New to TBN and looking for a tractor

[Haz]

I'm a first time tractor buyer. Have only looked at Kubotas so far and like them but am not sure which model I need. I am closing on a small farm next week with about 12 acres of uncut fields (1 acre of brush and lots of ragweed) and about a 3 degree slope. I am planning on having 1 horse, put up fencing, and will need to clear low brush and small trees (up to 2-3 inches in diameter) in the wooded area (about 5 acres). My driveway will be about 900' long and I will need to plow it in the winter. I live in Northeast PA. My wife also wants to use it, she likes to cut grass. Any suggestions on what to buy?

 

[Kodiak]

Hi Haz, welcome to TBN:

As others here on TBN will tell you I am quite a proponent for suggesting to people with small acreages to look at the 4x4 30 horsepower midsize frame tractors. Ie New Holland TC29's, TC30's and the TC33's. The Kubota L3010's, B2910's or the B2710's. And the the John Deere 4310's and 4410's.

I have three main thoughts on why this is a good size tractor for the small place. #1 is loader size and capacity, most of these tractors will allow the use of a loader that will lift close to 1000lbs and lift high enough to load a small dump truck or flatbed truck. This can be an important item for a small rural acreage. #2 is this size tractor usually has enough PTO horsepower to handle decent size PTO driven implements. Such as a 6' finish mower. BTW most of these have the option of a mid mount PTO drive, this is important if you are considering a belly mower, however I prefer 3pt mounted mower. You can also handle a 5' rototiller or Brush hog and a decent size post hole digger or wood chipper. And #3 you have enough weight for good traction in a size that is still maneauverable in tight conditions.

You can still get your work done with a tractor that is bigger or smaller. However with a smaller tractor you are limited in both the size of implements you can use and loader capacities. Plus traction may be a problem. If you go bigger cost of initial investment and of future implements will be higher. As well as maneauvering is a little more limited.

There are lots of tractors out there. Go take some test drives. Remember there are some people that end up trading up to what they need, but few trade down. Good luck on your tractor purchase.

 

[Haz]

Re: 30 HP tractors

Russ, thanks for the advice. I am planning on going to the local state fair in a couple of weeks and hopefully will be able to try some of them out. I figured I would have to go to the 30 horsepower range after reading thru various threads on this website. This seems like a great website and forum. I look forward to being a part of it. What is the difference between the L3010 and the B2910? They had only one tractor left at the local dealer and the regular salesman wasn't there. What extra features do the Grande L tractors have?

Haz

 

[Kodiak]

Re: 30 HP tractors

Haz:

Well my kubota is pushing twenty three years old, and my new tractor is a New Holland TC29. I'm not an expert on the features on either of those models. The biggest difference that I can tell you is size. The L3010 is bigger and packs more loader capacity. There have been a lot of new L3010 owners lately, and a few B2910 owners. So I'm sure that they will jump in and explain the differences and features for you.

 

[frank_f15]

HAZ: for what u want to do i think Rus hit it right on the head, the L3010 is a bit bigger(more mass) than the 2910, plus more cap. i believe. not a expert on that model.u know your land best so take them for a spin, u may find that a slightly smaller one may do u fine then again the bigger one may work best for you. all depends what u want to do with it MOST of the time.

 

[dcollie]

I own a BX22 and recently had to rent a 3010 to run an Overseeder attachment as my little BX couldn't handle an implement that size.

I was almost shocked how little 'handling' difference there was between the two tractors. I expected more. It was like hopping from one bicycle to another. The L3010 had more power - for sure - but was still easy to move around the yard.

Still, I'd not trade up to one from my BX22, which is better for small residential usage (I have 5 acres, 2 of which are lawn) and can do 90% of the work of the larger tractors.

Get the larger tractors if you want to run a number of implements and need power to lift heavy buckets of material. The Smaller tractors get into tight spaces easier and are better mowers.

Duane C.


I

 

[B7500]

As everyone here knows I love my B7500. Nice balance between Mini and maxi. It does everything I ask it to do and then some.
-Terry

 

[Haz]

Frank:
The dealer is supposed to get both the B2910 and the L3010 in this week and he says he has one of the new 30 models coming in but I don't know when. He said he'd let me and the wife take one for a spin. I really don't need the tractor till the Spring when we build our house, so I may wait till then to buy or maybe sooner if I get a good deal. (It will be very tough to wait that long). Thanks for everyone's advice.

Haz

 

[Boone]

One horse?

No, they are a herd animal and being by itself would be like solitary confinement prison. Gotta have at least one companion for a horse.

 

[bphillips]

Although it would be a lot smarter than the horse, I think a tractor would be a good companion .../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Brad in NH