Local dealer quoted me 16k for a B3200 with loader. Only one local NH dealer in area. Also Rotary cutter will be added later.
KC
Looking for advice
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Local dealer quoted me 16k for a B3200 with loader. Only one local NH dealer in area. Also Rotary cutter will be added later.
KC
JoelD
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2005
- Messages
- 2,343
- Location
- Windham, NH and York, ME
- Tractor
- Kioti LK3054xs TLB, 2004
I find I typically agree with Island (on the ocassions I can keep up with his thought process, smart guy).
With that said.
Here's what I did.
I own 3.15 acres of the rockiest, nastiest soil on earth.
My first tractor was a 12 HP Kubota B6000E, loader and backhoe.
She was an awsome tractor, I ran into limits with loader which was capabable of about 400 lbs or so and I regularly run into rocks heavier than that and could not dump into a pickup truck (although I've done that like once so far) and she was 2 wheel drive.
I use my machine mostly as a TLB, I cut my lawn with a lawn mower, I don't bushog as I've got either grass, rocks or trees.
I need to trailer my machine as I do odd jobs for friends, family and money paying strangers.
I looked seriously at the B7800, B21, CK 20 and the little massey's.
New I was talking about $19K give or take for TLB.
My dream machine: B26, L35, JD110. I could dig super fast, move dirt super fast and pick up about anything I'd run into.
Machine I settled on, used Kioti LK3054XS TLB with 151 hours for under $15K, with nearly identical capabilities of the b21.
Here is what I think these decisions come down to.
Bigger is rarely bad with regards to any type of ground engaging equipment unless storage, trailering, footprint or maneuvering limits exist. Just more money in every way, from purchase to implements to maintenance.
When it comes to most anything other than lifting or depth of digging, smaller just takes longer but is capable of most anything bigger is capable of.
I also think it comes down to one's ability to turn a wrench, if you buy used and you are not intimidated by possible tweak here or there, you can save big money. If you buy used with remainder of warranty (Kioti's are 4 years), then no real worries.
My point is, buying used can save some big money and you can always find a bigger machine, but you'll need to ultimately compromise on size. My advice, buy the machine that will do whatever the most significant task it is you need it to do (like loader lift), the other tasks like mowing and hogging are just a matter of time and if you are not doing it for a profession and are talking about handfull of acres, then I'd not let mowing time rule my decision, if so, you'll likely get more machine than you need. Not a bad thing, just a money thing.
Joel
With that said.
Here's what I did.
I own 3.15 acres of the rockiest, nastiest soil on earth.
My first tractor was a 12 HP Kubota B6000E, loader and backhoe.
She was an awsome tractor, I ran into limits with loader which was capabable of about 400 lbs or so and I regularly run into rocks heavier than that and could not dump into a pickup truck (although I've done that like once so far) and she was 2 wheel drive.
I use my machine mostly as a TLB, I cut my lawn with a lawn mower, I don't bushog as I've got either grass, rocks or trees.
I need to trailer my machine as I do odd jobs for friends, family and money paying strangers.
I looked seriously at the B7800, B21, CK 20 and the little massey's.
New I was talking about $19K give or take for TLB.
My dream machine: B26, L35, JD110. I could dig super fast, move dirt super fast and pick up about anything I'd run into.
Machine I settled on, used Kioti LK3054XS TLB with 151 hours for under $15K, with nearly identical capabilities of the b21.
Here is what I think these decisions come down to.
Bigger is rarely bad with regards to any type of ground engaging equipment unless storage, trailering, footprint or maneuvering limits exist. Just more money in every way, from purchase to implements to maintenance.
When it comes to most anything other than lifting or depth of digging, smaller just takes longer but is capable of most anything bigger is capable of.
I also think it comes down to one's ability to turn a wrench, if you buy used and you are not intimidated by possible tweak here or there, you can save big money. If you buy used with remainder of warranty (Kioti's are 4 years), then no real worries.
My point is, buying used can save some big money and you can always find a bigger machine, but you'll need to ultimately compromise on size. My advice, buy the machine that will do whatever the most significant task it is you need it to do (like loader lift), the other tasks like mowing and hogging are just a matter of time and if you are not doing it for a profession and are talking about handfull of acres, then I'd not let mowing time rule my decision, if so, you'll likely get more machine than you need. Not a bad thing, just a money thing.
Joel
GPintheMitten
Elite Member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2009
- Messages
- 3,291
- Location
- Flushing, Michigan
- Tractor
- Kubota B2620 with BH65 backhoe, Ford 2N
greggh
Gold Member
One of the things I didn't see mentioned was the type of land you may be purchasing. If you are going to just mow, then any tractor will do the trick. It is mostly a matter of time. But if you plan on doing any ground engaging tasks, I would suggest getting out of the CUT class and going into a Utility class tractor. I found when I was searching for a tractor that the small Utility was cheaper than the larger CUT's. I forgot to mention that it was gear and not HST. However it was FWD. You have received a lot of good suggestions, but some variables still need to be considered.
Good luck and keep us informed. Discovering is the fun part of the tractor purchase. Enjoy the rides...
One of the things I didn't see mentioned was the type of land you may be purchasing. If you are going to just mow, then any tractor will do the trick. It is mostly a matter of time. But if you plan on doing any ground engaging tasks, I would suggest getting out of the CUT class and going into a Utility class tractor. I found when I was searching for a tractor that the small Utility was cheaper than the larger CUT's. I forgot to mention that it was gear and not HST. However it was FWD. You have received a lot of good suggestions, but some variables still need to be considered.
Good luck and keep us informed. Discovering is the fun part of the tractor purchase. Enjoy the rides...
Rolling hills but not to steep at all. I pay for a guy with a small utility tractor to brush hog a small amount of my land now 1 acker or so. No issues with the hills. Also I need a HST for my wife.
KC
Last edited:
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 58,286
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
You know, since you like the dealers, ask if they can bring them to your property for a demo. Doing real work on your property may give you some insight into which of the two machines you like better.
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 58,286
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
A couple other things I thought I would mention...
If you get a mid mount mower on a smaller tractor, you could also get a tow behind self powered mower. You can tow them behind your tractor off to one side. It effectively doubles your cutting width, which will almost cut your mowing time in half.
Another thing worth mentioning is the loader capacity differences between a smaller and larger machine. If you are going to be doing a lot of loader work, carrying firewood, mulch, gravel, etc... that can make a big difference.
We bought a large used machine and got the large chores out of the way first, then sold it and bought a smaller machine for maintenance of the property. That worked out well for us.
Good luck with your decision. Get some seat time in on the prospects.
If you get a mid mount mower on a smaller tractor, you could also get a tow behind self powered mower. You can tow them behind your tractor off to one side. It effectively doubles your cutting width, which will almost cut your mowing time in half.
Another thing worth mentioning is the loader capacity differences between a smaller and larger machine. If you are going to be doing a lot of loader work, carrying firewood, mulch, gravel, etc... that can make a big difference.
We bought a large used machine and got the large chores out of the way first, then sold it and bought a smaller machine for maintenance of the property. That worked out well for us.
Good luck with your decision. Get some seat time in on the prospects.
A couple other things I thought I would mention...
If you get a mid mount mower on a smaller tractor, you could also get a tow behind self powered mower. You can tow them behind your tractor off to one side. It effectively doubles your cutting width, which will almost cut your mowing time in half.
Another thing worth mentioning is the loader capacity differences between a smaller and larger machine. If you are going to be doing a lot of loader work, carrying firewood, mulch, gravel, etc... that can make a big difference.
We bought a large used machine and got the large chores out of the way first, then sold it and bought a smaller machine for maintenance of the property. That worked out well for us.
Good luck with your decision. Get some seat time in on the prospects.
I don't want to use a MMM for most of my cutting, around the house I will use a lawn tractor that does a good job and its paid for.
Loader work, all gravel, stone, and dirt work. No mulch but snow to move in the winter.
KC