Still no decision, now a 4 way tie

charlesw · Nov 11, 2006

Ok, it's not really a tie. Which already says the way I'm leaning, here, but, hey, whatever. Anyway...

Requirements:
- 6' brush hog
- 6' box blade
- loader
- something for working the land (plows/discs or tiller)

The contenders:
A: Kubota 3400DT-F with factory loader and bush hog brand brush hog, box blade and tiller
B: Kubota 4400DT-F with factory loader with enough room left in the budget only for me to purchase, on my own, off-brand implements (or implements at auctions)
C: Kubota MX5000SU with factory loader and implements of unknown quality (I didn't get a breakdown on brands) including brush hog, box blade and tiller (this last one being an off-brand)
D: New Holland 3930 with factory loader. Used tractor with 1100 hours. Off-brand brush hog, box blade, 2 bottom plow and 6' discs.

Sure, D is the most tractor for the money (and, heck, C is only 2WD) but D doesn't have a warranty of any kind. And it comes with off-brand stuff (it only took me about 6 months to kill my last International brand brush hog. Ok, it wasn't entirely my fault as someone else had replaced the linch pin with hardened steel. Still... 6 months isn't very long!).

So... A is most interesting in terms of quality of implements. C has the best power to money ratio (but 2WD...). D is the most tractor. Hmm. I guess we've ruled B out, then. I mean, $2k for implements (with those listed) is a bit skimpy - unless buying at auction. Of course, those are probably the same quality of implements that I'd get with D. But, wow, D is way more of a tractor. But with no warranty.

I keep coming back to C and D... I mean... They were great tractor-alone prices on A and B but A doesn't have the power I'd like... And B, even, seems like a lot less than C or D. Except for the 4WD, of course, compared to C. And the warranty compared to D.

Regardless, I'm sure I'll be happy as a clam with it. Maybe. Ha! Arg!

It would all be so much easier without budgetary constraints, you know???

dgl24087 · Nov 11, 2006

No budgetary restraints would be super, but, since you are dealing with a budget . . . Today I was passing a Kubota dealer (the closest to me is actually about 35 miles away), so I stopped and looked at the MX5000U (I'd never looked at one before). My impression; it's more of a large compact to me than a utility tractor. Comparing to the 3930, well, no comparison really. If it were my money, the 3930 wins hands down. Much larger, more heavily built, 4wd, and my JD dealer repeated his statement that 3930's dyno out around 50 PTO HP even though they are rated at 45. A better comparison would be the M4900 from Kubota.

Doc_Bob · Nov 11, 2006

charlesw said:
D: New Holland 3930 with factory loader. Used tractor with 1100 hours. Off-brand brush hog, box blade, 2 bottom plow and 6' discs.

The choice is clear.
Bob

charlesw · Nov 12, 2006

Doc_Bob said:
The choice is clear.

But I'M WORRIED, Bob! Arg!

Um. I mean, ok, ok, thanks for pushing me to do something.

But, really, it isn't/wasn't just a choice of which tractor... It's a choice of implements and warranties and 2WD vs 4WD and... Knowing vs not knowing! Arg!

And I'll probably fret for another 3 weeks until I get the darned thing!

cheers!
c

ps: brr! Out brewing in the wind, rain and 33F. Brr! If I had a tractor it wouldn't be as cold. Somehow

dgl24087 · Nov 12, 2006

The choice of the tractor should be the most important thing. The warranty or lack of is a major consideration, but be sure that you are comparing more closely matched tractors, that's why I recommend looking at the M4900 over the MX5000U.

JerryG · Nov 12, 2006

I'm with Bob on this. The 3930 is a really good tractor. It is a Ford designed tractor that is heavy and reliable. The only consistent problem that I am aware of with that tractor is the shuttle lever likes to stick. It is just the joints of the linkage that cause the problem and very easy to fix. It is defiantly the most tractor of the ones listed. As far as the implements go, if you get them and your not happy with one or all, replace them one at a time from auctions. You can take your time and find a good deal on a good implement.

charlesw · Nov 12, 2006

dgl24087 said:
that's why I recommend looking at the M4900 over the MX5000U.

Well... One of these days I may get out to see the M4900. But it's not in a place that's easy to get to (over 2 hours from home). Yeah, it's a big decision and I should take it seriously and research all of the options and such... But... Besides - that one wasn't listed as one of these 4! But, in comparison, it would be a bit more expensive than any of the others - implements are likely to be the cheapest for quite some time...

Agro-oti · Nov 12, 2006

Bite the bullet buy the Ford........In today's tractor world you should not hopefully need a warranty in the first place. Get more tractor to start with,which is biggest portion,implements are secondary and can be upgraded as time goes on.

frank_f15 · Nov 12, 2006

another thing to take into consideration, is if you decide to buy the FORD in a few weeks WILL IT STILL THERE?

Doc_Bob · Nov 12, 2006

charlesw said:
But I'M WORRIED, Bob! Arg!

Um. I mean, ok, ok, thanks for pushing me to do something.

But, really, it isn't/wasn't just a choice of which tractor... It's a choice of implements and warranties and 2WD vs 4WD and... Knowing vs not knowing! Arg!

I understand. I bought a used tractor. The money I saved was so much that it allowed me to buy more implements and when repairs required, I have excess $$$$$$$$$$$ to do the repairs. If the tractor is fundamentally sound and has been treated well (fluids and filters) and assuming it runs well now, then go for it.
Bob