Comparison Kubota, JD, New Holland for Newbie.

[bman0023]

Thanks for the responses. I will take them all into consideration. I still have a lot of research to do. I am going to explore them all, in particular check out Kioti, mahindra, and bobcat to see what they offer and the dealers in Maine. My wife is from there and so we are there about a month out of the year.

My friend at work told me he likes Deere's because their frames are better and if I plan to plow this will be best, and their gearing is better? I have no clue about this at all. I only know what I read and what the dealers tell me, and can be easily confused as I have no "real" experience with tractors. Which is why I value everyone's opinion on here!

Thanks, Brad

 

[StanR]

Here is the advice I was given when looking for my first tractor

Buy 2 sizes larger that you think you need, Get a FEL and 4x4.

I bought a new 28 HP mahindra and sold it 9 months later to replace it with what I should have bought in the first place.

You can almost never go wrong by buying bigger...

 

[PHILIP8N]

I got some money from a land sale and wanted to retire my 1950 Ford 8N. I did not care which color, just wanted best value from reptuable brand.

Conditions: 40-ish horsepower, HST trans, R3 tires, front snow blade.

1st looked at New Holland 3040. Pros: Buddy has one that I have used a little and liked. Great reputaion. Has connection back to Ford. Cons: Dealer 20 miles away. $26230.

2nd looked at JD 3720. Pros: Have two JD lawn mowers and like. Great reputation. Great parts availability. Dealer 15 miles away (but only 2 miles from work). Cons: Everyone and thier brother has one (I like to be different). 3 cylinder turbo (I did not want 3 cylinder or turbo). Smaller frame. $24700.

3rd looked at Kubota L3940. Pros: Great reputation. HST+ features. Dealer 3 miles away. Cons: There aren't any! $23080 (connectionos with dealer may have led to better price)

Briefly looked at MF but did not seriously consider.

IMO, Kubota was best value for money within the brands I thought as most reptuable and dependable, and closest dealer. Enough cannot be said for a close dealer, no matter what manufacturer you choose.

I have had my L3940 for a year and a half now. Drove buddy's NH a few months back, still a nice tractor, but not as nice as my L3940 with HST+. Went to State Fair last fall and sat on JD3720 to make sure I made right decision. I did make the right decision, JD3720 felt small, has small tires, and stickers on dash were pealing off. Mechanically, I am sure the JD3720 is a good tractor, just was not right for my application (plus everyone and their brother has a green tractor, I like to be different).

Philip

PS, Still have the 8N. NOT FOR SALE!

 

[Grandad4]

Thanks for the responses. I will take them all into consideration. I still have a lot of research to do. I am going to explore them all, in particular check out Kioti, mahindra, and bobcat to see what they offer and the dealers in Maine. My wife is from there and so we are there about a month out of the year.

My friend at work told me he likes Deere's because their frames are better and if I plan to plow this will be best, and their gearing is better? I have no clue about this at all. I only know what I read and what the dealers tell me, and can be easily confused as I have no "real" experience with tractors. Which is why I value everyone's opinion on here!

Thanks, Brad

Brad, you're on the right track in your tractor shopping and there's some excellent advice from the other posters here. The "big 3" (NH, Deere and Kubota) all make excellent equipment that will do what you want, so you really can't go wrong as far as buying a bad piece of equipment. Likewise for the other brands that have been mentioned. One manufacturer may have some features or something else that you especially like, but the basic ability to do work, last a long time and generally make your life easier is something they all do.

Since you are new to tractors, it probably means you should spend as much time as possible finding a good dealer who will help you get started, as well as make a good deal for you. Believe me, there are all kinds of dealers out there, and finding the right one can make all the difference whether you have a successful tractor buying experience.

I agree you want something in the 35-40 horsepower range, but please note that you can't just go by the horsepower rating... you also have to consider the physical size of the machine as well. For the work you plan to do, I'd suggest you look at the models that are larger and heavier as they will offer more capability.

 

[TripleR]

My friend at work told me he likes Deere's because their frames are better and if I plan to plow this will be best, and their gearing is better? I have no clue about this at all. I only know what I read and what the dealers tell me, and can be easily confused as I have no "real" experience with tractors. Which is why I value everyone's opinion on here!

Thanks, Brad

Before I assign any value to a "friend's" advice, I evaluate the person's experience. How many tractors and of what types does/has he owned and what kind of work has he done and still does. Is his experience with old or new equipment?

A lot of people who have owned and used only one or two tractors seem to feel they know an awful lot when in reality they have little experience.

I pretty much discount blanket statements that John Deere, Kubota, Kioti, Case etc. is better because (fill in the blank). One of the things I really like about my local John Deere and Kubota/New Holland dealers is neither will make a blanket statement like that.

I can surely identify with being confused and usually still go through a lengthy decision process before buying.

Good luck and the good news is that you simply can't buy a bad tractor from any of the makes mentioned.

 

[jdinmaine]

Good Morning,

I am in a similar position as Bman0023, except I have the land (250 acres, 40 acres in hay). Right now I have a local dairy farmer working the field (for free) but I would eventually like to take over when I retire in two years. I have been looking at Kubota's and have been thinking about the L5240. Actually, found one for sale in Maine for $27,000 . It's a 2010 year tractor.

My question relates to the L5240 ability to adequately handle the haying operation, as well as general work around the farm and in the woods for small quantities of firewood. What do you think about the price and the tractor capabilities for my needs?

I hope I'm on the right thread, and that some of you would have some suggestions...

Thanks,

jdinmaine

 

[Carl Bert]

Hi All, I am new to tractors, planning on buying some land, about 10-15 acres, and so I will be getting a tractor to care for it. I plan on mowing, plowing snow, in Maine, and plowing for a large garden.

I was looking at the JD 2320 24 HP, Kubota B2920 or B3300, and New Holland 1025. I am open to other suggestions. I want a loader, mower, plow, tiller, and auger for it.

What will be the most important thing for me to consider? Will the JD be lacking in HP in comparison to the 33 HP Kubota? Or is 24 HP enough and not that big a deal? I just want a good machine to do the work I need to do and last a good while with not many problems. Any advice is welcome, as this is quite an investment for me!!

Thanks, Brad

You mentioned the B3300. Nice tractor, but it doesn't come with a mid PTO, which means no MMM (belly mower), and no front mount snow blower. Not sure if that matters to you right now, but believe me at some point it probably will. If you are going to stay in the 25 to 30 HP range, I would look at the B 2630, B3030 or the small L series. John Deeres 3320 is also a beautiful machine but a little pricey.

Like the others said, you will never regret buying a machine thats too big, only too small.

 

[TripleR]

Good Morning,

I am in a similar position as Bman0023, except I have the land (250 acres, 40 acres in hay). Right now I have a local dairy farmer working the field (for free) but I would eventually like to take over when I retire in two years. I have been looking at Kubota's and have been thinking about the L5240. Actually, found one for sale in Maine for $27,000 . It's a 2010 year tractor.

My question relates to the L5240 ability to adequately handle the haying operation, as well as general work around the farm and in the woods for small quantities of firewood. What do you think about the price and the tractor capabilities for my needs?

I hope I'm on the right thread, and that some of you would have some suggestions...

Thanks,

jdinmaine

They haven't printed enough money to get me near hay again, so I can't help you there. I own a L5030 HSTC and got a LOT of good information from TEXASJOHN who runs cattle on 200 acres. He has a rather lengthy write up on his tractor setup which should help in your decision. You can contact him by PM and I am sure he will share it with you.

The 5030 is a really nice size and the 5240 has more power and the HST+.

Goiod luck.

 

[Grandad4]

Good Morning,

I am in a similar position as Bman0023, except I have the land (250 acres, 40 acres in hay). Right now I have a local dairy farmer working the field (for free) but I would eventually like to take over when I retire in two years. I have been looking at Kubota's and have been thinking about the L5240. Actually, found one for sale in Maine for $27,000 . It's a 2010 year tractor.

My question relates to the L5240 ability to adequately handle the haying operation, as well as general work around the farm and in the woods for small quantities of firewood. What do you think about the price and the tractor capabilities for my needs?

I hope I'm on the right thread, and that some of you would have some suggestions...

Thanks,

jdinmaine

The L5240 would do your general work just fine, but it may not be the best haying tractor. It would run a mower/conditioner OK, but what kind of baler would you use? It's a fairly light tractor, so for making and handling large round bales, it would get tossed around quite a bit. The smaller bale sizes would probably be OK. Weight would also be an issue if your land is hilly. There are some guys here on TBN that bale with similar tractors... maybe they'll comment.

Beyond the tractor question, 40 acres seems pretty marginal to me to justify what it would cost you in equipment and work setting up your own hay making capability. You'd be doing it for the entertainment value of it, but you wouldn't make or save any money.

 

[Rockgod]

Here is the advice I was given when looking for my first tractor

Buy 2 sizes larger that you think you need, Get a FEL and 4x4.

I bought a new 28 HP mahindra and sold it 9 months later to replace it with what I should have bought in the first place.

You can almost never go wrong by buying bigger...

If I could take this advice a step further. If you can swing the couple extra $$ you should seriously consider a cab. Nothing like laying down a good chunck of change on an open station tractor and then finding out 6 months later you should have went with a cab Ask me how I know! Between the bugs/bees, hot/cold weather, the poision Ivy that you hit with the brush hog getting it air-born then landing all over you! Please consider the cab option!