Buying Advice Shopping for first tractor

[bbrackemyer]

I am looking to purchase a tractor come spring of 2020, which is when funds will be available to pay cash and save a little money. My main question is when should I start going and talking to dealers to get prices?

Looking to spend between 15-20K. I know any quotes given today will change but it would still give me an idea of how much to save and which tractor would be the best deal. I live in central Iowa and have a Deere, Kubota, Massy, Kioti, TYM, and Branson dealer all within 70 miles. Deere and Kubota are the closest within 15 miles and Kioti is the furthest at 70 miles. Planning on a 25-30hp. So far I really like the Kubota B2650 and the Kioti CK2510 and CK2610 or maybe the 3 series Deere but actually haven稚 gone and driven anything yet.

I own 18 acres that is pretty much all timber so would like a tractor that can still fit into small areas. Main use would be maintaining 700 foot driveway, maintaining trails, general loader work, and some brush hogging around a pond and food plot. Tractor would not be used for finish mowing so I don稚 need that but would like loaded tires and a 3rd function value. Any information about brands, sizes, price or anything else I should be thinking about would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BRMyers]

:welcome:

You have listed all the popular brands close to you except RK and LS, so I'm sure there will be lots of incoming opinions (which isn't a bad thing). Never to early to start talking to the dealers and see which seem to meet your needs. Does one offer free transport for warranty work? Will they send a repair person to you and if so, the cost? How does the dealership look? Do they have the manpower and inventory to be able to deal with your needs or is it just a little tin building and some tractors?

Once you determine the dealers that could meet your needs, then you can start narrowing down which product and features that you want and which you must have to accomplish your goals. Which tractor has the ability to use the attachments and implements you are wanting to use? Those that are PTO driven will have HP requirements, so you will need a tractor with enough PTO HP to run it. Loader attachments get into weight, is the tractor you looking at heavy enough to do the work you wanting/needing to do?

I would say most tractors in that 25-30HP range will be able to accomplish what you have listed, just depends on how fast you want to do them and in what comfort level (i.e. cab, no cab, etc.).

Then finally, it what your pocket book will allow.

Get out test drive some, see what feels good, never to early to start shopping, the hardest part is the wait.

 

[jeff9366]

I own 18 acres in Iowa that is pretty much all timber so would like a tractor that can fit into small areas.

Due to the requirement that new tractors over 25-horsepower meet stringent Tier IV emission rules, which requires two stages of emission upgrades over older models, new tractors jump from 25-horsepower to about 33-horsepower with very few new tractors around 30-horsepower. (Via small engine displacement and careful design, B2650 unusually meets Tier IV standards with 26-horsepower without a Diesel Particulate filter, stage two of Tier IV stringency.)

The tractors you are considering are all good for what you plan. By the time you option tractors and pay Iowa sales tax, out-the-door cost will probably push $23,000 for the tractor, with no implements. Deere, of course, is the Big Kahoona in Iowa. Waterloo, Iowa is practically a Deere fief.

With ag in some distress Iowa should have an unusual number of tractors returning at lease expirations. I would watch for previously owned tractor bargains as you research new tractors.

Nationally, sales of compact tractors are excellent, despite price increases which have been attributed to tariff issues. I doubt any dealer will give you a final quote and take a deposit from you longer than a month in advance. Your efforts toward price estimation this early probably best spent on brand web sites, outfitting potential tractors with BUILD MY KUBOTA/DEERE/KOREAN TRACTOR, then assume some discount, perhaps 8% off MSRP. You will soon find how options on a tractor, like options on a car, escalate the price.

VIDEO: Kubota B26�1 VS Kubota B265� - YouTube



Anticipaton is 50% of satisfaction.

 

[searcyfarms]

all i would do is drive and test and do a lot of research until then, options/prices/sales programs will change between now n then, narrow your search down to a couple then focus on the pricing once you get to that

 

[nards444]

I would stay under 25-26 hp range to stay out of emissions. Kubota 2650 is what I have, every brand has one in that range. Gong now and seeing what is out there is not a bad idea. at least you can compare base pricing now as it sits, and maybe have two options picked out and when time comes pick the best priced. Implements you can factor that pricing in etc as well, or find used items. Depending on brands and what implements you want that affects pricing as well. As mentioned above I think you need to look closer to 20k vs 15 depending on what you want. Tractor and loader alone will put you at just about 20 in most brands in tractors of that size.

 

[suburbanfarmer]

Buy Used, saves you a lot of money. Yes the risk is there but think of it like its broken in and all kinks worked out.

 

[nards444]

Buy Used, saves you a lot of money. Yes the risk is there but think of it like its broken in and all kinks worked out.

Yes and no. I looked at that route. Anything that was new used as in 5 years or newer either wasn't cheaper or just wasn't cost effective when you weighed it all out. really had to get into older machines to make the money right. Nothing wrong with that, just what I saw within the last 3 months or so. Said and done it was worth it to me to spend 5-6k more vs something that was 5 years old no warranty, newer tech etc, Biggest thing is nothing ive bought and taken care of has prematurely had any issues, I got tired of other peoples problems a long time ago.

 

[bbrackemyer]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I would have to agree with nards444 on buying used. I'm not opposed to buying a used tractor but most of what I see is only a few thousand less than brand new so I figured the warranty would be worth it to go new.

I'll plan on upping my budget a little to be prepared for a 20k check, I'm sure my wife will love that news. I have gone to the Deere's and Kubota's website to get an idea of price but it is nice to know you should be able to knock off around 8% with deals and negotiations.

Is getting the 3rd function added something that would be better to wait on until I'm ready to buy a grapple or would it be better to just include that right away?

 

[Diggin It]

At 25HP, you can easily stay under $20K even with attachments. Mine was around $18K

I'd strongly advise NOT to pay cash for that amount for anything. Leave that somewhere it can continue to earn a rate to offset any finance charge, or at least most of it. I haven't even looked at the account my payments are being drawn off of in a few months, so I just did that. Even allowing for somebody's money wars that have caused significant market fluctuations (notably December 18 and May 19), the balance hasn't really dropped in nearly a year of payments. Without those two hits, I'd be up quite a bit.

 

[nards444]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I would have to agree with nards444 on buying used. I'm not opposed to buying a used tractor but most of what I see is only a few thousand less than brand new so I figured the warranty would be worth it to go new.

I'll plan on upping my budget a little to be prepared for a 20k check, I'm sure my wife will love that news. I have gone to the Deere's and Kubota's website to get an idea of price but it is nice to know you should be able to knock off around 8% with deals and negotiations.

Is getting the 3rd function added something that would be better to wait on until I'm ready to buy a grapple or would it be better to just include that right away?

I just got the B2650 Kubota, great tractor and very regarded. According to the web site, no cab and loader this tractor is right on the dot at 20k before deals. B2601 same family but little less heavier duty would be a few bucks cheaper. One thing with the 2650 is later on if you choose to do so it would be ready for both AC and heat with a cab.

Also have to check deals they had an implement deal, buy two get 700 off. bought my loader and picked the york rake as number 2 think I paid like 200 bucks for the york rake because of the 700 off.

 

[nards444]

At 25HP, you can easily stay under $20K even with attachments. Mine was around $18K

I'd strongly advise NOT to pay cash for that amount for anything. Leave that somewhere it can continue to earn a rate to offset any finance charge, or at least most of it. I haven't even looked at the account my payments are being drawn off of in a few months, so I just did that. Even allowing for somebody's money wars that have caused significant market fluctuations (notably December 18 and May 19), the balance hasn't really dropped in nearly a year of payments. Without those two hits, I'd be up quite a bit.

0% for 60 months but there is finance charge, really end up being about even. If you have the cash its always better to not have a loan, but then again my 401k is rocking 12% right now.

 

[jeff9366]

Is getting the 3rd function added something that would be better to wait on until I'm ready to buy a grapple or would it be better to just include that right away?

When you negotiate on a $20,000+ tractor with remotes as part of the ensemble you have leverage.

Later, if you just want a remote, it will be MSRP for parts and labor.

Negotiate everything you can afford into the tractor purchase package.

 

[bbrackemyer]

Again, thanks everyone for the information. This forum is such a valuable resource to have. My wife and I are pretty big Dave Ramsey followers so it will be a cash purchase but it is nice to get to see other opinions though.

 

[GKChesterton]

I bought a CK2610 hst last fall. Love it so far. Loader is very stout, especially since they now put the same loader as the CK3510/4010. Plenty of ground with a six foot box blade (in 4wd) and good fit and function. Checked out a lot of brands – Kubota, LS, Deere, Branson, and Mahindra. Half the fun for me was driving a different tractor every other Saturday or so. Based off internet research, I originally was set on the B2650, but the sales service at both Kubota dealers that I went to was unbelievable - and not in a good way. Once I made my mind up, I found that prices often changed month to month depending on promotions and, I suppose, how much the dealer needs to move a unit. I found a good deal by calling multiple local dealers multiple times. Usually, I’d call at the beginning and end of the month. I had in mind what I wanted to pay. A good local dealer had two locations. I called the smaller location near the end of the month and got a very low quote. I said, well confirm that for me, because if that’s the price, I’ll be by tomorrow to buy one. I showed up and they honored the price. Had three units in stock. I drove them all and picked the one I wanted.

 

[sdquick]

Buy Used, saves you a lot of money. Yes the risk is there but think of it like its broken in and all kinks worked out.

Like others have said, I did not find that to be the case and it was a ton of work to fine and see used tractors. I will say that there a re not a lot in my area but this is a good video that talks about the reason that used are so much. Why Are Used Compact Tractors So Expensive?!? TMT (our first three minute thursday) - YouTube

 

[GKChesterton]

I've been looking for a used tractor for a property I own in Oklahoma without much luck so far. I would add another factor in the tightness of the used tractor market that I have noticed - there are multiple individuals/companies who buy used tractors and resell them. A lot of them are just guys with a side business buying and selling tractors or farm equipment. The level of service that they perform on what they buy varies. Some simply turn and flip what they’ve bought. Some do basic maintenance - fluids and filters and powerwash it. Some will list a set of repairs that are optional if you want to buy. But, the important factor for you to consider in buying used is that you aren't just competing against some other guy who wants a tractor. You are also competing against guys who will see that "good deal" and see an opportunity to make some money.

That added competition means you will pay a little more for a used tractor. You can think of them as something like house flippers in a homeowner market. When the economy/demand goes up, they see opportunity and cause prices to increase because they artificially increase demand (not because they want to live in the house/own the tractor but because they see a way to make money by buying to sell it again). In a down market, they have the opposite effect. When economy/demand goes down, they are usually left with stock that doesn’t move, their capital is tied up in inventory and they try to cut it loose. So, prices move lower than they would have otherwise. I’m not saying tractors are a price bubble economy. I’m just saying that there are other reasons it can be hard to find that wonderful deal on a used tractor.

 

[RonSwanson]

Just get a Kubota L2501 and be done. Youll probably be glad you have the extra weight and lift capacities over a B. The Kioti is pretty cool too but at least for me the dealer that sells Kioti has New Hollands 10 to 1 on the lot so not sure how much effort they put in to Kioti.

 

[tradosaurus]

Think about the maximum PTO hp you might need in the future. I have 40 acres of trees that I use my L3301 with rotary cutter. The reason I went with 3301 size is to get more PTO hp to run the bigger rotary cutter. I probably should have just got the 3901 but it was $2k more.
The L2501 with FEL and 3rd function will run you about $21k.

 

[caver]

First tractor was a new 20hp Kioti. I traded it a few years later to a used 40hp Kioti I found out those small tractor loader capacities are almost useless.
I have a construction TLB with almost twice the capacity if the Kioti but still use the Kioti quite a bit since i put a grapple on it.

 

[UFLBret]

Again, thanks everyone for the information. This forum is such a valuable resource to have. My wife and I are pretty big Dave Ramsey followers so it will be a cash purchase but it is nice to get to see other opinions though.

Good plan, I'm a big Dave Ramsey follower also. We just bought a 5-acre mini farm for our horses. I sold my boat for $10k so had the cash to lay out on a tractor. I looked at new ones but just couldn't justify the cost for the relatively small HP. I looked for 2 months but finally stumbled on the NH TC35 i now own. One owner barn kept since new in '99. Had 800 hours on it and everything looks new. Owner was older gentleman that used it on his small property to mow. Came with Rhino SE6 rotary and the LA16 FEL. He was asking $12,500 and i ended up trailering it home for $10,500. Everyone that sees it can't believe it's 20 years old. I've had it for a couple months and already have run the meter up 35 hours on it. IMO if you have time you can search for the right deal to come along. Cash money talks. I love the bigger frame TC35, it's super stable and does everything i need it to do. Just need to find a cheap box blade for it and I'll be set.