Buying Advice Right CUT for 10 acres

[Mud Mechanik]

Being a cattle farmer I'm gonna offer this advise, You mentioned feeding square bales and owning around 5 head or so, it is really gonna surprise you as to how much these critters eat. Your gonna spend alot of time feeding and handling hay, I'll admit that when I first got into raising cattle, I loved doing that every day, but it soon gets tiring and agravating. I now bale my hay into 4 X 5 round bales and feeding during the winter is still a job but at least I don't have to do it as often. With that being said....be sure you get a tractor that is capable of handling round bales because I bet your gonna want one soon.

 

[Morroder]

Drove and priced a Mahindra 3016 Shuttle with FEL today. Sound unit no complaints. $16800 quote. Thought that was a little high. Salesman said units in short supply right now. Looking for price comments

 

[madmax12]

Drove and priced a Mahindra 3016 Shuttle with FEL today. Sound unit no complaints. $16800 quote. Thought that was a little high. Salesman said units in short supply right now. Looking for price comments

p m daves tractor ... I think that price might be fair ... I think your dealer was being truthful

 

[jenkinsph]

Drove and priced a Mahindra 3016 Shuttle with FEL today. Sound unit no complaints. $16800 quote. Thought that was a little high. Salesman said units in short supply right now. Looking for price comments

Looks like you are going for an all in one tractor. How do you feel about having the separate mower for the lawn?

About the Mahindra, don't know if it was a typo but I see the 3PH lift capacity is about the same as the overall tractor weight. Sounds a little impractical to me, don't get to caught up in specs as some brands might be more conservative in their ratings. Based on specs listed on Tractordata.

Gravel driveway maintenance, if you fix it up right with a proper layer of base course on bottom and a thin layer of clean gravel on top any touch ups should be a minor thing to do. You will find the biggest concern will be keeping the edges neat. I put in about eight or ten driveways a year for customers and have a crackerjack truck driver to tailgate the materials. I use the truck loaded with gravel to pack the base course layer (3/4" to fines). He will wait if I think I need to smooth it up before placing the clean gravel on top. Don't need much tractor to maintain the driveway imo.

Running a tiller is mostly about pto hp and being able to select the right ground speed. Don't need or want a heavy tractor for this work, I find having an independent pto to be the best choice. The more pto hp you have and tiller to match means you can cover the ground faster.

FEL work requires the most weight of all the things you will do and will tax your tractor the most too. The more emphasis you place on setting the tractor up for fel use the poorer the tractor setup is for mowing finished lawns. That is why I recommend a separate lawn mower.

 

[rdrash]

Here is what I have done. I picked up a JD 2320 with a loader and mmm and it works great for mowing, tilling and pushing snow(with chains). Its not to hard on the grass even tho I loaded the tires. When you want to take the mower off, unhook and back over it, it takes 2minutes. You will probably switch to round bales after a short time of feading squares. So then find yourself a good used tractor with a loader from the 70s or 60s. That tractor will last a long time as you will probably only put 20hrs a year on it. They can be had for $2500 +/-. If I had to do it again I would have got a jd2520.

Some times ONE tractor just wont fit all your needs. Well that is what worked for me. Good luck

Trevor

 

[Morroder]

I'm down to 3 choices after meeting with local dealers:


LS 3039
Mahindra 3016
Kubota L3200

All with FEL, all GST. Dealers aside, which is your pick and why? The LS has more hp, more features and is cheaper. I know they're new to market but have been building tractors for a long time under other logos

 

[yelbike]

I'm jd Guy, but since thats out for some unknown reason stick with the next best. Going orange, will not disappoint. If for no other reason resell value. You know they'll be around tomorrow!!

 

[Morroder]

I did look at Green, as I grew up driving them. But, that paint costs a lot. Just like my dad, who went away from Deere for the same reason.... I ruled them out as I don't see myself trading a lot

 

[Morroder]

So, went and testt drove the LS again. Think it's off the list. Op station felt cramped and didn't like how loader attached to tractor. Took away 4 in of clearance. On way home stopped at Deere dealer and was impressed with the E series. Everything u need and affordable. I am concerned about the weight of tractor and lift specs on 3ph. Got a bid of 18700 for 3038E with FEL. Think I am down to Mahindra vs JD

 

[madmax12]

So, went and testt drove the LS again. Think it's off the list. Op station felt cramped and didn't like how loader attached to tractor. Took away 4 in of clearance. On way home stopped at Deere dealer and was impressed with the E series. Everything u need and affordable. I am concerned about the weight of tractor and lift specs on 3ph. Got a bid of 18700 for 3038E with FEL. Think I am down to Mahindra vs JD

Man...u r doing some serious homework! Cool!!!

Only thought I have, is if the john deere is more money, what would that same money buy at Mahindra? (or whatever brand, again)

If they r the same money, for almost same ability (not familiar with the JD), its a good bet the forum would lean JD. If they are same money, but mahindra can out perform...

...well... I bought the Max28XL.

Tough call. It's your money and your butt in the seat. You are certainly doing your homework. Just get a model that can lift what u need lifted or pulled, pushed, moved, etc... That's what you want it for.