Need advice on purchasing my first tractor

[JorgeSerna]

I am looking for my first new tractor and have no idea what brands to avoid or look into. I have 8 acres and will be maintaining the road, shooting range, mowing 1 or 2 acres, digging a small pond and lifting over 1500lbs often.

I have Kioti, Kubota and LS dealers 90 miles away and Mahindra, Branson and JD are further away but still within 3 hours drive.

Should I look into a 5ft or 6ft wide tractor for my applications above?

My old tractor was an International 444 which seemed bigger than the L3901 or CK3510 that I saw this week.

 

[sea2summit]

I would not recommend a tractor for mowing or digging a pond.

What is 1,500lbs that you need to lift often and do you just lift it or do you need to move it? If move it, how far and over what terrain?

Wider tractors are always better, unless their not. We need more info.

L3901 is not capable of lifting 1,500 lbs...

 

[4570Man]

A tractor isn’t a good tool for digging ponds ponds. You need a bigger tractor to lift 1500 pounds than a L3901 too.

 

[WilliamBos]

Welcome to the tractor/zero turn forum. I say go with a bigger L4701 and a loader. Price out a rear finish mower, then price a commercial zero turn mower, then decide.

We mowed with Dad's MF1635/RF500 60" rear finish mower, bought a Big Dog Zero turn 2 years ago. Can get more done with the Zero turn faster.

keep us posted.

 

[Torvy]

Your 444 is about 33% heavier than a 3901. It is also at least 500lbs heavier than a 4701. If you want Kubota, you need to go to MX or bigger. Do you even want bigger? Is your land open or wooded? Hilly or flat?

Digging a pond seems like a one-time thing. May be better to rent something. 90 miles from dealership is out there, so renting may not be practical.

You have not mentioned budget. LS, Branson and Kioti will get you more tractor than Kubota or is for the same money. There are other considerations like dealership. For some people resale value is important, not so much to me. I have done no research on Mahindra as my home boss was told by her engineer/farmer co-workers to avoid them. I don't cross the home boss.

 

[JorgeSerna]

Your 444 is about 33% heavier than a 3901. It is also at least 500lbs heavier than a 4701. If you want Kubota, you need to go to MX or bigger. Do you even want bigger? Is your land open or wooded? Hilly or flat?

Digging a pond seems like a one-time thing. May be better to rent something. 90 miles from dealership is out there, so renting may not be practical.

You have not mentioned budget. LS, Branson and Kioti will get you more tractor than Kubota or is for the same money. There are other considerations like dealership. For some people resale value is important, not so much to me. I have done no research on Mahindra as my home boss was told by her engineer/farmer co-workers to avoid them. I don't cross the home boss.

Yes the 444 is heavy, my buddy moved it last week with his 97 Silverado and instantly realized it was heavier than his l2501.

My land is flat with small brush and trees. My land is sandy loam so 4x4 is a must.

I actually went to see the MX4500 if that's correct model and they were out of those. The pond is small and think the box blade could handle it or I can rent a backhoe for the day.

The heavy stuff to move are pallets of material.

I did search Ebay and noticed Kioti is about non existent while there is alot of Kubota, basically trying to search resell value.

Budget probably 30k max on the tractor and loader since I have to buy a trailer and implements also.

 

[Torvy]

Yes the 444 is heavy, my buddy moved it last week with his 97 Silverado and instantly realized it was heavier than his l2501.

My land is flat with small brush and trees. My land is sandy loam so 4x4 is a must.

I actually went to see the MX4500 if that's correct model and they were out of those. The pond is small and think the box blade could handle it or I can rent a backhoe for the day.

The heavy stuff to move are pallets of material.

I did search Ebay and noticed Kioti is about non existent while there is alot of Kubota, basically trying to search resell value.

Budget probably 30k max on the tractor and loader since I have to buy a trailer and implements also.

Take the time to check out Branson. I'm in the opposite side of Texas. Branson dealers are farther for me than other brands, too...but only about 90 miles... but they have some good deals. Check out the dealership in Caddo Mills for some idea on what you get for the money. It may save you driving 3 hours, or at least let you know what to expect. They have a 42 HP tractor about the same weight as a 4701 (15:series) that they have priced at $27k or so with loader and 4 implements included. HST is about 1k more.

Kubota is about the only one who even offers a 4x2 in this size anymore. Most will have front wheel assist (4x4).

Some other questions to ask yourself... Cab or open station? Gear transmission or hydrostatic?

Bigger tractor may entail bigger trailer and/or truck, too. I decided that for the size I needed it would be cheaper to pay the dealer to haul it than buy a trailer and truck big enough for what I need. I have just under 20 acres and will not need to move the tractor to other places.

 

[jeff9366]

I have 8 acres and will be maintaining the road, shooting range, mowing 1 or 2 acres, digging a small pond and lifting over 1500lbs often. My land is flat with small brush and trees. My land is sandy loam so 4x4 is a must.

The heavy stuff to move are pallets of material.

Should I look into a 5ft or 6ft wide tractor for my applications above?


You need a tractor with a bare tractor weight of 3,700 pounds to 4,000 pounds.

Bare tractor weight is a fundamental tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used. Shop your weight range within tractor brands. Budget will eliminate some choices. Collect a dealer brochure for each tractor model in your weight range.

This is the mid-weight of compact tractors, a high unit volume segment. Every tractor manufacturer offers at least two models, an economy and a deluxe tractor, in this weight range.. All offer HST. All are 66" wide, plus or minus a smidge. All will comfortably pick up 2,000 pounds with the loader. Horsepower options are 40-horsepower to 60-horsepower.

One example conforming with above recommendation is a Kubota MX series tractor.



I have Kioti, Kubota and LS dealers 90 miles away.

The design of the (Ferguson) Three Point Hitch tractor has been marketed in the USA since 1939 -- 82 years in 2021.

The basic design is generic. Ferguson's Three Point Hitch patents expired around 1955.

Kubota and Deere dominate the market through 6,000 pound bare weight tractors.

I searched Ebay and noticed Kioti is about non existent while there is a lot of Kubota,

The up and coming tractor brands are Korean: Kioti, LS and Branson. There are other Korean brands. You have to critically assess dealer stability while shopping minor brands. Most or all of the Korean tractor brands have AROUND 1% compact tractor market share in the USA under their primary trademark. I am skeptical even the most successful Korean tractor brand exceeds 2% market share under it's primary trademark.

Korean manufacturing labor is paid 50% of what Deere pays its union work force. Japanese manufacturing labor is paid 70% of what Deere pays its union work force. Labor costs strongly influence tractor prices.

 

[dwm1026]

Yes the 444 is heavy, my buddy moved it last week with his 97 Silverado and instantly realized it was heavier than his l2501.

My land is flat with small brush and trees. My land is sandy loam so 4x4 is a must.

I actually went to see the MX4500 if that's correct model and they were out of those. The pond is small and think the box blade could handle it or I can rent a backhoe for the day.

The heavy stuff to move are pallets of material.

I did search Ebay and noticed Kioti is about non existent while there is alot of Kubota, basically trying to search resell value.

Budget probably 30k max on the tractor and loader since I have to buy a trailer and implements also.

I would hire someone with a Dozer to do the pond work, I'd hate to tear up my new tractor doing things that it was not designed to do. What size hp tractor are you thinking about?

 

[jeff9366]

​

My old tractor was an International 444 which seemed bigger than the L3901 or CK3510 that I saw this week.​

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Tractor capability is more closely correlated to tractor weight than any other specification.​

​

International Harvester 444 Dimensions​

International Harvester 444 Weight
Gas Shipping:	3800 lbs 1723 kg
Diesel Shipping:	3920 lbs 1778 kg
Gas Operating:	4070 lbs 1846 kg
Diesel Operating:	4200 lbs 1905 kg

 

[jeff9366]

Digging a pond in Louisiana gumbo is one thing.

Digging a pond in California's Central Valley is entirely different.

WHAT IS YOUR LOCATION?

 

[Torvy]

Digging a pond in Louisiana gumbo is one thing.

Digging a pond in California's Central Valley is entirely different.

WHAT IS YOUR LOCATION?

Jeff, his location is in his profile. Zapata. SW Texas.

 

[jeff9366]

Add Texas to Zapata.

The pond is small and think the box blade could handle it or I can rent a backhoe for the day.

Ponds are normally sited in wet areas. Tractors are heavy, very heavy when an implement is attached. They can sink to the axles in wet conditions. Backhoes have the same disadvantage.

The correct tool is an excavator on tracks, which spread the excavator's weight. Excavators can swing a bucket load of spoil through 360 degrees.


If your pond will be sited where the ground is firm a tractor with a box blade and a digging toothbar on the tractor bucket could conceivably do the job.

 

[K5lwq]

Add Texas to Zapata.

Why? It only exists in TX. Maybe if you phrase your demand into a request it would be received better. Merry Christmas.

 

[shooterdon]

Be careful of lift specs. Most quote that at "at the pins". With the load on pallet forks the load is lower. I move totes of firewood that weigh 2000 lbs or so and use a tractor with a lift capacity of 2700 lbs, loaded tires and a 900 blower on the 3PH for ballast. And I NEVER lift higher than about 2'.

When I did my research, lift capacity was a prime factor and LS was the best bang for the buck in my area.

 

[JorgeSerna]

I would hire someone with a Dozer to do the pond work, I'd hate to tear up my new tractor doing things that it was not designed to do. What size hp tractor are you thinking about?

I was looking into a 40hp similar to my old tractor but not sure what I need. I did use a small L2501 and got stuff done and not sure if to get something small and just rent out bigger equipment when needed. I want to run a Auger when needed, brush hog, box blade and be able to move trees I cut done, my trees are under 20ft. The pond is out of the question for now as I can get a small dozer to go and lend a hand.

Right now my main need is to scrap up dirt to patch the road where the road got washed out and to cut an acre of grass. I am not even sure how much use I have for the tractor afterwards but I want to spend my bonus money on a tractor and trailer.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I was looking into a 40hp similar to my old tractor but not sure what I need. I did use a small L2501 and got stuff done and not sure if to get something small and just rent out bigger equipment when needed. I want to run a Auger when needed, brush hog, box blade and be able to move trees I cut done, my trees are under 20ft. The pond is out of the question for now as I can get a small dozer to go and lend a hand.

Right now my main need is to scrap up dirt to patch the road where the road got washed out and to cut an acre of grass. I am not even sure how much use I have for the tractor afterwards but I want to spend my bonus money on a tractor and trailer.

Just curious, when you say "auger", are you referring to a post hole digger? Or a tractor powered grain auger?

 

[Cranblue]

I would not recommend a tractor for mowing or digging a pond.

What is 1,500lbs that you need to lift often and do you just lift it or do you need to move it? If move it, how far and over what terrain?

Wider tractors are always better, unless their not. We need more info.

L3901 is not capable of lifting 1,500 lbs.

I am looking for my first new tractor and have no idea what brands to avoid or look into. I have 8 acres and will be maintaining the road, shooting range, mowing 1 or 2 acres, digging a small pond and lifting over 1500lbs often.

I have Kioti, Kubota and LS dealers 90 miles away and Mahindra, Branson and JD are further away but still within 3 hours drive.

Should I look into a 5ft or 6ft wide tractor for my applications above?

My old tractor was an International 444 which seemed bigger than the L3901 or CK3510 that I saw this week.

If you have some experience operating a tractor check out YOU TUBE L2501 digging a pond !!! Some on here advise on tractor specs and capabilities as if they knew what they where actually talking about do your research you’ll see threw the BS !!! Bama Outdoor country uses L2501 and has You Tube videos that are impressive tractor work and operator skills !!! I would love to get this guys opinion of paper specs and owner theories vs real world job performance and experience ???

 

[Cranblue]

Be careful of lift specs. Most quote that at "at the pins". With the load on pallet forks the load is lower. I move totes of firewood that weigh 2000 lbs or so and use a tractor with a lift capacity of 2700 lbs, loaded tires and a 900 blower on the 3PH for ballast. And I NEVER lift higher than about 2'.

When I did my research, lift capacity was a prime factor and LS was the best bang for the buck in my area.

Just out of curiosity what size tote frames ?? I have 330 gal size filled with dried red oak I stack them 2 high could maybe do three with L4701 either BH92 on back or ballast box which is like 1700 lbs.Tractor lift is rated like 1670 lbs lifts tote to full height at 1500 rpm’s fells like it’s under 1k of course this is dry wet obliviously be more can only stack two high 330 gal tote lift height is at max height.

 

[sea2summit]

If you have some experience operating a tractor check out YOU TUBE L2501 digging a pond !!! Some on here advise on tractor specs and capabilities as if they knew what they where actually talking about do your research you’ll see threw the BS !!!

Maybe you should be more careful with your oversized opinions. No one said it couldn’t be done, just that it’s not the best tool for the job. Not even close.

Beyond that, don’t get me started with some of the “how to” videos YouTube provides…although there are some on there for spelling and grammar.