Please help a newbie make the right choice!!

[ericinok]

Hello all, first timer here..so please be gentle. Not only am I new to this forum, but I'm new to the country, where tractors are needed.

I have about 20 acres in Northeast Oklahoma, of which about 15 acres is pasture. My main tractor use will be mowing, but I'm sure I will stumble across some other uses in the coming years. I've done a little reasearch, and have decided to buy either a Kubota or a Deere, due to their reliability and the fact that both have dealers fairly close to me.

I went to the auction yard and checked out what they had as of Friday. They hold auctions every month, on the first Wednesday, but you are allowed to buy before then. They had the following:

1. Kubota L2800 w/FEL - 54 hours - $13,000
2. Kubota L3430 (no FEL) - unsure of hrs - $13,500
3. Kubota L3400 w/FEL - 181 hours - $13,500
4. Deere 790 w/FEL - 231 hours - $12,750
5. Deere 790 w/FEL - 131 hours - $13,000
I am assuming they would haggle some a little on price. Then, I found this on Craigslist located in my area...

6. Kubota B7800 w/FEL, 5ft burshhog, 72" finish mower, box blade - 298 hours - asking $13,500 OBO.
I called and e-mailed they guy about it, but no response yet.

Another thing to consider, I do not own a trailer yet, and I have an old brushhog, but I'm not sure how good of condition it's in. I say these things because the Kubota dealer has this deal...

7. New Kubota L2800 w/FEL, 5'Brushhog, 5' Box blade, 16' trailer - $16,500

Without getting too technical, please let me know your opinions. I have been reading this forum for a few months now, and I know that everyone's opinion is not the same, but I value any and all input. I feel like by staying in the Kubota and Deere fields, I can't go wrong, but I guess I can still pay too much.

I welcome all ideas, criticisms, opinions, etc. I would like to get this transaction going pretty quick, because our pasture is getting pretty high. Not to mention I'm just excited to get a tractor.
Thanks,
Eric

 

[texasjohn]

I'm not an expert in the smaller tractors you mention, but my general thoughts are as follows:

1) get only something with a FEL included
2) if possible, FEL should have quick attach/skid steer so it is easy to change implements
3) If something has been reasonably maintained and housed and used, I would personally consider anything under 200 hrs to be approximately the same amount of use.
4) more horsepower is always better
5) a hydrostatic transmission is great for a CUT
6) more equipment that matches your tractor is always better.a tractor is just an engine,it's the equipment that makes it useful... likely over time you will develop a need/use for FEL, FEL BUCKET and TOOTHBAR, BOX BLADE, brushhog, trailer for hauling tractor/equipment/stuff, pallet forks/grappel, etc.

I recommend you getting the maximum combination of horsepower and equipment you can find for your money. Look carefully at how 3ph equipment attaches to the various tractors....the ones with ONLY rear arms with holes in them are a pain. Either get one with adjustable ends for attachment.... or get a PATS system.

Sticking with brands where you have good local dealers is a good decision. That said,you can search via Craig's list several hundred miles from where you are and bring a used vehicle and equipment home to where the local dealer can handle it.

I know from experience that the Kubota warranty can and is transferred willingly by a dealer from one owner to another while under warranty.... dunno re JD.

 

[mjncad]

I have a JD 4200; but I don't know anything about the specific models you are looking at.

However, make you you get a Front End Loader and that the tractor has four-wheel-drive. When I ordered mine, the dealer told me he wouldn't sell a 2WD tractor with a loader. I've got 430 hours on my machine and most of it is loader work, and 4WD makes a big difference and I'm glad I took the dealer's advice on that matter.

I also have a hydrostatic transmission, and for loader work it is a God send, especially in close quarters. In my case, the HST was money well spent as I have more confidence doing any kind of close quarter work because of it; and I prefer manual transmissions on my car and truck.

 

[JoeinTX]

Putting myself squarely in your place, is the loader that important right now?

From the sound of your post, shredding is the number one concern at the moment and all else can be addressed later on as it comes to pass. If so, I go with the 'bota L3400. It looks to be the newest of the bunch you're looking at as well as the heaviest and most powerful. 181 hours isn't even enough to seat the rings. For age, power, ability.......it looks like your best bet.

But, if you're seriously thinking FEL right now in the back of your mind you could go L3400 for the same money it appears. A little smaller and lighter, older unit, but it has instantly more use and can handle the same shredder as the 3430.

I don't consider the JD, #1 because it is on the smaller and lighter side of your offerings and #2 due to my personal experience with Kubota. Kub's have engines that run like **** and are of generally low maintenance as a tractor as a whole but their problem usually is in weight and build. In this case though, your Kubota prospects have all bases covered.


Go with either of the Kubotas, depending upon your immediate need for a loader, and feel very confident and satisfied in doing so for the money. If you think a loader is "down the road" and the most mowing and maintenance tractor for the money is now......3430. If cutting is key, but overall use is as important for next year or after.......3400.


In a nutshell.......

 

[VABlue]

The color of the machine doesn't really matter so long as you are comfortable on it. They will both run forever with little maintenance - especially with a dealer close by. With 20 acres, if you don't get a FEL with the initial purchase you'll be adding one afterwards within months - and kicking yourself for the extra cost. It will help protect your machine the first few times you're mowing (keep it low to hit unseen objects before the tractor does).

You want 4wd, don't consider one otherwise. And about the trailer... Do you really need to move the machine around? Dealers will deliver it, and will probably come get it for warrenty work. They will probably also come out to you for routine maintenance. Ask about this stuff before comitting to a trailer. Don't get me wrong, everyone needs a trailer. But do you need one big enough to haul the tractor? If you can swing it easily, then get it just because. Otherwise, it's not really necessary unless your property is spread out in sections down the road...

Drive them all and have fun with the search...

 

[jbrumberg]

ericinok:

Welcome to TBN ! In my opinion you are looking at appropriately sized tractors for mowing with a 5' brushhog. I would lean towards HST, a FEL, and 4WD/MFWD. Please provide the readership with more information about other anticipated short and long term projects to help us refine our recommendations and help you spend even more money. For mowing you will need a lighter tractor; for ground engaging tasks you will need a heavier tractor. I would not worry too much about the height of your pasture- any of the tractors you mentionned will easily power a brushhog through the vegetation. I like the prices you have posted (I live in MA) . Jay

 

[canoetrpr]

Shopping for a tractor is fun!

I have a similar setup to yours. I have 26 acres of land about 14-15 in pasture.

My setup is a L3400HST w. FEL, w. 5ft Woods BB60 rotary cutter, and a few other things (landscape rake, cultivator, snowblower).

The tractor is more than adequately sized for my setup. I don't think I'd go with less and more would be a luxury but is not necessary.

Few nuggets of advice:

1. Don't consider anything other than 4WD.

2. Get a FEL with the tractor. I hadn't planned on it and the good folks here talked me into it. Frankly it would have been plain silly to not have gotten one given the numerous uses for it around acerage. The FEL is the one thing increases the usability of your tractor by an order of magnitude. JMHO. FELs are expensive to add later as it is unlikely that you will find an FEL used. An FEL also raises your resale value - I would say dollar for dollar it is the one 'attachment' that you will get all / most of your money back on.

3. My opinion is to not get the smallest engine in any particular machine. Not suggesting they would not work for you but when I looked at the price difference between a L2800 and L3400 it didn't make sense for me to not cough up the extra $1k or so for more PTO hp.

4. Unless your land is very hilly or you don't plan on maintaning your pasture and then just brush cutting once or so a year, I would strongly consider a 6 ft standard duty brush cutter like the woods BB72. I know that my L3400 would handle it just fine given my land is flat and my pasture well maintained. I would be much better than my 5 ft along fence lines. The 5ft cutter is almost EXACTLY the width of the tractor... 6" overhang at each end would make fences a lot easier.

5. Unless you are finish mowing (mid mount mower particularly) I think that the standard L (L2800/L3400) is a much better choice over the B(7800). The B makes sense when you need less weight for finish mowing (i.e. lawn) and they have really nice mid mount mowers.

6. I LOVE the HST. I drive a 5 speed car but HST is awesome for tractors. Another feature that you will probably get your money back on dollar for dollar at resale time.

Given the prices you are being quoted, I would actually go new - unless there is a big advantage on sales tax savings for used. Here in Ontario we have 14% sales taxes so even used with 1hr is 14% cheaper.

I would encourage you to have your local Kubota dealer price you out a new L3400HST w. FEL, a new GL3240HST w. 724FEL and a new GL3540HST w. 724FEL along with a rotary cutter and toothbar for each.

While I love my L3400, if I were to do it again I'd go with the GL3540HST. It would have the same basic capabilities but I would enjoy some of the extra luxuries of the GL. You don't NEED them but the LA724 loader is awesome, the GL seat is better and so on.

My L3400 has been very reliable so far. While there have been the odd report of a problem I think that you will find that overall in terms of reliability the L2800/L3400 along with the rest of the Kubotas are very reliabile machines. New vs. used L3400/L2800 also has the advantage of having any bugs worked out and changes implemented in the production line as the L3400/L2800 have now been out for several years).

Unless you really need the trailer I'd not get it put your money into a couple remotes instead and look into getting Top N Tilt.

Good luck

 

[teg]

Kubota 4x4 (30 hp) with loader, box blade, 2 mowers

Have you looked for any other tractors?

 

[ericinok]

Kubota 4x4 (30 hp) with loader, box blade, 2 mowers

Have you looked for any other tractors?

That's the one I tried to contact, but no answer to my calls or e-mails. I have been checking out OKC and Tulsa area Craigslist and classifieds. I'm not a total kool-aid drinker when it comes to brands, but I have pretty much decided to keep it Kubota or JD. I know there are some other quality brands, but I'm close to both of these.

On the L3400's, I believe I read that it can be found with or without an HST. If so, what's the price difference?

 

[canoetrpr]

On the L3400's, I believe I read that it can be found with or without an HST. If so, what's the price difference?

Not enough to justify not getting it IMHO

I think it was < $1k when I looked. In all honesty the two things that I would not give up on my tractor, in order are:

1. FEL
2. HST