Buying Advice Noob Buying First Compact 4WD

[MossflowerWoods]

Hi all. Noob here, short-time lurker. That annoying popup finally got the best of me so I signed up.
I've been thinking about a 4WD compact tractor for a while and with everything I have to do around my hilly 14 wooded acres, I'm finally getting serious and doing some research. Since service is a huge consideration, I've narrowed the brands down to Kubota, Mahindra, and Cub/Yanmar. These brands all have dealers within 15 miles.

Lumberdink,

I myself just when through this process. My tractor should be delivered tomorrow.

I have a number of threads where the fine TBN folks educated me on very similar issues so I am not any kind of expert but here is what I can share.

I too was advised to go to a bigger tractor vs. a smaller one. I say get the biggest tractor you an afford, and buy the attachments you MOST NEED brand new, then shop around for the rest as you go.

The Kubota's are excellent tractors, but were also 15% higher cost in my area.

I almost bought the Mahindra. They are solid and I suspect a great deal.

I did not find any Yanmars in my area, but from TBN they sound like good tractors.

That is my 2 cents.

Happy Tractoring!
David

 

[Lumberdink]

I appreciate the feedback---good common sense stuff. I've always been a "buy the best and cry once" guy (I hate buyer's remorse) but I also appreciate a good deal after getting beaten up in the housing bubble and recession. I'd take a look at the Kioti's but the nearest dealer is an hour away. I have a Kubota dealer 5 miles away and the Mahindra dealer is probably 15 miles. The Cub/Yanmar guy is probably 5 miles too, but I'm just not sure about the future of that machine after reading some reviews. Cub Cadet seems to keep morphing to stay alive.

 

[Martian]

I would take another look at a Deere. Dealer may be farther away, mines maybe 20 or 30 min, but I've always had great service and in IMHO nothing truly runs like a Deere.

 

[TripleR]

I really wouldn't worry too much about an hour drive, we have a Kubota dealer 18 miles from us, but do our business at the one about 45 miles away. We have a John Deere dealer about 12 miles away.

If you do your own maintenance your machine may never go back to the dealer. We usually buy all of our service supplies except lubricants once per year when they are on sale.

I like Kubotas, but a person really needs to look at all of them to find the right fit.