New Member in the Tractor Market

Anonymous Poster · May 22, 2003

I've been browsing through the discussion forums on this site for nearly 2 months now and decided to register so I could enjoy some fun in the sandbox. I've been overwhelmed with the knowledge that's obtainable from all of you sharing info and providing your opinions - many, many thanks to everyone!!

Some time in the next couple of months, I hope to buy my first tractor. Knowing absolutely nothing about this venture, but feeling a lot more comfortable having browsed through the forums on TBN, I'm confident now that I'll be able to make a good decision in finding the right equipment I need to do the job.

I recently bought a home on 10 acres in Northeast Arkansas. The property was in its natural state, rustic woods on a slopped hillside, heavily embedded with trees (mostly pine) that I had logged about 2 weeks ago (374 tons worth of wood). Weather permitting, a friend of mine will be cleaning up and doing some grading on the land with his dozer in the next couple of weeks. Afterwards I plan on landscaping and putting in the final touches (grass, flower beds, rock walkways and driveway, underground drain pipes, etc). Clearly, I will need a tractor to do most of the work and to ultimately maintain the property.

Although I haven't done any serious shopping yet, I've already decided to narrow my search to one of the big three (orange, green or blue). Must admit though, based on everything I've read, I'm leaning towards buying a Kubota L3130. HST 4WD with a 723 FEL. Most assured and before signing on the dotted line however, I will take to heart the great advice received on TBN, e.g., picking the brains of several dealers, driving all three tractors, etc., etc., etc.

Once again, thanks to all of you - TBN and its users have been a God send! I'm excited and looking forward to meeting new folks and just getting smarter!!

Egon · May 22, 2003

Man; that's quite the handle you gave yourself!

Egon

r0GuE · May 22, 2003

Good luck in your decision. My boss has an L and said his deciding factor was that Kubota makes their own deisels. He liked that they could choose just the right engine for the rig and customize if needed any feature.
Plus they really have to stand behind the whole package.

Anonymous Poster · May 22, 2003

I never gave it any thought and sure hope I haven't offended anyone! But the name has some personal significance for me. I'm of Italian heritage and several years ago while serving with a particular unit in the military I inherited the nickname of Wop. A good friend of mine who I was stationed at the same time in the same military unit, also of Italian heritage, went by the nickname of Guinea. So when we ran together, which was quite often, we were referred to as GuineaWop. No derogatory meaning was ever intended by anyone! Quite frankly, at the time it was quite common to have a nickname in a military unit. It was considered a common and acceptable practice and served as a means of promoting comraderie within the unit. So needless to say and many years later, the name has kind of stuck with me. Moreover, and as we speak today, my wife and I have a hobby in which we breed, raise and show guinea pigs. So considering the wee bit of history I just shared and the fact that we're now involved with guinea pigs, the name has kind of resurfaced again. I guess in today's society some folks may consider the name as not being politically or socially acceptable. Should that be the case, I apologize to anyone that may have taken offense to my user name.