Questions about purchasing first tractor

[josiahgarber]

I think you can "get by" with that size. However, if you're discing large areas, with HST, you'll want more power. I only disc 1-2 acres with mine. Like was already mentioned by another user, discing requires some speed. There are times when discing my ground, where the ground gets most or thick, my 48 HP HST has trouble keeping speed pulling my disc.

Tilling: my buddy tills with his L3540 (35HP) and uses a 5' tiller. His tractor handles that just fine. But if you're tilling larger areas for vegetable production, you'll probably want to use a larger tiller. My tractor has 36.5 PTO HP, and even using his 5' tiller, in deep most clay/soil, it can bog down the tractor.

Loader: There are two factors when considering a loader. First, any amount of loose material cam be moved by a smaller or larger tractor, the difference will be time. So, the next size up tractor will save you time when moving loose material, even though they can both accomplish it.

But, when considering objects, a smaller tractor simply can't muscle around the same size stuff. Moving pallets. Boulders. Bigger logs, trees, whatever... Of course, there's always limitations to every size loader, so this argument can always be made for yet the next size up.

I'm on my fourth tractor as I work all these things out myself. You might always have "just enough" tractor for your operation and may never need more. Many people get by with that size.

But while you're doing the research and making the initial purchase, take the time to consider the "next size up" since its only a couple grand more while you're buying.

Thanks that makes a lot of sense. I have also looked at the 4240 as well. I wonder if it would be worth getting a larger tractor with some more hours on it. Decisions, decisions. Have limited capital as well so want to make the best decisions I can.

 

[TSO]

Thanks that makes a lot of sense. I have also looked at the 4240 as well. I wonder if it would be worth getting a larger tractor with some more hours on it. Decisions, decisions. Have limited capital as well so want to make the best decisions I can.

Are you paying cash or financing?

I don't mind used, however, I prefer having a warranty while I get to know a tractor. Used, without a warranty, is fine if the deal is right.

What's your budget?

I think the Yanmar EX450 comes in around $23-25k... or the LX410, 450, 490 are more deluxe for a couple grand more.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I think you can "get by" with that size. However, if you're discing large areas, with HST, you'll want more power. I only disc 1-2 acres with mine. Like was already mentioned by another user, discing requires some speed. There are times when discing my ground, where the ground gets most or thick, my 48 HP HST has trouble keeping speed pulling my disc.

Tilling: my buddy tills with his L3540 (35HP) and uses a 5' tiller. His tractor handles that just fine. But if you're tilling larger areas for vegetable production, you'll probably want to use a larger tiller. My tractor has 36.5 PTO HP, and even using his 5' tiller, in deep most clay/soil, it can bog down the tractor.

Loader: There are two factors when considering a loader. First, any amount of loose material cam be moved by a smaller or larger tractor, the difference will be time. So, the next size up tractor will save you time when moving loose material, even though they can both accomplish it.

But, when considering objects, a smaller tractor simply can't muscle around the same size stuff. Moving pallets. Boulders. Bigger logs, trees, whatever... Of course, there's always limitations to every size loader, so this argument can always be made for yet the next size up.

I'm on my fourth tractor as I work all these things out myself. You might always have "just enough" tractor for your operation and may never need more. Many people get by with that size.

But while you're doing the research and making the initial purchase, take the time to consider the "next size up" since its only a couple grand more while you're buying.

My Kioti DK50SE has about the same specs as your Massey. While I love my tractor, I do sometimes wish I had a little more power. I think my next one will probably be 75-90 hp with a hydraulic shuttle. But then the implements start getting really expensive too.

But, of course, I'd then probably be wishing for 100hp or more. I think wanting "a little more" tractor just goes with the territory no matter what we've got.

 

[josiahgarber]

I can pay cash, but financing is an option to free up some capital. Budget is less than 25,000 (for tractor without attachments).

Thanks for the Yanmar models. Why is kubota more popular than Yanmar?

 

[TSO]

I can pay cash, but financing is an option to free up some capital. Budget is less than 25,000 (for tractor without attachments).

Thanks for the Yanmar models. Why is kubota more popular than Yanmar?

Yanmar is just getting going again. They were selling under cub cadet until a year or so ago. They have been building engines for Deere for a long time, and from what I understand most of the components for many of the Deere tractors, up until recently.

Kubota probably has more market saturation in the compact lines than any other brand. They came into the market with affordable compact tractors years ago, when there weren't many, if any, other options out there. They also have probably the widest model range of any brand out there, so there's a good chance that they have a tractor that fits the needs of everybody. Obviously, their prices have grown along with their popularity. They do make good tractors. I certainly wouldn't recommend against getting one, but I think there are better deals, and also better tractors out there. In my personal experience, I feel that the Massey compacts are better than the Kubota compacts. But it's very close. And that's just my personal experience. Although, if you step up to the grand L series of tractors from Kubota, they have a transmission option for HST that no one else has.

Much better deals can be found on similarly sized tractors from other manufacturers, such as tym, LS, Mahindra, and others in some cases. I feel that Yanmar is overpricing their products at this point in their revival in to the market. If you end up checking out the new Holland compacts, understand that all of them except for the cab models are built by LS. So, if you like one of those models, see if you can locate an LS dealer, as you will find the identical tractor 4 likely thousands less.