Need advice on buying best value on small loader/backhoe

[jwilliams]

Hi All,

My family has a farm in the southeast US. Something less than 100 acres. Family members bought a 3025 John Deere with loader/backhoe but it simply is not big enough (in horsepower) to do the work we need.

We were thinking something in the range of 40 to 50 hp, good quality but plain jane, nothing fancy. John Deere seems a bit expensive for their 4044 and their 5055E. My uncle said in no uncertain terms to stay away from Mahindra after his personal experience.

Anyone had any experience with Rural King 37 hp? How about other brands? We would very much appreciate any recommendations and guidance.

 

[Rdrcr]

I'd suggest taking a look at Branson Tractors.

Mike

 

[Torvy]

Rural King is a store brand re-badged TYM. TYM and Branson are very good feature to value brands. (TYM owns Branson, but they are separately built, for now).

LS and Kioti also make good value tractors.

Check out dealers around you in person. Quality dealers and value brands are a good mix.

 

[hornett22]

Used Case 580

 

[mikester]

Hire a guy is the least capital intensive way, no repairs, no maintenance, and you can write off 100% on this years tax return.

If you "need" an AG tractor TLB then you don't really NEED a TLB. Penny wise is pound foolish in this case.

 

[dodge man]

People on this forum tend to recommend the brand they own. That brand is the best, it’s the best value, best parts availability etc. I’d talk to local people, look at as many as you can, sit on them, operate them and decide on your own. Probably the best advice you can get is the features you want and must have implements. A better idea of you uses for the tractor would help.

 

[jwilliams]

Rural King is a store brand re-badged TYM. TYM and Branson are very good feature to value brands. (TYM owns Branson, but they are separately built, for now).

LS and Kioti also make good value tractors.

Check out dealers around you in person. Quality dealers and value brands are a good mix.

It appears that Rural King has Yanmar motors and advertise advertise "2-year full-machine warranty and an industry leading 8-year powertrain warranty". The Branson may have a Cummins designed Kukje. I've read one older post where sourcing engine parts were a problem but Branson now has a headquarters in Georgia not far from me. Also, I have a dealer close by. So maybe there won't be a problem finding parts?

I'll have to look over LS and Kioti .....

 

[jwilliams]

People on this forum tend to recommend the brand they own. That brand is the best, it’s the best value, best parts availability etc. I’d talk to local people, look at as many as you can, sit on them, operate them and decide on your own. Probably the best advice you can get is the features you want and must have implements. I better idea of you uses for the tractor would help.

Got it. Currently we have a 1963 Massey 35 with most farm implements. Runs great. Have a 25 hp John Deere loader/backhoe that simply does not have enough power. It's gotta go.

For the backhoe/loader we want now, we are trenching in security cables and power to many parts of the farm. We had 2 incursions of bad guys in a month not long ago. We also have a meth cooker/dealer that lives north of the farm who is a constant problem. He also appears to have connections in local law enforcement.

We will be building 10 or more septic drain fields for an RV park at one end of the farm. Need to move the genny around with pallet fork attachment. There are always things that need to be done .....

 

[jwilliams]

Used Case 580

I trained on a Case 580 about a hundred years ago in heavy equipment class. Incredible machine.

 

[Torvy]

It appears that Rural King has Yanmar motors and advertise advertise "2-year full-machine warranty and an industry leading 8-year powertrain warranty". The Branson may have a Cummins designed Kukje. I've read one older post where sourcing engine parts were a problem but Branson now has a headquarters in Georgia not far from me. Also, I have a dealer close by. So maybe there won't be a problem finding parts?

I'll have to look over LS and Kioti .....

The TYM units have either a Yanmar, Deutz or a Kukje engine. For instance, the T574 has the Kukje, the T554 has a Yanmar (this is the RK55). Kukje was the parent company of Branson. TYM bought Kukje some years ago and has slowly been merging the Branson and TYM tractor brands. The T754 (RK75) uses the Deutz.