Rookie looking for guidance

[Blakemorar]

I have just contracted on 65 acres in the Florida Panhandle with about 15-20 acres in pasture. I have been considering getting a tractor with a FEL for purposes of mowing, light clearing and maintaining the road entrance to the property. I would like to pull a 6' rotary cutter and I also know that I want 4 wheel drive. What Kubota tractor would make the most sense? What transmission would you also reccommend? I am a rookie here and need some guidance. Thanks in advance!

Blake

 

[Bird]

Welcome to Tractorbynet, Blake. Selection of a tractor is, to a great extent, a matter of personal preference, but for my opinion, you might consider any of the L series tractors and I'd recommend the Grand L30 series. Any of those will do what you've mentioned doing, but you might keep in mind that (1) bigger ones will usually do it faster, and (2) most of us find things to do with a tractor after we get it that we never thought about before. And for convenience, comfort, speed, and safety (though some may disagree with the "safety" part), I prefer the HST (hydrostatic transmission).

 

[RobJ]

Go as big as you can afford. Consider all the options like the HST tranny and such mentioned above. That is nice for FEL work but won't do you much good while on a 20-acre mow.


Try not to go to crazy with all the choices!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[copperhead1967]

AMEN...... I LOCKED MYSELF UP IN THE BEDROOM FOR 3 DAYS COMPARING MODELS AND CALLING DEALERS AND PRIVATE OWNERS ON USED MODELS.
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Seriously your dealer has brochures that will help you out. Most of the larger manufacturers have web sites to look at. Spend a little time gathering some info, go to a couple dealers. Kick a few tires. Check out financing deals if your not paying cash. Bigger is usually faster when it comes to tractors but bigger is more money and more expensive to maintain . Also you need to consider service and your dealers rep on service. It sounds like you have a large chunk of land to keep up, so bigger may be best in your situation. I know several farmers who have different tractors to mow with , and then farm / constuction tractors. Usually the "mower" is an older Ford 9N or something like that.

 

[texasjohn]

Welcome to TBN... we were all rookies once!

Prior responses are dead on... I can add a few ideas:
1) Go to dealers and drive different tractors.
2) If you have a buddy with a tractor, maybe he will let you drive his and use his equipment to get a feel for how it all works together.
3) A tractor is just an engine... it is the attachments that personalize it and let you do what you need done. Be sure and include all the implements you need at your initial purchase so you can begin benefitting from your purchase immediately.
4) read, read, read, what has been said before here at TBN... it is a treasure trove of experience, comments and opinions.
5) Don't rush... you will live with what you get for a long time...

Now, for my opinions. Bigger is better. More horsepower is better. Go for what you really need, and more... you will discover that you truly needed it in the first place.

Myself, I had never had a FEL, HST or cab and considered them a little much, but got them because it was a package deal. I couldn't be happier.

I can highly recommend a Grand L 5030 HST with cab, FEL, rear lights, 4WD, at least one rear remote (more is better). I've been able to outfit mine to do all I need done on 200+ acres

 

[DickS]

Buying a tractor is like taking a wife. Look 'em over the best you can, close your eyes, raise your head, and command your future to God.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Get some seat time. Try them before you buy them. It helped me to get tractor time in the place I use them.

My neighbor let me use his NH TC40DA, another his Kubota B21 and a dealer let me use a Grand L3830.

Just driving them around the parking lot is not enough.
Bob

 

[Blakemorar]

What did you end up with?

 

[InlineDieselFan]

I am part of the bigger more horsepower group. Whenever the budget will allow, and within reason. A 300+ HP JD or MF they use in Kansas is a bit much.

Since you are in Florida, I was stationed at Ft Benning for a time, hot and humid sucks!!!! So I would also reccommend a cab or at least a tractor that you can add a cab later. That cab will provide you with air conditioning, you may want that at some point.

steve

 

[FamilyFarm]

GrandL or new M series

If you are working mostly in the open, I would consider the new M series. The L5030 is smaller, not as tall (especially the cab model), so you can maneuver better in tighter areas with lower limbs. Otherwise, the M series is very impressive, especially the cab model. The seat comfort is awesome. An M5040 cab will not set you back more money than a L5030 cab (you might even get an M6040 for the same money). You get one remote, QA loader bucket, better a/c in cab, nicer seat, more roomy cab, heavier duty loader capacity - all in all quite a lot for the money. Of course, the HST is not available, but the hydraulic shuttle shift was very nice too. I went with the L5030 cab for many reasons, primarily the overall physical size of the M series is just too large for much of what I need to do.
Terry