Looking for first tractor. Overwhelmed and a little lost

[fish938]

I drove through your neighborhood last night. Drove up 231 from I-64 to get back home.
I was actually checking out a tractor at Rudolph Brothers in Boonville. I've found a used MF 1660 cab tractor that I'm interested in but I haven't been in one with a cab. They had a new 1754 with a cab to look at and sit in. They had a hand full of compact tractors there, including some of the economy Massey 1700 series. They dealer I have used, and my father has bought several things form over the last 25 years is located in Ramsey, In. (Chinn Eq.). He is a smaller Massey dealer, but it never ceases to amaze me how much equipment he sells. He would be closer to you than he is to me and I can vouch for him being a great dealer.
If you are looking for LS or Kioti tractor dealers, The two closest to me are Richard's Small Engines in Ellettsville, In. (just outside Bloomington) and Holtzclaw in Switz City. Richards is another good dealer. I've never dealt with him on tractors, but I have bought ZTRs from him and have referred a half-dozen people to him who also bought mowers from him and all have been very pleased with their experience. He has only been selling tractors for probably 5 or so years but seems to sell quite a few. He started selling Yanmar tractors, but those disappeared and the LS tractors showed up. I've never asked Richard about what happened with Yanmar.
I've never dealt with Hotlzclaw, but they have been in business for several years.
I think if I were to buy something other than a Massey, LS would be the first place I would look. I could list other dealers, but these are the ones I either know well or at least know of that are a reasonable drive from you. I'm sure you've used the dealer locators from the various manufacturers to find the ones closest to you, so I won't start listing everyone in south and central Indiana.

 

[varmint]

You might consider Barlow's in KY... they have a glowing reputation, and no sales tax for IN. Right now, I see that they are in full overdrive with ag needs, but you could easily visit them. I've bought 3 used Kubotas, and love the tractors. I'm sure they've had their missteps, but the models I have owned seemed, to me, to be very well designed and made, for what they were intended for. Can't picture myself ever buying a new tractor when clean used ones are out there to be searched for and found.

 

[fish938]

I just re-read your post and saw you are considering used as well. Rudolph's In Boonville has a used Massey Ferguson 1560 with a loader. It has a pile of hours on it and is now almost pink from sitting outside, but was told mechanically it was in good condition. Nathan Rudolph told me via email that it was used on a turkey farm to load turkey litter. He said if I was interested, he would paint it and make it look new again if looks were a problem. I saw it from a distance while I was there yesterday. It didn't appear to be beaten, just well used. A 1560 is the largest of Massey's compact tractors from that time period, both in size and HP at 60 flywheel horsepower. I've decided I want a cab, so I didn't investigate further. I just remembered seeing it and thought I'd mention it in case it is of interest to you.

 

[gmman355]

According to their website they have a 1560 listed as coming in January. Do you think this is the same one and has been sitting for a few months?

 

[fish938]

Yes, it is. I saw the same thing and asked if they ever got it and had pics of it. I primarily was curious why so many hours. Nathan said they did have it, but had been in their busy season since they got it and hadn't taken pictures. They also farm, so when their equipment business is at their busiest, they are doubly busy.
I didn't get out of the car to look at it. I already knew about it and wasn't interested, so I didn't bother. My wife and kids were already at their tractor looking limit.

 

[gmman355]

I tried emailing them but haven't heard back yet. Given the weather the last few days I hate to call and bug them asking a bunch of questions. I may run by there this weekend if I get time. Thanks for the lead

 

[fish938]

You're welcome.
When I emailed, it took about a week to hear back. He apologized for not getting back with me sooner. I wouldn't feel bad about calling. That's what they're there for. If I had been more interested, I would have called.

 

[gmman355]

Did he shoot you a rough price. If you want pm me. If it aint in my budget I wont waste his time. If so Ill just call him tomorrow. Also is there any incentive for you for referrals. I know some dealers do and don't want you left out if so. I had never even heard of the place before you mentioned it.

 

[fish938]

You got PM.

 

[GManBart]

I made it by a local dealer today to check a few out and get some pricing. After sorting through some options and what I want to do with the tractor we had it narrowed down to looking at a new l3301dt and a used mx5100. after getting to play with each a bit Im really falling in love with the heavier mx style chassis. He did say he could have the l3301 delivered to my house to try for a few days to see if it would do the work I needed it to do. I really think I want to stay with the bigger series though. The price tag however stung a little. trying to compare to other brands the ls 4046 comes close in power and weight but the implement pump shows to be an 8.2 gpm and a separate power steering pump. the Kubota just shows a 10.6 gpm pump. Would performance be similar from the xr 4046. Any other suggestions on brands and series that would match the mx5100

The lightest LS XR4046 is just a touch heavier than the heaviest MX-5100 (both HST), so weight shouldn't be an issue. As far as pump flow, The LS specs of 8.2gpm are reasonably close to what I've seen listed for the MX-5100 (9.2gpm). My LS R4047H has the same pump, or at least the same listed output, and I never thought the hydraulics were slow at all.

The one thing that can be a drawback with the LS XR series is FEL lift height, which is only 96". The only time I really noticed it was loading 30yd rolloff dumpsters, and my neighbor's dump truck. I could load them, but just barely. Around here, a new LS XR4046H will run just a bit under $25K....one dealer advertises them at $24,850, but they'll usually come down a few hundred on that, so figure $24,500.

If you can find a used Kioti DK40SE, DK45SE, DK50SE, LS R4041 or R4047, you'd be in the same ballpark. It's a newer model, but a Kioti NX4510, 5010, 5510 or 6010 would also fit the bill.