Need Help Please

FSE · Oct 22, 2009

I am obvious a new member and would like to say I am extremely happy to have found this site. The knowledge on here is second to none. With that said I need help. I have read several threads on choices and brands and know this question has bound to have been ask before but I did not see it and would like to have all the information in one place or thread if I could so here is my question. I have just built a new home on a little over 1 acre lot that is open with no trees except one that was planted. It is pretty much flat with a road side ditch that I can cut with the JD L130 that I own now without turning over. What I wanted to buy was a bigger tractor with a FEL and MMM and tiller and box blade ect. I was looking at a JD 2320 size. I was going to get the JD 2320 but then when I started researching the information became over whelming. Now I do not know what to buy. I would like your help. I know everyone has their favorites but I do not want to spend money I do not need to and I do not care if it is red, orange, green or blue but I would like to stick to the size of a JD 2320, have HST and I would like for it to be reliable and something that can have simple service done by me. And if I have missed something that I need to know please tell me. I am fortunate to have all the dealers close by so that is not a problem. Can you help me? John Deere, New Holland, Kubota or Massey Ferguson?

dodge man · Oct 22, 2009

I'd say your are looking at the right size. I have 3 acres, a fairly long driveway, and bought a Kubota BX2350, which is really close in size to what you are looking at. The J.D. is a really nice tractor also. I don't think you can go wrong with either one, plus some of the other brands you listed are good also. When I bought mine, I found it was harder, and took more research then when buying a car or a truck. Try a couple of other brands out and price them and then make a decision. Drive them around the lot a little bit. I bought a MMM, FEL and rear blade for mine and bought a rough cut brush hog mower at a later date. So far I haven't needed a box blade or tiller, but you probably know your needs better than I do.

HeavyHitch · Oct 22, 2009

I have 2 1/2 acres and use a MF GC2400 and it does all I need. My neighbor has about the same amount of land and has a JD 2305 and is real happy with that. There are times when a bigger tractor would be nice to get the job done quicker, but that would mean less time on the seat, which to me is a bad thing!

I would go to the dealers you feel comfortable with and they will usually let you demo a unit before you buy it. The main thing is find a dealer you trust, the dealer to me, can make or break the "happiness" of owning your own CUT. Good luck!

FSE · Oct 23, 2009

I was looking at the 2305 at first but was told that the hydraulic cooling system was a fan blowing on the pump or something. And there were other differences. Even the dealer told me that the extra $2000 for the 2320 was well worth it. I also did not like the small tires.

Bird · Oct 23, 2009

Personally, my opinion is that you couldn't go wrong with any of the 4 brands you mentioned, so it boils down to which one you like best. Be sure to at least do a little test drive before buying one. I know at one time, years ago, I thought I might want a Cub Cadet tractor, and I still think they were good tractors, but just sitting on one convinced me that either the tractor or I, one or the other, was the wrong size. It simply was not comfortable for me while I'm sure it was for some other people.

FSE · Oct 23, 2009

I have been trying to find information on a Massey Ferguson 1523. The web site is not as informative as I would have hoped it to be. Also pictures are almost non existent. Are there any current 1523 owners that would like to give me their impression (likes/dislikes) of the tractor? I was looking at their 0% for 72 months financing and it sure would be nice to be able to stretch the payment for that long and not pay all at once. I did notice that the HST was an option on the 1523. Is it about the same size as the JD 2320 or should I step up to the next size?

ChuckinNH · Oct 23, 2009

For some reason I can't understand the MF 1523 hasn't been too popular. It is roughly the same size as the JD 2320, or the Kubota B2x20 series. I'm not sure if it has a mid pto, or not, and I think attachments (front snowblowers, etc.) may be a bit harder to find. I saw one recently at a dealer's. It was a gear model, and was the first one I've seen for a while. Massey dealers seem to push the 2400, and the 1528 over the 1523. Check out posts by "williamsbros" here. They have one, and really like it.

ChuckinNH · Oct 23, 2009

For some reason I don't understand, we don't hear much about the MF1523. The dealers seem to push the 2400, or the 1528 over the 1523, and I don't know why that is either. Do a search on "williambos". He has one, and is very happy with it.

bw_wis · Oct 23, 2009

I have B2630. I can say it is an amazing machine. I have used it and at times abused it. The tractor never complained. I can't say enough good things about it.

A good friend has a bx24. I know he loves his.

Good luck with your research and decision.

FSE · Oct 24, 2009

I went to the Kubota web site today. I had not considered them but it looks like there are a lot of happy Kubota owners on here so I said what the heck. Now what I need is to find out what is the difference between a BX, TBL and B series. They all look close if not the same in some cases. Would it be the add on features?

FxdGrMind · Oct 24, 2009

You need to see them in person. Big difference in size, ground clearence and weight.

Bird · Oct 24, 2009

FSE said:
I went to the Kubota web site today. I had not considered them but it looks like there are a lot of happy Kubota owners on here so I said what the heck. Now what I need is to find out what is the difference between a BX, TBL and B series. They all look close if not the same in some cases. Would it be the add on features?

The BX is a subcompact, smallest of the Kubotas, while the B series is a little larger, but still a small compact. I think the TBL is better knows as a TLB (tractor/loader/backhoe) which is available in both the BX and B series.

whistlepig · Oct 24, 2009

I would stick to New Holland, John Deere, or Kubota. Not saying any of the other brands are bad but if you check the postings on TBN you will see that these three are the most popular. There is a reason for that. After the brand is determined it's test drive time. The layouts are different and you will like one brand over another.

gonegreen · Oct 25, 2009

I know you see this all the time on this site but "I agree with the others". You need to research all you can, go to the dealers, demo all the ones you can, ask questions, and talk to others around your area about the dealership's service. When comparing these brands (apples to apples) they are very similar. Yes there are differences but you usually lose a feature on one tractor to gain one on another, and same with models, (one might have a mid pto but the other has more pto HP). Don't be surprised when most of the salesmen can't answer all of your questions when comparing his model vs a competitor. There are many models and they seem to change often. You need to decide what jobs you will be doing most of the time with this tractor. Then ask yourself: Does this tractor feel comfortable to me for these repetitive jobs. Is changing between the implements I need to use easy or a pain with this tractor? Will I be using the differences on this tractor as much as the differences on another. If one tractor was better than all of the rest we wouldn't need this site, everyone would have the same one

.

wildwillie · Oct 25, 2009

I would suggest figure out just how much horse power etc you need and then go up one size. You wont be sorry.

FSE · Oct 27, 2009

I went by a Kubota/Massey dealer Monday. I looked at a BX2360 I think it was? Any comments on the equipment bad or good? He was asking $14250.00 for the tractor FEL and 60" MMM. I did not really think a lot on the mower and hitch lift working at the same time or is this going to be the norm on all of them?

FSE · Nov 3, 2009

Took the plunge today. Call and ordered the Kubota BX2660, 60 MMM and FEL. I talked the dealer into doing my 50 hour maintenance for me. I just threw it out there and he went for it. Still nervous but can not wait till it gets here. Thanks all for your help in making the decision.

flusher · Nov 3, 2009

FSE said:
Took the plunge today. Call and ordered the Kubota BX2660, 60 MMM and FEL. I talked the dealer into doing my 50 hour maintenance for me. I just threw it out there and he went for it. Still nervous but can not wait till it gets here. Thanks all for your help in making the decision.

Congrats. My first tractor was a new 2005 Kubota B7510 HST with the LA302 FEL ($12600 plus tax). Neat machine. I used it on my 10-acre spread (flat pasture).

Enjoy your new tractor.

RalphVa · Nov 4, 2009

I love my 2004 JD 4010, 18.5 hp diesel. It does all I need to do on my hilly 8.5 acres. The JD 2320 is one step up from the 4010, as it has a tad more power and position control on the 3 pt. The 53" FEL on the 4010 holds 1/3 yard. I've noticed that it seems bigger than most of its competition at the time.

Ralph

LBrown59 · Nov 4, 2009

FSE said:
Took the plunge today. Call and ordered the Kubota BX2660, 60 MMM and FEL. I talked the dealer into doing my 50 hour maintenance for me. I just threw it out there and he went for it. *Still nervous but can not wait till it gets here. Thanks all for your help in making the decision.

I love my BXs an *I'm sure you will love this one.