Buying Advice New to Tractors- Need Advice on choosing

[pgrovetom]

Hi Everyone... I have 10 acres in Sonoma County California and after remodeling my home and building my Solar PV system by hand, I'm looking at buying a tractor. It will be for everything from maintenance, landscaping, building projects, gardening and generally moving soil around and shaping the ground for various projects.

I can see the need for light to modest pushing dirt around, cutting and shaping, trenching, drilling holes for various posts etc.

My property is somewhat hilly and can be wet in the winter so 'm sure I need 4WD. I've been looking at the various Kubota B and L models both used and new. I'm leaning toward new as a tractor seems like something where the hours are meaningful but it could have been light work or brutal work. I first zeroed in on the the little BX25 in the Kubota catalog. It looks rather small but probably would get the job done except the bucket is 5-6 cubic feet and it says AWD. I doubt I would move lots of dirt but 5-6 cubic feet seems tiny. I'm also wondering how AWD varies from 4WD and what kind of traction does it get on wet grass over dirt?

It doesn't appear they have an auger attachment for it, but is that true? Does anyone know which Kubota ( or other brand ) would be the next step up and roughly the advantages. I've found the comparisons of models confusing and prices are hard to come by for a model with attachments. I would prefer to be knowledgeable before talking to the local dealer on models, performance and price. I've also seen one can buy from a more distant dealer and have it shipped. Any thoughts on whether a new or used makes sense form a price point of view?

Thanks for any help

Tom

 

[flusher]

Hi Everyone... I have 10 acres in Sonoma County California and after remodeling my home and building my Solar PV system by hand, I'm looking at buying a tractor. It will be for everything from maintenance, landscaping, building projects, gardening and generally moving soil around and shaping the ground for various projects.

I can see the need for light to modest pushing dirt around, cutting and shaping, trenching, drilling holes for various posts etc.

My property is somewhat hilly and can be wet in the winter so 'm sure I need 4WD. I've been looking at the various Kubota B and L models both used and new. I'm leaning toward new as a tractor seems like something where the hours are meaningful but it could have been light work or brutal work. I first zeroed in on the the little BX25 in the Kubota catalog. It looks rather small but probably would get the job done except the bucket is 5-6 cubic feet and it says AWD. I doubt I would move lots of dirt but 5-6 cubic feet seems tiny. I'm also wondering how AWD varies from 4WD and what kind of traction does it get on wet grass over dirt?

It doesn't appear they have an auger attachment for it, but is that true? Does anyone know which Kubota ( or other brand ) would be the next step up and roughly the advantages. I've found the comparisons of models confusing and prices are hard to come by for a model with attachments. I would prefer to be knowledgeable before talking to the local dealer on models, performance and price. I've also seen one can buy from a more distant dealer and have it shipped. Any thoughts on whether a new or used makes sense form a price point of view?

Thanks for any help

Tom

Don't know what your tractor budget is, but I'd check out the L-series Kubota's. My neighbor has an L4400 on his 10 acres--one sweet machine that will do all your jobs with ease. He has a 6-ft brush hog, 6-ft box blade and a nice post hole digger (PHD) that handles 12" dia augers. The bucket is 6-ft wide IIRC.

My first tractor was a 2005 Kubota B7510HST with the LA302 FEL (4-ft wide bucket, 800 lb lift) that I used for 3 years on my 10 acres. It's a great machine, but too small for hayfield work so I traded it in on a 2008 Mahindra 5525 (54 hp engine, 45 hp pto) with the ML250 FEL (6ft wide bucket, 2950 lb lift to 10.5ft height).

 

[RoyJackson]

Looks like any of the "B" series with 26 HP or more will do the job. That should give you a minimum of 20 PTO HP.
The B3030 looks like the choice I'd make. The "B" series tractors use standard category 1 implements (easier to find a post hole digger (another name for the auger) to buy or rent).
AWD is full time four wheel drive. 4WD is part time four wheel drive. To me, 4WD is a better way to go since you can select 2WD. There's less wear on the drivetrain in 2WD and easier on a finished lawn if you use the tractor for finish mowing (in 2WD). My tractor is 4WD (Deere calls it MFWD), but I rarely use it unless necessary (this includes light loader work).
4WD is a necessary option if you want to do serious loader work. So is ballast on the 3 Point Hitch, so see if the dealer will toss in a ballast box as part of the deal.

Wet grass is slick and I strongly recommend to limit yourself to dry conditions on slopes. This applies to any tractor you buy. The weight of the tractor (figure 2500 lbs or more with the loader installed) will leave marks on wet ground as well...this applies to slopes and level ground.

You don't indicate how much of your 10 acres is to be finish mowed. If finish mowing is a large percentage of your work and loader work is an occasional job, that will be a factor in your choice of equipment.

Good luck in your decision!

 

[RobertN]

For 10 acres I would look at somethng bigger than the BX series. I had a larger "B" series for a number of years. It was from before they really bumped the HP up on these machines. It was an excellent tractor, but 19hp was real small for all the mowing I do. I take care of my 5 acres, and my Dad's almost 8 acres.

At a minimum, I would look at the large "B" series with 27-30hp in a Kubota. Same for a John Deere, New Holland or other manufacturer. That would have the power to run a larger mower for 10 acres. And, they could run any other category-1 implement on the 3-point hitch(ie your auger).

For the acreage you are taling about, I would go directly in to the Kubota "L" series, or a similar tractor from the other manufacturers. Personally, I would look at an L3410, or a New Holland TC35(not sure of thier new model #, but I know it has changed).

I just moved up to a New Holland TC40. 40HP, HST, 1/2 yard bucket, 6' mower. I wish I would have done it years ago. My Kubota was an excellent tractor, but it took a lot for it to do all the chores I need to do. I was looking at L3410's and NH TC35, but found a good deal on the larger TC40. Wow, what a difference 40hp makes!

Before you get too far, make a list of the things you need to do. Once you have that, pass it by this forum.

Before you buy, try some tractors. I would try to at least rent a couple. Some dealers may let you demo a tractor, others will only let you drive it around thier lot. Try a few, try the HST, GST, and shuttle transmissions.

And try all the brands. Although my Kubota was a great tracor, I am really happy on this New Holland. Go try a Deere, a Mahindra, a Massey, Kioti, New Holland...

 

[Grandad4]

I guess it's obligatory for someone to point out that finding a good dealer that you can work with is just as important as what brand you choose. A good dealer, for example, will work with you to explain the different models and attachments, and give useful advice concerning your specific situation.

 

[sksmsllc]

New Holland TC 30;40;45 or 48. Can find used with low hours (less than 350) with loader for low cost vs value. Make sure you get a Front end Loader.

 

[TripleR]

Can't beat RobertN's advice. I recently went shopping for a B and came home with a Grand L. My wife and I spent a lot of time on two separate occasions researching, reading and talking to people only to wind up buying something else than what we left the house intent on buying. You just can't beat "hands on" to make a final decision. Look at all of them Kubota, John Deere, New Holland, Massey Ferguson, Kioti etc.

I do own a BX and while I love it, I would not recommend it for your use.

Good luck.

 

[RalphVa]

I second Roy's recommendation of a Kubota B. The JD series starting with 2320, 2520 are a match for the Kubota B series.

The BX and the JD 2210 would not do in hilly terrain because of the under-tractor cooling fans. These can get ripped up by branches in hilly terrain. The B and the JD models (and bigger ones) have the hydraulic cooler in front of the radiator with the engine fan drawing air over both.

Ralph

 

[CharlieR]

pgrovetom, you've mentioned a BX25 which has a BH frame mounted on the rear - no provision for a 3pt hitch or at least a big PITA to swap out when needing the 3pt.
It's a really great machine but (to me) it has tiny tires and not big enough to meet your needs.
As said above, first find a good dealer (one you like), then try various machines and various makes to find one that "feels right".
You'll probably do better with a "B" series or "L" series size.
As for a BH, I'm in favor of having a towable BH 'cause it will go where a tractor can't and this frees up you tractor to do lots of other things.
I bought mine from HF for $3K delivered - lots cheaper than a tractor mounted hoe - but it may not please everyone.

Most important - have fun shopping!

 

[LBrown59]

Hi
1*I have 10 acres in Sonoma County California and after remodeling my home and building my Solar PV system by hand, I'm looking at buying a tractor.
2*I first zeroed in on the the little BX25 in the Kubota catalog.
3*It looks rather small but probably would get the job done except the bucket is 5-6 cubic feet and it says AWD.
3a*I doubt I would move lots of dirt but 5-6 cubic feet seems tiny.
4* what kind of traction does it get on wet grass over dirt?
5*It doesn't appear they have an auger attachment for it, but is that true?
6* Does anyone know which Kubota ( or other brand ) would be the next step up ?
7*I've also seen one can buy from a more distant dealer and have it shipped.
*8 Any thoughts on whether a new or used makes sense form a price point of view?

1* Would have been nice if you'd gotten the tractor first then you could have used it to help out with this.
2*The BX23 24 and 25 tractors are great machines just ask some of the many many TBN members here that own one.
3*Don't let it's looks / size fool you . Big things come in small packages.
3a*I have moved dozens of tons of dirt snow and gravel with my bucket.
4*I like the BX tractors so well that I own 3 of them .Traction is not a problem with any of them on Grass mud dirt sand or gravel.
5*You can get an auger for them but I would not buy one for a one time project/deal. Instead I would rent one or hire it done .
6*The B series is the next Class after the BX.
7*I bought 2 like that from Barlows, I strongly suggest you check them out. They come highly recommend by members of TBN.
8*The thing you have to watch with used is you don't spend more on finance charges than you saved on the tractor .