Need Advice have 5 acres (Looking for first tractor)

[EdC]

VF201

All of the recommendations above sounds like they would work. The only thing I could add to the discussion would be to sit on each of the tractors you are interested in and see how they fit you. Does your hand fall naturally to the FEL control. Do you like the way the foot pedals are laid out, how comfortable is the seat, that sort of stuff. My guess is that you will be spending more time on the tractor seat then what you originally estimated (I know I do) so if the tractor is sized right for the work comfort is a big factor.

Kubota makes some really good tractors but the dealership is important to. I ended up going with a dealer 65 miles away when there are four others that were closer. I still call with questions and they still take the time to answer even if it means getting back to me.

Welcome and best of luck.

 

[VRF201]

Wow!

Lots of great advice!

Still leaning towards kubota (test drove a few models).
With my height, tilt steering and a good seat is a must!

After reading some of the responses I made need to rethink a 30 hp tractor?
I may need only 20 - 25 hp?

The hunt goes on!

Thanks!

VRF201 (Roy)

 

[shvl73]

If I were in your position, I'd be looking at the smaller B-series Kubotas or comparibly sized competitior. We have 11+ acres and lease another 6+- and our 28hp Mahindra is well matched to most all that we do.

 

[EdC]

VRF201
My 2320 is 24 horsepower and it fits our 12 acres pretty well. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I wish for a bigger tractor but there are also times I wish for something a little bit smaller. I can do pretty much what folks with a 30 HP can do, just takes me longer.

Note that I do not have a backhoe so I can't really speak to a BH's need for power.

Ed

 

[bruski]

Minimum of 30 hp? What? I'm on 6.5 acres (0.5 acre barn lot, 1 acre of woods, 1 acre of lawn/house/garden, 0.5 acre of horse sacrifice area/riding arena and 3.5 acres of fenced pasture) and get by just dandy with an old Kubota 4WD B7100 HST w/4' bush hog, blade, tiller and harrow in addition to a Cub Cadet 1550 lawn tractor for the yard - total investment about $8K. I can mow fertilize, de-thatch, grade, haul, etc., everything I need to do. Would I like a bigger toy? Yes . . . . Do I need it? No . . . What do you need to do with a tractor is the question . . .

Bruski

 

[VRF201]

Again thanks to all!

Will be looking at a john deere 2320, 2520 this weekend.

Current price quotes:

2320
FEL
62 MMM Deck (drive over type)
$16950

2520 with the same features $18450

Prices good or bad?

VRF201 (Roy)

 

[JiminGa]

maybe keep the bota and drop the mmm...that would save you a couple thousand on the price? and you'd then have an extra machine if ever the need arises. with that in mind you'd get a 2320 with fel for about 15, maybe alittle less and I think you'd be happy with that machine.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'd agree that anything in the mid 20's to 30hp would be fine. I used a Kioti CK20 to clear almost 5 acres of brush and then mowed it without any problems using a 4ft bush hog and a 5ft finish mower.

Ergonomics seems to be a recurrent concern of yours with tilt and seat issues. You might want to look for a tractor with an adjustable suspension seat. The CK20/25/30 do have suspension seats but I don't know about the Kubota or JD.

You've looked at Kubota and JD. Have a look at NH, Mahindra, Kioti, TYM. These are also all fine tractors and one of them might "fit" you better than the others. Be aware that the B3030, while an excellent tractor, has had a fair share of complaints about its seating position and seat. Check to be sure if Kubota has dealt with that yet or whether the machine your dealer has in stock has the old or new style seat.

 

[davitk]

Actually, the New Holland has what they call an "inclined" seat - seat moves up at the same time it moves back, and is suspended. Also has tilt and telescopic steering wheel. Although I have grown to love the color orange, my wife thinks blue (or red) is prettier.

 

[daTeacha]

My frame -- 6'2" and 210 lb with long limbs -- just seemed to fit the CNH tractors better than the orange ones. The newer Kubota's made me feel like I was sliding off the seat. The seat on my DX is really comfortable, spring suspended to varying degrees, pivots, and slides up/back as mentioned. Add in the adjustable wheel, and it's to not find a combination of settings that fit your carcass.

JD was a close second, but price entered into the equation since I get A plan on CNH products, plus it seemed the Deere's in the size I wanted had a lot of stuff hanging low that could get damaged running around in my woods.