be better than a post hole digger and a box scraper. Also, would the 5' scorpion mow lawn type grass?

"Our Ag King 2240 (22HP) will do all the things you listed below with some different implements like a post hole digger $625.00, and a 5'box scraper for $500.00. The 2240 with New Koyker loader runs $9650.00 and a 2240 with a Jinma loader runs $9350.00. I cannot guarantee these prices in 6 months though. You also menthioned mowing, this tractor will easily pull a 5' brush hog for $795.00 or a 5'scorpion for $1050.00 for all your mowing needs."

TractorLegend · Jul 17, 2005

My question is a digression: Have you had a pool before?
I found the maintenance and power bills to be staggering.
They can be a child hazard/ liability also.
Then everyone was gung ho using it the first month or two, but found myself soon after wanting to sell memberships to make it look busy /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Im thinking of using my Kioti to backfill it. I think the new planter will be nice with the tile border. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

frank_f15 · Jul 17, 2005

Bob pretty much nailed it, but i would add one more option, if the rules in your development permit, how about an above ground pool? a lot less $$$$ and much easier to keep kids out of. Then down size your tractor needs to a sub cut or the lower end of the cuts, that also will save $$$ and should give you more than enough machine to do your other tasks. just throwing it out there. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif