Buying Advice Tractor advice for complete idiot?

[Johndeere3720]

Look at the Deere line up.... 750, 850, 950, 1050, 755, 855, 955, 4200, 4210, 4300, 4310, 4400, 4410, 2320, 2520, 2720, 3120, 3320, and the 3032e. :thumbsup:

 

[gauthier]

14 huh? You are good,when I was 14 I couldn't type a bit, now I'm pretty good with my one finger,and I'd never even heard of computors or the internet.

 

[scoutcub]

Is the "rough" terrain hilly? Or just rutted up? And of course new or used is a big consideration...will you be moving some of those rocks?
also, mechanical aptitude? Judging by the title, assume you would engage a dealer for servicing, or are you able/willing to do servicing and perhaps more maintenance yourself?
I agree with flusher on tractor choice, 30 HP, 4 WD, loader. Might boil down to which dealers are close and moreso, which dealers are close and good to work with.
I know Cub Cadet has some killer deals now, a new 32 HP 4wd w/loader & great warranty for 14K, I'm not familiar with the other makes pricing, unsure if they can match that. Then you get the cat 1 3-pt hitch, PTO, and you can add a mid-mount mower. Very versatile and reliable machines.

Good luck shopping!

 

[VABlue]

Think about which implements you truly need to own. The FEL is a no-brainer, as is a box blade and bush hog. The tiller you can rent once or twice a year when you need it. Same with a disc or harrow. Given your description of the land, you may want to think about owning a landscape rake. Also think about pallet forks - so many versatile uses for that seldom thought about toy! (Not just pallets, they lift boulders, trees/logs, equipment, lumber... Anything you can get them under!) A nice riding mower for the yard will be much more comfy to ride and easier to get close to the house (and other objects) without smacking it.

Once you figure out the size and candy (implements) you want, the dealers near you should be the brands you look at. Then get test drives of them at home. Note the ergonomics of each make and decide which you like best. Tractors are reliable - unless it's undersized for what you need - so you almost can't go wrong. My choice came down to Kubota and Deere, and I liked both, so my wife made the choice. We have an olive green house...

Two acre garden? Heh... You are a city slicker!!

 

[Gittyup]

As you can see there are a lot of ways to go about this. The 2 acre garden.... are you sure? If so, better figure in a BIG freezer, couple of pressure cookers, and a lot of canning jars. Or do you plan to sell produce? If this is to be a business, I'd lean toward newer, less maintenance intensive machines with a very good dealer near by.

$14K should easily get you into a slightly used 30 - 35 HP with loader and bushhog; maybe even new if you luck into a sweet deal on a 2nd tier brand. Tillers are slow whereas a plow and disc will be faster and less to break. If you pick up one of those big rocks with the tiller, it'll make a mess of the thing before you can get it stopped.

I'd take my time and scour around for the best value. Really good deals come about from private owners from time to time throughout the year. Keep an eye on Craig's list ( I use SearchTempest.com) and local publications that regularly advertise such things. I look everyday for really good deals, eventhough I'm not buying, per se. For example, I found my FIL a Kioti CK20 TLB with an old bushhog, 250 hours, for $8K! I since seen similar setups sell for over $12K. There are good deals to be had, if you're patient and willing to dicker (and maybe drive a 100 miles or two).

 

[rScotty]

Hey Guys-
Lifelong city slicker, moving to 10 acres of cleared, hard red clay in the Piedmont of North Carolina. 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?
:thumbsup:

It's a fair question. The advice first is do you have a trusted mechanical friend who knows tractors who can go with you to look at a few?

Whatever tractor you end up with will probably still be used by generations to come. So I'd recommend you just brace yourself and get ready to invest.

You are probably looking used and nothing wrong with that as tractors tend to last many decades. In fact, so far tractors themselves haven't been around long enough to wear out. I still use use a 1958 model everyday and use it right along with a 2008 and there really isn't a lot of difference. Both have loaders, power steering, a big three point, and a power takeoff. The 2008 has a nice adjustable and independently spung seat....but the 1958 not only has more adjustability, but had adjustments for both the springing and the damping of the seat. Don't laugh, you'll come to appreciate the seat.

Other than the seat, you'll want enough power and wheelbase to do most things, a front end loader to save your back, power steering to turn the wheels with a load in the front end loader, and a universal three point hitch and PTO on the back so that it will run any implement.

Oh...and instead of pricing and worrying about cost, just get a tractor that is well enough regarded locally that you won't have trouble selling it if and when you need the money back or a different tractor. Think of it as an investment. And the best way to do that I know of is to pay an honest price for good used equipment; well cared for. Chances are you upkeep on any good used tractor will be very small. They are extremely reliable.
good luck! rScotty (4 tractors now!)

 

[fshrking]

Thanks a million guys- are you always this helpful? The land is just rutty, not really hilly. It was cleared for timber a few years ago. I'm comfortable working on older cars, so if a tractor engine is like that (meaning I don't have to stick a computer on it to figure out what's wrong), I should be OK.

A couple more questions if you have the time:
Some people recommended a regular lawnmower for the yard... Why? Is it because the tractor will tear it up? Or the tractor is too big to get around most people's landscaping, etc.?

Also, it seems like the financing situation is much better on new tractors... Is that right? Can I get financing from a bank on a used tractor?

Are older tractors easier to work on than newer ones?

Should I plan on getting a trailer for getting the tractor serviced?

Thanks again. This is the most helpful forum I've ever been on.

 

[sweettractors]

Thanks a million guys- are you always this helpful?

Some people recommended a regular lawnmower for the yard... Why? Is it because the tractor will tear it up? Or the tractor is too big to get around most people's landscaping, etc.?

Also, it seems like the financing situation is much better on new tractors... Is that right? Can I get financing from a bank on a used tractor?

Thanks again. This is the most helpful forum I've ever been on.

The tractor in the yard will be fine as long as you don't get in the yard when it is wet. Yes, financing new is at a better rate than a bank, however, The inexpensive rates are reflected in the price of the new machines. You just don't get something for nothing. Banks will loan on used equipment and the rates will be higher. They usually want good collateral or a co-signor to stand good for the note. Ken Sweet

 

[daveshoot]

Hi from another complete idiot, but I have had a new tractor for a couple of months now.

You can get true 0 down, 0% 60 month financing from Kubota, and I believe Deere will match. I went Kubota and I can vouch for theirs- it's free money and a very good deal. The JD dealership offered same and I assume it was valid.

I got the rotary mower and it has been great, indispensable, for the pasture. Around the house, the larger machine (it's only a 24hp) is more difficult to maneuver and the tires (R4) do dent the turf. It rides higher to begin with and then you have the ROPS, so getting under trees and overhangs is a hassle. My little riding mower was made for this task and does it better.

I don't have a mid mount mower for the CUT and I suspect it produces a more even cut than the rear rotary mower, but even without the FEL on, the weight, height, and maneuverability of the tractor are reasons to have a good dedicated lawn mower for house and landscaping.

That's what I learned so far.

 

[Johndeere3720]

14 huh? You are good,when I was 14 I couldn't type a bit, now I'm pretty good with my one finger,and I'd never even heard of computors or the internet.

15 tomarrow.