Buying Advice Need Help - Prospective Buyer for 5 acres

[FivegreenacresCT4G]

Looking to buy a tractor for my new home and having a lot of trouble deciding between new and used as well as model if we go with new. If we get a new one, it will likely be a Kubota B3300SU for $0 down and 0% interest for 60 months - not bad - Price will come to about $20k including loader, back blade, skid steer. Need to be to able to mow about 2 of the acres - but I want it to look nicely mowed like a real front lawn not just clipped with grass all over. 600foot driveway will mean we have to plow snow in the winter (Michigan) and grade the driveway as well. Also want to be able to move dirt, clear away an area to create a pond eventually, use a fork to pick up & move dunnage containers filled with firewood for my wood boiler in the fall/winter. I no longer want to use my back and need a machine to do some of the moving, lifting, digging! Is the Kubota B3300SU too big for what I have described I need it for? Other suggestions welcome.

 

[johnrex62]

It sounds like the B3300SU would do the job you describe. I have about 5 acres that I brushhog and drag dead trees. I do a little dirtwork, but nothing heavy. Last year I bought a L3700SU and find it has plenty of power to hog out heavy thickets of trees and high woody weeds at any speed I care to drive at.

I do not finish mow since my property is very rural. I have a hand push mower for the little bit of front yard with too much "crap" to maneuver a rider around and simply run the rotary mower over everything else.

I would do some more pricing however. I have not priced any of the B machines, but last June I paid 19,500 for my outfit which included the L3700SU, FEL, 5ft Rotary Mower, 5ft Box Blade, 6ft Landscape Rake, R4 tires and hard canopy. Check with Barlow and perhaps some other "national" dealers for comparisons. It might help with negotiations.

I have run my rig over the "front yard" and haven't left any marks, but then I don't have any manicured grass; only prairie grass and some patches of bermuda. So it would seem that the dirt spaces in between would show marks easy enough. The few tread marks I do see disappear soon after a rain or good wind. :laughing:

 

[TripleR]

That size tractor should do fine for your property though it would not be my first choice as I like a MMM and hate a quarter inching 3PH. That is why they make different models though and some love them.

I would also do some more pricing and definitely check with Barlow's etc.

Good luck.

 

[MarkV]

When you say you will mow 2 acres and "I want it to look nicely mowed like a real front lawn not clipped with grass all over.", that sounds like bagging the clippings to me. I would be looking at a separate dedicated mower. A tractor that size will finish mow but is going to be heavier, more lawn damage, and less maneuverable.

Also keep in mind that 0% interest for 60 months is somewhat true but cash gets a $750 rebate. So, 0% does cost some monies.

MarkV

 

[Denwa]

Looking to buy a tractor for my new home and having a lot of trouble deciding between new and used ....Also want to be able to move dirt, clear away an area to create a pond eventually...., I no longer want to use my back and need a machine to do some of the moving, lifting, digging!

If you are thinking pond, you will likely wish you had a back hoe when you start that project. Or of course, you could just buy a small excavator as well, or rent.

Were I you, as I did, I'd keep an eye out for a good local used machine with
FEL and a BH. Buy someone else's dream and save on depreciation. If you find the right used deal it might well include some of the attachments you want for little or no extra. Problem with this approach of course is patience and knowing what you are looking at. If you are not tractor savvy, try to find someone to be your local guru who can help you check out any possibilities.

Have fun and keep reading and asking on this list.

Dennis (WA)

 

[KabotaTim]

I put most of the below info in another post, but thought I would repost it here if it helps others stumble across it and maybe provides some help.

I have 8 acres and needed a tractor for regular mowing of 2-3 acres, maintenance of 500ft driveway, and to do various odd jobs around my property. I ended up buying a Kubota L3700SU HST w/FEL and QD 66inch bucket, also added cruise control, draw bar, 3 point stabilizer upgrade, and Kubota sunshade. Below are a few reasons I chose the 3700 over the 3300 (and over other BX, B, and L models).
1. More HP to ensure no problems mowing with a 6 foot finish mower.
2. LA463 FEL for 3700SU digs deeper/lifts higher/carries more, vs LA504 FEL for 3300SU.
3. A little heavier frame (L vs B) to better handle heavier workloads (esp loader work) and reduce stress and wear over the life of the tractor.
4. Price difference was not that much, and extra weight was minimal considering (my perception of) increase in capabilities.
5. At the end of the day, it had the best balance of features/specs/capabilities, and most bang for the buck compared to other models (BX, B, and L) for my tractor needs. Also, I had the warning from others ringing in my ears telling me to make sure I didn't buy too small as I can only afford to do this one time so trading up later was not an option.

Some recommend getting tires loaded, but I do not agree this is a requirement in all cases for all people. I did not do this as I wanted to keep weight down, primarily for mowing, to minimize tire tracks and damage to my lawn/sod. I owned a L3710 for 5 years previously and did not have tires loaded on that tractor either. I did plenty of heavy loader work and also snow plowing when I lived in Northern Wisconsin, all with no problems. What I recommend is keep an implement that weighs at least a few hundred pounds hooked up to the back whenever doing loader work. I've used this method over many years on a couple of tractors now and it keeps me properly balanced and weighted down. The Woods PRD-7200 mower I currently use weighs just over 700 pounds and does a great job at providing needed ballast. I've hauled a few bucket loads of topsoil with my current tractor/mower combo and it works just fine.

In summary I have no hesitation recommending the L3700SU, it's a lot of tractor for the money. Not too big, but not too small. Recommend the QD option for the bucket as I like ability to drop just the bucket for mowing, also having the option to change FEL attachments is a nice feature (and increases resale value). I'm very happy and glad a went with the L3700SU, but encourage everyone to think carefully about the jobs they will be performing and budget they have to work with as this will help you make the best decision.

I thought about used vs new, and I almost bought used. However, my conclusion was that with the current financing and/or discounts available when buying new, and with the warranty when buying new, and when you look at what you pay vs what you get when buying used, it just made good sense to buy new and eliminate most of the worry and potential problems down the road. Best advise here is, do what you feel most comfortable with and can best work into your budget. My decision allows me to sleep well at night and have a good feeling that my tractor is ready to go to work when I am :thumbsup:!!!

Best of luck with your shopping !