Spend my money!

wvrocks · Oct 24, 2005

Ok all. I've been trying to decide on a new tractor for way too long. I've read everything I can get my hands on. I have 70 acres of land in the mountains of WV. I'm just finishing up my new log home and helping my inlaws build theirs. We recieve around 150 inches of snow a year. My driveway is 3/10 of a mile long and is gravel. Probably will be for a long time. One section gets drifted in up to about 3 feet deep. Of the 70 acres about half is a large rolling field with no trees and a 1/3 acre pond on it. The rest is fairly steep wooded hillside with some old logging roads. My soil doesn't seem to be bothered too much by heavy equipment. Its about 5 inches of topsoil then at about 20 inches down it gets into a broken shale layer. We have use a bobcat there all summer and it didn't damage the grass much at all. Of course that isn't my finished lawn, just an old farm field.

Here's the list of what I'd like to do in no particular order: Maintain the gravel drive and clear snow. Finish mow about 5 acres around the houses and barn. Brush hog around the pond. Brush hog the perimeter of the field once or twice a year along fence. Clear and reopen some of the old logging roads. Spread topsoil, prepare for seeding and landscape around my new house. Maintain 300 yard dirt road to my pond. Possibly tilling a garden in the future. Other work as needed.

I have a friend of the family that puts up the hay every year so that is not a concern. Although it might be nice to be able to help them out by pulling a small rake or tedder.

I would prefer a Hydrostatic transmission. Foldable ROPS is a must. FEL is a must. Within 100 miles of my area I have 2 Kubota dealers, 2 New Holland dealers, 1 Case, 3 Kioti, and 3 John Deere. Money is a bit of an issue. I'd like to spend less than $20k but that is somewhat flexible. Especially if the finiance rates are good. I have occasional use of a bobcat if I need it. I may have use of a ford f250 with a plow if it gets repaired in time for winter. (not looking good at this point).

So far I'm thinking of tractors in the 30 hp range with r-4 tires. I've looked at the Kubota B3030 and B3030 Cab, Kubota L3400, Kioti CK30, New Holland TC-29 and 33, John Deere 3120 and 3320.

I'd like to buy within the next month but just cannot make up my mind on what will fit my needs the best. The closest Kubota dealer is a little high but has a nice business. The best price on Kioti is from Group Farm in Pa. I've never seen their shop. I've only talked to them on the phone. My local Kioti dealer is good but about 1200 higher. New Holland dealer has good rep and nice shop. Cheapest kubota dealer is very good but about 80 miles away.

So how are we going to spend my money?

RedRocker · Oct 24, 2005

I love spending other people's money. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
In your shoes I'd put a lot of weight on the dealer, paying a little more for a good rapore with a dealer could be worth it in the long run. If you've had a chance to drive the different models, just go with the one that feels the best and fits you. Combine that with the dealer you feel comfortable with. That's kinda how I did it and I'm very happy with the outcome.

wvrocks · Oct 24, 2005

Thanks. I have driven all of the models that I mentioned except the L3400. They all fit me pretty well as far as ergonmics go. I agree that the dealer make a big difference. In reality any of those tractors will work for us. Some will just be better at it than others. I'm having a hard time deciding which strikes the best balance. I'm concerned that the lightest models won't handle the heavier work like moving snow or working on my driveway. Or that the heavier models will do damage when I'm mowing and generally be cumbersome. I also wonder if I'm not looking at tractors that are too small. I think for our needs we don't need a huge tractor. Lots of people use old 8n's in our area and do just fine.

Soundguy · Oct 24, 2005

Yep.. sounds like 30hp range is good.. TC 29 may be a bit small.. how about a 33da?

Soundguy

wvrocks · Oct 24, 2005

I looked at the TC-33da. I liked it a lot but the pricing my dealer is quoting is very close to the max I'd like to spend. Because of that it leaves little for buying implements. Very nice tractor and probably my first choice if money were not an issue.

BamaRob · Oct 24, 2005

The Mahindra 3015HST might be a good fit. Although you didn't mention any Mahindra dealers in your area, so this may not be an option. If it is, you might be able to get the weight and HP you're looking for and have some $$$ left over for implements. It's worth a look if it's available in your area.

BamaRob

CTyler · Oct 24, 2005

A 30hp will work, have an L3130, and pulling 4k is not a big deal. Have about 600' of gravel to clear snow off of.

After reading your post I thought L3830 w/cab right off the bat and a 7' mower.

ptfarmermd · Oct 24, 2005

New Holland also has the TC30, which is their no-frills tractor. It does not have the curved front end like the rest of the Boomer line, and it is normally matched to an older model loader with the dog leg arms. It does have a gross engine horsepower of 30 HP with the PTO power about 25.

I spent close to a year myself trying to decide. I looked at JD, NH and MF. Finally decided on a NH TC35A with 16LA loader. I have not been sorry yet.

Good luck in your search. This was my $0.02 worth.

RedRocker · Oct 24, 2005

( I looked at the TC-33da. I liked it a lot but the pricing my dealer is quoting is very close to the max I'd like to spend. Because of that it leaves little for buying implements. Very nice tractor and probably my first choice if money were not an issue. )

That's pretty much the exact situation I was in.

cart99 · Oct 24, 2005

Every word of advice I could is in this thread

wvrocks · Oct 24, 2005

Cart99, thanks, I've read that thread multiple times trying to make up my mind. Lots of great info in there.

As an aside, I have pretty much narrowed this down to 2 or 3 models that I'm trying to decide between. I didn't say what they were so that I didn't apply my own bias to the discussion.

crown · Oct 24, 2005

With the snow you describe, I would think a cab would be very nice. The 3030 will do fine for the mowing and brush hogging but may be a bit light for some of the other work you described.

Again if I am spending your money I would like a L 3130 or an L 3430 with a cab, but either will cost a bit more than the tractors you stated, but 70 acres is alot of land and I would get the biggest I could get take a look at the two mentioned above maybe 0% interest may make the deal look better.

Best of luck and keep us posted. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

kozak · Oct 24, 2005

wvrocks,

With all the land you have & what you are thinking about doing I would go no lower than a 32 / 33 HP machine. I only have 2.3 acres & ended up with a 35 HP model. So far have not regretted it. The last thing I wanted to do spending big dollars was to go too small. Now I agree with you, I don't think I would have ended up with a brand new 35 HP machine, so I opted out for a used Tractor (2001 bought in 2004) with only 79 hours on it. To me it was a steal compared to the 33 HP (New) that I was looking at getting. Just another avenue to consider.

RedDog · Oct 24, 2005

In all honesty, I think all the tractors you are looking at are to small. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I would think with 70 acres, eventually you may want to do something different with your land requiring a bigger tractor.

Good luck and look at'em all.

RedDog

wvrocks · Oct 25, 2005

Thanks for the replies. I agree that the models I'm looking at may be small if I was working the entire acreage. In reality I'll only be working regularly on about 20 max. Most of the forested areas are entirely too steep to use the tractor. They may be too steep to use goats. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif The workable areas in the woods are pretty tight so a big tractor could be a hinderance. The majority of the 30-35 acre field is left alone for hay. My thinking is that I should buy for the work that I know I will be doing regularly, then if in the future a need comes up for a larger tractor I will look for a good used unit. It is possible that I'm looking too small for the work I know I will be doing. I don't really know.

The other option I have is to buy used now and go slightly larger. However I have had a hard time finding anything used at a reasonable price. With current low rate financing its difficult to pass up buying new.

Thanks again to all of you. This really is a great site.

CTyler · Oct 25, 2005

Perhaps renting a couple machines would be good idea. Then you could work the various machines to see how they really size up to your tasks.

wvrocks · Oct 25, 2005

Good recommendation. I'm not sure if anyone local rents or not but I can check. My closest dealer for any brand is about 40 or 50 miles away so they may be reluctant to bring something by to try out.

Soundguy · Oct 25, 2005

( In reality I'll only be working regularly on about 20 max. )

Normally.. I like to size my tractor for the entire acerage.. and 30hp is too small for 70 ac.. but as you mention.. 20ac max regular use.. 30 hp range is good.

Another poster touched on a good point.. a low hour used unit.. When i bought my ex NH 1920 (33hp ) I was originally going down to get a tc18 (18?hp).. due to total cost... Ended up getting the couple year old traded 1920 for just under 2k$ more than the tc18.. twice the tractor.. etc.

Also.. as you mention.. a used util / AG tractor could be picke dup for hay.. anything 50hp and over should do for hay for that size. Big oldies are cheap...

Soundguy

wvrocks · Nov 18, 2005

Thanks to everyone who posted to help with my decision. We finally made up our minds and today I ordered a New Holland TC-33DA with the 14LA loader and filled R4's. Got one rear remote, the grill guard and the quick attach bucket. Also got a 5' Bush Hog SQ600 rotary cutter, a 6' Bush Hog ATH7200 finish mower and a 7' Bush Hog 35-07 rear blade. Delivered for a grand total of $23000 before the state takes their cut. The tractor is at the dealer already but he has to order the loader. So now the waiting begins. Hopefully I'll have it the week after Thanksgiving if all goes well.

I have to say this was really a tough decision. All the tractors I looked at probably would have worked just fine. Most of the dealers were good. I came within an eyelash of buying the Kioti CK30hst but the good dealers in my area were unwilling to move on price and the one that had the best price was a bit shady. I have no doubt in my mind that it would have been a fine machine.

Sure the TC33 cost me more but in the long run I think I made a good decision. The dealer is great and has a very nice facility. He's only 40 miles away instead of 80-120 like some of the others were. My family has bought several trucks from the Ford side of the dealership and has never had a complaint. When it comes right down to it the dealer made a big difference for me.

Anyway, Thanks again for everyone's help. I'll post up some pictures as soon as I can.