Looking for a tractor with front loader

[johnny123]

I am looking to buy a small tractor with a front end loader bucket mainly for snow removal..I have a 600 foot drive way and lots of drifts...
I have looked at the Mahindra tractors and was shocked at the price compared to the Kobotas...Lots cheaper..My main thought was why so much cheaper? Is something wrong with the Mahindras...I may use it for some small jobs around here as well..I have 16 acreas is all....
What brand and horse power would you fellows or gals suggest?
I may want to plow a garden,remove some small trees,etc.....Defenitly a 4 wheel drive is in order...What about the small Ford tractors...
I can not find any used tractors around here at all......I am in Ithaca,New York.....

So how about some ideas on what to look for in a new or used tractor.....Would a gas model be better than diesel or not....I really have no idea what I would need,so I am open to all suggestions..Thank you so much for any replys...Johnny

 

[swampvol]

Nothing wrong with Mahindra at all. Just make sure your dealer is reputable..same goes with kubota, deere, NH, kioti exc.

I would say 30-35 hp would suit you for the tasks you've mentioned.

 

[RollingsFarms]

all you're going to find new these days are diesel powerd tractors anyways. you might want to look at a john deere 790, NH t35, or similar kubots, and mahindra models. does a certain type of transmission sway your decision one way or another?

 

[crbr]

all you're going to find new these days are diesel powerd tractors anyways. you might want to look at a john deere 790,

RoyJackson will be proud of you...

 

[Dmace]

You might want to take a look at Kioti, they are incredibly rugged machines with specs on par if not better than the leading green and orange tractors. There is a Kioti dealer about 30 miles from you in Owego NY called Joe Signs equipment.

I have done all your looking to do except for plowing a garden with a CK20 HST. I remove my snow with a 60" rear mounted snowblower. Much easier and neater than using the FEL for plowing.

I bet you will find the Kioti's a few grand less then the big three yet with more standard features and options.

Have fun shopping.

 

[jbrumberg]

johnny123:

Welcome to TBN ! Tell us a little more about your property and intended uses. You should also add your profile. I would suggest you think more about tilling than plowing, but your perceived need will evolve through TBN discussion. I am real happy with my NH TC29DA and I would bet that a similar size tractor would meet your needs (They no longer make the "29" they tweaked it up to a "31".). You may or may not need a backhoe- I would like to have one but I really do not need one (Who knows? I got a lot of other attachments, but I can not "convince" "She Who Must Be Obeyed" yet ). Ground clearance may be a factor if your property is rough or uneven. Small trees could be "pulled" or taken out with a chain saw or rotary cutter. If you have rough field to cut you definitely need a rotary cutter. A midmount mower may limit your operation due to ground clearance. If you will be doing a lot of FEL work I would recommend HST. Just my thoughts and opinions. Good luck on your research. Beware that all of us want to spend your money and there are a lot of HP junkies in TBN land . Keep your posts coming. Jay

 

[DmansPadge]

I am looking to buy a small tractor with a front end loader bucket mainly for snow removal..I have a 600 foot drive way and lots of drifts...
I have looked at the Mahindra tractors and was shocked at the price compared to the Kobotas...Lots cheaper..My main thought was why so much cheaper? Is something wrong with the Mahindras...I may use it for some small jobs around here as well..I have 16 acreas is all....
What brand and horse power would you fellows or gals suggest?
I may want to plow a garden,remove some small trees,etc.....Defenitly a 4 wheel drive is in order...What about the small Ford tractors...
I can not find any used tractors around here at all......I am in Ithaca,New York.....

So how about some ideas on what to look for in a new or used tractor.....Would a gas model be better than diesel or not....I really have no idea what I would need,so I am open to all suggestions..Thank you so much for any replys...Johnny

Where I am the Mahindras are as much or more than Kubotas. It varies around the country. Mahindra makes a real nice tractor... if you find one you want, I wouldn't hesitate at all. 25+ HP would probably do fine.... whatever brand you so choose. The only new "tractors" I know that can still be had with a gas engine is some of the Cub Cadets. Diesel is the only way to go.... new or used.

Have fun!!

 

[RoyJackson]

RoyJackson will be proud of you...

Yeah, I would be!!!

Thank you, crbr!

Used 790's aren't hard to find, but you may have to go out of state if you're OK with an internet sales (try www.machinefinder.com). Just watch the delivery costs. But don't limit yourself to the 790.
The only Deers I wouldn't go for would be the 4200/4210 and the 3203.

Any mid sized tractor would do the job for you (Deere, New Holland/Ford, Kubota). 25to 35 PTO HP should do you fine.
If you go the other brands, just make sure you can get service and parts.

A loader isn't too good at snow removal...especially in a snow belt area such as Ithacca.
You can use a rear blade in two ways:
1) Back up and push the snow (hard on the neck for 600' though)
2) Drive forward over the snow with the blade angled behind you.

I've done both...but my drive isn't that long...120-140 feet. I normally make my first pass when the snow is 8" driving forward.

You can add a front plow, but you lose use of the loader, or you can look for a snow blower. Front blowers work great, but are big dollars. Rear (3PH) blowers go back to driving in reverse for 600'. There's also 3PH pull behind units by PUMA which, if I lived in a heavy snow area, is the one I'd buy.

Of course, you could put a plow on the front of a truck and just use the tractor's loader for the drifts the truck couldn't handle...that would be the most comfortable method.

How big a garden do you want to plant? How much clearing (trees) are you expecting to do?

I like simple tractors, therefore a gear drive. The tasks you describe don't really require a lot of back and forth.

Well, Johnny, you sure have a lot of choices!

 

[DrainPondDesign]

Johnny123

Dear John, (sorry couldn't resist )

There should be dealers & used tractors available around Ithaca, NY area, it's just a matter of finding them.

One place to start is the Machine Finder web page at John Deere, just plug in your zip code & it will let you narrow your search to type of equipment centered on your area.

Used Farm Equipment & Agricultural Equipment - John Deere MachineFinder.com

In Malone, NY Giroux Brothers had a couple of used JD 790s but I doubt that they would deliver that far.

If there is a Free Trader or some type of farm paper published locally then that should be worth a look as well. It would be wise to learn what to look out for before buying a used tractor, perhaps other TBN posters can help with that.

Good luck.

If your budget allows it I use a JD 3320 cab model with front snow blower, heat & AC so like a child I now look forward to snow storms.

 

[DmansPadge]

I use a JD 3320 cab model with front snow blower, heat & AC so like a child I now look forward to snow storms.

Nothing wrong with that!!