Buying Advice Know nothing

[snhoward]

I own a 20 acre tract and am in the market for a tractor that will be used mostly for mowing, however I would like to have a good front end loader and backhoe available for occasional use. Looking for advise on horsepower (currently have a Ford 1100 compact and find it really strains to get the job done) Also looking for advise on manufacturer (best bang for the buck), whether to look for foreign or made in USA. Also interested in any information anyone may have on NorTrac (sold by Northern Tools and Equipment) Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Stephen

 

[TigerfaninAR]

:welcome:

First welcome to the site, the advice here is awesome and everyone is eager to help. The search function is great and most topics have been covered at some time.

I've read enough here to know that the more detailed you can be the better responses. Is your land hilly? Are you finish mowing all 20 acres or brush cutting some? What dealers are nearby? What projects do you have in mind for the backhoe? If not many you may come out ahead with renting. You get my drift.:thumbsup:

 

[Soundguy]

well.. lets start off by asking what the 20ac is like.. flat or hilly? lots of obstacles? or open.

as for the backhoe.. figure at least 4-5K$ for that ocassional use piece setting in the barn. you'l want a subframe and not a 3pt so that you don't break the tractor in half when you really dig. though if you just wanted a toy hoe to scratch in the dirt every couple years.. I guess a 3pt might be ok. keep in mind the hyds requirement for that hoe.. that will determine what hyds capabilities your tractor needs.

for 20ac and mowing.. I'm thinking 40hp range.. though if you have trees.. you don't want to get too large to maneuver. that should get you in the 6' mower range with power to spare. I'd go 50hp if you wanted an 8' mower.. and wouldn't even considder a single spindle 7'er.

what's yer budget.. and are you mechanically inclined.. IE.. do you mind tinkering with a machine.. or do you want brand new?

nortracs are chinese..

soundguy

 

[IslandTractor]

Agree with Soundguy on size. I care for similar size unplanted farming land with a 40 hp tractor and six foot flail mower. Bigger would sometimes be nice but so would smaller at times.

For "value" in new machines check out Kioti, Bobcat and Mahindra. Compare them and check pricing vs JD, Kubota, NH, MF. Some dealers are more aggressive with pricing so sometimes you can get a Kubota for the same as Kioti but usually the value brands are cheaper. Chinese tractors are the least expensive but none seem to have real dealer networks yet.

 

[Nissan197]

Soundguy always provides good information and I agree with him on the size. What will you be using the backhoe for? I wanted one when I bought my tractor, but I could not jusitfy the cost for what I would have used it for. The FEL is great and I for sure would go with one.

When I was shopping for a tractor I decided to buy new because of the financing, warranty, and I did not know much about tractors and wanted one that was in great shape. Now with what knowledge I have and a little more time on my hands I would be comfortable with buying used if I knew its history.

What is your dealer network like where you live? I looked at JD, NH, Kubota, Kioti, Mahindra, FarmTrac, Massey, Case when I was shopping. I thought they all looked great, but I went with a Mahindra because I thought I got more bang for my buck. I have been very happy with my purchase and my 3215 has done everything I have needed it to on my 10 acres. Again, I am sure all the brands listed make top notch equipment and you couldn't go wrong with any of them. Of course, FarmTrac is no more. Try them all out and get what feels right.

I don't know a thing about NorTrac. Good luck with your research.

 

[TripleR]

Can't beat the information provided so far though I like a little more power, not that it is needed.

I like back hoes, but don't use one enough to justify the cost. We have one we used so seldom it no longer even runs. When needed, we get a track hoe, but we have only used it once this year.

As to brands, it is obvious I like Kubotas, but would recommend anyone thinking about buying to shop around and look at all of them. I have bought used and may again, but my brother is a mechanic who can check them out for me.

Good luck shopping.

 

[flusher]

I own a 20 acre tract and am in the market for a tractor that will be used mostly for mowing, however I would like to have a good front end loader and backhoe available for occasional use. Looking for advise on horsepower (currently have a Ford 1100 compact and find it really strains to get the job done) Also looking for advise on manufacturer (best bang for the buck), whether to look for foreign or made in USA. Also interested in any information anyone may have on NorTrac (sold by Northern Tools and Equipment) Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Stephen

Mahindra will give you good value for your money. Mine is a 2008 Mahindra 5525 (54 hp engine, 45 hp pto, 2WD, gear tranny 8F/2R, power steering) with the ML250 FEL (6-ft bucket, 2950 lb lift to 10.5 ft). Also have a skid steer quick attach adapter on the FEL arms (highly recommended). About $19K invested in that rig. My place is 10 acres, flat, 6 acres in hay (Kanota oats).