My first tractor, Ineed reccomendarions.

Drifter · Jan 19, 2004

I have been reading this site and feel like I have gained a lot of knowledge but now I need to ask all of you for recommendations. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gifI have just purchased about three acres in southern Louisiana, and I am looking for a tractor to maintain this property. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I will be doing the following:
1) Finish mowing about two acres. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
2) Maintaining about 550 ft of driveway to the house. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
3) Tilling about a 1/4 acrre to 1/2 acre garden for the wife. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
4) Whatever else comes up. (Might mow neighbors lots for them on a fee based agreement, they have similar size lots) (Don't know if that will be guided fishing trip, golf games or diet coke based fees) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I am not sure of type tractor, used or new, horsepower? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I am thinking I need somewhere between 18 to 25 HP, a woods or bush hog finish mower and a box blade. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Any recommendations on size and type, new or used (I am mechanically inclined), and what to look for on used tractors ( the hidden tell all about how the tractor was taken care of type things) /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Good price range used? and new? for what I am needing. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Any replies are greatly apprreciated. Thanks in advance. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Drifter

Bob_In_MN · Jan 19, 2004

Drifter,

I'll address new tractors. I think you would be looking at similar tractor size to what I own.

I have a JD 4010 which is 18.5 HP with 14 HP at the PTO. I have a 5 foot box blade and 50 inch mechanical tiller. I also have a FEL which gets used more than I thought it would.

I have a little over 7 acres, but only mow about 2. I use the boxblade to maintain my driveway (about 500 feet). While I currently don't have a garden I have used the tiller to convert about 1/2 acre from pasture into lawn.

Anyway--look hard at what you're going to be doing for future projects as that may dictate getting a larger tractor.

Also--the NH TC-18 would also do all of the items you mentioned and I know several people on this site are happy with their TC18.

Now that I'm writing, I should also mention Kubota (BX series) as a possibility and Kioti has introduced a line of tractors in your size range.

So--unless you are very loyal to one brand, I would try to pick or eliminate brands based on local dealers--their service both now and in the future should be a big part of your decision.

If you have any specific questions on the 4010 just send me a private message.

Good Luck

Bob

44trxfun · Jan 19, 2004

I think the BX tractors (or equivalent) might be appropriate for your intended uses, but I highly agree with the suggestion to anticipate reasonably future needs. I have the MF GC2300, which is quite comparable to the BX2200/2230. My only complaints are the fuel fill cap is too small which makes it kind of awkward to fill, and there is no "position control" on the 3PH lever. This might be an important consideration for your driveway work and tilling. (Might also be that my backblade is pretty light so it tends to float up a bit on uneven terrain.) You've probably read it elsewhere, but having a good dealer that will work with you during AND after the sale is probably as/more important than which tractor you choose. Good luck with the search!

art · Jan 19, 2004

This looks like a job for the BX Kubota. They handle a 60" deck as well as everything that is mentioned without being so large that they need a smaller mower to assist.

frank_f15 · Jan 20, 2004

i would imagine that something in the 20 hp range would do fine. when u say MAINTAINING 550 ft of drive, what does that consist of? know it ain't moving snow /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif and also check the dealers around you, drive some the tractrors that fit your needs. alot of things go into the final price, i.e do u want/need a fel? do u want hydro or greared? mid mount mower or rear mower?all food for thought. best to go look at them and drive them, it is part of the fun of buying a tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

songhunter · Jan 21, 2004

Drifter,
Some of the subcompacts are pretty limited in ground clearance. If the property you are maintaining has holes left from rotten stumps or fence posts, you'll probably need at least 10" ground clearance.

I would probably have gone with a subcompact if it had not been for the ground clearance. The Kubota dealer had a really niced used BX2200 with 148 hours and 60" MMM for $8200. I was just afraid I'd be falling into holes all the time. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Hope all goes well!

johnsonauto · Jan 21, 2004

20 hp range sounds like a good range, take a look at Mahindra's 2015 or 2615 if you want bigger , i think the bx kubota line is alittle too small.

KubotaSteve · Jan 21, 2004

How crowded is your yard?(trees, landscaping, kid's toys, etc.) I have 6.5 acres and only keep about 3.5 mowed. I prefer a tractor a little larger than the BX series. To me the BX series seems too low to the ground.
When I had my old B-7200 I was suprised at how close I could mow to things. (I could mow closer to my house and trees than with a riding lawnmower). I would have to go with the mid mount mower as they are easier to maneuver around things and they are not that difficult to remove or fasten up now. I would definitely get a front end loader as you will be suprised as to how much you use one. I would look at the Kubota B series like a B2410 which is 24HP. I would prefer to have a little extra tractor than not enough and abuse the machine. You can use standard implements on this series whereas on the BX some of the standard implements do not raise that far off the ground.

fivestring · Jan 21, 2004

If you'd fill out your bio page, most of us could get a better view of your needs and location.

"Good price range used? and new? for what I am needing."

Grey market... 3500-5500. Big 3.... 6000-10,000. Older iron.... 1800-6000.
That extra price difference can buy a lot of implements! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I was in the same boat as you at one time, as were all of us here on TBN. Each one of us will have our own opinion.
I drove many tractors, new and used.
I bought an Iseki TU1700f that had 709 hours. 4wd, 17 PTO h.p., gear tranny, 3 cylinder diesel. It is made in Japan. Iseki is a part of Agco.
The price was about half of a comparable used Big 3. It was purchased at Corriher in Newton, NC. They advertise here on TBN and ship tractors and implements anywhere in the US.
It is what is known as a grey market tractor... made for sale in countries other than the USA. It is every bit as dependable as any make of tractor. I have not had any parts problems yet. If I do, Corriher has said they will take care of me.

There are no American tractors in the size range that you will need.

Good luck on your search.

Bob_In_MN · Jan 21, 2004

One piece of info that would be helpful is--how much do you want to/can you spend.

As I stated earlier--my 4010 will handle everything you listed and then some. However, if you're inclined to spend the extra $ it takes to get to the next model then go for it.

For example--it's roughly $1500 to $2000 (or it was last time I checked) to go from the 4010 to the 4110. Given what I intended to do with the tractor I couldn't justify the additional $.

Bob