Buying Advice New/First Tractor Purchase Tennessee 18.5 Acres

[Gary Fowler]

That's a tougher question then it sounds I think new above 50 HP I am probably looking at 36k with a front loader. I have really good credit and will still have an income which is what originally pushed me towards financing new with the promotions offered ( I think some require 20% down so maybe used/certified is a better route). This way I will still be able to keep as much cash in pocket as possible right now while managing payments, I am really building a farm from scratch so this is one of many expenses. I do own the land outright, and we should be able to pay everything off with a even an average crop

Even with good credit, used tractor financing will be much higher than new. If you can afford the new model, financing could be as low as 0% vs 10% for used. You can also finance all the equipment if bought at the same time as the tractor although I would recommend that you look for some used items first. You should be looking around for implements now, getting pricing, availability of used (that are in good shape). Look for estate sales for the best buys on equipment. As morbid as it sounds, widows sell their husbands stuff cheap. You may even find a really good tractor cheap but you would need to have your credit line available so you can pay for it on the spot.

Note that some auctioneer companies add a fee of up to 10% to the sale that the buyer sometimes pays.

 

[BAP]

Aren't those machines considered CVT and not hydrostatic ? I went to the Ohio Farm Science review and we talked to the rep from AGCO / Challenger and he was bragging up their new CVT based high HP tractor. He didn't mention anything about it being a hydrostat.

AGCO's Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) Explained

Most of them are driven by a variable hydrostatic motor combined with a power shifting transmission

 

[snackworth]

Even with good credit, used tractor financing will be much higher than new. If you can afford the new model, financing could be as low as 0% vs 10% for used. You can also finance all the equipment if bought at the same time as the tractor although I would recommend that you look for some used items first. You should be looking around for implements now, getting pricing, availability of used (that are in good shape). Look for estate sales for the best buys on equipment. As morbid as it sounds, widows sell their husbands stuff cheap. You may even find a really good tractor cheap but you would need to have your credit line available so you can pay for it on the spot.

Note that some auctioneer companies add a fee of up to 10% to the sale that the buyer sometimes pays.

That's what I am seeing, to really save money you have to get one with a lot of hours on it and is it really worth it ? I didn't want to have any problems the first year with the tractor if I can avoid it, because there will be plenty of growing pains this year starting this farm from scratch.

The whole thing about buying used stuff right now is my partner or I is in TN right now.

 

[snackworth]

How about mowing? How many acres are you planting? What crops? Are we talking a 2 acre boutique garden or 15 acres of corn?

It doesnt sound like you will need to lift round bales (no livestock mentioned). This means the size of the machine should be based on what you need to do ground engaging tasks (hence my questions above)

The Kubota M series ie M6060 or M7060 are options, as are the Deere 5E or 5M series. MF 4707 is another option. What dealers do you have around you?

Kubota M series ie M6060 or M7060 are options, as are the Deere 5E or 5M series. How comparable is the 5 to the M6060/7060

 

[Jchonline]

They are the same class of machine, just different brands. The Deere 5M series is the actual equivalent to the Kubota M6060 or M7060 based on features. The Deere 5E is an economy option and missing some of the features of the 5M, but still a capable machine. As far as the exact differences, sorry I dont have a list. Don’t discount the MF if they are close enough for service. New Holland is also a good farming machine. LS makes the New Holland Taskmasters and Boomers so they are pretty much interchangeable for service and parts. Kioti isnt really considered a “farming” manufacturer, but their tractors are well built and highly regarded on these forums. RK is another option with growing enthusiasm. This is why I suggested finding all of your area dealers so you can consider narrowing the field a bit. For me there was no LS, Kioti, RK, or NH dealer close so I was able to narrow it easily. You dont “have” to get the tractor from a local dealer, but for a first owner it is probably the wisest choice.

Did you find your close dealers?

 

[snackworth]

They are the same class of machine, just different brands. The Deere 5M series is the actual equivalent to the Kubota M6060 or M7060 based on features. The Deere 5E is an economy option and missing some of the features of the 5M, but still a capable machine. As far as the exact differences, sorry I dont have a list. Don’t discount the MF if they are close enough for service. New Holland is also a good farming machine. LS makes the New Holland Taskmasters and Boomers so they are pretty much interchangeable for service and parts. Kioti isnt really considered a “farming” manufacturer, but their tractors are well built and highly regarded on these forums. RK is another option with growing enthusiasm. This is why I suggested finding all of your area dealers so you can consider narrowing the field a bit. For me there was no LS, Kioti, RK, or NH dealer close so I was able to narrow it easily. You dont “have” to get the tractor from a local dealer, but for a first owner it is probably the wisest choice.

Did you find your close dealers?

I am closest to Chattanooga and about 2 hours from Nashville. There's mahidra dealer in the town I am in, but it's small and everything would mainly be in Chattanooga (35-45 mins away). I know there are multiple John Deere dealers, kutbota, looks like there is a RK, MF, New Holland all in Chattanooga. I am pretty central to Nashville and Chattanooga so it seems like I have any option available to me. John deere and kubota looking the largest.

Who offers the best attachment deals ?

I have been looking into RK I really like the idea that they have yanamars in them I am from south florida so I am very familiar with these engines in boats and they are very very resilient even up against the salt water.

 

[Tennsawdust]

Definitely check out the local credit unions to see what they can offer on the financing side. You may be able to get a good rate on a used machine or get a better rate than the dealer can offer. If you can arrange your own financing for an acceptable rate you can get a better price from the dealer.

There is a very good Kioti dealer just north of you in Murfreesboro. There is also a CaseIH/Kubota/McCormick dealer just off I-24 in Hillsboro. You have lots of options.

It sounds like you are on the right track as far as size of tractor goes. Best of luck. I'm hearing a lot of people expressing interest in hemp now that it is legal to farm in TN. If I had more tillable land I might consider it myself.

 

[Jchonline]

See there are so many! I forgot about Mahindra. Also a global brand.

For 17 acres of real farming/growing I still like the entry utility size machine. Ag tires to stay between rows easily. With say a M6060 you can pull larger harrows or plows, completing the work quicker. These dont come in a hydrostatic transmission, but I dont think you need it. A 12/12 shuttle would be great. I am sure other brands have similar offerings...but yes a round the 50-60 HP range in a utility tractor seems about right.

If you have access to pretty much every brand, then the next step is to weed out the bad dealers. This is going to take some leg work, but I would visit multiple dealers in 1 trip to town. Tell them what you have and what you want to do with the tractor. Get on a few machines and drive them around. Actuate the loader, use forward and reverse as you would doing tasks on your farm. Adjust the seat/wheel, make it comfortable. Get a feel for the accessibility of the controls. You will want telescoping lower links or a quick hitch to ease hooking up implements. For Cat2 this makes it much easier. You will probably want rear remotes (I would get at least 2 with purchase, maybe 3). Get quotes from each dealer. Make them work for your business. Ask questions and see who returns your calls, who wants the business. Check out the service departments..make sure they are primarily a tractor service shop and dont just sell tractors on the side.

I am pretty sure you will eliminate some brands just by visiting the dealerships. This will help you narrow the field.

 

[Jchonline]

Kubota, Deere, and Massey have pretty much 0% financing for 60m or longer. The only caveat is you will have to carry insurance on the machine. You can do this through them or your own private rider. I am not sure about the others, but if you are looking for low up front costs these are good options. The difference between cash and financed final price on Kubota is minimal...less than $1000. Massey was at a time I checked 2 years ago thousands of dollars different for cash. Check and see what works best for you.

 

[snackworth]

Definitely check out the local credit unions to see what they can offer on the financing side. You may be able to get a good rate on a used machine or get a better rate than the dealer can offer. If you can arrange your own financing for an acceptable rate you can get a better price from the dealer.

There is a very good Kioti dealer just north of you in Murfreesboro. There is also a CaseIH/Kubota/McCormick dealer just off I-24 in Hillsboro. You have lots of options.

It sounds like you are on the right track as far as size of tractor goes. Best of luck. I'm hearing a lot of people expressing interest in hemp now that it is legal to farm in TN. If I had more tillable land I might consider it myself.

I will be reaching out to that Kioti dealer thank you. I think if I am going new like someone said earlier here that locating a good dealer is key. I have never owned a tractor so I am pretty unbiased to what I get.