Buying Advice Looking to buy a tractor with specific implements

[southamericatractorfind]

Hi all - firstly, thanks in advance for your suggestions!

I'm looking to buy my first tractor. It will work on a small farm in South America. Will do the following work:
1. Clearing bush: low-level bush (weeds, nothing more than 2-3 inch stems, but is a rough surface and may catch the ground regular and occasional roots so needs to be hardy)
2. Needs to be relatively small and tight turning circle. Will work long thin beds in between waterways and sometimes it gets v wet
3. Put a trailer
4. Front loader for bulldozing / lifting materials
5. It's a very rural spot so need something reliable and not going to be a disaster on maintenance

Please can you give me your thoughts on what may be suitable and what implements would be best for the above?

Thanks

 

[jeff9366]

I would suggest one of the Kubota "Standard L" series, Kubota's largest selling segment in the USA.
VIDEO: Kubota Standard L-Series. L251 L331 L391 L471 features and operation. - YouTube


All but one of the products weighs 2,700 - 2,800 pounds, bare tractor, with horsepower from 24 to 39 horsepower.

For the applications you have listed, tractor weight is more important than tractor horsepower.


1. Clearing brush ~~~ Ratchet Rake bucket attachment, a chainsaw and large, manual lopper.
VIDEO: ratchet rake brush clearing - YouTube

2. Needs to be relatively small and tight turning circle. Will work long thin beds in between waterways and sometimes it gets wet.
There is no substitution for tractor weight for the applications you have listed. Standard L's are moderate weight. Sometimes all of us here have to wait for the ground to dry.
What crop(s) do you intend to grow??

3. Pull a trailer ~~~ Sure. You need an A-frame attachment for the Three Point Hitch. PHOTO #1

4. Front loader for bulldozing / lifting materials ~~~ Loaders are designed to lift. If you attempt to Bulldoze you will bend the Loader frame. Use the Ratchet Rake on the bucket to move and smooth earth in small increments.

5. It's a very rural spot so need something reliable and not going to be a disaster on maintenance.
As a new tractor operator you will inevitably smack the tractor into objects unintentionally. You will need to grease, fuel, change engine oil and hydraulic oil and filters on schedule.
R4/Industrial tires are the thickest, most puncture resistant tires. R4 tires have the most float.

If you intend to export a tractor with Tier 4 emission controls from the USA to South America know Tier IV tractors must use Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel Fuel. If ULS Diesel is not available you need to purchase a tractor locally which can burn less refined, high sulphur diesel.

 

[rngrrymd]

I would suggest one of the Kubota "Standard L" series, Kubota's largest selling segment in the USA.

All but one of the products weighs 2,700 - 2,800 pounds, bare tractor, with horsepower from 24 to 39 horsepower.

For the application you have listed, tractor weight is more important than tractor horsepower.

Jeff, you need to think out of the standard Kubota box on this one. The OP says this tractor is for use in South America. OP, please specify where in South America this tractor is going to be used so TBN members can better help you. I don't normally push for location info but this is an exception - most posters here @ TBN seem to be from USA so this thread needs more thought and investigation for a South American tractor use.

 

[/pine]

..4. Front loader for bulldozing ...

Front end loaders are meant for loading not bulldozing...if you want the FEL to last any length of time use it for what it was made to do...

 

[4570Man]

Front end loaders are meant for loading not bulldozing...if you want the FEL to last any length of time use it for what it was made to do...

Agreed. Buy a bulldozer or at least a skid steer. A skid steer will take much more abuse than a tractor.

 

[southamericatractorfind]

Thanks all.

It's going to be for a farm in Suriname and another in Guyana

Happy to go down the skid steer route so would like to receive suggestions on that if you know any!

 

[jeff9366]

Thanks all.

It's going to be for a farm in Suriname and another in Guyana.

What crop(s) do you plan on growing? Tractors are primarily for crops.

Skid Steers and Compact Track Loaders are more for construction.

Sizeable farms use both.

 

[southamericatractorfind]

Thanks

It's for levelling land / clearing weeds and bush around big fruit trees

Skid steer may be better by the sounds of it. Why models / sizes / specifications would people recommend pls?

Appreciating the assistance, thanks all!

 

[jeff9366]

Skid steers do not have a rear Three Point Hitch. Tractors are designed for cultivating/plowing as their primary task.

You know your need better than I.

 

[4570Man]

What does the skid steer market like over there. I don’t think theres as much difference in skid steers as tractors so it’s pretty much whatever brand you feel better with.