Shopping for NEW Tractor - ANY input = many thanks

[deerefan]

i bought a 5103 2wd deere for my 42 acres. The tractor cost me about $12,500. I would recommend 4wd for those size trees, though. The 5103 has plenty of power for moving stuff around. A buddy has a Mahindra 5500 4wd that is also a pretty good tractor. All the tractord you listed have their pros and cons...you won't go wrong with any one. Good Luck!

 

[GHawk]

I got to thinking after posting this thread and called the builder who cleared the area of my property where the house was to be built. (Note: every tree, large or small)
He said he has a rental business drop a machine where and when he needs to do this particular type of clearing. He said it was mostly for the backhoe use. In fact, he mentioned he never used the bucket to clear any trees, only the backhoe. He would fill the bucket with material only for balance. He added, if I bought that equipment and cleared the areas I wanted to clear, when would I ever really use it again?
Good point.
I’ve also thought long and hard about these choices I’ve listed and would they REALLY push down trees like I want to do? After clearing, I’d mostly use my tractor for re-grading the areas and maintenance. I’d like to cut trails and maintain them, as well.
I just read another thread describing how someone has a smaller tractor for some of the same jobs I’d do and it makes sense not to over kill on size if it may not do the job of clearing, too.
An added consideration: the builder said he’s drop a machine on my land any time and I pay him what ever they charged for it. Very little $$ for a 30 day rental makes one wonder which way to go now.
I’ve been reading the 30 hp posts and smaller doing more for everyday tasks and maneuverability.
I understand a certain size mower requires a min. HP at PTO. I’d like a wider rotary cutter than the width of the tractor to get closer to buildings and fence lines.
Any comments on all this new input to my extremely confusing decision?

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I understand a certain size mower requires a min. HP at PTO. I’d like a wider rotary cutter than the width of the tractor to get closer to buildings and fence lines.
)</font>

Shouldn't be a problem. Many machines that run 5' mowers have less than 5' footprint. same with 6' mowers..

Most 30pto hp machines will run a 6' mower.. give or take on model.. etc.. Check your outside tire print area.

Soundguy

 

[LBrown59]

<font color="blue"> I’d like to take a cord or two of oak for winter firewood. We like a fireplace and campfires during the hard winter months. Ha! All 1 ½ months of them !! </font>

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Sounds like you need FireWood about as bad as Eskimos need snow. lol

 

[LBrown59]

<font color="blue"> Make sure you have enough donkey in the truck that pulls/gets pushed by it.
********* </font>
Right always stay under enough trailer to push the tow vehicle.

 

[GHawk]

I’m about ready to pull the trigger. I’ve narrowed the search down from last week to 2 dealers.

1. Kubota L4400 DT-F 4wd/LA703 FEL/ RhinoTW72 Rotary Cutter/ Rhino BX72 BB/ $$
2. John Deere 3720 HST 4wd/ 300CX FEL/ MX5 Rotary Cutter/ SBX600 BB/
(add $3,824)
Both are in the same area. Both have parts and service on site. Kubota salesperson several months/ JD several years.

I like the HST for the cool factor but what is the real skinny as far as loader work? The difference, as I understand it, HST is a push the pedal and it goes forward or backward. I drove it, that simple. The gear driven, if I select a low, continuous speed, can be shifted from forward to reverse w/o clutching and shuttled up while in motion.

I’ve also read a lot about the JD “Load Match” system. Is this really necessary? Makes good sense and also high on the cool factor.

The Kubota has fewer features but much more power in every category.
Do I really need turbo?

I've read that JD can't lift and dump simultaneously. It's been defended by some who added more fluids and ran at higher rpm. I do run the Bobcat and like to lift and dump at the same time.

There’s so much to consider it’s making my head spin. The difference between the machines is almost $4K and that’s something to think about. But, is the JD going to be the better tractor with the bells and whistles and resale that comes for $4K? I guess I’m looking for someone to either help justify the $$ or push me off the fence post onto the Kubota.

My wife really liked driving the JD! I may never get a chance to use it if I go that way /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[N80]

I recently bought The L4400. It meets all of my needs but they are different from yours. I compared it to the JD 990 but prefered the extra HP, a tad lower price and the Kubota 0% financing for 3 years.

In my opinion, albeit limited, tractors in the 30-50 hp range are useless for clearing standing trees with any size to them. Add a backhoe and you can do some stump removal but even that will be tedious. I think hiring out the stump and tree removal is the way to go, or renting a dozer or large backhoe.

From my perspective as a newbie, the power of the L4400 is impressive. I've had few occasions that the engine tries to stall, the tires break loose, even in 4wd before the engine wants to quit. I've pulled a large, HD 7' pull type rotary cutter through waist deep brush and grass and it does not tax the engine at all.

The loader dumps and raises, etc etc very nicely in coordination. The loader is okay for moving logs, debris, etc. A tooth bar would make it better. If you have more of what you showed in your picture a grapple would come in handy.

Also, shop around for your various implements when looking at these package deals. Most of the time they are connected to a long term loan with a so-so interest rate and you end up paying way more in the long run than if you bought just what you needed separately. I got my L4400 4wd with the LA705 loader and rear remote set ($690) for $19,210 with a three year, zero interest loan. There were no package deals that could come anywhere close to that when interest was taken into account.

Also, consider the dealership. The JD dealership was fine but the Kubota dealership was great. Both were close by.

I've got nothing bad to say about any of the other imports and 'lesser' brands, and I'm guessing with some of them you get way more bang for the buck and maybe even better machines, but as a newbie I wanted the comfort of a bigger name, as well as the comfort of an established local dealer.

I find the gear drive of the L4400 to be perfectly functional and very easy to drive, but I'm comfortable with manual transmissions....more so than automatics in fact. It quickly becomes second nature and loader operations are not limited in any way. An HST is certainly easier on the operator, but in my limited opinion, you don't really gain any significant functionality. I'm also waaaay too much of a tightwad to spend extra on the HST at the expense of HP.

If you have any specific questions about the L4400, feel free to ask or PM me.

 

[GHawk]

Well…. I jumped off the dock and into the water.
Just pulled the trigger and bought my tractor. Think I made the right choice for what I need and will enjoy.

JD3720 HST 4wd/ 300cx FEL/ 285 Bush Hog mower/ SBX600 BB

I got this tractor for the HST, LoadMatch system, MotionMatch system, and the Dealer most of all. The dealer stocks a large inventory of parts with 9 mechanics on staff. I feel this machine is on the cutting edge of new technology and will be something someone will be looking for later in the pre-owned market if I ever go to sell it. 44HP and 35hp PTO is all I hope I’ll ever need for maintaining my new farm. I’ll rent the back hoe to remove trees from time to time and use the new JD to take care of everything else.
Heck…. Most of the other dealers haven’t even called back.
I take delivery Tuesday afternoon and will have 1,000 hours on it before Wednesday night. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Thank for all of the help. It was a mind bending decision.

 

[Dargo]

If it were a basketball shot, I'd say "nothing but net!". Awesome tractor! You'll love your new machine and will never doubt your decision. Good luck!