Seeking the collective wisdom of the tribe

[greggh]

Welcome to TBN. Once you get to Texas, you will have many options. Dealers, individuals, auctions, and word of mouth. It would probably be best if you visited the different dealers, see how they operate, set on a few tractors to get the feel of the different styles, the feel and placement of all of the gears and levers available on the different tractors.

That way you have an idea possibly how you would be treated at the dealership. How a certain tractor fits you in particular. How difficult to find and operate the different gears and levers. Once you find the tractor that fits you, then you can concentrate on finding that one particular tractor.

Fortunately, I made a wise choice for me without doing what I just said. So don't do as I did... You might not be as lucky as I was.

 

[daTeacha]

If you read enough posts here about buying a tractor, one theme that emerges as a top priority is the dealer. Second comes ergonomics.

I know Texas is a big place with lots of varied terrain and weather conditions. Will you deal with anything resembling winter and snow? How about summer sun? I'm thinking about a canopy or cab to confuse your thinking some.

Also, how much time will you have to get tractorin' chores done? Smaller tractor = more seat time, larger tractor = less seat time for the same job.

A B7800 or B3030 equivalent with cab will enable you to do a lot of work in all kinds of weather without breaking the bank, presuming you have a dealer close enough to get filters and such when you need them.

Most of these units don't break very often, so you need the dealer primarily for consumable parts at fairly long intervals.

 

[froggy]

If you look at Kubota's, check out Deen Implement in Forney and Wills Point.

There is Ag-Power for John Deere in Terrell and Mitchell-Bourland for Case and Massey also in Terrell.

 

[Jimmyp5]

Your getting a lot of tractor advice...now about taxes... you have 10 acres if I recall that is good for a Ag Exemption on the land. BUT, you must farm the land...your talking one or two horses (they don't count in Texas), but if you split the land up a bit, and bailed the hay sold it on the cheep or found another farmer would would do a split with you and do all the work, you might find the tax savining is quite a bit.

 

[froggy]

If the land doesn't have an ag exemption on it already, it takes 5 years to establish it.

 

[Jimmyp5]

yep., he could do the "open land" or "wildlife" exemptions he just has to get started...it will pay off in the long run... I found a nice talk directly with the folks at the county tax office really pays off after all they get to decide when it all said and done. I had a friends land converted to "wildlife" after he got hurt and could not farm anymore...

 

[froggy]

Montague is more lenient about "wildlife" exepmtions than Cooke. Here they are very strict about "wildlife".

 

[Lakehouse]

sseelhoff,

As has been said before, you'll get lots of help here. I just found a new tractor dealer in your area (Scurry, TX) - Titan Tractor. Unfortunately they're Chinese, but the units look sturdy, simple and inexpensive. (www.titantractor.com). Also, there's a JD dealer in Hockley, TX (John Deere Tractor Packages) who can put together a relatively inexpensive package compared to most of the green, orange and blue dealers for a CUT in the 30-35 hp range. Hopefully I'm in the last stages of my own search and as everyone has said, make sure you have the dealer support even if it's a little more $$.

JP

 

[gerard]

From someone who was in your position 8 years ago. We have 11 acres, 7 horses, an indoor riding arena and an out door. Horses are in all winter (Syracuse NY, cold and snowy) so we generate a lot of manure, sawdust and have to store/move hay. Have an L2500 Kubota gear 26 hp w/ loader - the basic tractor. Next one will either be HST or shuttle shift - makes loader work easier and gives you more finesse with fine movements. OK - that said a 30hp will do all you need and then some. More can be better but sometimes too big and you lose maneuverability and it costs more. More for tractor = less for implements. I'll leave you to decide on brand. Check the posts on repairs etc. Speaking for myself I bought new, have 751 hours, and have not had a reason yet to go back to dealer. There's a reason Kubota had (not sure if they still do) 50% of the compact market - they build nice machines. Loader is a must, quick detach preferable, get the tires loaded with rim guard, live pto a must. Good luck and happy shopping!

 

[gilbertmsg]

I agree with Swampvol, you need a tractor. We have 10 acres, 3 horses, a 30' x 40' barn. It makes it nice to have a small enough tractor to move around in the barn. After looking at a few, JD, Kobota and Kioti, I went with the Kioti CK20 gear with FEL. After only 20 hrs I feel like I have made a good choice. Not to large to move around horse stalls and paddock area. Yet large enough to do some serious work if needed. You will be very suprised in what a 2000 pound 20 horse tractor can accomplish.

Eddie