New member ...looking to buy 24 to 30 hp tractor

[747driver]

Great website here at TBN !! We live in east Tenn. ( moving from chicago ) and have 5 acres which has hilly and rocky ground. I have narrowed my search down to Branson,Kioti,Mahindra and JD. I need a FEL and BH. Thought about not wanting a hydro tranny but after reading reviews it seems manuals are not the way to go ? My top pick right now would be a Kioti. I haven't actually drove or seen any tractors yet....doing that next week on my drive down to Tenn. All my research has been online...didn't like the setup for attaching the BH on the Mahindra, i liked the setup for the Kioti though. Can't find a video for the Branson BH attachment hookup. I work as a aircraft mechanic for United Airlines....going to finally retire !!

Thanks everyone

Chuck

 

[murphy1244]

What dealers are near you?

 

[Strike1905]

Congratulations on the retirement Chuck and welcome to TBN.

To help the SotS, (Sages of this Site), to help you, I have learned that as much info that you could provide helps them such as:

What do you intend to use the tractor for, (bushhogging, pulling stumps, plowing, etc)?
How hilly, how rocky is your land, (pictures help)?
Price range?
As Murphy1244 mentions, what dealers are near by you?

I am a fan of the Kioti HSTs.
From what I understand, (via this awesome site), you are going to lose a bit of HP compared to gear/shuttle shift transmissions, but is it a material amount?
My take is that if that 2 - 5 hp loss of HP is going to make a big difference then you might be already at the upper limits of the tractor, but this site will correct me on this if I am wrong, (I usually am).
The HP requirements come back to what do you plan to do with the tractor.

Another reason why I like HST is it makes it easier on my "Boss" to use. She at first was not keen on seat-time, but boy, after a little experience on an HST, like a duck to water. But that may or may not be a consideration on your end.

If you can afford more HP then always go for that.
With tractors it seems to be a solid case of better to have too much than too little.

Welcome once again.

 

[antlers125]

Have you considered LS? $ for $ an excellent tractor.

 

[Creamer]

Welcome to the group! Rather than picking a brand I would pick features that you want and then going to the local dealers. Tractors are like cars, everybody likes what they have. As Strike mentioned we will be happy to provide guidance if you let us know the planned usage.

 

[jeff9366]

If your property is hilly, you want HST for its automatic braking and max torque when beginning work.

LINK TO T-B-N ARCHIVE "HST VS. GEAR TRACTORS":https://www.google.com/search?clien...tractorbynet.com&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&gws_rd=ssl

I have owned three tractors. Having dealer near is still important to me.

What do you intend to use the tractor for, (bushhogging, pulling stumps, plowing, etc)?
How hilly, how rocky is your land, (pictures help)?
Price range?
What dealers are near you?

If you can afford more HP and weight go for it.
With tractors it seems to be a solid case of better to have too much than too little.

 

[747driver]

Thanks for the welcome

Going to using the tractor to maintain 1/4 mile of stone road, keeping ditches cleaned. Adding a addition to the current home, will need to dig out the hillside and foundation for that. We are in the Cherokee National Forest, so it is pretty much all trees other than where the house and the new woodshop are. Trails to be maintained in the woods for the atv we have. Cutting down and hauling trees for firewood and just clearing out the place.

We have that typical orange colored dirt with small to medium size rocks. Have a lawn tractor for the grass so no mower is needed. I have rented bobcats for digging the hillsides out and the ground digs pretty easy.

I know you lose hp with the HST and i will be using the FEL alot. Plus as you mentioned the 'Boss' would be more inclined to use it if it has a HST !!

 

[747driver]

I have viewed online the LS...it didn't grab my attention.

 

[747driver]

Going to stop at a Mahindra and Branson dealer outside of Indy on my drive to Tenn. in 2 weeks. To actually test drive and see what i like and don't like. The Mahindra dealer in Tenn. is 30 minutes away and the rest are at least a hours drive. I have rented bobcats, drove tractors as a kid on my uncles farm . Kinda know what i will like and not like...so as you say, actually test driving various models it will eliminate the ones i don't car3 for quickly !

 

[jeff9366]

I have viewed online the LS...it didn't grab my attention.

Sheesh!