New guy, needs help :)

[ejr]

Hello everyone!

I am new both to this marvelous forum as well as to tractors. I have about 9 acres to maintain (say 6 or so to mow). Mostly open (rough) field, some brambles, lots of gophers (northern CA). I am tired of hiring someone to do the first cut and then use my rider mower, so I find i "need" a tractor (at least that is the current story...).

I also would like to maintain my driveway/road and do some reasonable landscaping work (we are going to be building next door and I would like to do much of the landscaping over the next couple of years). Finally, I tend to haul a lot of wood around.

With that said, and remembering I have NO experience I am trying to narrow down the many choices. From reading here, and talking to friends, I am looking at Kubota and JD (helps that both have fairly close dealerships). However, when I ask friends the advice is completely all over the map as to size, power, tools, etc., i.e., BX, B, L, 40xx, etc., etc., etc. I would like to narrow the selection to the right size/power, then look at attachments and so forth. I would like to keep total budget below $20K, but could go higher (of course, then someone needs to supply me with a script to explain the higher cost to the powers that be).

Well, that's a start. I won't even get into my questions about rotary vs. flail mowers, how large a FEL I should get, etc.

thanks in advance!

-eric

 

[MarkV]

Eric,

Welcome to the forum. I am afraid you will get advice here that will also be all over the map. There just isn't one answer that fits all in this case. All of the sizes you have mentioned will do the jobs you have described. How fast will vary with the size you chose. Also there are many other brands that are worthy of a look as you shop. Then there is the issue of what type of transmission you prefer. Reading some of the archives will offer a great deal of input and show what others with a similar situation are using.

If it were me, I would look at tractors of a size similar to the Kubota "B" series in the 27 – 30 hp. range. My reasons would be enough power to run a 5' rotary mower (wider than the tractor) and better loader capacity than the sub-compacts. Personally I like the Hydrostatic Transmissions for ease of use and maneuverability while others prefer a gear or shuttle shift type of transmission.

Before you decide on any particular brands start visiting as many dealers in the area as you can. It really helps to have a dealer you like, has a good service department and will be around for your future needs.

Good luck and enjoy the search.

MarkV

 

[Charlie_in_TX]

Mark gave you some good advice there. You buy the dealer as much as the tractor. I also agree you need to look in the 25-30hp range (more is better).

I ordered a tractor in that range monday. Some of the other brands I saw that are worth considering - New Hollond, Branson, Kioti, Mahindra. There are other brands I didn't consider because of a lack of local dealer. That will be different in your case. Scan down the main page of the form and look at the other manufactures. You may also consider the Greys and Chinies imports. I did but they didn't fit me (I am 6'5" and 290lbs, they are designed for much smaller Asin people).

As to you budget. I could deffenetly get what you are looking for here but tractor prices are regonal. I priced a JD 4115, FEL, 72"MMM at just over $17k. That would leave $2500 for brush hog, box blade, post hole digger. Maybe with all that landscaping you can talk SWMBO (she who must be obeyed) into a pto powered tiller.

PS I have tried to not show bias towards my chose. I picked a Mahindra 2615, a 26hp hydro with FEL and 72"MMM made by Mitsubishi. It was priced near what the other companies 20hp hydro, FEL, 60"MMM units were. They are 'badge engineered' units. In previous years they were made for Cud Cadet as the 7205 (Mah 2015), 7265 (Mah 2615) and 7305 (Mah 3015).

 

[EastTexFrank]

Oh what a predicament to be in .... $20K and the "need" for a new tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
For me the starting point would be the need for a 5' bush hog which would mean a tractor in the 27 to 30 hp range as a minimum. The bush hog is a freebie because once you cut the pasture a couple of times with it and not have had to pay someone, it's pretty much paid for itself. Buying new, I'd put the manufacture's FEL on it. Maintaining a road means a blade or box blade and running fence in the future will need a post hole digger, neither of which need to be really "big" dollar items. Let's see now, what else can I spend your money on????? Ah, yes ... landscaping, maintaining the pasture and vegetable garden - for me that would mean a tiller and possibly a 3-pt sprayer. I think I've probably spent more than your original $20K but hey, it's been fun, thank you. To get back to your original query, something like the Kubota B2710 or B2910 (or the JD equivalent) would probably do you a great job.

P.S. If you figure out how to slip a $6000 backhoe into the package with the CFO's approval, let me know. I'm still working on that one myself.

 

[ejr]

Thanks for the advice so far! A quick mowing question: what are the cons of a flail mower vs. a brush hog? I realize they are more expensive, but seem a lot safer.

-eric

 

[aloha]

With your budget you should not have a problem getting a nice setup. The comments already given regarding dealers and brands and horse power are on target. I have a Kubota B7800 and think it would handle everything you are likely to want it to do. I always mention, however, that I think the L3130 is a good value in a heavier machine.

Don't bother looking at any transmissions other than HST. For what you will be doing, it will be easier and safer.

You will get the manufacturer's front end loader and will want a brush hog for your mowing, and a box scraper for maintaining the driveway and doing some earth moving. That's it for the essentials, and you will be well under your budget.

If we can stretch your budget (sure we can, just watch us) listen to EastTexFrank about a backhoe. Try this line: "there will be a lot of digging required on this property, and a backhoe will easily pay for itself by what we save on medical expenses and rehabilitation following back surgery."

Have fun.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Here is a previous discussion on flail mowers vs. rotary cutters. There is a link in there to another discussion thread. Both are from last year.

Go to the Search function and look for "flail mower" in the Attachment forum for even more discussion on the subject.

 

[DavesTractor]

ejr,
I'm not sure where you are at in northern California, but we have about 60 tractors in stock right now, including 00, 10 and 15 series Mahindras and all sizes of Bransons...with or without hoes, loaders, different tire options, box scrapers, flail, finish, rotary, and mid-mount mowers, etc. If nothing else, it is good to sit on a few tractors and look at the options you have.

I use a flail mower to mow our orchard because of the nice low cut and manueverability. When we have prunings down, I'll use a shredding flail, but they cost as much as a tractor.

For field mowing, especially when mixed with vines and small brush, I'd go with a rotary and get the chain gaurds for safety. Rotaries are cheaper and do a decent job, plus they are simple and relatively tough.

Regarding the size of the FEL, it needs to be balanced to the size of the tractor.

On size of tractor, it depends on how fast you want to get the job done. A 20HP tractor with a 48" mower will do the job just fine, but it will take longer. With your acreage, I'd consider something of a mid-sized CUT, between 25-35HP, and I like the heavier units as they give more loader capacity and better traction.

There are many great brands out there. Your dealer is as important as the tractor, so if you are buying new, look at both.

 

[hard_yakka]

It's probably been said many times before but buy from the local dealer make sure they WANT your business and they are going to be around. I selected the equipment range but wasn't set on the model, the JD dealer wouldn't return my phone calls/FAX's and the Kubota guys thought there stuff was pretty dear (precious==$$$). Bought a NH and the dealership proceeded to go out of business (guess the JD dealer is diversified, they should have) and now the closest place is 95 miles north or 111 miles south away. Makes servicing interesting.
I will say that the dealership that took over the warranty issues is pretty responsive and willing to take in this 'black sheep' New Holland was pretty good about the situation too.

 

[Moon]

Hey eric!
Welcome to TBN. For the work you mentioned I'd go with a Kubota Grand L 3130. I have the previous model of the same tractor (3010) and it is awesome. It will handle a 5' bushhog with no problem. The FEL is powerful. I think you could get all that for around 20k. As others have said though regional prices can vary a good bit.
Best advice is to sit in as many seats and try out as many as you can. Hydrostat does make things easier IMHO. But try em out and you'll know which is right for you. Also you'll get a feel for what kind of dealer your dealing with. Service after the sale shoud be high on your priority list.