Comparison Touch choice but is it even the right choice

CoMoFarmer · Aug 28, 2015

Hi everyone.

I have been reading a lot on this site for quite some time and I am about to make my first tractor purchase. A little background on what I will be using it for:
I have 4 acres hopefully I can make that 7-8. The land is heavily wooded (not a lot big trees) and full of brush. The ground will need work it's full of large rocks and roots (in the areas cleared already). I honestly want to look at something that can get a grapple put on because I think it will be really helpful to me. A LOT of dirt work. I thought a 40HP range tractor would work but that's why I am looking for help.

I have a local Kubota/JD and Mahindra/NH dealer. I have worked a lot with the Kubota dealer and I think he is offering me a pretty good deal. My choices right now are the L4060HST and the L3901HST. Both would have R1 tires with fluid/box scraper/BH/FEL. When I originally priced the 3901 it wasn't with the 3rd function valve for a grapple (not even sure if it can get one) but the 4060 did come priced with one.
4060: $30K (with skid steer setup)
3901: $24K (no 3rd valve)

It seems like like 4060 is a pretty good deal and he said it was but I don't have a lot to compare it to. I thought to myself do I need a backhoe but once this is all cleared would I really need a backhoe? Is the 4060 worth the extra 5-6K it is a bigger machine? I did check the Mahindra dealer and the NH seemed like they were more and they didn't really want to talk about them when I was trying to negotiate with the Mahindra machines. I will say I liked the feel on the Mahindra but I don't know anyone who has one. The prices were very close to what the Kubota were and didn't think it was worth the hassle especially since I know the Kubota dealer so well.

I would love some thoughts on this if anyone has any.

bspeedy · Aug 28, 2015

4060 without implements or loader weights over 1000 lbs more than the 3901. That is reason enough to buy based upon your planned usage.

I love my Grand L Kubota (L3710) - it's my second grand. The L3901 is a much smaller tractor. Can't comment on the price other than to say that it seems good for what you are getting.

Good luck.

brown40 · Aug 28, 2015

You definitely want a dealer who is friendly and appreciative of your business. If any vendor's attitude up front is they can take you or leave you: they deserve exclusion from consideration. The heavier the work you need done, the more weight will work to your advantage. There are cons to heavy: loss of maneuverability, may not fit into standard residential garages and tendency to tear up turf.
Up front you absolutely want to add your high dollar purchases on your 0% financing. A backhoe you don't need in 5 years will be someone else's dream come true.
A box will take up small roots and rocks, but not large ones--the heavier the box the better it works, but it won't do what a backhoe can.
I see a lot of grapples on here, but have no experience with them. The loader on a tractor can do a lot of work, but heavy ground engagement is not what they are engineered for, as much as material handling. There's a lot of scaffolding to twist and tweak on a loader compared to a 3pt hitch. I'd love to have one for dealing with brush and firewood, but I'd be hesitant to sink one into the ground and go for broke trying to lever up rocks or roots.
You didn't mention hydraulics, but up front is also the time to get extra valves or mid-PTO set up from the factory instead of on the dealers dime. You may think you never need one, but it will add value and give options you won't have without them.
Good luck!

CoMoFarmer · Aug 28, 2015

I went back to the Mahindra dealer to make sure I wasn't missing anything and going with the orange. I guess I hit a bad when I went initially. This guy was really nice and very informative. The day I had gone there were two people on vacation and the third got sick. The person I spoke to I think use to work there and came in to help.
When we finally finished going over everything I wanted he thought the 2555 would be a good fit. Price wise he was less than the L4060 but he mentioned something I really wondered about. He said Mahindra reconfigured their motors to meet emissions and don't have to the cool down period the other T4 tractors need.
I have never used a T4 emissions tractor but have used others. How often do they need to go in this cool down status?

varmint · Aug 28, 2015

As a three time Kubota buyer/owner, I guess I am biased. You likely will certainly want the SSQA loader, both for a grapple and maybe pallet forks, or even a snow plow. If you have rear remote hydraulics, $50 worth of hoses and fittings can give you hydraulics on your loader for a grapple. Not with the handy joystick control, but for $50... and you still have the option of using them on the rear. For serious work, heavier is better. I would go for the R-4 tires, but then again, I have no experience with R-1s. Loaded- yes! Consider it an investment with possible return later, and go for the Kubota. They do well in re-sale value. Cool down is only needed if you have been running the tractor hard, and usually some easy travel time is all you need.
If these are new tractors with backhoes, I think you are getting good pricing! And the L3901 can have more hydraulics added, maybe for $700 or so? My L3400 had some added by the last owner. I ran lines to the front for use with my snow plow.

k0ua · Aug 28, 2015

I think when he was referring to cool down he meant regeneration. It is hardly cool down it is a heat up function to burn out the soot deposits. Most owners hardly notice it if working the tractor. The interval between regen cycles varies between brands and also how hard the tractor was worked. If the tractor is never worked very hard the regen cycles may be as often as every 10 hours or if worked hard maybe every 50 or more hours. The cycle usually last 20 minutes or so and can be postponed if need be on some systems. Consult owners manual on what you are looking to buy. Mahindra's apparently can meet tier 4 final emissions without regeneration cycles. On the older tier 4 interim tractors like mine there is no such things.

4570Man · Aug 28, 2015

SSQA is worth EVERY cent it cost. The third function hydraulics for a grapple is also worth every cent they cost. I would also want a backhoe. My backhoe doubles the usefulness of my tractor. I would want r4 tires. I have used tractors with both, and I would never buy another one with r1 tires. I would buy a used full size backhoe or excavator and do most of your dirt work then sell it when you finish. Don't buy an old piece of junk or you will spend a ton of money and time fixing it. Then buy a tractor for general property management.

CoMoFarmer · Aug 28, 2015

Those prices don't have the backhoe included.... Should I be concerned the price is to high?
He also had R4 tires on there I thought R1 would be better for traction. There are some steep slopes around if I purchase the land around me. I thought the R1 would handle that better.
I would like the backhoe but isn't that like another 7-8K at least. My budget is getting torn to pieces if I do that