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!

 

[jeff9366]

The Mahindra dealer in Tenn. is 30 minutes away and the rest are at least a hours drive.

Some tractor owners have a trailer and deliver their tractor to dealer for service.

Others have the dealer pick up the tractor with dealer's HD truck and HD trailer for service. A reasonable cost for this is $1.50 per mile. So transportation for a service could be: 25 miles X 4 X $1.50 = $150.

I think you should be considering a heavy frame tractor 30-40 horsepower. I do not think a lighter tractor will give you a safe margin of stability for the tasks you have enumerated. You can roll a light tractor very easily on slopes, especially when using the FEL.

Why not fill in the exact location of your property in your T-B-N profile? You will get much more tailored responses. Someone may know of a used tractor perfect for your needs for sale nearby.

 

[George2615]

2x check out LS tractors $ for $ and the standard items that are options on others. All brands have likes and dislikes. It's what fits you the best and what you like. Definitely HST if doing a lot of loader work.

 

[jeff9366]

Thanks for the welcome

1. 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.

2. Trails to be maintained in the woods for the atv we have.

3. 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.

4. I know you lose hp with the HST.

1. Box Blade, Rollover Box Blade or Rear/Angle Blade for these jobs. Ideally your tractor will have rear remote hydraulics so you can manipulate implements from the operator's station, rather than having to get on and off the tractor to adjust the Three Point Hitch manually.

2. For trails a Ratchet Rake bucket attachment is a good tool. Provides gives good purchase on tree trunks when pushing trees over. Also good for keeping ditches clean.

3. I like to cut up trees in sections that will fit in the bucket, to keep them clean, then reduce to firewood at home. A chainsaw will stay sharp a long time if cutting chain is kept away from dirt.

You will want 5/16" chain grab hooks bolted or welded on your bucket for easy attachment of logging chains.

4. Power loss with HST is minuscule. Only important to farmers who run their tractors for miles every day and it is not power they are concerned with, it is minimizing fuel consumption when performing high throttle ground contact work, like plowing, Disc Harrowing and using a Seed Drill. Farmers buy plenty of tractor. READ THE LINK IN POST #6.

Consider an all-terrain trailer for your ATV.

LINK: MUTS - Multi-Use Trailer System for your ATV, Quad and 4 Wheeler - Welcome

 

[ozley]

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

what did the Branson do to grabbed your attention.

 

[747driver]

Ok Jeff....i just went back online and looked at the LS. I do like it has a independent pto ! Dual hyd. pumps also. Seems to be lighter in weight than the other brands though. Price wise they are in the same ballpark as the other top brands.

 

[747driver]

dual hyd. pumps, engine is a cummins diesel design, higher hyd. implement pump output.

 

[747driver]

I already have a dual axle 16ft trailer with ramps. We are in the Cherokee national Forest near Tellico Plains,TN. I have found that the Kioti tractors are much more heavier weight wise....

 

[747driver]

It seems to me by researching that most of the top brands ( mahindra,branson,kioti,ls,etc ) are all quite similar in the 24 to 30 hp series. Looks like the Kioti has the best unit weight wise. Some do not have dual hyd. pumps ( one for ps and the other for implements ). I will start going to the dealers now and start test driving. I think it will come down to what actually feels good and how it handles. Are the controls easy to operate and in good locations, good hyd. response, steering easy and smooth. Ease of general maintenance.

 

[murphy1244]

It seems to me by researching that most of the top brands ( mahindra,branson,kioti,ls,etc ) are all quite similar in the 24 to 30 hp series. Looks like the Kioti has the best unit weight wise. Some do not have dual hyd. pumps ( one for ps and the other for implements ). I will start going to the dealers now and start test driving. I think it will come down to what actually feels good and how it handles. Are the controls easy to operate and in good locations, good hyd. response, steering easy and smooth. Ease of general maintenance.

Enjoy the hunt!

 

[merlynr]

Kubota dealer in Athens, Tn about 32 miles from Tellico Plains