New Tractor Questions

[TnWV]

Hello everyone my name is Tony and I live in WV. I have been reading on this blog for a couple of years now as I have had tractor fever for a while but not the ability to purchase. I must say that I really enjoy reading these posts, the wealth of knowledge is unbelievable. I own 72 acres that I take a great deal of pride in maintaining. I have a 1979 MF150 2WD that I currently use and have been wanting to upgrade to a 50-60 HP 4WD with FEL for a while. I currently use a 5' brush hog and a Troy Built 54" rider to mow. The brush hog and mower are now about wore out. The MF150 is in great shape however. Unfortunately I cannot afford to buy a big tractor and new large mower. I finish mow about 8 acres regularly that includes both flat and some sloped land, this includes a large path to my pond and around the pond. I have been told that a ZTR would not be a good Idea to mow with due to the slopes.

So what I am thinking is that I should compromise between tractor and mower. I started out looking at the BX Kubota, the JD2305, the MF GC series, and the equivalent New Holland, all with FEL and MMM. I figure I can get a large mower and still be able to due the projects that I would use the FEL on the big tractor. Although I may still go that route, after some research I have found that I could move up to the JD2320/2520 or the B2320/2620 and have more tractor capability for not that much more money. So to get to my main question, would the bigger tractor be ok for mowing or would the weight be too much for my yard? Mowing has to be the priority, but I would like to be able to as much as possible if i am going to spend this kind of money on a machine. My land is mostly red clay. Obstructions would not be a problem as most of what I mow is open. I would be getting R4 tires either way for more traction around my pond and in the woods. I have problems with traction on my current mower so 4X4 is a must.

Also I am planning to work a new brush hog for the MF150 in the deal. I would like to go as big as possible, hopefully 7'. If I have to go to a lighter duty that is fine as my land is pretty clean as is I just need to keep it mowed. A lot of my mowing is uphill if that makes a difference. Any suggestions on what size I could use with am MF150.

I have not yet been to any dealers but have all of the major brands and several smaller brands with in 20-30 miles from me. I will hopefully start going aroung to them in about two weeks or so.

Sorry for the long post just trying to get it all out there. Any help that anyone can provide will by greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Tony

 

[TripleR]

You are wise to have passed up on the BX and JD2305; both good tractors, I have one of each, but they are too small for your needs. Yes, the B2620 and JD 2520 would work, but in my opinion are really still too small. I would probably go for a dedicated mower and much bigger tractor even if you have to buy used. I have a 50 HP and the max bush hog is 7', so any hopes of the tractors mentioned pulling it seem unrealistic. Even though mine will handle a 7', I am using a 6' and honestly that is all the weight I want.

If I am too far off, I am sure someone will point it out pretty quickly. Good luck in your search.

 

[TnWV]

Thanks for the advice. I agree that I could use a much larger tractor,and would love to have one, but unfortunaltely I need something that can also mow my lawn at this time. I will eventually buy a larger tractor as well when it is a more pressing need. For now I only mow, use a tiller and do a little gravel road maintenance with a rear blade. Other than not being able use the size brush hog I would like to the MF150 does a good job. At the moment my main problem is that the mower I use to do my finish mowing is on its last leg. In five years I have racked up almost 700 hrs. I use it alot and would like to buy something that would make my regular mowing more efficient. If I'm going to splurge on a 4X4 mower with 60" deck I have found that it is not that much more to get something with a FEL, which I could really use. I'm mainly wondering if the JD2x20 or the Kubota 2x20 or equivalent would be good for mowing the lawn or if I should go a little smaller since it is mainly for mowing. Still a lot of contemplating to do and seats to sit in. Just can't really get into it for a couple more weeks and want to know as much as possible before visiting the dealers.

 

[Soundguy]

a 6' for sure would be better than 5' hoever the problem with 7' is the mower is getting real long.. lots of mass to spin up as well since it will likely be a single gearbox machine. some people like 8' dual gearbox mowers vs 7'... but at just about 40 pto hp.. you'd be pushing 8'

soundguy

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for the advice. I agree that I could use a much larger tractor,and would love to have one, but unfortunaltely I need something that can also mow my lawn at this time. I will eventually buy a larger tractor as well when it is a more pressing need. For now I only mow, use a tiller and do a little gravel road maintenance with a rear blade. Other than not being able use the size brush hog I would like to the MF150 does a good job. At the moment my main problem is that the mower I use to do my finish mowing is on its last leg. In five years I have racked up almost 700 hrs. I use it alot and would like to buy something that would make my regular mowing more efficient. If I'm going to splurge on a 4X4 mower with 60" deck I have found that it is not that much more to get something with a FEL, which I could really use. I'm mainly wondering if the JD2x20 or the Kubota 2x20 or equivalent would be good for mowing the lawn or if I should go a little smaller since it is mainly for mowing. Still a lot of contemplating to do and seats to sit in. Just can't really get into it for a couple more weeks and want to know as much as possible before visiting the dealers.

My preference for something that will do both mowing; primarily mowing and yet some tractor work is for the BX if you are only going to have one tractor a B or JD 2x20 may be a better fit for your needs/wants as it will do more tractor oriented stuff and still do a good job of mowing.

 

[RPW]

Congrats on the land. You also might look at the 5xxx series as they have the horse power but are a more basic tractor which means less $$$$ and that might help the budget. I also agree that 6' is a good compromise. I can do 25ac in less than 8 hours as long as I don't try and push things then I keep shearing bolts (gotta get a slip clutch).

Good luck.

 

[tjse9006]

Wow two Tony's from Putnam county, WV on TBN. Pretty ironic. I have a 2520 and it does everything I ask it to do. It's a good comprimize I mow with it and do some tilling and use a subsoiler and middle buster with it. The only problem I ever have is traction (R4s). It does a good job mowing but is a little heavier than the 2305 and will make ruts if your ground is a little damp. PM me if you ahve any questions. Tony 2 from Putanm

 

[TnWV]

Thanks for all the comments guys.

Soundguy - If I could go to a 7' light duty brush hog with the MF150, it would be fantastic, but since I only brush hog maybe twice a year even going to 6' foot will save alot of time. Most of what I brush Hog is straight up and down, with a 2WD it is very slow moving, so any increase in brush hog size is a plus.

RPW - I would love to have a 5XXX series and when I decide to start putting up my own hay that is exactly what I will be looking for.

TripleR - If I decide to go with the smaller machine I definetly think that I like the BX better than the 2305. Still undecided about the B vs. JD 2X20. Hopefully over the next couple of weeks I will get to see them in person. That will help alot in deciding what size is right for me now.

tjse9006 - Small world I guess. I definitely like the 2520 and will problably have some questions for you as I get closer to making a decision. Where do you live in Putnam County? I am in Liberty about 8 miles up Red House Hill.

All in all I think I just need to go look at all of them. I don't want to go to big because I know that a bigger tractor will come in time, but for now I just want to be able to mow while having a very usable FEL. I was weedeating this evening and could think of 1000 things that I could use a FEL for. When you have property there is always something that needs cleaned up. I love it, but it gets expensive and takes alot of time. Regardless I would never trade it for a subdivision.

Thanks everyone!

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for all the comments guys.

Soundguy - If I could go to a 7' light duty brush hog with the MF150, it would be fantastic, but since I only brush hog maybe twice a year even going to 6' foot will save alot of time. Most of what I brush Hog is straight up and down, with a 2WD it is very slow moving, so any increase in brush hog size is a plus.

RPW - I would love to have a 5XXX series and when I decide to start putting up my own hay that is exactly what I will be looking for.

TripleR - If I decide to go with the smaller machine I definetly think that I like the BX better than the 2305. Still undecided about the B vs. JD 2X20. Hopefully over the next couple of weeks I will get to see them in person. That will help alot in deciding what size is right for me now.

tjse9006 - Small world I guess. I definitely like the 2520 and will problably have some questions for you as I get closer to making a decision. Where do you live in Putnam County? I am in Liberty about 8 miles up Red House Hill.

All in all I think I just need to go look at all of them. I don't want to go to big because I know that a bigger tractor will come in time, but for now I just want to be able to mow while having a very usable FEL. I was weedeating this evening and could think of 1000 things that I could use a FEL for. When you have property there is always something that needs cleaned up. I love it, but it gets expensive and takes alot of time. Regardless I would never trade it for a subdivision.

Thanks everyone!

The only concern I would have with the JD2x20 would be the MMM, I would spend some time on the John Deere Forum to see if this is still a problem or ever really was with this model. I dislike the left foot braking on the John Deere, but some prefer it this way; gonna depend on what best suits your needs as both are top notch machines.

 

[tjse9006]

I live on Custer Ridge a couple of miles from Buffalo. As you stated I would try them all. It came down to three choices. Deere, Kubota, Mahindra. The dealership eliminated the Mahindra, I wouldn't buy a bolt from them. The Kubota and Deere in my eyes were about equal. I chose the Deere because the dealership seemed more willing to support me after the sale. I don't regret my decision. I think I would of be fine with the Bota but I felt the Deere dealer was top notch. They have been great so far. As stated above try em all choose what best fits your needs. TC

 

[KU Gator]

I have a B2920. I don't always use it on our 3 acre yard because I also have a JD garden tractor, but I does a pretty good job of mowing and the only time tracks are an issue is when the ground is pretty wet. With the R4 industrial tires, you just have to watch how fast you turn and not in 4wd when turning or it will tear the grass a little. If I didn't have the JD, I would use it without reservation to mow, just might have to wait an extra day or so after a lot of rain as I have some wet spots in the yard. When mowing the yard, I take off the FEL to reduce weight plus reduce my likelyhood of running it into something like the house while mowing.

The mower deck is a drive over so removing it or re-installing is pretty easy. The mower is also pretty robust. We also have about 12 acres of recreational property that once I mow it the first time in the spring with the rotary mower, I usually use the MMM to mow it because it is so much easier to get around stuff.

I think there is a difference in the FEL on the B2320 vs the 26 or 29 hp. We opted for the 29, not knowing what to expect and being new to tractors, but I doubt that the step from 26 to 29 hp would make much difference in performance. The Kubota B series does have the 3 range HST which is nice. The negative I would say with the Kubota would be the 1/4" valve for the 3pt hitch vs the position control valve. It only bothers me when using the rotary mower as it tends to want to gradually sag down as you mow so you have to watch it.

 

[TnWV]

I will certainly research the models that I decide on in great detail before making a decision. I tend to overanalyze everthing that I spend a good bit of money on, guess thats why I became an accountant...I usually know more about what I am buying than the salesman, they really hate to see me coming sometimes. Going to take my time and make sure I get what is absolutely the best for me. Even if that means waiting until next spring, although I really don't want to do that.

It has pretty much came down to the same three choices for me as well, and I have pretty much eliminated the same one for what sounds like the same reason.

I actually broke away from work for lunch today and stopped by a Kubota dealer close to work. They were not extremely helpful and didn't have much for me to look at, only a couple BX25's, and some larger B's. I will give them another chance since the main Kubota salesman was on vacation. He is suppose to call me next week. I was surprised at the size of the loader bucket on the BX it was a little larger than I expected. Also noticed by looking through the BX and B brochures they gave me that the BX2360/2660 loader has roughly the same capacity as the B2320, but the 2620 uses a larger loader. That means to me that to benefit at all I would have to go up to the 2620. I really hoped to see the B2620 in Person, but will have to wait I suppose.

I plan on visiting a Deere dealer and another Kubota dealer that also sells New Holland and MF on May 15. I take the CPA exam on May 14th so pretty tied up until then.

Tony

 

[KU Gator]

When we were looking, once we decided on Kubota, we were comparing the BX25, B2920, and B7800. All were about the same price, but the BX25 included the BH. The choice to go to the B was driven more by the rougher condition of the other property for which I wanted more ground clearance and the more capability. The other things I liked about the B was the 3 speed hst, the real tach, the fact that the HP comes from a bigger engine, not more RPM and in general, I just liked its size and feel better. With that said, there certainly seems to be a lot of happy BX owners out there.

As far as knowing more than most of the sales people, unfortunately that is not a very high hurdle.

 

[6dog]

I dislike the left foot braking on the John Deere,

Certainly not arguing, but I have to ask "why?". I love Kubota's, but hate their pedal arrangement. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[dex3361]

I went through the same process as you did and probably the same dealers that you are dealing with. It really grates my nerves when you walk into a dealership and the sales people act as though you are a bother. I looked all around our local area Kubota dealers in Cross Lanes, Milton, Ripley, and ended up buying from Barlow Tractor in KY. I got better treatment and a better price from them.

 

[TripleR]

Certainly not arguing, but I have to ask "why?". I love Kubota's, but hate their pedal arrangement. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

For me, it is a matter of consistency. I drive several different tractors both HST and geared all of which has brakes on the right with the lone exception being the John Deere. Left foot braking is just very awkward for me; clutch left, brake right. For others it will be ideal.

I have often told the story of my father in law who put his new John Deere into ten feet of water because of being unfamiliar with the different controls.

 

[TnWV]

KU Gator - I now agree that knowing more than the salesperson is no high hurdle after visiting a dealer today. Absolutely blows my mind that the only information they can give you comes directly from the brochure they are showing you. Hopefully on the next trip i will be able to speak to someone more knowledgable. I found that the BX was a little bigger than I expected but also liked the layout and feel of the B better, I just wish they had a B2X20 series on the lot to look at. They did not even have any B tractors with MMM to look at. I will eventually have time in a couple of weeks to start hitting more dealer lots.

dex3361 - It really gets on my nerves as well when a dealer shows little interest. I thought it was just me they treated that way, and that extends to vehicles atv's, etc. I recently bought the wife a new SUV, as we are expecting our first child in a few months, and I bought from the dealer that treated me with the most respect and acted like they actually wanted to sell me something. I have already begun buying my atv's out of state due to the local dealers attitudes. My worry on doing the same with a tractor is what do you do if you need warranty work? I am mechanically able, but if I get a 3yr warranty I would like to not have to due the work myself in the event something breaks. I am interested in knowing how you handle it? I have read on this site lots of good things about Barlows and if I decide on Kubota I may look into them if the locals aren't up to par.

Thanks again for the replies, it really helps to get actual user opinions.

 

[Redneck in training]

TYM supposedly gives free loader with every tractor purchase.
I have TYM 330 HST. It has two brake pedals on the left and one (operating both left and right brake) on the right. Since my tractor is HST I in fact use brakes very seldom.

My property is also very hilly with a lot of trees. My experience is our ZTR (Grasshopper 725) will go slopes where tractor will certainly kill you. If you have a lot of obstacles such as trees ZTR is way to go. Needless to say that not all ZTRs are created equal. For hills you need front mounted deck with caster wheels on the back and high traction tires.

 

[dex3361]

KU Gator - I now agree that knowing more than the salesperson is no high hurdle after visiting a dealer today. Absolutely blows my mind that the only information they can give you comes directly from the brochure they are showing you. Hopefully on the next trip i will be able to speak to someone more knowledgable. I found that the BX was a little bigger than I expected but also liked the layout and feel of the B better, I just wish they had a B2X20 series on the lot to look at. They did not even have any B tractors with MMM to look at. I will eventually have time in a couple of weeks to start hitting more dealer lots.

dex3361 - It really gets on my nerves as well when a dealer shows little interest. I thought it was just me they treated that way, and that extends to vehicles atv's, etc. I recently bought the wife a new SUV, as we are expecting our first child in a few months, and I bought from the dealer that treated me with the most respect and acted like they actually wanted to sell me something. I have already begun buying my atv's out of state due to the local dealers attitudes. My worry on doing the same with a tractor is what do you do if you need warranty work? I am mechanically able, but if I get a 3yr warranty I would like to not have to due the work myself in the event something breaks. I am interested in knowing how you handle it? I have read on this site lots of good things about Barlows and if I decide on Kubota I may look into them if the locals aren't up to par.

Thanks again for the replies, it really helps to get actual user opinions.

Tractors are supposedly like cars if you take a Kubota to a Kubota dealer they should fix it under a Kubota warranty. That said there is nothing that would keep them from putting you in the back of the line or other games. I had a small issue with the wrong remote valve from Barlows and they sent the right one and I swapped it out. If I had a major issue I may take it the 5 hours back to Barlows or I may take it to one of the local dealers. I would have reservations if their service dept is the same as their sales. Funny thing is that the guys at the Cross Lanes Kubota Dealers service department seem like great guys. I do not worry about it though. I figure I would deal with it and the worst i would have to do is take it back to Barlow or have them pick it up on their way through the area(I am sure there would be a fee). I would recommend getting your prices and if you go with Kubota visit their
(Barlow Tractor) web site and make an offer.

 

[6dog]

For me, it is a matter of consistency. I drive several different tractors both HST and geared all of which has brakes on the right with the lone exception being the John Deere. Left foot braking is just very awkward for me; clutch left, brake right. For others it will be ideal.

I have often told the story of my father in law who put his new John Deere into ten feet of water because of being unfamiliar with the different controls.

Ahh... that makes sense.