Hi guys,I'm new and I need help please.My wife and I own a lawn and tree service(landscaper)in northwest New Jersey,we're considering the purchase of a tractor to be used for brush clearing and light log skidding.The tractor would need to be able to use a skidding winch,grapple front end loader and brush hog.I don't care for HST,and would like either a shuttle shift(Is that the correct term)or a manual trans.Theres a Kubota,John Deere and a new Cub Cadet dealership in our area.Do you have any suggestions please on which models and hp range to look at?I'm sure there are many other jobs we can put the tractor to work doing.I have thought about a skid-steer,but I think the tractor may be more versitle and have better ground clearence.Thankyou for any help you may be able give us,BASIC.
NEW GUY,NEEDS HELP PLEASE?
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Bird
Rest in Peace
I think the best suggestion would be to visit those dealers, test drive some of the tractors, and see which tractor you like best and which dealer you like best. At this point, your question is a little too open ended, for me at least, to make any valid recommendation as to a specific make or model. With a landscaping/lawn/tree service business, I would have a lot of questions (maybe the same questions the dealers would ask before recommending a specific tractor). You didn't mention lawn mowing; do you do that and if so, do you already have mowers or do you want the tractor to do that? Tree service? Do you sell, transport, and plant trees; i.e., do you need a backhoe or tree spade? How large an area will you be brushhogging? What will you be brushhogging? Grass and weeds, saplings (what size), etc.? How "light" will the light log skidding be; i.e., how big will the logs be and how far do you have to drag them? Level ground or hilly? What kind of lift capacity do you need the front end loader to have? Why do you not want HST? Are you going to be hauling the tractor to job sites? If so, do you have a truck and trailer now that you want the tractor to fit?
Tell us more and I'll bet we've got helpful members with experience in each of the areas you might be interested in.
Tell us more and I'll bet we've got helpful members with experience in each of the areas you might be interested in.
Bird,thankyou for your respose sir.You bring up some very valid questions,unfortunately I don't have an answer for all of them.The area that I work in is fairly hilly and the properties avarge from 1/2-5 acres.The trees will be from about 8"-16" dia. any would end up being cut for firewood.At this time I don't need a backhoe or tree spade but I may in the future.Asto what I'll be brush hogging that again depends on the property.I use a commercial ZTR mower for lawns.My truck can pull a 10,000 lbs. load.The reason about not wanting the HST is,I drive a truck with a 6 speed manual trans,so I'm used to and like driving a manual trans and I feel(at least from what I have seen)auto transmissions seem to have more problems than a manual.Thankyou again sir for your help,BASIC.
ns_in_tex
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2002
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- 914
- Location
- East Texas
- Tractor
- Kubota L4610 HSTC, International 2400, Hesston 1280,
I just wish there was some way I could zap my experience with manual & HST transmissions across this thing, from me to you. Both have there places, but from what I seem to get from your post, yours would be an ideal use of the HST.
I think your production would go up.
I think you fatigue would go down.
I think probably your equipment would last longer (less abuse)
Reminds me, a while back, I had just rolled this 7-1/2'x25' steel tank up onto his goosneck trailer, and was smoothing out some holes. This man had gotten off his gear tractor & was just sitting, watching me use a box blade among some stumps. When I quit, he said I hope you have someone to inherit that tractor, because it will still be going strong when you are gone.
I think your production would go up.
I think you fatigue would go down.
I think probably your equipment would last longer (less abuse)
Reminds me, a while back, I had just rolled this 7-1/2'x25' steel tank up onto his goosneck trailer, and was smoothing out some holes. This man had gotten off his gear tractor & was just sitting, watching me use a box blade among some stumps. When I quit, he said I hope you have someone to inherit that tractor, because it will still be going strong when you are gone.
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Bird
Rest in Peace
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I feel(at least from what I have seen)auto transmissions seem to have more problems than a manual )</font>
There was a time when I would have agreed, but in this day and age, I don't think so anymore. Most of the members on this forum know that I'm partial to automatics and HST /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, but that's just my personal opinion and preference. And differences in preference is the reason they make different kinds of transmissions.
So if that's your preference, then as far as Kubotas are concerned, you need to look at the L series (not the Grand L). And while the L2600/L3000 are nice tractors, I'd recommend going on up to the L4300 for your use. You can learn quite a bit about the Kubota line at Kubota.
I really haven't looked at the Cub Cadets much since 1995. They had a lot of features I liked, and I liked the looks, but at that time, they just were not comfortable to me. I'm less than an inch under 6' tall and it seemed to me they were made for much shorter people. I don't know whether that has changed or whether it was just me. I don't think their web site is as good as Kubota's and John Deere's, but you can learn some about them at Cub Cadet. Especially look at the 7360; looks pretty good.
John Deere makes a very wide range of tractors that can been seen at John Deere. I'd think the first thing to look at might be the 4410 and you can go directly to it at John Deere 4410.
As far as my model recommendations, you may notice that I'm recommending tractors with mid-30s hp and approximately 30 PT hp. You can do most jobs with less hp (smaller, cheaper tractors) but it will take longer to do them. And of course you can do them faster with bigger tractors, but may have a problem with size in tight areas.
My recommendations are nothing more than a starting point for you to consider. And of course there are other good brands, but I've limited this to the ones you named.
There was a time when I would have agreed, but in this day and age, I don't think so anymore. Most of the members on this forum know that I'm partial to automatics and HST /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, but that's just my personal opinion and preference. And differences in preference is the reason they make different kinds of transmissions.
So if that's your preference, then as far as Kubotas are concerned, you need to look at the L series (not the Grand L). And while the L2600/L3000 are nice tractors, I'd recommend going on up to the L4300 for your use. You can learn quite a bit about the Kubota line at Kubota.
I really haven't looked at the Cub Cadets much since 1995. They had a lot of features I liked, and I liked the looks, but at that time, they just were not comfortable to me. I'm less than an inch under 6' tall and it seemed to me they were made for much shorter people. I don't know whether that has changed or whether it was just me. I don't think their web site is as good as Kubota's and John Deere's, but you can learn some about them at Cub Cadet. Especially look at the 7360; looks pretty good.
John Deere makes a very wide range of tractors that can been seen at John Deere. I'd think the first thing to look at might be the 4410 and you can go directly to it at John Deere 4410.
As far as my model recommendations, you may notice that I'm recommending tractors with mid-30s hp and approximately 30 PT hp. You can do most jobs with less hp (smaller, cheaper tractors) but it will take longer to do them. And of course you can do them faster with bigger tractors, but may have a problem with size in tight areas.
My recommendations are nothing more than a starting point for you to consider. And of course there are other good brands, but I've limited this to the ones you named.
Casimir
Gold Member
Basic:
Welcome to TBN. Bird covered Kubota, Cub Cadet and Deere -- all good brands. As he said, the Dealer is critical. Make sure you select one that you are comfortable will give you good service, even if it means paying a little more for the tractor.
In the New Holland Boomer line, you would probably be looking for something between the TC33, TC35, TC40 or TC45. The TC33 is on the Class II frame - a little smaller and more maneuverable in tight areas -- also a little easier on lawns if you have to drive across them, even tho you use a ZTR for mowing. The other 3 are Class III Boomers - larger, more weight and horsepower for moving heavier stuff faster.
In any of the 4, I too would recommend that you actually test drive some with the HST transmission. They are really great for FEL work and getting around tight spaces -- and they stop when you let your foot off of the HST pedal. The manual transmission tractors keep moving until you can get to the brake. I do a lot of FEL work in tight spaces, and I have never regretting trading in my gear tractor for one with HST.
If you plan on a grapple, you should also get a skid steer style quick attach on the FEL and consider adding a 4-in-1 Bucket. They are really handy for dozing, scraping and grabbing stuff that the Grapple may not work so well for - like stumps and railroad ties. The grapple will really be handy for cleaning up piles of branches.
Lastly, Kioti, Branson, Century and Power Trac have all been getting very good reviews here on TBN. You should look them over, especially if you want to save a little money on the tractor to buy more attachments. Good luck on your search.
Welcome to TBN. Bird covered Kubota, Cub Cadet and Deere -- all good brands. As he said, the Dealer is critical. Make sure you select one that you are comfortable will give you good service, even if it means paying a little more for the tractor.
In the New Holland Boomer line, you would probably be looking for something between the TC33, TC35, TC40 or TC45. The TC33 is on the Class II frame - a little smaller and more maneuverable in tight areas -- also a little easier on lawns if you have to drive across them, even tho you use a ZTR for mowing. The other 3 are Class III Boomers - larger, more weight and horsepower for moving heavier stuff faster.
In any of the 4, I too would recommend that you actually test drive some with the HST transmission. They are really great for FEL work and getting around tight spaces -- and they stop when you let your foot off of the HST pedal. The manual transmission tractors keep moving until you can get to the brake. I do a lot of FEL work in tight spaces, and I have never regretting trading in my gear tractor for one with HST.
If you plan on a grapple, you should also get a skid steer style quick attach on the FEL and consider adding a 4-in-1 Bucket. They are really handy for dozing, scraping and grabbing stuff that the Grapple may not work so well for - like stumps and railroad ties. The grapple will really be handy for cleaning up piles of branches.
Lastly, Kioti, Branson, Century and Power Trac have all been getting very good reviews here on TBN. You should look them over, especially if you want to save a little money on the tractor to buy more attachments. Good luck on your search.
frank_f15
Super Member, Rest in Peace
i am not sure that any one machine will do everything that u want. u will need a tractor and probably a few mowing machines(ztr's) i know u are excited but u really need to define your exact needs and go from there. i do want to mention that u should not disregard an hst , give it a test and think u will be surprised on how well they perform. if u are going to do a lot of loader work, can't beat them.