Looking for some input

btownacres · Feb 8, 2006

OK, just figured out my other post was in the wrong area of this board, sorry all. Anyway, I am in search of a tractor for general heavy duty around the yard landscaping, grading, moving loam, rocks, etc. I have 10 acres that 9 of which are wooded. I would like to start some clearing work and be able to drag out the logs of the trees I take down. I have looked at the 20 & 26 HP Mahindras Kioti's, & Farm Trac. All are available with a couple of miles from my house. The one dealer who sold the Mahindra and Kioti was totally for the Mahindra 2615 HST. Nice machine I think, 4wd with a woods bucket at around $16500 new. Although if the 2015 HST is big enough I could also get a BH for about the same total dollars. My question is, for those of you who know, is the 20HP too small for what I need? Also, what would you all recommend? This will be my first tractor and want to make thr right choice. I am also looking around at used but finding prices to be pretty hefty on those as well. Appreciate any input I can get!
Thanks!

dogfarm · Feb 8, 2006

Mark

My reply got disconnected from your post as it got moved to this forum. Check it out on Owning/Operating unless it gets reconnected.

Steve (dogfarm)

kozak · Feb 8, 2006

Welcome to TBN Tbrownacres

For what you will be doing, I would go no lighter than the Mahindra 2615 HST you are considering. For the size of your lot I would actually go larger, say 35 to 45 HP. There are always trade-offs. If you go too large you may find it difficult maneuvering in the woods & of course if it is wet & soggy out, you won't want to take the beast out too close to the homestead area. On the flip side, for some of those logging chores, landscaping, moving rock, etc......you will be very glad you went larger & heavier !!

I found the same thing out that your faced with. Wanted to go used but the prices were much higher than I expected for tractors that in my opinion looked like they were well used. Almost bought new but lucked out on a low hours unit. Went from a Class II new (that was more money) to a used Class III that was in almost mint shape. Although I probably would have been happy with the Class II, with the work I have done in the past two years moving mound after mound of horse manure & dirt for landscaping, sure glad I have a larger tractor. Fewer trips, more lift capacity, better traction. Can't beat it !!

Good Luck,

Vic

btownacres · Feb 8, 2006

Thanks Steve, I'll wait and see if it gets reconnected. Right now, it's not there-

thcri · Feb 8, 2006

Watch for going too small. A trade off for a BH and going smaller you may regret. How much BH work will you do, and if not much can you rent that for the little time you need it. Get the tractor that you think you need for the majority of your work.

murph

btownacres · Feb 8, 2006

Thanks for the input Vic! My only worry about getting too big is being able to manuever it around the yard as well doing some chores a bit closer to the house. Granted, I don't know much about the size of these things except for when I stand next to them! But I have been reading up and do realize a bigger bucket and greater lift capacity is desired. But sure do hope a B'Hoe is in the package I end up with! Will probably take a road trip into NH this weekend to scope out some decent looking deals on used. But from what I have seen so far, the Mahindra is the best value around here for new.
Thanks Again!
Mark

btownacres · Feb 8, 2006

Hey Murph-
Good advice, that has been going through my mind these past few days. As for the B'hoe, I need to do some terracing around the yard and figured it would be good for loosening things up so I can scoop it out with the bucket. Need to do a bit of trenching for drainage as well, lotsa rocks! Then whatever trees I take down close to the yard, I'll want to dig out the stumps. But all-in-all, it's good to hear that there are folks out there that can help confirm what I think I need!
Thanks
Mark

IslandTractor · Feb 9, 2006

I'm doing the same sort of work you describe and am very happy with a 21hp TLB. Unless you need to pull a big plow or are doing professional landscaping, I don't see the need for bigger. The thirty hp machines do not have 50% greater capacity when it comes to FEL or BH. Toothbar and bucket grapple attachment would be very useful (necessary) to facilitate moving all that brush and tree debris but I don't see anything on your list that needs more than low 20's in horsepower.

LarryRB · Feb 9, 2006

you can consider a Kubota L 39 also. A true backhoe with 3 pt hitch add on.. Not that big of a machine and very powerful, one that will last you many years... The 39 has the power to rip out stumps, grade, whatever you will need... The Kubota L 48 is much bigger and heavier, which is what I have and use it on 11 plus acres.

gamble77 · Feb 9, 2006

Keep in mind the Kioti CK25 & 30 come with things like a fender mounted joystick for the FEL, curved boom FEL, telescopic lift arm's, one piece hood, tilt steering and other options that make it more user friendly then the Mahindra (in my opinion at least).

dogfarm · Feb 9, 2006

Mark

My earlier reply apparently disappeared into the ether along with your original post.

Like you, I'm located in Western Mass and I just recently acquired a new 50 hp KAMA last November. If you are up to the challenge of doing some of your own maintenance, you might find a Chinese tractor to be an attractive alternative. I got mine from Artrac www.artrac.com Visit the Artrac website or call Chip directly. He has an excellent reputation, participates a lot in these forums, and has been a great help to me and a lot of others. There are also other dealers around that stock various brands of Chinese tractors. You should also check out the Chinese Tractors forum on this site. The guys there have a lot of knowledge and experience and are very willing to share.

PM me if you want to check out my KAMA.

Steve

btownacres · Feb 9, 2006

Thanks Gamble, I was looking at the Kioti too. Actually, I stopped today on the way home to get an eyefull. I don't seem to see any on their website with HST, are there any similar models with HST in Kioti? I would like that option. I'll check out your website too!
Thanks Again-
Mark

btownacres · Feb 9, 2006

Thanks, I stopped today on the way home to check out the Kioti. I have also been on theor website and it looks like they don't offer a HST?? I'll look at them some more-
thanks again

mark4Jesus · Feb 9, 2006

I bought a 24hp Kubota last year to clear property and plant approx. 2 acres. Planting is fine, but for the amount of clearing and size of saplings and such I have found that 24hp is not enough, along with the light weight of the tractor. I want to use 5ft implements but can't with the tractor that I have. I am probably going to be getting a 33hp Massey Ferguson in the next couple of days. I'm not promoting a brand, just the extra power and weight. The smaller tractor would be great to maintain the property once I get it where I want it, but I don't feel it will get me there as well.

IslandTractor · Feb 10, 2006

The Kioti CK series can be had with HST. 20, 25 and 30 hp models all have either gear or HST options.

IslandTractor · Feb 10, 2006

Maybe you need a backhoe instead of more power. I do the same work you are describing on a larger plot of land and do just fine with a 21hp TLB. The Kubota is lighter than my Kioti but you could load tires to add weight. Do you have a toothbar? That is also handy for getting out the smaller saplings that are too big for the brush hog.

gamble77 · Feb 10, 2006

btownacres, Kioti does offer HST models in 20hp, 25hp, and 30hp versions. Hope this helps.

btownacres · Feb 10, 2006

thanks again Gamble, every little bit helps. Round one of looking was with NO knowledge, everyone's help on this site will make the next few visits to dealers more informative for me. I know now I will need to look at all choices 2-3 times and drive them all as well.
thanks

PacersDad · Feb 12, 2006

Btownacres must refer to Belchertown? I was over there last week. Stopped and looked at the Mahindra 3015 and swung by to see the MF 1533 and a Farmtrac. I think your right on the money with the Mahindra 15 series with HST and Mits. Engine. Side-by-side with competitor, they look much nicer. Farmtrac was well priced with FEL. MF powershuttle really operated nicely. Slightly different operation than HST but a little pricey.

jcotta · Feb 20, 2006

Hi Mark

I have the same basic profile as you 1 clear and 9 woods

http://www.thewantad.com/

http://www.dclassifieds.com/region/02703/ads/equipment&radius=200

Try these two links. the want ad changes adds every tuesday morning at 6 am. I have used both sucessfully in the last year to buy 2 John Deere tractors. The first was a riding mower John Deere LX 277 with 100 hours retail cost 4,700 with bagging system paid 3,000. Second was a John Deere 4600 with 400 hours and Front Loader, Backhoe, and attachments cost new would be 30k++ (see my post looking orange went green) paid 21,900. My average cost is probably 30% off new cost. There are too many tractor combinations to shop. I focused solely on the Kubota line because it has 60% of the market . I thought my best chance for a used deal would be in that 60%. I focused only on two things,loader lift need at least 1500 lbs for any real tree work and real pto of 25 hp to run attachments. I was willing to up or down if I got at least 20% off new value. I came up with the Kubota L3430. I used that as my bench mark to compare all other machines green, blue red, even different shades of Orange. I went to 2 dealers to look new. One quote me 10% off and the other full list. I could gotten 5% more from the dealer orffering 10% but I saved him and I the trouble. This area is too expensive to buy new . Let the dealers make money on service. It is a lot of work to get a deal. I checked the adds every day. It took me two months for the JD LX 277 and three months for the JD 4600 . The person selling the LX 277 bought a machine two small for his lot , there was new Exmark in his yard when I picked up mine. The second was moving, with his permission I called the dealer that he bought from, to make sure the machine was not stolen and the service manager also gave me a quick rundown on the service history because he was looking for my business. I paid full asking price for both machines. Don't screw it up by getting greedy. People used to ask me what my father looked like. I said he was the man with short arms and deep pockets. I look just like him.

Happy shopping

John