New Member from South Carolina

[cooljoe00]

Hello, I been a member for a while now; reading the forums learning what I can. I just recently started posting, forgot to do the whole intro thing :ashamed: ,Better late then never! I got 36+ acres and currently no tractors; I'm looking for info/tips/suggestion on a tractor(implement) for the job. I been looking at tractors in the 40-60HP range(NX5510,L5460) are two that I been looking most at. I have most all the dealers within 70 miles, the closest being the Kubota/Case, next being New Hollands/John Deer, followed by Massey Ferguson/LS/Mahindra/TYM all being the furthest. My budget cap is $60,000 for everything(Delivered), I am a Farm so no Taxes, but this is going to be financed.
The Land is made of several type areas; ~10 acres of 4' tall very dense field grass, ~22 acres of woodland to cleanup/tame, ~2 acres of roads(dirt/sand/clay/gravel) to fixes/maintain ~2 acres with buildings(that stay)/construction debris from fallen structures(to be cleaned up burned/dumpster). Thing that I hope to get in the "Deal"; Tractor(Cab, if budget allows)/Front End Loader/Backhoe(yes, I feel I need it)/3rd function FEL/2 rear Valves/Front bumper weights(??? amounts)/Rear ballast box/Box blade/Rotatory cutter/Root Grapple. I have plans for others things down the line but this was it for the upfront need to get things.

Thank you for your time and your help, the feed back so far has helped. Looking forward to when I can give back.

 

[HCJtractor]

welcome! I have a 65 horse Kubota that would do all you need (M6800) I think something in the 50 hp range would be ideal. Certainly a FEL with skid steer quick attach. No front weights needed since the FEL adds weight. And no rear ballast, but load your rear tires with a solution (I use antifreeze and water) And a good heavy 6' box blade for general road work. and most important, a good grapple about 4' wide. I have a bucket, but haven't used it in 8 years. And a medium duty rear rotary cutter, also 6 feet, like a Woods BB 720. With those implements, you can do lots. Now if you want to plant, a disc or tiller, and a basic rear fertilizer spreader. as far as the back hoe, that depends on what you plan to dig. I dont have one, and for stumps, I doubt it one this size would be strong enough, but I have no experience regarding this. It would get in my way. Two rear remotes would be nice, and hydraulics on the front with an electrical switch to control the grapple is ideal. and I think you could come way under 60 grand .

A cab adds lots of cost, and isnt necessary, and may be a disavantage in the timber.

You may want to be more specific about what tasks you want to accomplish. That will affect the answer.

 

[Thomas]

:welcome: TBN.
LOTS good advice...enjoy.

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome (officially) to TBN from Downunder.

Enjoy the site.

 

[Walt 2002]

Welcome,

Walt Conner

 

[mguitas]

I think I started posting also, before my intro.

 

[kthompson]

Hello neighbor, I am between Conway and Aynor. Were you in the flood area of Nichols? Have not been through there since Matthew but know it wiped out a major part, sad.

I assume you are talking about Dillon Tractor on the Kubota and Case and they have good reputation especially with Case here. I also have a M6800 Kubota and it is a good size for what you are talking about work wise. I also had a JD with more hp with cab and fel and while with our heat I really enjoy the cab and yes it is cold enough here sometimes appreciate the cab also. But the cab does have some drawbacks. It does cut down on your view some, it keeps some noise out which is good for your ears but helps hide a bad bearing or such from time to time. It also prevents the use of manual sprayer controls or such. On my JD no way would I drive it in the woods with the doors open. Not sure you mentioned 4 wheel drive but with fel you need it. No idea who the JD dealer is you are talking about but the one nearest me I do not care for. Tried twice to buy with them and twice they turned me off. Have dealt with Sparrow and Kennedy in Scranton, Mr. Joe Landrum and have high respect for him.

Based upon my limited experience with my own Kubota and JD with the JD being about 33% more hp I find the Kubota is hard to be on fuel and quite engine. However the JD seems to have higher torque and more weight per hp. You can get those specs and my impression is just that for the Kubota is 2 wheel drive with standard transmission while the JD is four wheel drive and shuttle shift transmission so. I would not want the Kubota standard high low range transmission with FEL. You need good synchronize transmission with fel.

 

[TBN Support]

:welcome:

Good intro!

 

[cooljoe00]

Were you in the flood area of Nichols? Have not been through there since Matthew but know it wiped out a major part, sad.

I assume you are talking about Dillon Tractor on the Kubota and Case and they have good reputation especially with Case here.
No idea who the JD dealer is you are talking about but the one nearest me I do not care for.
.

As for the first part I was among the lucky few the ground I am on is 6ft above that flood plane and still ~3-4ft above when the dam gave and raised the waters even more. We were marooned by flood rivers and washed out roads for some time. that storm is part of the reason for a grapple, cleaning up the debris caused by the storm.

Yes, Dillon tractors was one of the dealers we check with, Moseley in Florence was another. Along with Altman tractors in Florence for Kioti and New Hollands. There is a john deer abouts near Florence but I haven't gone there. Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding at dillon tractor and the first set of quotes were for cash only. So a new quote is needed. My only problem with them is the quotes are scribbles all over a piece of paper and is hard to figure out whats what. The Dealers in Florence all gave me nice printouts, easy to follow so we were both on the same page.

 

[kthompson]

Know nothing about Moseley but as far as I know the others have good reputations as least here. Sparrow and Kennedy has location in Scranton and then another I think on the west side of Florence. They have a good website on their stock. You may want to find out about financing by the tractor brand and also by, well think it is Arbor One now was Farm Credit. Do not depend on the big web sites for what any dealership really has as it runs about a week behind. You need to hit theirs for the most up to date info.

For what it is worth I had an ex tractor dealer who is knows Altman tell me he thought they wished had not pickup up Kioti. If you have interest in Mahrinda there is a dealer on Hwy 90 in Horry County, been there maybe a year. I know with Kubota, NH, Case or JD there are several dealers within an hour of you in about any direction you travel. Not sure of that with any other brand. I bought my two Kubotas from a dealer outside of my county as our local is on the high side.

The flooding there I understand was terrible and Nichols may never recover, sad. Have not been through there since Matthew and frankly makes me sad. My area suffered some damage but nothing like Nichols did. Glad your house was spared. The Little Pee Dee Lodge, is the resturant still closed? Have eaten some very good food there over the years.

KT