Buying Advice Tractor advice for complete idiot?

[fshrking]

Hey Guys-
Lifelong city slicker, moving to 10 acres of cleared, hard red clay in the Piedmont of North Carolina. We're hoping to maintain a fairly nice looking yard, a 1-2 acre plot of vegetables, and 5-6 acres of pasture for some animals. The terrain is fairly rough, a bunch of small rocks here and there, and is growing fescue.

I'm looking for a good, reliable tractor. Could someone offer me some advice on a tractor and what implements you think I'll need? How much should I expect to spend?

Thanks so much-
:thumbsup:

 

[gauthier]

Be hard to find a new one for that,unless it was chinese,but might with some carefull shopping find a new one[20-25 hp] for that??
Plus looks like you'll need a tiller,hog,and finish or belly mower,if your planning on mowing your yard with it,so those alone would be 3-4 grand,at the very least.
Many brands of tractors with several being about equal in quality.
What tractor places are around where you plan on living? You could start there and you'll see.
Used might be the only way for you to stay within about 14 grand,if you could spend a little more,you could buy new.
Would just buy me a lawnmower for yard,let tractor do every thing else,it opens up your tractor buying options.

 

[fshrking]

Thanks- I guess I should have left the budget open and asked "How much should I expect to spend for a good tractor for these needs?".

 

[TripleR]

Tend to agree on a separate lawnmower as you can buy a fairly decent one for the cost of a good MMM (Mid Mount Mower) and then buy a very good used tractor of sufficient size for the rest of your needs, 30 to 40 HP Kubota, John Deere, Kioti, Massey etc.

A new Kubota or John Deere that will do all you ask such as a 3030, 3230e will cost a lot more money than your budget appears to allow.

I have bought both new and used machines and would be comfortable buying another good used one any time.

Good luck and enjoy the country life, just can't beat it.

 

[flusher]

Hey Guys-
Lifelong city slicker, moving to 10 acres of cleared, hard red clay in the Piedmont of North Carolina. We're hoping to maintain a fairly nice looking yard, a 1-2 acre plot of vegetables, and 5-6 acres of pasture for some animals. The terrain is fairly rough, a bunch of small rocks here and there, and is growing fescue.

I'm looking for a good, reliable tractor. Could someone offer me some advice on a tractor and what implements you think I'll need? How much should I expect to spend?

Thanks so much-
:thumbsup:

New or used tractor? If used, how much used--1 year, 5 years, 10 years?

I'd look for a CUT in the 30hp (pto) range with hydrostatic transmission, 4WD, power steering, FEL with a 5-ft wide bucket and skid steer quick attach feature, dual rear hydraulic remotes. Kubota B-series is a good place to start. All tractor manufacturers have models like this.

Implements: 5 or 6 ft wide rotary mower (aka brush hog, bush hog, slasher, shredder), 5-ft wide rototiller, 5-6 ft wide box blade scraper.

For your yard, get yourself a good riding mower.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks- I guess I should have left the budget open and asked "How much should I expect to spend for a good tractor for these needs?".

You can build a tractor on the Kubota and John Deere website then take ten percent or so off and this will give you a general idea of what one is going to cost.

 

[gauthier]

I'd look at the dealers around you,[within an hour or so] talk to them,than you'l know a whole lot,about price,warrenty,service,etc.
Don't rule out anybrands that have a full service type dealer.
You might even run into a deal,slightly used or something that one of these dealers has.
How many horse?,well if you plan on mowing your yard,you don't want a big tractor,maybe sub compact,,but if you plan on hogging,5-6 acres and tilling two acres,you need probably at least 30-35 horse,thats why I was saying if you could just buy a lawnmower to cut your yard,it leaves your options for tractor open,you might find a good deal on a larger tractor,larger tractor means bigger hog and tiller and those two jobs done faster.
If you don't have hills or much snow and got a bigger heavier tractor,you might not even need 4wd.
You'll get plenty of advise in a day or so here though.

 

[MMagis]

People sure love to spend other people’s money. What you describe can and has been done countless times with nothing more than a little 8N, brush hog and rear blade, and a lawn mower for the yard. Anything more is just gravy, not needed. That being said, don’t jump into anything yet. I think a 1-2 acre garden is a lot bigger than you’re thinking. For a garden that big you WOULD want a bigger tractor with a 3 point tiller. But, I really don’t think you want a garden that big, unless you plan on selling produce. You should be able to get everything you NEED for $5000 or less by shopping used. Farm auctions are a great place for deals, but you really need to know what you’re looking at.

 

[gauthier]

Yeah,an acre is about 70yds by 70 yards,a two acre garden would be one of those roadside truck gardens or what ever they are called,my garden is really big but its less than an acre.[plus its all dried up,just waiting for the wind to blow it away]

 

[sweettractors]

I would go with older Ford 2000 or 600 or 800 series, MF 35 or 135 or Deere 1010 or 2010,IH 454 or 574 2 wheel drive $3000-$5000 range. 2 bottom plow $300-$500, Lift Disc $400-$600. Used 5 ft brush Hog $300-$500, Used Finish mower for the yard $500-$600, Used grader blade for the driveway $150-$250. Used 1 row cultivator for the garden $150-$200 and a used 1 row Veggie transplanter for seed or stemmed plants $500-$700 for putting in the garden. Ken Sweet