Buying Advice Small Tractor Purchase Advice

[postalnut25]

I've been shopping used, and there just isn't much availability around here. It seems that whatever I find that I want to look at is gone by the time I even call on it.

I'm good with used, too, but my wife wants new, so there is a warranty, so that is a consideration, too.

 

[postalnut25]

I understand completely. I am a Dodge man, and won't look at any other truck, but I won't be going back to the dealer I've used the most. I found one with better service. I need to go chat with some more dealerships for tractors, but I'm already leaning away from Deere. The closest dealer was odd. Couldn't understand that I didn't know what I wanted or needed yet and was asking questions for a reason. Across the highway was a Kubota dealer, and the salesman there took a lot of time with the floor models and brochures pointing out features. He also offered to get contact information for people that bought similar equipment so I could ask them questions. I didn't, because I don't want to intrude on people, but he was very helpful for something that costs less than good used pickup

 

[TJP89]

There are no big HP needs here, just for the post hole digger. Snow removal also is a consideration. In terms of size, I'd go small, but not the smallest. I'd put you in 25HP, with a mid mount mower, FEL, and rear blade. A rear blade is relatively cheap and can be used for grading and snow removal, much better than the FEL at both. Your tractor should be small enough for a MMM to work well and have maneuvering room.

Brand wise you have choices. Look at everything around you. John Deere has the 1023e, which seems a little small, and the 1026R, which is a very nice sub compact. A little bigger and you're looking at the 2 series for JD. Kubota has the BX series, very good and solid little tractor. Again, you can go a little bigger to the B series. Kioti has the CK25, but I don't think there's a MMM for that right now. They also have the CS2410, and the CK2510, both of which have a MMM, basic SCUT there, but nice capacities. LS, New Holland, Mahindra, and some others have some options too, but I don't know a whole lot about their SCUTs.

Price is another consideration, decide what you want to spend, and look accordingly.

 

[hwatkins]

There are a couple of sayings on this board that I've learned are true.

Pick out a tractor and then buy the next size up, you'll never say I wish I had a smaller tractor. I was looking at the Kubota BX series initially, but decided to get the B2920 with the MMM. If I had to do it again, I would get the L series Kubota with a finish mower, mostly because the FEL Loader capacity is smaller than I need on the B2920. With land there are plenty of uses for a tractor, so while you may have some initial projects in mind that list will grow.

The other saying is Buy once, cry once. Tractors last a long time, I've had mine 4 years and have about 150 hours on it, so it should last a lifetime. A few thousand dollars one way or the other over 20 years doesn't make much difference so try to imagine day to day life 5-10 years down the road.

 

[postalnut25]

There are a couple of sayings on this board that I've learned are true.

Pick out a tractor and then buy the next size up, you'll never say I wish I had a smaller tractor. I was looking at the Kubota BX series initially, but decided to get the B2920 with the MMM. If I had to do it again, I would get the L series Kubota with a finish mower, mostly because the FEL Loader capacity is smaller than I need on the B2920. With land there are plenty of uses for a tractor, so while you may have some initial projects in mind that list will grow.

The other saying is Buy once, cry once. Tractors last a long time, I've had mine 4 years and have about 150 hours on it, so it should last a lifetime. A few thousand dollars one way or the other over 20 years doesn't make much difference so try to imagine day to day life 5-10 years down the road.

I do worry about going too big. We are only on two acres, so once the landscaping and fencing is done, the only real need is for snow removal and lawn care. I do think that the 25 HP range is sounding good. Originally I though about the BX18, but now I'm thinking it might be too small