Seeking tractor for small property

[BarneyS]

I'm seeking to purchase a new tractor in the next few months. I'd like a a cab with A/C and heat. The FEL will be used primarily for moving rock and dirt, some digging. I'd like a mid mount 60 or 72 inch mower. I'll probably purchase a hoe and post hole digger at a later time. The only thing I can find that offers a mid mount mower near me is the JD 3520 or 3720. I've gotten varied answers from the local Bobcat dealer if they can even mount a mid-mower on a unit with 35-40 hp that has a cab with A/C. Mahindra and Kioti dealers are too far away if I ever need service. The Kubota dealer near me was less than impressive with their price point compared to JD features and HP.

Is there some reason it's so difficult to find a compact this size that doesn't offer a mid mount mower AND a cab with air?

Is there some reason I don't want a mid mount mower?

My ground is mostly flat, but I have a lot trees. I used to mow a lot of pasture ground and looking back all the time with the three point mower was a nuisance to me.

Thanks for any advice.

BarneyS

 

[Muhammad]

Welcome to TBN.

 

[jlsmith]

What are you going to be mowing with it. Yard or pasture, how often are you going to be mowing. I would look into a MF 1600 series. :thumbsup:

 

[BarneyS]

I'll be mowing about 5 acres, all of which will be finish mowing, non pasture. I like the MF's, but the local dealer is also a Kubota dealer, and they don't really have any interest in selling me a MF compact. They keep pushing the Kubota when I talk to them.

 

[Briana03]

WELCOME to TBN

I moved your thread to the Buying/Pricing/Comparisons Forum.

 

[Thomas]

Welcome to TBN.
You may find some 40-50hp model don't offer mid PTO's.

By the sounds yo done your home work..have good idea,well your dealers let you take test spin,also how's dealerships service dept.

Make you quest fun.

 

[moored4]

:welcome: to TBN! :thumbsup:

Happy :tractor: ing!

 

[mjncad]

Welcome to TBN Barney.

For 5-acres, I'd say a JD 3x20 series would be more than adequate, unless you just want and can afford a 4x20 series unit.

As for a Mid-Mount-Mower...if the JD has the drive on deck for either series, I'd seriously look into that, along with the auto-connect of the PTO shaft. I looked into a MMM for my 4200 shortly after I bought it in 2001, and when I saw what a PITA it was to put on and take off, I said forget it. The drive-on deck, and auto-connect weren't on the market then. Also, a MMM could be in the way if you start digging shallow; but wide holes with the loader.

Also a MMM will probably be in the way to do routine hydraulic system oil changes, especially if you intend to do that work yourself like most of us do.

 

[KU Gator]

In the Kubota line-up, to get a factory cab and a mid PTO, you would have to go with a B3000 or a Grand L. The B3000 is offered in two levels. One is a fairly basic tractor with the cab. The other version is a cold weather version which includes their premium features including position control on the 3 pt hitch and extendable lengths to make hooking up equipment easier as well as some creature comforts like tilt steering. The Grand L is a premium feature series in which mid PTO is not standard but can be added as an option. To me, a tractor the size of a grand L on "Small Property" would be an awfully big lawn mower, but to each their own. You can check pricing with Barlows in KY. They ship nationally and consistantly get high praise from people who have bought from them in the Kubota section.

As to the mid mount mower, the advantage to me is when mowing around things like trees or near the house, it is easier to manuever with a MMM. It is easier to look down and see where you are and it doesn't swing wide when you turn like a rear finish mower. The disadvantages are you are limited to buying it from the OEM and it will cost you more than a typical RFM. Also it is more of a pain to remove or hook up than an RFM is. It takes me about 5 minutes or so do hook up mine, a little less to take it off. Mine is a drive over deck, but does not automaticly hook up like the John Deere offers. With the RFM, it is easier to hook up, a large selection to choose from including cheaper light duty models or heavier duty/higher quality ones. Also an RFM can be backed under low hanging trees limbs to cut the grass under them. The disadvantage is it swings wider on turns, so cutting around things or in tight areas is a little more challenging than using a MMM.

 

[BarneyS]

Thanks to all for the words of advice. On occassion the Mrs. may want to sit in the cab and mow a swath or two, so it sounds like a MMM will fit the bill. I'd hate to see her swing wide in a turn with a RFM and cut all my new spruce trees off at the ground. (Women, you can't live with 'em, pass the Beer Nuts!)

That JD 3720 cab and the drive over self latching deck is a pretty sweet set up, but with the FEL, cab and MMM, the price I was quoted for new is over $40k with tax, but I'm a guy and I like my toys.

Thanks again,

goodolebarn

 

[Martian]

Welcome Barney!

As mjncad mentioned, the AutoConnect MMM on the Deere's lineup is sweet. There's nothing like it in the market. I don't care who you are, taking those MMM on and off are a PITA. I take mine off my mower once a year to clean the deck and sharpen the blades, but I have a dedicated mower. If I were to be using a tractor/mower combo, the AutoConnect would be more than worth it. The AutoConnect deck is also a 7 iron deck. Stamped deck, arguably the nicest on the market. I really feel JD has an advantage with their MMM's out right now.

The 3x20 size is also very manageable. Your not going to have to worry about the wife running into (too much) stuff.

I think you will find the prices pretty competitive, though, at least I have when shopping. Buy what you like the best.

Good luck!

 

[BarneyS]

I agree that after hours of research online and looking at units in person, JD seems to have the best setup for a MMM. I priced a Kubota L3970 with all the same options as the JD 3720, and the JD was over $7,000 less. I've tried several Kubota dealers, but nobody seems to be able to match or beat the local JD dealer I'm working with. It's looking more and more like I'll be having some green stuf parked in my shop in a month or two. Thanks to all for the words of advice.

I've been amazed with all the dealers I've contacted, only a handful of the sales staff is interested in taking the time to sell me $40,000 worth of tractor and implements. Four dealers never returned my calls or emails, three dealers told me their brand of tractor didn't build a 35-40hp tractor with a MMM and cab, although I was able to build them on the manufacturers website and found them for sale used on this website just like I spec'd them to the sales people. One sales person with one of the "big red stuff tractors" actually told me he was too busy to quote me a price until next month because he was "gearing up for a big farm auction".

My thoughts are that although $40K is probably chump change to them compared to some of the larger over 100HP units they sell, I work hard for my money, and they should work hard to take it from me. I hate to think what service may have been like had I purchased a tractor from one of these dealers????

Double talk and lack of knowledge of the product they are trying to sell me will never suffice where I come from.

My business will go to the sales person that takes the time to earn my business and have some knowledge of the product they are selling me. The JD dealer I'm working with has done this, and I feel like they've earned my business. I hope the product is as good as the employee selling it!

Peace, out!

goodolebarn

 

[Martian]

I agree that after hours of research online and looking at units in person, JD seems to have the best setup for a MMM. I priced a Kubota L3970 with all the same options as the JD 3720, and the JD was over $7,000 less. I've tried several Kubota dealers, but nobody seems to be able to match or beat the local JD dealer I'm working with. It's looking more and more like I'll be having some green stuf parked in my shop in a month or two. Thanks to all for the words of advice.

I've been amazed with all the dealers I've contacted, only a handful of the sales staff is interested in taking the time to sell me $40,000 worth of tractor and implements. Four dealers never returned my calls or emails, three dealers told me their brand of tractor didn't build a 35-40hp tractor with a MMM and cab, although I was able to build them on the manufacturers website and found them for sale used on this website just like I spec'd them to the sales people. One sales person with one of the "big red stuff tractors" actually told me he was too busy to quote me a price until next month because he was "gearing up for a big farm auction".

My thoughts are that although $40K is probably chump change to them compared to some of the larger over 100HP units they sell, I work hard for my money, and they should work hard to take it from me. I hate to think what service may have been like had I purchased a tractor from one of these dealers????

Double talk and lack of knowledge of the product they are trying to sell me will never suffice where I come from.

My business will go to the sales person that takes the time to earn my business and have some knowledge of the product they are selling me. The JD dealer I'm working with has done this, and I feel like they've earned my business. I hope the product is as good as the employee selling it!

Peace, out!

goodolebarn

Looks like you've found what will work for you then:thumbsup:

While shopping for my 110 I found the same thing, there were a couple that I really liked, but unresponsive dealers. I was buying used so it didn't matter for service, but I don't like giving my hard earned money to knuckle heads. I ended up finding a very responsive dealer who also had the best machine for the price. Before I'd bought my 110 I'd never heard of the dealership (probably because it's 1800 miles away from me) but they sell every type of John Deere equipment available, Forestry, Ag, Commercial, Construction etc. It's no coincidence that they are doing well. While I was dealing with him he knew shipping costs right away because he'd just sent a couple tractors all the way out my way. Seems like in the business of sales you'd want to sell, but that's just me.

Good luck with the purchase!

 

[Mark Page]

I spent 30 years as an outside saleman. I would have to beg and crawl at times for work or even just to get my foot in the door. I knew my trade and could speak with customers at any level.
These yo-yos today could care less. They almost take pride in their ignorance.
When I bought my new Massey one local dealer could of cared less and the other was clueless, had to go to the Massey spec book to answer basic questions.
When they'd come up with a retail price they almost expected me to roll over buy the machine. I finally called the dealer I bought my last Massey from and we hamered out a deal in 20 minutes on the phone. Only problem is he's 150 miles away. He's knowledgable, personable and will bend over backwards to get a problem solved, just like I used to have to do.