Need Help Picking a Tractor, Soon.

[cbm8tc]

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!

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

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]

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.

 

[B7510HSD]

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]

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]

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!

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.

 

[cbm8tc]

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]

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?

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]

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]

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.

 

[Tongy]

I bought a Massey Ferguson ( 1540) about 6 months ago that was 3 years old and am well pleased with it. We didn't even look at any other makes. We stopped by the dealer to see if he had any used and he had this one,and it looked like new,so its now ours.
Look at TractorHouse.com to get ideas of prices and what a particular model nbr looks like.

 

[Dean FZ35]

I've owned antique Ford, MF, and currently a Kioti that I bought new nearly 9 years ago. I agree with another member who recommended warranty and I'll add Insurance to that. While I had a great dealer at the time of purchase, he switched to New Holland 3 years later and became a useless artifact. So I would say keep your manuals fresh in your mind as you may be the best mechanic for your tractor. I know I drain the fluids and clean the parts better than any dealer. I have no concern about not having a dealer within 50 miles. This forum has members who will explain and help out with anything that needs fixing, including a long-distance dealer who will ship parts to you.

 

[Samandothers]

When you look at Kubotas look at the L4240, the next size up from the L3940. The L4240 uses, or can use, the LA854 loader. You can get a more powerful FEL with the L4240. Sit on the ones you named and drive them around the tractor yard. Talk with dealers then select. Have fun and enjoy.

 

[mostly_gas]

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?

Currently using Mordt Tractor in Troy Mo. Mostly for parts although they did fix the front axle which was a mess. They have been helpful and work well over the phone and in person. I bought both my tractors used through private party. I live west of the Saint Louis area.

Edit left off Mordt handles New Holland and Kubota.

 

[cbm8tc]

Thanks for all of the responses and advice. I called a few dealers in the area and figured out quickly the ones I would want to do business with. I was leaning towards Massey until I called the dealer. They did not want to budge on price at all and were not very willing to order anything, only wanted to sell what was on the lot. I did get a price on a NH 3040 of $24,400 for the deluxe tractor with hydro and a loader. I thought this sounded like a good price but figured I would post it and let those more knowledgable than me let me know. The price on the Massey 1635 they had on the lot was $22,300 and I really couldn't get anyone else to call me back other than JD and the Price and Financing offers almost made me pass out. (Salesman was nice though.) What do you guys think? and am looking at the right size tractor? Main purpose will be finish mowing about 10 acres. Thanks.

 

[MasFerg35]

All the choices are good ones. Climb up on those tractors and see how they fit you.

 

[Soundguy]

congrats on the land!

one question.. are you only looking at new machines or will you also consider used, and or grey market, or imported units like chinese?

soundguy

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!

 

[TripleR]

I agree with MasFerg35, try them as to personal fit, control layout and such. I really don't think any of the top makers make a bad tractor any more.

 

[jdbnh]

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.

and why is that?

 

[Soundguy]

NH is as good as any. hard to go wrong on a new red, blue, orange or green tractor. more of a matter of choice then quality nowadays..

soundguy