Same old what do I need

[Jacquie]

I am in the process of buying a house with almost 8 acres and a 500 foot driveway. I have never driven or used a tractor. I think I know what I need but would like to see what advice I get from others. There will be about 2 acres lawn like, about 5 rough cut and then snow removel off the gravel driveway. This is in north east WI. The land is rolling.

As always I would like to keep costs down. General ideas of costs would also be helpful.

Jacquie
ironrosewhippets@earthlink.net

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I think I know what I need but would like to see what advice I get from others.)</font>

Jacquie,

Welcome to TBN.
Re. the statement above, that's cheating a little. There's a good chance you're going to get inundated with so many different responses that it'll make your head spin and then not know which way to go.

How about you let us know what you think you need and let us make any recommendations or suggestions with your choice as the starting point.

If you want to keep it a secret, at least let us know what dealers/manufacturers you have access to, your budget (including attachments) and any other pertinent items (future projects or ??? so we can consider the selection for the long haul). Remember, many of these tractors will most likely out live their owners so you may want to pick something as if it is the tractor you may live with the rest of your life.

 

[Jacquie]

Closest dealer is JD. I think I need the 2210 with a snow blower, a deck for mowing, and some kind of drag behind mower that will get a lot done fast. I don't know why I would need a loader. I will likely plant rather large beds. No horses or other livestock involved. I stopped and was quoted $14,000 for that. Seemed like a lot.

So now need to know if that seems resonable for things to add, if the cost is normal and why I would need a loader.

I have been told that JD cost the most and I can get just as much for much less.

Jacquie

 

[bczoom]

I need to run and eat so I only have a second.
JD is closest but is there any others within a reasonable distance?
How much do you "want" to spend?

 

[Jacquie]

I really didn't want to spend more than $12,000. I was also thinking to wait till spring to get it and have someone plow me out this winter to see if I could decide if I really needed more than I think or less.

Oh and it looks like there is New Holland about 10 miles, Cub Cadet about 20 miles, and Kubota about 20 miles. JD is about 8 miles.

Jacquie

 

[btolle]

Whoa! Have your wife hide the checkbook from you for at least a couple of weeks until you read everything you can find on this website, it will save you from making a mistake.

Read the various forums on different brands and see what others do and don't like about their tractors. You will find more information than you believed possible!

I am on the 3rd tractor (Kubota B7100HST) I have owned and should take delivery on my new Kubota BX2230 middle of next week. While I have several hundred hours of "seat time", I still consider myself a novice when it comes to tractors and have learned a myriad of things on this forum since I found it a few weeks ago.

Definitely look at other brands even if you end up buying the 2210. Drive them around the dealers lot and see how they "feel" to you. That may eliminate some brands/models or you may find one in particular that just "feels right".

It would also help if you could describe the land a little more.

Is it already cleaned up or are there a bunch of trees and a lot of brush you are going to have to clear?

Are there many trees in the yard part?

What will be planted in the "large beds"? Flowers or vegetables?

Are the beds there already or are you going to have to establish them yourself?

How many, how big?

How much time are you going to have to take care of the acreage?

Will you need to do the mowing pretty fast or can you take a more leisurely pace?

Where are you (city, state)?

How much snow do you get?

Is the driveway gravel, asphalt, or ?

Unless you ask more questions no one will be able to give you any meaningful help.

By the way, by checking with a second Kubota dealer 60 miles away (the dealer I bought from is 3 miles from me) I saved about $600. I got a price from the other dealer and went back to my dealer and told him he had to do better on price. I still paid about $100 more but it is worth it for service and to spend my money in my own little town with a dealer I am familiar with already (I bought the used B7100 from them).

You can also rent tractors for a week and try them out on your place or hire someone with a tractor to mow the big part and see how long it takes and what kind of tractor they have.

Bill Tolle

 

[frank_f15]

WELCOME to the forum: if you are sure on the size tractor you want i suggest you visit all dealers and check out all name brands in that appox. size. one or the other may feel more comfortale to you, drive them all.I PERSONALLY can not imagine a tractor with out a FEL , once u have it u will figure out all kinds of thing to do with it. see if there some other dealers around, like kioti, farmtrac etc. some nice tractors out there for less $$$$.

 

[v8dave]

Regarding a loader.

Do you own a wheel barrow? If not, then with 5 acres you are going to need one. Loaders eliminate wheelbarrows. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Going to do any planting, weeding, gardening? Put the tools and plants in the loader, haul the top soil, even haul a bucket load of water for the initial watering as a recent post said. Haul away clippings, dead plants and mistakes. Push dirt back into big holes you've made--tree planting, ditches for sprinklers and drains.

I can't figure out why this happens, but I've almost never planted a shrub or tree that I didn't need to either get more dirt or haul away some dirt. You'd think that once in a while the dirt you dug out would be enough to put back in. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif The loader bucket also make a nice temporary holding spot for the dirt you've dug out. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif No scraping up all the dirt from where you don't want it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Have to take the garbage cans out to the street for pick up? You guessed it, bungee strap them in the loader.

A loader is the most important reason to buy a tractor. You can get lawn mowers easily enough but most mowers won't handle a loader. You might regret not buying a bigger tractor so you could get a bigger loader. But, you will never regret buying a tractor with a loader.

 

[grandad]

Not to pile on to what others have said so well, but they are absolutely right. Just to give an example from this weekend's project at my place... setting fenceposts... lots and lots of fenceposts. How many 60# bags of concrete can you put in a wheelbarrow and roll around? My loader can carry all that I need, plus all the tools and the posts, without breaking a sweat.

Think about day-to-day life on those 8 acres and all the chores you will need to do to for upkeep. Think about schlepping every tool, shrub, dirt pile, ton of gravel, sack of quik-crete, dead tree, and Lord knows what else across those rolling hills in your wheelbarrow, or into and out of the bed of your pickup.

Pretty much everyone that has a loader will tell you it is about the most useful productivity multiplier you can get for a tractor.

Also, just one other thought on another aspect. Being that the budget is a major consideration (isn't it always!), you may find some tractor dealers will cut you a better deal at the end of the season (now) than if you wait until spring.

Good luck shopping!

 

[Egon]

You may find the loader will work for snow removal also. It will take more time than a blower but blowers are expensive.

Haunt the dealerships and keep looking. It's a lot of fun shopping.

Egon

 

[thcri]

I think based on the acreage the sub-compact is a tad bit light. Can be done but a tad light. If your price range is 12k I think I would back up a bit and maybe look for used and be able to get the attachments you want in a larger tractor. Kubota, John Deere and New Holland all make a class l in around a 21- 24 hp range and I personally think that is better suited. If you look around you may be able to find a good used one for your price. My neighbor just got a John Deere 4100, 60" mower deck, turf tires, push blade, front snow blower for $10,500. The thing only had 160 hours on it. There wasn't a scratch on anything and the mower was never used. Now I believe it is only 18 hp but it is in a larger frame and would perform better than a sub at 22 HP. A loader for him can be added fairly easy. Look at other brands. When going to the class l you do have more options. Century/Branson comes to mind if you have a dealer for them around. Great tractor, doesn't have all the bells and whistles nor does it have hydro but you probably can get more attachments for your money. Yes you would have to give up the hydro and maybe you don't want to do that. I guess for me having the right equipment is first then having the equipment I want would have to be second. What I am saying is don't be afraid to shop around. Re-think having a loader or not over again. I personally think you will be sorry. I would drop the snow blower as it can be added later. Loaders from what I see here get expensive as an after the sale ad on.

murph

 

[v8dave]

I forgot I'd bookmarked some pages with tractor prices on them. I'd guess these prices have increased slightly (hasn't everything?), but they are close enough for budgetary estimates. Kubota prices

This site will add up the prices for you and give you list prices and good deal prices. Don't be put off because they are Kubota prices. In the same size category a New Holland/Case tractor will be close and a John Deere will be similar to slightly higher.

Another place with prices is a State of Minnesota site. You'll have to dig a little, but all the prices are there. MN State tractor prices You'll have to figure out yourself what discount you think you can get.

Also, try to find a Kioti or Mahindra dealer. I don't have a web site with their pricing. But, a trip to a dealer, after knowing what the big three prices are, may be worthwhile. If you can find one nearby, be sure to check their lines out. They both have compacts that will fill the bill and probably will be cheaper than one of the big three.

Good hunting!

 

[Evasive1]

I am going to jump on the bandwagon when it comes to a loader. If you have a tractor, it sure will be a lot more useful with a loader on it.

I have never heard someone with a loader on their tractor say they wish they didn't have it but sure have heard someone without a loader say they wish they had one.

You will use a loader for things that you have not even thought of yet /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Jacquie]

Well was thinking last night as I was trying to stay up in preparation for my first week of overnights. I had gone through what I thought I might have to do in a week and decided the loader would be a help. Original plan was to use as much people power as possible rather than fuel. Decided it would just take too long. Also decided that I would put up a smaller fence rather than the over $7,000 one that was planned right away. Use the difference to get the tractor sooner. Of course that means I need to figure out what I am going to do sooner.

As far as the snow goes I work in a hospital and MUST get out of the driveway at 5 am sometimes. I work in Green Bay so it is a large issue. I am not a happy camper at 4 am so speed is very important.

I have next week off (7- 10 hour nights and then 7 off) so will go visit some more dealers.

Jacquie

 

[MikeFromVA]

This past summer I was going throught the decision process that you are in now. I went up to a JD4110 from a JD2210 for my 7 acres. I ended up spending more than I wanted to, but I'm sure that I made the right choice in the end. Zero percent financing over 3 years means that for $100 more per month you can step up to the next size. All of these tractors will be with you for many many years, so a little more now might be the way to go.

You won't regret getting the FEL! Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[thcri]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am not a happy camper at 4 am so speed is very important.
Jacquie )</font>

Heck the Packers are playing well right now, there is no reason to be an unhappy camper at 4:00. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif


murph

 

[Toledo4Bass]

If your not confused by now you never will be!!!

Figure out what projects you have in mind, and exactly what you want the tractor to do, then start visiting dealerships in your area. I "shopped " tractors for about 5 months. I talked and visited with dealers for a 100 mile radius listened to their suggestions and ideas. Gradually an idea of what I needed came into view. There are many pitfalls and much BS out there! So beware! You will see what I mean.
I narrowed my list as I went, and finally narrowed down to JD & Kubota. I decided on the JD. Went to a dealer that seemed sincere and informative and asked for his bottom dollar price. On the way home, I stopped by another shop owned by the same dealer, in another town and they quoted me a price that was $ 300 cheaper. That was were I got my JD 790.
Good Luck on the search. Enjoy the search! (You'll have to grit your teeth at times!) But remember that the hunt is the best part of the Kill!!!