Narrowed down, now the $$$$$ question of value

[bspeedy]

Look at the depreciation of these tractors.
Remember, buying tractors isn't like buying lettuce that goes rotten, where both the money & the lettuce is gone in a week.
Either way you still have the $5900.
It will either be sitting in your shed as a 3033R; or it will be digital 0's & 1's, and represented as ink on a bank statement.

I see equipment purchases much the same way. Whether it's 20 grand cash or a mini excavator, it still contributes to my net worth and is still just as good as money (maybe better b/c it can get work done for me!)

 

[Joemac8]

My question was in regards to bang for the buck, not the gross amount spent. I didn't want to end up paying for a Rolls Royce and receive a Yugo with fancy wheels. Is the difference in price between the models a reasonable expense for the extra features? I believe some of the answers supplied say "Yes".

 

[jenkinsph]

My question was in regards to bang for the buck, not the gross amount spent. I didn't want to end up paying for a Rolls Royce and receive a Yugo with fancy wheels. Is the difference in price between the models a reasonable expense for the extra features? I believe some of the answers supplied say "Yes".

The R series is a better tractor internally better guts, drivetrain and hydraulics for two examples. A good portion of the better parts you can't see are on the inside.

 

[450]

Also the "E- Series" is not rated for a backhoe if that would ever be in your future. The JD dealer here stressed that point and said the warranty would be voided. Just a thought.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

In hindsite, I always wished I had gotten the larger tractor.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

First off I have 3-4 head of cattle on 3 acres of land.

I like the 3 series, that's the size of tractor I thought I needed for my needs also, but I ended up buying a used 4320 with 835 hours on it.

As a first time tractor owner initially the 4 series JD seemed really big. Almost too big for my needs but after using to from everything to moving furniture to unloading round bales off a trailer I found that it's not too big at all for my needs, in fact I could actually be ok having a 5 series in my barn lol.

So don't be afraid of buying too big of a tractor, it's doubtful you will, you would be more likely to find more tasks for that larger tractor.

For example I have 41hp at the PTO, most 4x5 round balers require 45-120hp lol, batwings are 12-15 ft generally so with the rule of 5hp a foot those need 60-75 PTO HP, I would be a little less than 4hp per foot on a 12ft batwing. I could run a 8ft bush hog no prob.

But when I see the batwings come up for sale at not much more than a 8ft bush hog it makes me think if I could run one lol.

Stuff like that I never thought about originally when I was looking for a tractor, originally all I wanted was to lift and move round bales for the cattle.

When I was shopping for a new tractor the E series was on my list, I went out and looked at it and didn't like it, it seemed cheap everywhere I looked compared to the competition in that HP range.

That fuel gauge would bother me, my thought is if they stuck the fuel gauge in the hood to save money vs in the dash, where else did they cut corners.

Also the E series, 3 series tractors don't have mid PTOs, it's not even an option but is on the R series tractors. The loader lifts more, it weighs more and you gain a mid PTO. If I was buying green the E series wouldn't be on my list, wouldn't even be a option. It would be R or nothing.

I did like the non grand L series kubota's, the 1500 series Mahindra's, I was very fond of the WorkMaster 37 till the dealer priced one lol, the Boomer line was even more, Case made a good little tractor but same price as the NH.

My conclusion is I would buy the 1533 or 1538 Mahindra as the best bang for the buck tractor, I would buy the R series JD because I wanted a JD and would be happy with either tractor.

I am absolutely pleased with my 4320, I'm 26 and will be passing it on to my kids, already did the math lol, I average 35h per year on it and in 155 years it will have 6k hours on it.

Also pallet forks are a must have I feel, I have yet to mount my bucket on my tractor, it just sits in the barn. I can do all my tasks with a rear blade and forks on the FEL, I paid $200 for the rear blade I think and used 2 cans of paint to repaint it. I move (very carefully) round bales with the forks, I eventually will weld a mount for a spear in the fork mount so I can remove the forks and add a spear instead of two separate attachments.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Another thing is the FEL on the E series I hear is almost impossible to take off, it's not a quick attach FEL so another disadvantage with the E series.

Also JD used DPF filters for tier 4 regulations, Mahindra does not, they redesigned there engine to burn clean enough to pass regulations without needing the DPF filter that JD, Case, NH and Kubota uses. If you wanted to stay away from DPF filters that's another idea.