New buyer with questions

[dmp437]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I want my purchase to be a work horse as well as an investment )</font>
If you're concerned about the tractor being a liquid asset (maintains value and is easy to sell if you decide to) then you're looking at JD, Kubota, and NH in any order. Out of all the transmission options I consider the HST to be the most reliable, it's fluid drive. With the John Deere HST (eHydro) you have cruise control so long road trips are a breeze. The JD and Kubota tractors are more money up front but they're worth more at the end also. Do consider a "four in one" bucket for what you're looking to do though. It will make life a lot easier.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( )</font> With the John Deere HST (eHydro) you have cruise control so long road trips are a breeze.
A tractor doesn't have to be HST to have cruise control. The hand throttle serves the same function. John

 

[RickO]

I have a Kubota B7800 and I am about 6'5 and a BigMac and fries away from 300lb. and I feel the platform on it is pretty roomy. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Being as big as us you won't find a CUT that fits you real well.

 

[viking65]

junkie, if you are still considering a sub-cut check out a Cub Cadet 5234D. I am 6'5", 230 and I have plenty of room. I tested the Kubota BX, JD2210 and MF2300. The 2210 was roomy enough but the loader joystick gets in the way. I don't have the FEL yet, that will change this summer. The Kubota did not seem to have as much operator room as the Cub. I liked the Massey, lot's of leg room but I did not like the treddle/rocker hydro peddle with a size 15 shoe. That was also another strike against the Kubota.

So, I narrowed it down to the JD2210 and the Cub 5234D. The loader joystick is in a much better position on the Cub and the Cub has seperate forward and reverse hydro peddles like the JD2210. I also saved $2500 getting the Cub Cadet over the JD. The 5234D has a 3 cylinder 23hp diesel, 20 pto hp (per the owners manual), 4wd, cat 1 3pt hitch, mid and rear pto, bar tires. I use a 6' rear blade for snow removal, a 5' blade, 24" dirt scoop, 4' box blade, 9" PHD, carry all and a 60" MMM.

I also found a great Cub Cadet dealer that carries the entire line of Cub compact tractors. I have posted a few pictures in the Photos section under "other brands" then Cub Cadet.

They're all great tractors, I was the most comfortable on the Cub. My rear end and my wallet /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif