I just bought property in northern cambria pennsylvania. I only have 1 acre of land some hilly some flat. I have a bad back so I need a tractor to help with the mowing and the snow plowing. Could anyone suggest a model for me. I was thinking about the massey ferguson gc2300. Any one have any other ideas which would suit my needs. I dont want to spend a lot of money. help /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
new guy needs help
- Thread starter paulC
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rockyridgefarm
Elite Member
That Massey is a great starting place! And a great choice if you go with it. It is small and powerful and has great capacity with the 3 point lift and the loader. Another important issue is the dealer support.
If you have some time check out the dealers near you. I'd stick with those with real service departments, since you will want someone to be able to help if some issue arrises that will be a problem due to your back.
It doesn't cost to look, Look at the Kubotas. Their new 2630 and 3030s look great, and they have machines with less frills, also.
Deere has nice machines in the 2210, 4010. 4110 lines.
New Holland has smaller machines.
Also check out Kioti's CK20HST
I think that a Hydrostatic is the best choice, but you should try them on the lot to see. There are differnt setups, some use the single pedal like Kubota's, some use two like Deere's. Deere's does taske a wee bit to get used to, not hitting the wrong pedal, but that quickly passes. Kubota's is easier to the first time user, but I personally have trouble using it - for some reason it bugs my knee /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif The important thing is to try different setups.
Operator stations have little differences asd well. It might be that the position of the loader joystick, style of seat and whatever is a big issue. Take your time, give us all your money and we'll buy you a great machine!
If you have some time check out the dealers near you. I'd stick with those with real service departments, since you will want someone to be able to help if some issue arrises that will be a problem due to your back.
It doesn't cost to look, Look at the Kubotas. Their new 2630 and 3030s look great, and they have machines with less frills, also.
Deere has nice machines in the 2210, 4010. 4110 lines.
New Holland has smaller machines.
Also check out Kioti's CK20HST
I think that a Hydrostatic is the best choice, but you should try them on the lot to see. There are differnt setups, some use the single pedal like Kubota's, some use two like Deere's. Deere's does taske a wee bit to get used to, not hitting the wrong pedal, but that quickly passes. Kubota's is easier to the first time user, but I personally have trouble using it - for some reason it bugs my knee /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif The important thing is to try different setups.
Operator stations have little differences asd well. It might be that the position of the loader joystick, style of seat and whatever is a big issue. Take your time, give us all your money and we'll buy you a great machine!
Jrrcorp
Silver Member
You hit the nail on the head. Drive them! Find the machine that feels right to you and a dealer that will treat you right and service your machine on a timely manner. If you go to a dealer who will take weeks not days to fix a simple problem, you will be a very unhappy owner and will probably blame both the dealer and the manufacturer where it maybe just a dealer issue. So take your time and choose carefully. We all know how the juices start flowing when your looking at new toys. You salivate, drool, lick your lips, etc. If you are are married, talk to your wife. They usually can bring you back down to earth. (Oh what do they know! It's a guy thing and they just don't understand right?) Well, good luck. Whenever you buy a new piece of equipment there is a learning curve and it is not untill you get past the curve that you really understand what you like and don't like in that specific machine. And then there is buyers remorse after you get your new machine you start thinking.... maybe I should have gotten the other one.... It never ends!
gippolit
Silver Member
Take a look at the Kioti CK20. Very nice tractor also the JC 2000 series tractors.
Bob_Skurka
Super Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2003
- Messages
- 7,615
Paul, for 1 acre you could easily go with a nice garden tractor or step up to a Sub-Compact Utility Tractor (also called a Sub-CUT). A premium garden tractor will cost much less, but the Sub-CUTs offer more usability. Your budget may determine the choice.
Looking at the better garden tractors (GT), skip shopping the "big box" store completely and seek out a Cub Cadet, John Deere or Kubota dealership in your area. All 3 brands make some very nice Garden Tractors, the Cub 3000 series machines, JD 300, 400 & even 500 series machines would suit you, as well as the Kubota GR or G series garden tractors. Any well made premium brand GT will last you for 15-20 years without much trouble, they are excellent at mowing the lawn and will accept front mount snowblower, front blades, pull wagons, and some will till the garden; they will all have HST standard.
Stepping up you could look at the Sub-CUT class of tractors. Cub Cadet 5000 series, CASE/Farmall DX"e" series, Deere 2210, Kubota BX series, Massey GC, and New Holland "TZ" series tractors make up the known sub-comact choices available. A Sub-CUT is going to give you a much heavier frame than a GT, it will give you hydrostatic transmissions, rear PTOs just in case you want to till a garden some day, a mid-PTO for your mower deck and hydraulics to control things like a front end loader, or to lift a front mount snow blower (which will be powered by the mid-PTO). But honestly the Sub-CUT machines are on the large size for 1 acre.
I would stay away from anything larger than the above machines for 1 acre, it is simply overkill and probably only justified if you have testosterone envy. The small frame CUTs already mentioned (JD 4110 and Kioti CK20) are nice machines, but they are going to be taller and, especially in the case of the CK20, much heavier on your lawn. These may be nice tractors, but there is no reason for them on 1 acre; they don't turn as tight as smaller machines, making it harder to mow around plantings, the taller roll bars don't fit under small ornamental trees either. GTs are very soft on the lawn, Sub-CUTs are also, but a small frame CUT will give you weight you may not want on your lawn. I'm just not one who believe in buying a bigger tractor than you need, I find they often end up making more work in your yard as you will have more to push mow or weed wack because you can't get into places that a garden tractor, or perhaps a Sub-CUT will get into.
Looking at the better garden tractors (GT), skip shopping the "big box" store completely and seek out a Cub Cadet, John Deere or Kubota dealership in your area. All 3 brands make some very nice Garden Tractors, the Cub 3000 series machines, JD 300, 400 & even 500 series machines would suit you, as well as the Kubota GR or G series garden tractors. Any well made premium brand GT will last you for 15-20 years without much trouble, they are excellent at mowing the lawn and will accept front mount snowblower, front blades, pull wagons, and some will till the garden; they will all have HST standard.
Stepping up you could look at the Sub-CUT class of tractors. Cub Cadet 5000 series, CASE/Farmall DX"e" series, Deere 2210, Kubota BX series, Massey GC, and New Holland "TZ" series tractors make up the known sub-comact choices available. A Sub-CUT is going to give you a much heavier frame than a GT, it will give you hydrostatic transmissions, rear PTOs just in case you want to till a garden some day, a mid-PTO for your mower deck and hydraulics to control things like a front end loader, or to lift a front mount snow blower (which will be powered by the mid-PTO). But honestly the Sub-CUT machines are on the large size for 1 acre.
I would stay away from anything larger than the above machines for 1 acre, it is simply overkill and probably only justified if you have testosterone envy. The small frame CUTs already mentioned (JD 4110 and Kioti CK20) are nice machines, but they are going to be taller and, especially in the case of the CK20, much heavier on your lawn. These may be nice tractors, but there is no reason for them on 1 acre; they don't turn as tight as smaller machines, making it harder to mow around plantings, the taller roll bars don't fit under small ornamental trees either. GTs are very soft on the lawn, Sub-CUTs are also, but a small frame CUT will give you weight you may not want on your lawn. I'm just not one who believe in buying a bigger tractor than you need, I find they often end up making more work in your yard as you will have more to push mow or weed wack because you can't get into places that a garden tractor, or perhaps a Sub-CUT will get into.
OhioGuy
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2003
- Messages
- 595
- Location
- Northeast Ohio
- Tractor
- Ford 1220, Case 245, Cub SZ60, Cub 2284
Hi Paul,
It would help to know your price range!
I think there are options from $500 to $15000, kinda like buying a car. We could direct you more precisely if we knew your budget.
Good Luck!
Curt
It would help to know your price range!
I think there are options from $500 to $15000, kinda like buying a car. We could direct you more precisely if we knew your budget.
Good Luck!
Curt
