New Utility Tractor Advice Needed 50-60hp

[Piparoo]

I'm looking for a new tractor for our 10 acres - 3.5 in woods, 6.5 in pasture. Right now I have a 9N and am looking for something a little more capable. Mostly I will be using the new machine for hobby farm bushhogging, pulling logs out of the woods, moving hay bales, and other material handling.

I may at some point start doing my own hay - between my pastures and my neighbor's 10 or so acres in pasture. If I do, I think it will be with a square baler. I'm looking for an open-station tractor.

Where we live, we are fortunate to have a lot of good dealers within 20 minutes, including:
Deere
LS
Massey
Kioti
Mahindra
New Holland

I'd like to get a utility tractor with a loader in the 50-60hp range and try to stay around 30-35k - or less if possible... I'm leaning toward hydro transmission or the Deere power reverser.

Right now I'm looking at:
the Deere 5055e and the 4066m,
the Massey 2706e,
the LS XU6158,
the Mahindra 5555,
and the Kioti NX5510.
The local Kubota dealer has blown me off both times I've stopped by, so I'm not currently considering them.

I prefer to buy American made/assembled/whatever if possible. But I am open to considering the Japanese, South Korean and Indian machines as well.

What I'm hoping you can help with is -
1. Are these tractors similar enough in intended use to be compared?
2. Am I missing an obvious contender?
3. I'm a new tractor novice - how the heck do I decide which one to buy?

Thanks.

 

[nybirdman]

You aren't going to find an American "made" tractor in that H.P. range.Going to come down to "fit" for you and I am sure price.Lowest price doesn't mean the best tractor.Too bad the Kubota dealer blew you off,they make nice machines and I would have recommended the
MX line for your uses.I have looked at the Massey's and the quality there seems good( China built ?),never owned Kioti but they are a known quality machine<LS is an up and comer for sure.

 

[jeff9366]

Few here would recommend haying 16.5 acres if PROFIT is your motive, especially with a partner.

Haying requires numerous implements to produce good hay and often time is of the essence. You cannot hay on a 'weekend' basis and produce a consistent product.

However, many T-B-N contributors hobby farm with only the goal of breaking even. Make sure your partner with the larger piece of land agrees.

A 5,000 pound bare weight tractor begins the Utility Tractor class. If you are going to hay this is the right class of tractor.

Every new Utility Class tractor with a Loader can lift ~~2,400 pounds (+/-).

When considering a tractor purchase, bare tractor weight first, tractor horsepower second and (narrowly) rear wheel ballast third.

A quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important for tractor neophytes. Most new tractors are delivered with a glitch or two requiring correction. My Kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment after seven years. Dealer proximity is less important for those experienced with tractors and qualified to perform their own maintenance.


What tractor and equipment does your neighbor have?



VIDEO: So you want to TRADE UP for a new Tractor? - TMT - YouTube

 

[Piparoo]

Thanks for the advice! I think all of the tractors mentioned are around that weight - probably not the 4066m though.

The neighbor would let me use her land for no charge and wouldn't expect to be a partner in the financial sense. She just wants the hay mown without having to pay someone to do it. I don't expect to make money. In fact, I imagine it will be a loss most of the time. That´s okay.

 

[Piparoo]

Thanks! Are the 4 series JD not made in the States?

 

[Piparoo]

You have neglected to show your location in your T-B-N PROFILE.

In many Southern and Midwestern states ag and forestry equipment is either sales tax exempt or pays a reduced ag sales tax. Discuss sales tax exemption with the dealers you visit.

I wish. I'm in NC and would need to demonstrate that I'm making $10,000 in income annually from farming to qualify for an ag exemption.

 

[jeff9366]

3. I'm a new tractor novice - how the heck do I decide which one to buy?

Sit on the models you are interested in. You will spend many hours in the seat. Operate the controls.

Look at the fit and finish. To me, fit and finish is important. Others shoppers could care less.

A quality dealer should always be friendly and helpful.

You will find $10,000 price variation between the utility class tractor brands you are considering. Deere will be highest; Mahindra lowest.

Many comment the heavy made-in-India Mahindras are low tech and old school. Low tech and old school appeals to some tractor buyers.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Thanks! Are the 4 series JD not made in the States?

Not really, final assemble is in the US, but they are made of mostly foreign parts...

Personally, I think Kubota in this size is every bit as good, or even better than Deere...

SR

 

[Industrial Toys]

I don't think one can go wrong with an M series Kubota. That would be my choice if buying "one" tractor. Some guy drove into my friends place of business with one. Listening to it, I thought, man I wish my 6000 series Deere sounded like that. Quiet, smooth running, the sound quality makes!

Soon the hydro/gear debate will start!

 

[Piparoo]

I would consider the Kubota even with the crappy dealer but I don稚 think their tractor is in the budget. An MX5800 with a loader, bucket and rear remote is $37k before tax on their website. Is street price going to be much less than this?

 

[Industrial Toys]

It's been discussed a million times. I think, you get what you pay for. And the tractor will be worth that much more later if that matters to you, To some it doesn't. AND, you will never get it cheaper. Bet on that!

 

[Piparoo]

I appreciate the advice but nope. Not gonna shell out $40k+ for the Kubota. It’s over budget and if the dealer can’t be bothered to give good service when buying the tractor, that doesn’t bode well for after purchase support.

 

[CobyRupert]

I’ve been happy with the Deere 50 series. I think it was a lot of bang for the buck. Heavier tractor with a lot of capacity. Reliable future part network. Mostly India made, but I just recently noticed the fuel pump is American made.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I like the 5000 series Deere but am suspicious. I think, they have a tendency to be troublesome. I see too many posts and see too many used ones for sale as if people are dumping them. I MAY be TOTALLY wrong! But I personally would NOT buy one.

 

[Diggin It]

LS is generally well thought by most people that have them. Less so by those who don't. Their dealer network is their weak spot though, so only you know how yours might be. There is a school of thought though that a good machine may never need the dealer after delivery.

 

[jeff9366]

I would consider Kubota even with the crappy dealer but I do not think their tractor is in the budget. An MX5800 with a loader, bucket and rear remote is $37k before tax on their website. Is street price going to be much less than this?

A discount of 8% off MSRP seems average.

Kubota's incentives to the dealers change every quarter. If the stars/rebates line up auspiciously, discounts of over 10% are sometimes negotiable.


MX series are 3,800 pounds, bare tractor weight, 1,200 pounds less than Utility Class weight.


VIDEOS: Kubota MX Series VS. Kubota M Series - YouTube

Kubota M76 Walk Around and Driving Demo - YouTube

 

[Diggin It]

You also mention considering New Holland. If you decide to look at those, look for labels that says 'LS Mitron' as LS makes at least some NH models. Not sure if they make the class you're looking at.



If a dealer blows you off during shopping, why would you even consider buying that brand; at any price?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I guess I am not that sensitive. If I wanted something, I would not care if I got blown off. In fact, I would sooner deal with nasty people who are often quite honest, if not blunt, than really "NICE" BS artists. Or "NICE" Salespeople who know very, very, very little about what they are selling. Often they are just parots.

 

[aczlan]

Haying requires numerous implements to produce good hay and often time is of the essence.

True, but if you can fix things yourself it's not too bad.
A decent baler will set you back $1,500 to $5,000.
A decent mower conditioner will run another $1,000 to $3,000.
A side delivery rake will run between $500 and $1,500.
A decent tedder (a necessity around here) will be another $500 to $1,500.
A 50ish horsepower tractor with a loader in halfway decent shape will run between $3,000 and $8,000

You cannot hay on a 'weekend' basis and produce a consistent product.

I would beg to differ.
We have been making high quality hay on a 'weekend' basis for over 12 years now on 15ish acres of hayfields.
We were making 1000-2000 small square bales per year. We got cows and a round baler two summers ago and last year we made 500-600 small square bales (400-500 of which were sold right out of the wagon) and about 40 5x4 round bales.

We generally cut on Wednesday or Thursday and start baling on Friday afternoon/evening, or Saturday late morning/early afternoon.

Yes, I will often leave work a couple of hours early on Friday, and my wife will often rake in the late morning on Thursday or Friday but we have been able to consistently make high-quality hay that the critters are eager to eat and people pay a premium price for.

Aaron Z

 

[cathy liebchen]

Thanks for the advice! I think all of the tractors mentioned are around that weight - probably not the 4066m though.

The neighbor would let me use her land for no charge and wouldn't expect to be a partner in the financial sense. She just wants the hay mown without having to pay someone to do it. I don't expect to make money. In fact, I imagine it will be a loss most of the time. Thatｴs okay.

Kubota MX 5800 or an M series