Wagtail
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2013
- Messages
- 12,702
- Location
- St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
- Tractor
- JD 4105 / JD Z355E (48" deck)
Oh. OK, stuckmotor.
Seeking advice for 5 acres tractor? if so which?
- Thread starter Schmoopette
- Start date
- Views: 6986
You can break a few bones racing dirt bikes but tractors aren't always that safe either. Easier to jump and slide a bike anyway. Really dirt bikes are a great activity for kids and families.
TripleR
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2009
- Messages
- 18,084
- Location
- Missouri
- Tractor
- Kubota M8540HDC, L5740HSTC, BX2200, BX2660, John Deere 425&1025R, Case, Massey Ferguson, Ford
You've gotten some pretty good advice with which I really can't argue, we have two Kubota SCUTs and one John Deere. As far as quality goes, all of the top brands are good quality, so for many a good dealer can be a big consideration. However, to get the right tractor and dealer, we travel a bit further as a SCUT is easy to transport with our pickup and trailer. Now if you don't have a truck...??? Our 2008 has never been to the dealer as service on all these is very easy and no repairs required a dealer. For some a good dealer is going to be more of a factor than for others.
The SCUT/CUT is a never ending conundrum for many as either will often work where in a few instances one is the clear choice. We love ours, but if I had five continuous acres of land you described, I would get something along the lines of a B Series Kubota in any of the brands and very seriously consider a RFM of 72". You can surely do it with a 60" MMM, but I've got other things to do and I don't particularly like mowing, now my daughter can't get enough mowing time so it's naturally going to vary between users.
Think about what features are a priority ie. position control 3PH vs quarter inching, side by side vs rocker HST and so on then go try as many for as long as you can.
If any further questions arise come back as there are a lot of helpful members here willing to help you out, I know they sure have helped me.
There is a link in my signature area you might find informative if you are new to machinery.
Just remembered, me, my wife, kids, nieces, nephews etc. all rode motorcycles and I wouldn't even try to build a track with a B or BX; same for a pond, yes it can be done, but it was a LOT of work even on our 80HP tractor.
Good luck.
The SCUT/CUT is a never ending conundrum for many as either will often work where in a few instances one is the clear choice. We love ours, but if I had five continuous acres of land you described, I would get something along the lines of a B Series Kubota in any of the brands and very seriously consider a RFM of 72". You can surely do it with a 60" MMM, but I've got other things to do and I don't particularly like mowing, now my daughter can't get enough mowing time so it's naturally going to vary between users.
Think about what features are a priority ie. position control 3PH vs quarter inching, side by side vs rocker HST and so on then go try as many for as long as you can.
If any further questions arise come back as there are a lot of helpful members here willing to help you out, I know they sure have helped me.
There is a link in my signature area you might find informative if you are new to machinery.
Just remembered, me, my wife, kids, nieces, nephews etc. all rode motorcycles and I wouldn't even try to build a track with a B or BX; same for a pond, yes it can be done, but it was a LOT of work even on our 80HP tractor.
Good luck.
I have lost friends to motorcycle accidents, car accidents because someone was on a cell phone, heart attacks while cutting grass with push mowers and yes even one who accidently flipped their tractor and got crushed by it. So I guess I cant own a car, bike, cell phone or push mower or tractor because any one of them could hurt me or kill me.
Sorry but what is wrong with this world? Being afraid to live and experience life because your so afraid of getting hurt. I would rather go out knowing I lived than to die wondering about all the things I was afraid to do.
jenkinsph
Super Star Member
Teachu2
Platinum Member
My five acres is 25% level, 50% moderately hilly, and 25% STEEP. It also has hundreds of oak trees. About as different from your terrain as can be, but I researched here last year before buying a new tractor to replace the old one I'd bought off Craigslist.
I started by researching brands and models, and soon realized that most vendors had one or more models that would work for me. Many brands share manufacturers, with paint color and minor feature differences. Some vendors use multiple suppliers, with one model being made in Japan while the next is from India. Every brand has satisfied customers, and every brand has it's detractors. I think most of the tractors sold in the US are reasonable quality.
For me, it came down to dealer and price. The Deere dealer here is huge, with a lot full of inventory in every model. They are so big that they have a salesman just for Compact Tractors. My guess is he just failed out of junior college because he didn't understand any of the questions, and thought the answer to every problem was whatever product the boss had a bonus on. He was actually worse than no help at all.
The Mahindra "dealer" was a trailer dealer. No service department, no parts, but he could get you financed...
The Case dealer was an exceptionally nice and friendly fellow, who spoke highly of the Kioti dealer and the Kioti brand. His product was severely overpriced, though.
The LS dealer was much like the Mahindra dealer.
All this left me looking at Kubota and Kioti. Both are long-time tractor dealers here, nearly a century each. Both have full dealerships, and the Kioti dealer has two locations. Either would be satisfactory, as they were both pros in the business. The Kubota was a little more refined, but the Kioti was more capable - both in capacity and weight. (Then again, Mahindra beat them both on paper - the dealer was the issue there.) The Kioti was also less money - a lot less.
The Kioti dealer really went the extra mile - even offered to deliver the machine I was considering to my property (40 miles away) and let me demo it for the weekend, no charge or obligation! He ended up doing a dealer trade to get me exactly what I wanted, and made me a great deal on it. After I'd run it a while, I found a couple of minor issues - and he had a service tech up the next day to address those issues. He went over the tractor and checked all the loader bolts and such while he was there, as well as the stuff I'd called about. Left me a detailed note - no charge.
Bigger and heavier truly is better when it comes to tractors. I bought the biggest that I could fit through the trees at my place. The next model was 18" wider, and just would not have worked as well.
Take a look at flail mowers if you get a chance.
I started by researching brands and models, and soon realized that most vendors had one or more models that would work for me. Many brands share manufacturers, with paint color and minor feature differences. Some vendors use multiple suppliers, with one model being made in Japan while the next is from India. Every brand has satisfied customers, and every brand has it's detractors. I think most of the tractors sold in the US are reasonable quality.
For me, it came down to dealer and price. The Deere dealer here is huge, with a lot full of inventory in every model. They are so big that they have a salesman just for Compact Tractors. My guess is he just failed out of junior college because he didn't understand any of the questions, and thought the answer to every problem was whatever product the boss had a bonus on. He was actually worse than no help at all.
The Mahindra "dealer" was a trailer dealer. No service department, no parts, but he could get you financed...
The Case dealer was an exceptionally nice and friendly fellow, who spoke highly of the Kioti dealer and the Kioti brand. His product was severely overpriced, though.
The LS dealer was much like the Mahindra dealer.
All this left me looking at Kubota and Kioti. Both are long-time tractor dealers here, nearly a century each. Both have full dealerships, and the Kioti dealer has two locations. Either would be satisfactory, as they were both pros in the business. The Kubota was a little more refined, but the Kioti was more capable - both in capacity and weight. (Then again, Mahindra beat them both on paper - the dealer was the issue there.) The Kioti was also less money - a lot less.
The Kioti dealer really went the extra mile - even offered to deliver the machine I was considering to my property (40 miles away) and let me demo it for the weekend, no charge or obligation! He ended up doing a dealer trade to get me exactly what I wanted, and made me a great deal on it. After I'd run it a while, I found a couple of minor issues - and he had a service tech up the next day to address those issues. He went over the tractor and checked all the loader bolts and such while he was there, as well as the stuff I'd called about. Left me a detailed note - no charge.
Bigger and heavier truly is better when it comes to tractors. I bought the biggest that I could fit through the trees at my place. The next model was 18" wider, and just would not have worked as well.
Take a look at flail mowers if you get a chance.
airbiscuit
Super Member
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2004
- Messages
- 6,527
- Location
- NW Wisconsin
- Tractor
- New Holland T2310 (40hp), Kubota L3010 GST, New Holland TC21DA *** Previously - Farmall H, 1941 John Deere B, Shibaura SD1500, John Deere 850, Bobcat 642, New Holland 1925
Teachu2 - That's a good post.
HillStreet
Veteran Member
Last year I went round and round with my dealer where I bought my previous Kubota. I bought maintenance items there, as well as some chains. The guy I bought it from was a very nice guy, always friendly and listened and gave good advice. He has since left.
His replacement was much different. Always seemed to one-up you no matter the topic, did not listen, tried to dismiss every concern, made promises but never delivered. I privately nicknamed him "Jeff dance" because he would shuffle his feet while his eyes roamed the dealership all the while talking but not making sense.
I stopped in today and bought a filter for my new B2650 that I bought elsewhere. That may have been a bit mischievous but I wanted him to know that he lost my business. It is not our personalities, other people are saying same about him. The owner needs to pay attention to his business.
His replacement was much different. Always seemed to one-up you no matter the topic, did not listen, tried to dismiss every concern, made promises but never delivered. I privately nicknamed him "Jeff dance" because he would shuffle his feet while his eyes roamed the dealership all the while talking but not making sense.
I stopped in today and bought a filter for my new B2650 that I bought elsewhere. That may have been a bit mischievous but I wanted him to know that he lost my business. It is not our personalities, other people are saying same about him. The owner needs to pay attention to his business.
TheMan419
Veteran Member
I'd say the dealer is the most important. I am a total newbie as well. We just bought 18 acres and are going to have horses. Not new with horses, just new with having the acreage to have them at home rather than board them.
I ended up with NH for a variety of reasons. The two primary being the good local dealer and the cost. Of course the cost is meaningless if the machine cannot do what you want it to do.
However, I would caution to actually go look at and test drive each machine you are interested in. There is a wide difference between machines that appear to have the same "stats". For me the Massey Furgeson looked and felt like a toy compared to the New Holland Boomer 24 I ended up with. Your mileage may vary of course.
More important to me is the NH dealer is 7 miles away. The MF dealer is 30+ miles away. Also the NH dealer seemed more responsive to me wanting a small machine. The MF dealer seemed to not want to deal with me because I was not buying a big piece of farm equipment.
Of course I am sure someone else here with a MF had the exact opposite experience as I did.
Here in the land of lake effect snow my SCUT with just the FEL will be plenty enough tractor for the snow. We got lucky this year, but with the couple big snows that we got, I got a taste of it. OF course it will take longer to do the drive with the SCUT than it would with a bigger tractor. However life is full of trade offs.
Good luck.
I ended up with NH for a variety of reasons. The two primary being the good local dealer and the cost. Of course the cost is meaningless if the machine cannot do what you want it to do.
However, I would caution to actually go look at and test drive each machine you are interested in. There is a wide difference between machines that appear to have the same "stats". For me the Massey Furgeson looked and felt like a toy compared to the New Holland Boomer 24 I ended up with. Your mileage may vary of course.
More important to me is the NH dealer is 7 miles away. The MF dealer is 30+ miles away. Also the NH dealer seemed more responsive to me wanting a small machine. The MF dealer seemed to not want to deal with me because I was not buying a big piece of farm equipment.
Of course I am sure someone else here with a MF had the exact opposite experience as I did.
Here in the land of lake effect snow my SCUT with just the FEL will be plenty enough tractor for the snow. We got lucky this year, but with the couple big snows that we got, I got a taste of it. OF course it will take longer to do the drive with the SCUT than it would with a bigger tractor. However life is full of trade offs.
Good luck.
DarrellSimpson
Bronze Member
My dad had 10 acres recently and bought a used JD that is comparable to the 4720 . It is an absolute workhorse for digging up stumps and grading the road . With tire chains it even up righted a overturned car in the snow .