Looking for advice

[IslandTractor]

I will mow a small section with my lawn tractor the other 3 to 5 ackers with a brush hog once a couple of weeks.


"It will cost you well over $1000 to get a bigger tractor with similar features etc." I would agree with this. I plan on getting a rear blade only, then a brush hog down the road. I will use other implements from friends as needed. My thoughts are if I can get a larger tractor under my budget, get it.

KC

I understand the desire to get a bigger tractor and making a stretch in the beginning is something a lot of people do. However, when you are dealing with just 3-5 acres you are in a range that can easily be handled by a less than 30hp machine so why tie up the capital in a bigger tractor? You may save 45-60 minutes each time you mow all 5 acres but even if you do that 8-10 times a year (cannot believe the growing season is that much longer in MI) and save 6-10 hours tractor time per year, that will take a long time to amortize given the extra thousands you will spend on a larger tractor. Again, for commercial use it is a no brainer but for private use it is worth thinking about.

You mention bush hogging every 2 weeks. That is quite a lot of bush hogging and is really more like lawn mowing. Most fields are cut less frequently (though you would not be the first to mow that much). After bush hogging it a couple of times it will look more like a rough lawn than a field. In any case, if you are mowing that much you might think of a finish mower which could easily handle two weeks growth. A 20 something hp tractor can easily pull a 5ft finish mower which would speed things up.

 

[drgill]

I have five acres. I mow about 3.5 acres using a 4 ft rotary cutter. My B2320 (which is great) is more than adequate for the job. Now given that, if I could go back in time, I would buy a B2920 or possibly a L2800. I bought exactly what I needed at the time. Now I am looking at the possibility of buying a PTO generator and I am restricted in my choices because of the PTO output of my tractor. I would suggest buying one size larger than you need. This is just my opinion.

Cheers,

Dennis

 

[kcook]

I understand the desire to get a bigger tractor and making a stretch in the beginning is something a lot of people do. However, when you are dealing with just 3-5 acres you are in a range that can easily be handled by a less than 30hp machine so why tie up the capital in a bigger tractor? You may save 45-60 minutes each time you mow all 5 acres but even if you do that 8-10 times a year (cannot believe the growing season is that much longer in MI) and save 6-10 hours tractor time per year, that will take a long time to amortize given the extra thousands you will spend on a larger tractor. Again, for commercial use it is a no brainer but for private use it is worth thinking about.

You mention bush hogging every 2 weeks. That is quite a lot of bush hogging and is really more like lawn mowing. Most fields are cut less frequently (though you would not be the first to mow that much). After bush hogging it a couple of times it will look more like a rough lawn than a field. In any case, if you are mowing that much you might think of a finish mower which could easily handle two weeks growth. A 20 something hp tractor can easily pull a 5ft finish mower which would speed things up.

One last though is we might buy another 5 ackers or more (up to 17 more ackers) that is next to our land. I would like to be ready just in case. Boss said this is a one time purchase get for today and Tomorrow possible needs.

KC

 

[GPintheMitten]

Well, I think you really want the B3200 and I'm sure you'll like it. Based on what your saying now, if you got something smaller, you'll always yearn for that "other model". I think it is about 3 grand more for a B3200 with FEL than the B2320 with FEL. Keep in mind, that would buy a some nice implements but you want what you want. Just don't get cash poor and not be able to buy the extra land. Post back what you end up getting.

 

[IslandTractor]

One last though is we might buy another 5 ackers or more (up to 17 more ackers) that is next to our land. I would like to be ready just in case. Boss said this is a one time purchase get for today and Tomorrow possible needs.

KC

Now that is a whole new ballgame. However, a 32hp machine is undersized for 22 acres so you'd likely need to trade up anyway.

 

[kcook]

Buying much bigger now would be a money issue. Im not sure if it would down the road Another 5 ackers is a real possiblity now so we can have our driveway go out onto a paved road. I would still need to maintain a 1/2 mile dirt road to get into the rear of my future pole barn and property.

Thanks

 

[gonegreen]

"Future Pole barn"? Sounds like you need a couple tractors.

 

[kcook]

Well, I think you really want the B3200 and I'm sure you'll like it. Based on what your saying now, if you got something smaller, you'll always yearn for that "other model". I think it is about 3 grand more for a B3200 with FEL than the B2320 with FEL. Keep in mind, that would buy a some nice implements but you want what you want. Just don't get cash poor and not be able to buy the extra land. Post back what you end up getting.

My budget is getting set up for a 17,000 tractor.

KC

 

[kcook]

"Future Pole barn"? Sounds like you need a couple tractors.

The boss said yes I need a tractor not tractors

 

[GPintheMitten]

$17,000 budget... it looks like the B3200 with FEL will be $18500 plus tax, then add the rotary cutter and back blade. Maybe you should get the B2320 or B2620. Have you looked at NH T1510? You might want to compare price and features.

 

[kcook]

$17,000 budget... it looks like the B3200 with FEL will be $18500 plus tax, then add the rotary cutter and back blade. Maybe you should get the B2320 or B2620. Have you looked at NH T1510? You might want to compare price and features.

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]

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

 

[GPintheMitten]

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

Sounds like it could be the ticket, then.

 

[kcook]

I really need to get out and drive them first. I like 2 machines at this point and some of that has to do with dealer and dealer support.

KC

 

[greggh]

One last though is we might buy another 5 ackers or more (up to 17 more ackers) that is next to our land. I would like to be ready just in case. Boss said this is a one time purchase get for today and Tomorrow possible needs.

KC

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...

 

[kcook]

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

 

[MossRoad]

I really need to get out and drive them first. I like 2 machines at this point and some of that has to do with dealer and dealer support.

KC

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]

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.

 

[kcook]

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.

Great idea!!

KC

 

[kcook]

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