Recommendations please

[TripleR]

Can't really comment on Kioti tractors as I know nothing about them other than they are good quality, but we own and use both HST as well as Hydraulic Shuttle Shift and for all around use, I will take the HST every time unless you will be doing a lot of heavy ground engagement stuff.

Only my opinion as there are many threads on the HST/geared thing.

 

[gilbertmsg]

Hypherrust, which ever brand you elect, make sure to go large enough the first time. I have a Kioti CK20, which does 90% of the jobs I do on my 10 acres (5 horses). Since tractor is paid for with numerous attachments, I'm not going in debt with a larger tractor. With 20+ acres, I would be looking as a min in 40-50 hp range. With front loader and HST.. You will find that cleaning your paddock and stalls the hydro will pay its dividends. I would also have a min of 2 rear remotes installed. If you think you will ever need a backhoe, it makes good $$ sense to by when you initially purchase. Good luck with your decision. I moved to the country 5 years ago, after 45 in the city. Wish I would have moved many years earlier.

Eddie

 

[High Compression]

k0ua has a valid point. Tractor aside, you definitely want the best customer service after your purchase. Definitely consider which dealer you get the best "vibe" and sincerity from. I have never been disappointed with what ever piece of equipment that I have bought, when my sales rep, service department, and parts department are supportive, knowledgeable, friendly, etc. Oh I like it when every other time I come in they also give me free hats and stuff. That helps too.

 

[katesaidan]

I can't say "buy this brand" but I will say you don't want a compact. Trying to move round bales on that is hazardous and not recommended. A compact can handle digging post holes, but a larger tractor will give you more options for your post hole digging adventures.

I have a compact and while I'm happy with it there are a lot of things I can't do because of the size of the machine.

Softball size rocks are nothing, but my FIL has the next size up (the one you say you are looking at) and we were able to move some pretty hefty boulders. Couldn't get the one the size of a small car out though...

Aside from the manual situation, I don't have any issues with John Deere, but a heavier duty farmer than I am (cattle, pigs, chickens, goats, etc) has a New Holland and won't buy anything but. That's our next goal.

 

[Sockwell]

Hey hyperust, what part of Bama are you in. We're in Coosa county. We also bought a horse farm about 1.5 years ago. We do not have horses. Our place is 42 acres. With no stock yet, I do a lot of mowing. I made the mistake several here are warning you about. I already had tractors and implements in the 30 hp range. Wanting to keep using the implements I already had, i bought a Kubota L3240.

To mow our 25+ acres of pasture with a 5 foot mower takes about 3 days. I'm in the process of looking at 50 hp units to try to mow with a 7 or 8 foot mower. I've looked at upgrading to the L5740. i also looked at the MX5100HST. I didn't like the pedal. It uses tne old style. Both places I looked at the MX said the same thing. They knew having used the L40 series, I wouldn't like the MX.

I also tried to find a Mahindra 5035HST. I can't find one in state. The Montgomery dealer called the Alabama state rep., who said he wasn't aware of one anywhere in his territory. The dealer even offered to pay my expenses to drive to Chattanooga to see one at the assembly plant.

Like others here, I'd recommend 50hp and enough weight and FEL capacity to handle you're heaviest expected load.

 

[dusty3030]

John Deere 4120 or 4320 with ehydro. Test drive one if you can.
If you go kubota you can't go wrong that way either.

 

[dennis52]

Got a horse property very similar to what you described.

A 45hp Kioti Hydraulic Shuttle with a 5ft rota cutter for those pastures meets most of my needs.

 

[hyperrust]

I'm near the TN border. What's different about the MX series pedals? Thanks!

Hey hyperust, what part of Bama are you in. We're in Coosa county. We also bought a horse farm about 1.5 years ago. We do not have horses. Our place is 42 acres. With no stock yet, I do a lot of mowing. I made the mistake several here are warning you about. I already had tractors and implements in the 30 hp range. Wanting to keep using the implements I already had, i bought a Kubota L3240.

To mow our 25+ acres of pasture with a 5 foot mower takes about 3 days. I'm in the process of looking at 50 hp units to try to mow with a 7 or 8 foot mower. I've looked at upgrading to the L5740. i also looked at the MX5100HST. I didn't like the pedal. It uses tne old style. Both places I looked at the MX said the same thing. They knew having used the L40 series, I wouldn't like the MX.

I also tried to find a Mahindra 5035HST. I can't find one in state. The Montgomery dealer called the Alabama state rep., who said he wasn't aware of one anywhere in his territory. The dealer even offered to pay my expenses to drive to Chattanooga to see one at the assembly plant.

Like others here, I'd recommend 50hp and enough weight and FEL capacity to handle you're heaviest expected load.

 

[JerryK]

I'm near the TN border. What's different about the MX series pedals? Thanks!

My wifey is from Hollytree....Williams Cove... she was a Williams...

 

[idaho2]

hyperrust,

Before making your tractor purchase look at what implements you plan on using in the next few years. The pto hp will dictate the the size of the mower to be used and also whether you have pull type or 3ph. I knew I wanted a 10' pull type mower and it requires a minimum pto of 45ph. Pulling a 3-16's plow was another item that i knew I would need hp to plow any alfalfa field. My 1200lb 84" Bison hydraulic back blade needed the hp to easily handle the weight and twin hydraulics. Plan ahead, check out the pto power needed on implements needing it, get twin remote hydraulics and go from there.

idaho2

 

[Sockwell]

We're originally from the Shoals area. Moved south with work.

Now you're question about the pedals. On the Grand L series, there are two pedals. There is a rocker pedal that can be used for forward and reverse. With your foot on the pedal, you press down forward (toes) for forward and press down backwards (heel) for reverse. There is also a second pedal to the right that can be used for forward only.

I've never been comfortable using my heel for reverse. The rocker pedal on the Grand L is forward enough that you can use the second pedal for forward and place you foot on the floor behind the rocker pedal and use the front part of your foot (toes) for reverse. In both cases, it's like driving a car in that your heel is on the floor and you operate the directional pedal with the forward part of your foot.

On the MX, there is only one pedal, the rocker style. On the one I tried, at least while wearing work boots, there was not enough room behind the pedal for my foot. The only way to work reverse is with the heel. Also, it doesn't feel as comfortable with one foot not resting on the floor, always higher than the other. This may all be personal preference. I'm sure there are those that prefer the rocker pedal. Good luck with your decision. Hope this helps.

 

[flusher]

Oh, and someone I work with is trying to talk me into buying a skid steer instead of a tractor. It sounds appealing except for the cost of those front mount brush hogs... any pros/cons on this?

Skid steers are useful around the barn and hayfield for rounding up and stacking hay bales. And there are tons of quick-attach implements for skid steers. But this type of equipment is pricy and is not really what you want for mowing many acres of pasture. Go with that Kubota you've been eyeballing. Or maybe a Kubota L4400 with 6-ft wide FEL. My neighbor has one of these and it's a honey.

My tractor is a 2008 Mahindra 5525 (54 hp engine, 45 hp pto, 2WD, gear tranny 8F/2R, power steering) with the ML250 FEL (6-ft wide bucket, 2950 lb lift to 10.5 ft height, skid steer quick attach option on the FEL arms, chain hooks on the bucket) and 3 pairs of hydraulic remotes on the rear of the tractor. Cost: ~$19K new.



The chain hooks, remotes and quick attach should be on your wish list. The mower is a 6-ft Hawkline rotary mower (aka brush hog, bush hog, shredder, slasher) that takes care of pasture mowing around my place.

Just be sure to think through your tractor needs for the next 4-5 years and get one large enough to handle your jobs. My first tractor was a 2005 Kubota B7510HST (21 hp engine, 17 hp pto, 4WD, hydrostatic tranny, power steering) with the LA302 FEL (4-ft wide bucket, 800 lb lift to about 7 ft height). No hydraulic remotes. No skid steer quick attach on the bucket. Cost: $12.6K plus tax (new). That little Bota was fine for handling work after my new house was built (landscaping, veg garden, paver block walkways and patio, etc). Three years later I traded it in on the 5525 when I decided to grow hay on 6 of my 10 acres.



Good luck and have a ball on your new tractor.

 

[roygage]

Hi, I'm a relatively new member.
Looking for any and all suggestions. Any particular used units that might be good? Is utility size too big for what I need? I've never had a tractor before-- raised a "city" boy in a town of all farmers.

I have two Kubotas, a little L3000 DT that is about 30 horse compact and a 5040 which is about fifty horse and a utilty class tractor.


For your mowing, arena work and odd jobs the 30 horse would be just fine, more manverable ect., Comes to moving bales and loader work the 5040 would really shine.

I would recomend a 40 to 50 horse compact with a 6 foot bucket and enough loader capicity to handle your bales.

I was very interested in Kioti's but there were no dealers in my state. If I had a dealer as close as you do I would be checking them out, they are supposed to have a really nice hydrostat.

 

[k0ua]

On the MX, there is only one pedal, the rocker style. On the one I tried, at least while wearing work boots, there was not enough room behind the pedal for my foot. The only way to work reverse is with the heel. Also, it doesn't feel as comfortable with one foot not resting on the floor, always higher than the other. This may all be personal preference.


I am in the "love the single treadle-pedal" camp. I did not like it for the first couple of hours, when I was moving my foot back and forth and keeping my heel on the floor, or toes on the floor. But when I learned to put my foot flat on top of the pedal, all is good, even better than good, it is fantastic. The amount of control and the speed to change directions cannot be beat. If your ankle has poor articulation than that could be a problem with this method. My knees are not too good, by the ankles still work well. When grading gravel or mowing over an edge with a rear cutter, it is the "bees knees". I know I am in a small minority here but I would really miss it. My lawn tractor is the 2 pedal type, (JD) and it is nice, but I really like the treadle-pedal better.

James K0UA

 

[IslandTractor]

On the MX, there is only one pedal, the rocker style. On the one I tried, at least while wearing work boots, there was not enough room behind the pedal for my foot. The only way to work reverse is with the heel. Also, it doesn't feel as comfortable with one foot not resting on the floor, always higher than the other. This may all be personal preference.


I am in the "love the single treadle-pedal" camp. I did not like it for the first couple of hours, when I was moving my foot back and forth and keeping my heel on the floor, or toes on the floor. But when I learned to put my foot flat on top of the pedal, all is good, even better than good, it is fantastic. The amount of control and the speed to change directions cannot be beat. If your ankle has poor articulation than that could be a problem with this method. My knees are not too good, by the ankles still work well. When grading gravel or mowing over an edge with a rear cutter, it is the "bees knees". I know I am in a small minority here but I would really miss it. My lawn tractor is the 2 pedal type, (JD) and it is nice, but I really like the treadle-pedal better.

James K0UA

I have used both the single treadle and the dual pedals. Both obviously work and you can get used to either. I now prefer the dual pedal but I honestly did not mind the single treadle when I had it. I suspect most people will adapt to either pretty quickly. Problem is that one or the other will feel odd to you while you are in the dealer showroom and trying to make a decision. My advice would be to never make pedal type the defining factor in tractor selection. It's kinda like choosing a wife based on whether she is a blonde or brunette, regardless of your initial preference, you'll get used to either soon enough and other qualities are more important.

 

[TripleR]

I have used both the single treadle and the dual pedals. Both obviously work and you can get used to either. I now prefer the dual pedal but I honestly did not mind the single treadle when I had it. I suspect most people will adapt to either pretty quickly. Problem is that one or the other will feel odd to you while you are in the dealer showroom and trying to make a decision. My advice would be to never make pedal type the defining factor in tractor selection. It's kinda like choosing a wife based on whether she is a blonde or brunette, regardless of your initial preference, you'll get used to either soon enough and other qualities are more important.

Very good points, we have used the twin pedal John Deere type for about ever since they came out, first on a 425 and now on a 2305, we prefer the Kubota, but it really is insignificant.

When I told my wife we were getting a BX2660 to replace our BX2200, my wife strongly disliked the different HST pedal initially. After she used it a couple of times, she commented on how much she preferred the new style.

I looked at the L40 Series before buying our L30 and preferred the L40 pedal. After using the full treadle for hundreds of hours, I really like it. I am sure I would adapt to the L40, but have no complaints with what I have.

For me at least pedal type would not be a deciding factor without using one long enough to overcome my initial impression.

The other day, my son and I had a long discussion on our M8540 as we have used it about a year. We initially missed the wider cab on our CX80, but now find we prefer the narrower cab on the Kubota for ease of operation. Some things just take time.

 

[hyperrust]

Still reading all the replies with interest, thanks! Today my wife said it was high time we just went and bought a tractor and stopped thinking about it so much. She wants to cut down the horse pastures, as well as take care of some other issues.

I found a dealer that has a 2010 New Holland T1530 HST 4WD with quick detach loader/bucket. Don't know for sure on price but I have a feeling it may be a pretty good deal. However, I can hardly find any info on the tractor.

Looks like it's an economy tractor, which is fine by me. Size seems pretty good; actually the 45 hp seems excellent for the size of the tractor. Should be no problem with 6ft cutter. I talked to my wife more and she now does not anticipate moving round bales as she has some hay guys who are happy to deliver round bales to any spot in the pasture she wants (they are very close too).

The tractor apparently has a Shibaura engine. Don't know if that's good or bad. Weighs around 3300lbs. Loader capacity (NH 250TL) appears to be 1900lbs from the little I can find. This tractor may be a good compromise between the smaller tractors I was considering and some of the bigger ones suggested (MX5100, etc). Any thoughts?

 

[bigbull338]

before you committ fully to the NH,go look at the MX5100 with quick tach loader.if you put the LA844 loader on it i know you can lift a 5 by 6 bale no prob with a bale on the rear.because we lift an feed 5 by 6 bales.it also gives you 7hp more.

 

[hyperrust]

The NH 1530 may be off the list now. The dealer sold the last one. Others are available elsewhere, but the deal is not as good as this one was.

I talked to the local Kubota dealer. Nice people, wouldn't mind buying there. I think the choice is narrowed down to:

L4400
MX4700
MX5100

Decisions...

 

[cowski]

5140 kubota or a 5 series jd.with a 80 inch wheel base or larger.that would be my recommendation.i would rather see you with a stripped down one of these than a smaller one.moving round hay is hard with a cut ,they get traded back in all the time for one of the utility models . either the front end hops up or the rear end comes off the ground trying to move large round bales.