need help picking one

erikharwell · Dec 9, 2006

I have been looking at the john deere 90 series tractors. I have seen the 790 first hand and believe it to be the minimum for what I need to do. I have seen a john deere in similar size to the 990 and think it is a hair overkill for what is needed. I realize that both of these are yanmar tractors. I am trying to find something in between. I would like to find some thing around 30-40 horse with at least 1200pounds of lift, and less than 3000 pounds in weight. I would like to keep it around the price range of these, and would like a known name brand that has been around a while in the US. the deere dealers here want more than list price, and there are dealers for every other tractor within 2 hours drive. but I do not have the time to drive to them just to look. I would like to have a direction before I do that. thanks in advance

roxynoodle · Dec 10, 2006

Well, I think pretty much everyone makes a tractor in the size range you are looking for. You might want to check out the Case/IH DX series or the New Hollands (same tractor) for a better price than the JDs. Mahindra offers the 3215 or the 4110 (32hp and 40 hp respectively). For something in between, Kioti's DK 35 (or DK 40) might be one to consider.

jbrumberg · Dec 10, 2006

erikharwell:

Welcome to TBN

!. Please give us more information as to your property and intended uses. The membership is more than willing to provide you suggestions based on "real" use experiences as well as help you spend your hard earned money

. I warn you however be prepared for sensory overload

. Jay

erikharwell · Dec 10, 2006

I own 28 acres, with access to many more. I have 2 1 acre fields in the middle of it, with 2 dirt roads. my family and I have made many trails winding through it, and we have completly fenced the entire place, its odd shape, makes almost a mile of property lines. the fields were made about 10 years ago, and when we had them made the trees and brush were pushed to the edges, none carried away. well the trees and brush have rotted, and because the edges have not been cut well, trees and black berries have grown up claiming up to 40 ft of the edge. I am looking to reclaim the fields again and pull the composted trees out into the fields. I am looking at a heavy duty bush hog, and a good box blade to accomplish this. I am not looking at a FEL at the moment, but would like the option to add one later. I would like to disc the fields and plant various things with an old row planter I hope to find at auction. My place is about 2 hours away from where I live, and I live in city area, I would like to trailer the tractor back and forth, and use it for various side jobs in the city. thanks again

jbrumberg · Dec 10, 2006

erikharwell:

It appears that you are appropriately heading towards a larger Class II or Class III tractor. Choosing the right tractor is a series of compromises as to power, size, weight, current and anticipated uses, as well as the time available to get all the projects done. I did not truly appreciate what a FEL could do until I finally got one. You can move a lot of debris with a FEL and a grapple fork attachment (I wish I had one

.). If you want to maintain those winding trails as well as trailer your tractor size and weight may be a major concern. Heavier tractors are more effective with ground engaging attachments. How is your terrain- is it flat or hilly, dry or wet? What are your other entended uses? Then you have to start to look at tire types and whether or not you want to weight them. All of this can make you

. Keep asking questions and hang in there- Jay

dirtworksequip · Dec 10, 2006

Get yourself a FEL its the most useful attachment a tractor owner can have. Almost endless uses.

Woodbeef · Dec 10, 2006

Really I think you are looking for a "Silver Bullet" that does not exist. You need to get out and check all the tractors out for Your own,not from what You are told on here or anyother place. Only You truly know what You want in the long run. Places like this can help by giving honest feedback,but only You can spend the seat time for the decision to be made. Most guys on here,me included would love to have all the choices out there with-in 2 hours!! Would we drive to check out the ones we wanted? You're darn sure we would!! Probably even go and check out the ones we don't want too! Get on out there and check out where the rubber meets the dirt.........

Doc_Bob · Dec 10, 2006

erikharwell said:
. the deere dealers here want more than list price, and there are dealers for every other tractor within 2 hours drive. but I do not have the time to drive to them just to look.

More than list price? Find a different brand or dealer.
Bob

JimParker · Dec 11, 2006

erikharwell said:
I would like to find some thing around 30-40 horse with at least 1200pounds of lift, and less than 3000 pounds in weight. I would like to keep it around the price range of these, and would like a known name brand that has been around a while in the US.

Hmm. Sounds like a good description of the JD3X20 series, to me. The 3320 has 32.5 HP, the 3520 has 37 HP. Both will lift 2200 lbs with the 3PH, and easily lift over 1200 lbs with the FEL, and both weigh in at 2900 lbs.

Both will handle the MX5 cutter (which is really a medium-duty cutter, but hard to imagine a non-commercial user needing more), though I suppose if you went with a really big Rhino (they make some "true" HD cutters), you might have to go with the 3520 to power it.

The final point is that it fits easily (and legally) on a 7,000 lb trailer, even with FEL and MX5, making it easy to transport back and forth.

I'm sure there are others that also fit the bill, and would meet your needs just as nicely.

PS - I second the thought about finding a different dealer. 10% off list should be reasonably easy to achieve, and 15% or more is possible with a sufficiently motivated dealer and patient buyer.

kwolfe · Dec 11, 2006

erikharwell said:
I own 28 acres, with access to many more. I have 2 1 acre fields in the middle of it, with 2 dirt roads. my family and I have made many trails winding through it, and we have completly fenced the entire place, its odd shape, makes almost a mile of property lines. the fields were made about 10 years ago, and when we had them made the trees and brush were pushed to the edges, none carried away. well the trees and brush have rotted, and because the edges have not been cut well, trees and black berries have grown up claiming up to 40 ft of the edge. I am looking to reclaim the fields again and pull the composted trees out into the fields. I am looking at a heavy duty bush hog, and a good box blade to accomplish this. I am not looking at a FEL at the moment, but would like the option to add one later. I would like to disc the fields and plant various things with an old row planter I hope to find at auction. My place is about 2 hours away from where I live, and I live in city area, I would like to trailer the tractor back and forth, and use it for various side jobs in the city. thanks again

I Would also say go with the FEL. That sounds like a lot a rotted and unrotted debris you are proposing to move. It would take quite a while if you tried and drag it with a BB or using a 3 pt dirt scoop. I purchased my FEL a few months ago and used it to move about 30 tons of topsoil this past weekend. Total time to move and spread took about 4.5 hours. (keep in mind I have a scut so the bucket is small).

That said, I think that the L series Kubota, Deere 3000s, Massey 1500 series, and New Holland TC34 or TC40 would be up your alley. If I were going to drop that kind of coin on a tractor, I would take the trips to sit on and drive each one.