I need help, I am looking for honest unbiased advice about my upcoming tractor purchase. I have been away from tractors for nearly 20 years and after looking and searching around this site and reading through the information on different company websites it seems as if the options are endless. I purchased a home recently with about 10 acres of grass that needs mowed and I plan on using a rear mounted finish mower for this. I have done my best to narrow down my choices as much as possible but I am looking for advice on comparisons of brands and would like to know if I am on the right track as far as tractor size goes. I am thinking I will need a tractor with about 40hp (engine) with a loader and a 7ft finish mower. The tractors I am looking at are the NH 3040 or 3045, MF 1635 or 1643, or Kubota L3540 or L3940. They all have 0% financing right now for 60-72mo depending on brand which I want to take advantage of before it runs out. It seems as if the Massey Ferguson is the most bang for the buck, but it is a brand I am not very familiar with and I am wondering if the quality is on par with the other two brands. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, opinions on each, either negative or positive as long as they are honest would be great. I don't want to start any "my JD can beat up your Kubota" fights. Thanks!
Need Help Picking a Tractor, Soon.
- Thread starter cbm8tc
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LAWALLSTRACTOR
Veteran Member
If you think the Massey is the best bang for the buck, then that is your best choice as long as you feel comfortable with the tractor. As far as quality is concerned, it is no less of a tractor than the others. I am a Mahindra and TYM tractor dealer and have no bias to any of the brands you mentioned, they are all good tractors. Good luck and have fun with your tractor puchase.
TripleR
Super Star Member
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- Mar 5, 2009
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- Kubota M8540HDC, L5740HSTC, BX2200, BX2660, John Deere 425&1025R, Case, Massey Ferguson, Ford
The quality on my Massey Ferguson has not been what I would have wanted, but many have had good service and mine was bought over twenty years ago and all companies seem to have improved over the years.
I don't really see any significant difference in "quality" between those mentioned and I would buy the one that fits you the best. When shopping for another tractor a couple of weeks ago, I was going to get a L3940 or L4240 when I came across a good used L5030 HSTC and got a good tractor while saving a bunch of money.
Bottom line is I don't think you can go wrong with any of those mentioned, so I may not have been much help.
I don't really see any significant difference in "quality" between those mentioned and I would buy the one that fits you the best. When shopping for another tractor a couple of weeks ago, I was going to get a L3940 or L4240 when I came across a good used L5030 HSTC and got a good tractor while saving a bunch of money.
Bottom line is I don't think you can go wrong with any of those mentioned, so I may not have been much help.
I eneded up with Kubota only because at the time I bought 3 years ago Deere could no provide me with the back hoe and couldn't give me even an estimate on when they could have one took my money to Kubota and had it delivered as ordered the next day never looked back been very happy!!
mostly_gas
Super Member
One thing to bear in mind is dealer support. Seems like there are not a lot of the dismal failures anymore. But there is a big difference in dealer support in terms of parts stocked, time to repair etc.
flusher
Super Member
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- Getting old. Sold the ranch. Sold the tractors. Moved back to the city.
Go with the dealer who you think will give you the best support after the sale (service, parts, transportation cost to and from his shop, etc). Also, have a backup for service and parts. My first tractor was a new 2005 Kubota B7510HST with the LA302 FEL. Six months after I bought it, the dealer closed his doors after 30+ years in business. The next nearest Kubota dealer didn't have nearly as good a shop.
Thanks for the responses. Mostly Gas, I noticed you are from MO, where about, and do you have any recomendations on a dealer. It seems as if the dealer is the most important piece of the puzzle. Thanks, and are there any other brands I should be looking at?
BungeeII
Gold Member
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- Lapeer County, Michigan
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- Ford 860, 861, Bolens GT2000, Eliminator 1700, Cub LT2180
When you visit the dealers, you might describe what it is you plan to do now, 2 years from now and 5 years from. See what they might match you up with.
On the economy side of what you're doing, I'd favor an EX3200 or a New Holland T1520. Figure another $4k for a tiller and finish mower and then there's still the brush hog or flail mower that might be needed. I'd hate to be tractor rich and attachment poor.
Too much weight can cause compaction in the soils. I just read in another tread that a guy bought a new EX3300TL for less than $14k ~and ~ wit 0% interst of 60 months
jtheise4
Silver Member
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- Location
- SE Michigan
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- Massey Ferguson 1643 & Allis-Chalmers D14
I was recently in the same situation. I looked at all the major brands and ended up going with a MF1643. I found the Massey to be the best value. Things that were optional on other tractors, were standard on the Massey. I also really liked the all steel hood and fenders (maybe I'm just old fashioned, but steel seems better than plastic in my eyes). The final key was the dealer. The Massey dealer never talked bad about any other brand. Meanwhile, the JD dealer did nothing but bash everyone else. Usually, if your product is superior, you don't need to talk down others. Just my two cents.
greystone
Member
i am biased and would not recoment new holland. but what ever you buy get the extended warranty. at least as long as your financing.