Kubota L3400 vs MF3350

[OBWON]

Wrong title.....L3200 vs MF1533

New member, soon to be first time tractor owner.

I've searched various forums but no recent threads in regards to what I'm looking for. I have about 12 acres around a 13 acre pond with a 1.5 acre gravel parking lot I need to keep graded. I need to do some serious brush cutting down to the water line and then eventually keep it down with a finishing mower. There is a gentle slope down to the water line, nothing too steep, but I still think 4wd is a must. I also have to maintain a .82 mile trail around the lake so a box scrape and FEL is a must as well for moving downed trees, etc. I want the ability to remove the tractor from the property as long term storage there worries me for theft reasons as I don't live on site, hence the need for a trailer.

I've found two used tractor packages that I think will be good for what I'm looking for in a "package" deal....meaning a trailer, 4wd tractor with FEL, brush cutter, finishing mower, box scrape.

1) 2006 MF1533 4wd with 350 hours. 18 foot dual axle trailer, 5' foot Rhino brush cutter, 5' Rhino finishing mower, 5' box scrape, and a 6" and 10" auger. I know the owner and he is asking $15,000 with some wiggle room.

2) 2011 Kubota L3200DT 4wd with 187 hours. 16 foot dual axle trailer. Geared transmission, with FEL, 4' J bar brand brush cutter, 4' J Bar brand box scrape, 6' Bush Hog brand finishing mower, and older 6' older harrow (that I don't need). Asking $17,000 somewhat firm. Warranty transfer an option.

Both dealers are close by and both have good reputations. Buying new with the great interest deals don't appeal to me as I'm already stretching the budget and new puts me well over my top line.

I wanted to keep my purchase below $13,000 but it turns out that was a pipe dream. If I'm going to stretch my budget to roughly $14k, should I bite the bullet and go another $2,500 and buy a one year old Kubota instead of going the more affordable route with the 5 year old MF?

I've read great reviews on both machines, with more negative comments going to the MF. I think both are great deals and I plan to keep the tractor for a long time.

Thoughts? Advice??? Thanks in advance....

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I think that you will find that the 1533 is a nicer tractor. The Kubota is a more economical model and has 3point design problems from what I understand. As long as the 1533 is not the first year of production, you should be good with it. The first year 1500 series tractors had some hydraulic issues.

I would like to suggest that with as much trail that you are going to maintain, that sometime in the future you get a land Plane grader blade. By far the best implement to MAINTAIN a road or trail. There are many manufacturers, but here is just one example.

Land Pride Grading Scrapers

Good luck

 

[OBWON]

Thanks MtnView...

After riding both and operating various equipment with both I went with the 2006 MF 1533 over the 2011 Kubota L3200.

The price was the big factor ($2,500 difference) as well as the fact that I ended up buying the MF from a co-worker that I trust and that will help me along when I'm getting started. Neither of us realized we knew each other until we exchanged a few emails....making the purchase go even smooter.

For anyone price checking, the 2006 MF 1533 4wd with Sychro Shuttle was in very good shape and lightly used over the last five years...mainly for brush cutting and maintaing a gravel road. The machine has 400 hours, a 5 foot Rhino brush cutter, a 5 foot Rhino finishing mover, a 5 foot Bush Hog brand box scrape, a 6" and 10" auger, and a 18 foot trailer. I got it all for $14,500 and I think a got a very good deal!!

I'll start brush cutting my property and developing and maintaining the trail around my 12 acre lake after the Holidays...more photos to follow.

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/obobser/1b34fc78.jpg

 

[OBWON]

Well it's been a while since I asked what tractor to buy and finally taking the plunge. With the warm weather I've put more than a few hours on my Massey 1533 over the last few weeks.

Cut about 8 acres of land with over 10' high brush and small trees. Scraped a 12 acre pond shoreline after lowering the water a few feet, installed a entrance gate with the post hole digger that came with it, and basically just cleaning up my property.

Here is a few shots of the tractor at work...couldn't be happier!!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Your lake is beautiful. :thumbsup: I'm sure that you will enjoy the 1533.

 

[OBWON]

Thanks Brian. It was dammed up in the '50's and is spring fed. It gets a lot of runoff now from the surrounding commercial properties, which includes trash, but it's my little slice of heaven close to the city.

Thanks for you're advice earlier too. Trail work will start soon....as soon as I have the funds for the materials.