35DMAN said:
Lonecowboy- If you could buy a tractor under $30k what would it be?
depends on what it's for, what you want out of it?
do you want a cab? (cuz if so, nothing I see puts a cab under 30 grand for anyone).
I like open platform tractors, lighter, easier to see out of it, they feel less tippy (probably aren't, but they feel that way). BUT
since I've gone after this business full time, mowing or working day after day 7 to 10 hours a day, a cab makes a HUGE difference in comfort and how I feel at the end of the day (and if I can get up the next day, turns out I'm not 25 anymore, even if my mind still thinks so
). For me, a cab turned out to be necessary and i was willing to pay that extra money.
For working on my own piece of land once or twice a week, no, I could live without it.
How hot or cold does it get where you are? do you burn easy? (big plus for my wife, she burns easy, and the cab makes a huge difference for her and not burning to a crisp)
How big of property. If you can manuever around a utility tractor, a utility is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper to run long term than a compact (easier to work on too) but they don't turn as tight.
FEL or no FEL, 4wd or 2wd? (personally, I always get the FEL and 4wd, you never know when you might need it). The TC boomer series FEL's are awesome. great reach, fast reacting, easy to see, and the quick attach is a huge plus. But it's spendy, and if you never are going to need it......
I wouldn't buy a hydro if I had the choice but that's just me, for you and your needs it may be perfect. Expensive and one more thing to go wrong. Kills 5hp too. But, for me and my business, the cab was key and the only way to get a cab in a compact is with hydro (although I do believe if you go green you can do something different, but I don't have that kind of money)
Figure out what physical size tractor you need. Then buy the most horsepower in that size of tractor. That's what i always tell people.
Despite my troubles with the first TC45, the 2nd one anyway is a pretty good tractor. And more importantly it solves my problem quite well. Small enough to move around, big enough to get something done and cab makes a HUGE difference in me surviving each day. I love my NH TN75. I have had zero problems with my Massey Ferguson 1433. (although I should have bought the 1440, same size, more power). My neighbor has a JD 50hp or so and he's had no issues. But he paid a lot for that, a lot more than either blue or red or orange. I think kuboatas are excellent tractors. However, since I"ve gotten older i"ve also gotten bigger and the kubotas are crowded for big guys. But excellent tractors and I never hesitate to recomend one of those to smaller people.
