Sleepless Nights!!

[MFL]

Good Afternoon,

Gentlemen (and ladies?), as with so many before, I’m about to buy my first tractor and I would like to ask for your help and advice. Let me tell you a little about my situation and the choices I’m considering.

My wife and I own ten acres outside of a small town about 25 miles south of Atlanta. We are having 7 acres cleared and stumped at the end of this month. The company we have hired to do the stumping will pile up the debris as well as they can, but they say the land will still be pretty rough. The eventual use for the land will be to pasture our horses, and possibly keep a ½ to 1 acre plot for a garden. I don’t foresee ever needing a tractor for anything other than pasture maintenance, fence and property repair and driveway repair. After burning or burying whatever is left after the stumping, I anticipate that the heaviest work I’ll be doing will be grading and leveling the pasture, bush hogging once the grass comes in, and using a drag mat to break up the manure. The barn where we currently board our horses has an old Ford 2000 that I sometimes use to help with the bush hogging and to run a disc harrow to prepare for seeding. While this has given me some tractor time, I still consider myself a novice and feel it would be well worth the cost to buy something a little more modern and safe.

I have a fairly wide choice of dealers in my area, with a Kubota, New Holland, Deere, Massey, Mahindra, Cub Cadet, and Farmall dealer all within a 15 mile radius. The only tractor that I don’t have close at hand that I have seen positively reviewed here is a Kioti (58 miles away). My budget is 15K, and I am trying to include some attachments in that price. Here are the three possibilities I’ve narrowed it down to:

•The Mahindra 2615 HST. New with a FEL, 4wd, hydro trans and a scrape blade. $13,750 delivered.
•The New Holland TC 30. New with a FEL, 4wd, and standard trans. $14,400
•The John Deere 4200. Used (2001), with a new 420 FEL, hydro trans, 4wd, and scrape blade. 494 hrs for 13,950.

While I really like the way the NH drives and feels, from what I’ve read here, I think I would be better served by an HST.

All comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Also, if someone has a recommendation for a model I may have missed, please send it along. My main concern is one you have all seen before; I don't want to buy more tractor than I need, but I don't want to need more tractor than I bought. Thanks for your help in advance. Hopefully after I take the plunge, I’ll be able to get a good nights sleep again.

 

[Golfgar4]

First, welcome to TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Allow me to compliment you on a very well put together intial post. Very informative and well thought out. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I truly envy your situation with so many dealers within such a short distance. Most of us are lucky to have just 2 or 3.

I really can't speak specifically to your question as I have yet to purchase my tractor. I just wanted to make sure that you knew that the NH TC30 is available with an HST transmission. Although based on your budget and your quoted prices, it may be slightly over what your budget allows. But if you really like the NH as much as you indicate, you might seriously consider "biting the bullett" to get the HST. I think in your anticipated use, an HST would be almost a requirement.

Good luck on your selection. Look forward to future posts! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MFL]

Thanks. After spending some weeks reading the posts, I was trying to cover all the bases.

While having so many dealers is nice, I sometimes feel that it's too many choices. Info overload!!

I was aware of the HSTon the NH, but it adds almost 2K to the price. If I go over the 15K budget my sleepless nights would mostly be because I'd be sleeping out on the porch where the boss would put me!

 

[mathteacher]

I just bought a B7610 Kubota with the hydro trans. It is great! My dad has a JD 4200 with standard trans. I personally would not get a tractor without the hydro trans.

Are you looking at the Kubotas? What size Brush Hog are you planning on getting? Just wondering. You might have access aready and that might justify more or less HP to buy.

Donald B.

 

[MFL]

I have looked at the Orange, but all the local guys that I've been speaking with seem to think that the B series would be too small, and unfortunately, I can't afford to jump up to the L series tractors. I originally started with the B7610 w/hydro, 4wd and a FEL. I drove it, and liked it but as I said, the locals all seem to feel it is too small/underpowered. This all from guys that own 40-60 hp tractors.

What do you think? From your experience do you feel they have a valid point? As I said initially, after the first big push, I'm mostly doing pasture maint.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( originally started with the B7610 w/hydro, 4wd and a FEL. I drove it, and liked it )</font>

If you liked it, that's one of the most important criteria. I used a B7100 on 10 acres, plus my brother's 10 acres, neighbors' properties, etc. before moving up to a B2710. The B7610 will do the jobs you described, but I think you'd like a B7800 even more.

 

[JayC]

I don't remember if they are out already or if they are coming out, but Kioti is introducing the new CK25 and CK30 machines. They are 25 and 30 hp. They are very solid machines. They are also available in HST. You may be able to get a CK25 for your needs to fit your 15k budget. There are quite a few Kioti dealers on the boards. If you are interested, you should leave a post in the Kioti forum in case they don't see this one. Just a thought. I'll provide a link to the CK25.

Kioti CK25HST

Good luck!

 

[MFL]

Thanks JayC. My only concern with the Kioti is that my nearest dealer is a little far (58 mi). I wouldn't mind for maint. parts (air filters, etc.), but it be different if there were a problem. Any personal experience with the Kioti? Are they reliable enough to travel to see them?

 

[Moon]

Welcome to TBN MLF!
...a couple of observations for your consideration:
after having a tractor it will be used for more than your are thinking right now.
Financing is favorable.
A budget strecher will sure come in handy.
IMHO HST is worth streching the budget for.

You asked for recommendations, I'd recommend what i have. A Kubota Grand L3010 =( L3130 Current model). Mine is 4wd w/HST & R4 tires. It is capable of so much more than I ever imagined. In an effort not to oversize, I do think the Kubota B2910 would also tame your property nicely.

Good luck in your hunt.
Moon of Ohio

 

[Poppa]

MFL, My Kubota B7800 has HST, 30 HP and came in at $14900. Keeps you under your 15000 assuming the only implement you add is the manual backhoe attachment aka shovel. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

When You say you can't afford the L series, are you talking about the grand Ls, 3130, 3430 etc or have you priced the L3400 or L2800. They are both gear models and tough as nails.

Finally, Yes, based on your budget requirements, I definitely think you should make the trip to the Kioti dealer. I believe the LK3054XS falls into your budget (see tough as nails comment above) And, from comments on this board, /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif they are supposed to be very reliable.

It seems to me that you have a number of choices, I think the best thing you can do is go spend some time in the seats and see how they feel.

Remember to have fun, you don't get to do this very often so enjoy it. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Mike