New buyer with questions

spokejunkie · Mar 4, 2005

I have finally decided to buy a new tractor this spring. I have never owned one and have limited experience. At first I was really looking at the subs..Kubota BX2300 and JD 2210. I am a big guy, 6'6 230 and after sitting on them I dont really think I will be happy with them. So I started looking in the 25-30HP range and things really change at that point. I really like the Idea of the ease of use of HST, but alot of the tractors in this range are Shuttle and Center shift. I tried out a Massey 1428V yesterday with center shift and really didnt think it was efficient enough. I will mostly be using it with a FEL and blade on the rear. I have a few miles of logging roads to clean up and maintain. I realize that HST robs a few HP, but I am really concerned about reliability. I want my purchase to be a work horse as well as an investment, at least that is what I have convinced my wife of. I would appreciate all your help on this subject.
Thanks

JDGREEN4ME · Mar 4, 2005

There are several brands out there that could meet your needs. Kubota, New Holland, Kioti, John Deere and several others (check the TBN boards!). Sounds like you need to get out and try some out! I have a JD 4115 set up that I am doing similar work with and it is working out great. Now I am not 6'6" so take that with a grain of salt! Also at 24HP (my 4115) that might be smaller than you would like to end up with. A bigger tractor will do the work faster than mine. I have the HST and prefer it over gear drive but that isn't saying anything against gear drive ...just what worked out best for me! Good luck with your research, have fun! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

BigAl · Mar 4, 2005

I know all about the size problem and finding a tractor that will fit you comfortably . I'm 6'4 -300 pounds . Have you looked at the DK models of Kioti ? My DK operators platform sure has lots of room . It may not have the options or transmission style you want though. I would check them out also .
Big Al

Mark4510 · Mar 4, 2005

First off......Welcome to TBN. Glad to have you here.

I think you are on the right track for finding the size tractor you are looking for. Get one that you are comfortable in otherwise 8 hours of pure fun might end up being 8 hours of misery and life is too short for that.......

I use our tractor mostly for horse type use. Draggin arenas, moving manure with the loader, maintaining gravel road as well as making new roads, knocking trees over etc. I have the shuttle shift from JD and could not be happier. VERY reliable, VERY easy to use and does everything I want it to do. I have a smaller JD lawn tractor with the Hydrostatic and I like it but not sure I find it easier to use than the shuttle shift.

Other find differently but I dont think I would pay the extra for the Hydrostatic and for dragging arenas and working on long stretches of road its nice to set the revs and let the tractor go so I can twist around and watch the drag or box scraper.

Best of luck,
Mark

spokejunkie · Mar 4, 2005

Actually I rented a JD 4110 last year to move dirt and do some basic brush clearing and I was very impressed. I have a JD garden tractor and love it. The only drawback I have with JD is the price. I am not so sure that green paint is worth the xtra money. I havent tried the Kioti's yet, they are on my list. I actually have already priced a CK25 with FEL. I am just worried about reliability.
One of the dealers I spoke with yesterday said they used to sell Kioti's, but quite do to numerous problems with the machines. Have you Kioti guys had luck thus far?
Thanks

jfdlaw · Mar 4, 2005

Spoke,

I'm with you on size of operator platform. I'm about your weight, but five inches lower to the ground. I'm kind of surprised you didn't find the JD 2210 comfortable. I found the JD2210 more comfortable (FOR ME) than the Kubota BX. I ended up with a B series and don't regret moving up. I find I really appreciate the extra capabilities of a bigger tractor. There are times I wished I'd gone one model up.

Drive everything and see what you are most comfortable on. Also look at what you are going to be doing and make sure the tractor fits the job. Are the trails you'll be blading a certain width, if so make sure you can pull an implement wide enough to do it efficiently. Are the buckets on the subs wide enough for your jobs.

I learned this with my snowblower. My driveway is 10 feet wide. With my 63" blower I go up one side and back the other and I'm done. With the 48" blower on smaller machines it would have been another run out and a back. Seems small, but when its blowing and the snow is flying having it done in 1/2 the runs is nice. (gives me more time to go do my neighbors driveways)

Have fun with your search.

Ignore color, find what fits you best and the dealer with whom you are most comfortable.

John

DK35vince · Mar 4, 2005

( Have you Kioti guys had luck thus far?)

Yes,
I know I have. I've owned my DK 35 for a few years now and I'm real happy with it.
You can do lots of reading in the Kioti section to get an idea of how they are working out for owners.

frank_f15 · Mar 4, 2005

Welcome to the forum! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Your profile is not filled out so we have no idea of the size of your acreage nor the climate you will be working in. I WILL state that FOR ME HST is A MUST HAVE. Not to say it is better than a geared tractor, but i just got tired of shifting (my age may have something to do with it) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I think you need to spend some time checking out all the machines u can.

DanR67 · Mar 4, 2005

( I will mostly be using it with a FEL and blade on the rear. I have a few miles of logging roads to clean up and maintain. I realize that HST robs a few HP, but I am really concerned about reliability.
)

spoke -

As Frank F-15 mentioned - if you could fill our your profile - that would help.

If you are "maintaining" (does that mean: grading / snowplowing - what??) several MILES of logging road - I think you might be better off STARTING at 30 HP.

While you mentioned you were looking for a FEL and a rear blade - I assume you will be grading / levelling the road / filling in ditches etc. I think a "bigger" machine will let you get more done in less time.

While my 24 hp B7610 fits my needs nicely (see my "logging" experience HERE ) - I cannot imagine driving even one mile with it - much less several. But I'm hopping on / off all day long - unless I'm mowing the lawn - that takes me @ 1 hr.

I'm only 5'11 - and I looked at a JD2210 subCUT - but I felt it was "too small" for me and the ground clearance was too low for my needs - so I went with the next size up CUT.

I'd think a bigger tractor would:

- have a better "ride" (better for longer, uneven logging roads)
- fit your height better
- have more stability (ie safer when "miles from help"
- have more weight / power to grade / move rocks / logs etc.

I needed a mower first - and CUT capable of "other stuff" second. It sounds to me like you need a TRACTOR first and foremost - and since you don't have "mowing" listed - I'd have to think "bigger is better" for what needs you describe.

Finally - I have a HST - which works great for mowing and short trips. But if you had to drive several miles to your work site - a gear might be preferable - as you wouldn't have to maintain foot pressure on the throttle / pedal.

Reliability-wise, take your pick - modern HST are really tough - there was a recent discussion (tried searching but couldn't find it /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif ) where someone said they had a piece of equipment from the late '70's with @ 20,000 hrs on it!

Cheers,

Dan

BigAl · Mar 4, 2005

I have a DK45 Kioti and consider it a dandy ! It has proven itself to me over and over as a good dependable tractor . As far as problems , I have not had any that are exclusive to a Kioti tractor . I guess other tractors do have flat tires every once in a while ????
Big Al