Egon
Epic Contributor
Talk to your wife's family and go sit on some tractors. When the right one is under you you'll know it.
Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Tractor Advice
- Thread starter simonis
- Start date
- Views: 2122
Billy_S
Gold Member
Welcome. As you can see, you will get lots of good and different advice here.
My situation is not a lot unlike yours, although I have a bit more ground. We have a 10 stall horse barn. I really think, unless your barn is set up a lot different than mine, there isn't a tractor that will work in the stalls AND be big enough for the other work you want it to do. The paddocks, yes, but not the stalls. Stalls, set up like mine anyway, are skid steer territory. Fortunately, I have a 20 year old step daughter who does the skid steer duties, by hand. Good for her character. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Among other things, I was looking at the Kubota BX1830 and BX2230. Now we all know tractor dealers never lie. I was told by my dealer that the 22 holds its resale value better than the 18. Although I really needed a bigger tractor than either one, money was a definite issue. I bought the BX2230 with MMM, FEL and 4" rotary mower. It will just have to do. Life, and money, force all kinds of compromises.
In a more nearly perfect world, where I have a whole bunch more money and am taller, I would have bought two tractors. One for the lawn mowing, which is the main job of my BX, and a larger tractor, with a larger FEL and RM, for maintaining the pastures and woods.
My situation is not a lot unlike yours, although I have a bit more ground. We have a 10 stall horse barn. I really think, unless your barn is set up a lot different than mine, there isn't a tractor that will work in the stalls AND be big enough for the other work you want it to do. The paddocks, yes, but not the stalls. Stalls, set up like mine anyway, are skid steer territory. Fortunately, I have a 20 year old step daughter who does the skid steer duties, by hand. Good for her character. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Among other things, I was looking at the Kubota BX1830 and BX2230. Now we all know tractor dealers never lie. I was told by my dealer that the 22 holds its resale value better than the 18. Although I really needed a bigger tractor than either one, money was a definite issue. I bought the BX2230 with MMM, FEL and 4" rotary mower. It will just have to do. Life, and money, force all kinds of compromises.
In a more nearly perfect world, where I have a whole bunch more money and am taller, I would have bought two tractors. One for the lawn mowing, which is the main job of my BX, and a larger tractor, with a larger FEL and RM, for maintaining the pastures and woods.
dooleysm
Platinum Member
I've got about 13 acres of somewhat hilly land, along with another 30 of woods. I haven't put in a lawn yet (built the house 2 years ago), but will be doing that this fall and should have a little more than an acre to finish mow. I can't comment alot on that yet, but I have a 5 foot finish mower that came with my used Kubota L3000 4wd. I've got a FEL, 5' bush hog and a few other toys.
I am currently bush hogging what will be the yard, along with probably another 3-4 acres around the pond, barn, and other areas. The 5' bush hog is all my 30hp tractor can handle in tall weeds going up hill. It takes me waaaay to long to do all that mowing. I would literally spend every waking hour mowing if I had a smaller tractor. I hope to get things under control with some strategic landscaping and the possible addition of a small cow pasture to the mix.
Be on the lookout for a used tractor, there are deals to be had. I got a 2 year old Kubota L3000 4wd w/ 5 foot finish mower, FEL, and 200 hours for $13,500. The week before I saw the same setup for sale in the classifieds for $13,000. I called the first day it was in the paper and it had been sold before I got there at 5 that evening to look at it.
I am currently bush hogging what will be the yard, along with probably another 3-4 acres around the pond, barn, and other areas. The 5' bush hog is all my 30hp tractor can handle in tall weeds going up hill. It takes me waaaay to long to do all that mowing. I would literally spend every waking hour mowing if I had a smaller tractor. I hope to get things under control with some strategic landscaping and the possible addition of a small cow pasture to the mix.
Be on the lookout for a used tractor, there are deals to be had. I got a 2 year old Kubota L3000 4wd w/ 5 foot finish mower, FEL, and 200 hours for $13,500. The week before I saw the same setup for sale in the classifieds for $13,000. I called the first day it was in the paper and it had been sold before I got there at 5 that evening to look at it.
I've now looked at Kubota, Mahindra, Case-IH, NH and MF. It is funny how the dealers try to sell you what is on their lot. The MF dealer swore I needed a 40hp monster tractor, and then, when I balked at nearly 20K, showed me an even bigger Ag tractor, knowing that my primary need was mowing. (But you can get this for under 15K!).
Anyway, I liked the Mahindra but don't think I was getting the best price. I got a great quote on both a CK25 and CK30 with FEL from out of town. The local Kioti dealer barely beat the price for a tractor alone. I did confirm that they can and will service them no matter where bought, so are there any other downfalls with going out of town to get a great deal?
Anyway, I liked the Mahindra but don't think I was getting the best price. I got a great quote on both a CK25 and CK30 with FEL from out of town. The local Kioti dealer barely beat the price for a tractor alone. I did confirm that they can and will service them no matter where bought, so are there any other downfalls with going out of town to get a great deal?
daTeacha
Veteran Member
You may get faster and/or better service if they are in a crunch if you've bought it there. Depends on how badly they want to keep your service business.
A lot of us here value hometown dealers enough to not always look for the cheapest price. Others figure to do a lot of their own service work, so it doesn't matter a whole lot.
A lot of us here value hometown dealers enough to not always look for the cheapest price. Others figure to do a lot of their own service work, so it doesn't matter a whole lot.
flusher
Super Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2005
- Messages
- 7,555
- Location
- Sacramento
- Tractor
- Getting old. Sold the ranch. Sold the tractors. Moved back to the city.
I have 10 acres of flat, grazing land with about 30 almond trees near the center (remnants of an old orchard). About 7 acres of weeds and 2 acres of lawn/orchard. Buildings and driveway take up about an acre.
I bought a new 21hp Kubota B7510HST with the LA302 FEL last May for $12,600 plus tax. Added a 4-ft KK brush hog ($675 from Tractor Supply Co), a 4-ft KK box blade ($375 from TSC) and a middle buster/subsoiler combo ($135 from TSC). The dealer welded chain hooks onto the FEL bucket for me and delivered the tractor (45 miles one way) gratis.
Brush hogged the 7 acres last week. Tall thick growth from all the rain the past 4 months. Took about 11 hours of seat time. I mow slow because of the occasional fox hole and/or gopher complex that show up since the last mowing. And there are stumps hidden in the weeds that can stop the hog/tractor in its tracks (did this once, scary).
For the lawn I bought a cheapie Huskee riding mower (18 hp B&S engine, 42" cut, $1000 plus $190 3-year service plan at TSC).
Used the FEL and BB to dig trenches for 4'x65' paver block walkways front and back for the new house.
I'll keep the 7510 for a few years. Meanwhile I'm looking for a larger pre-owned tractor. Have my eye on a Massey Ferguson 135 (about 40hp engine). I want to level and smooth the 7 acre pasture, probably next year. Need the larger tractor to handle rippers, harrows and because I've been bitten by the vintage tractor bug.
I bought a new 21hp Kubota B7510HST with the LA302 FEL last May for $12,600 plus tax. Added a 4-ft KK brush hog ($675 from Tractor Supply Co), a 4-ft KK box blade ($375 from TSC) and a middle buster/subsoiler combo ($135 from TSC). The dealer welded chain hooks onto the FEL bucket for me and delivered the tractor (45 miles one way) gratis.
Brush hogged the 7 acres last week. Tall thick growth from all the rain the past 4 months. Took about 11 hours of seat time. I mow slow because of the occasional fox hole and/or gopher complex that show up since the last mowing. And there are stumps hidden in the weeds that can stop the hog/tractor in its tracks (did this once, scary).
For the lawn I bought a cheapie Huskee riding mower (18 hp B&S engine, 42" cut, $1000 plus $190 3-year service plan at TSC).
Used the FEL and BB to dig trenches for 4'x65' paver block walkways front and back for the new house.
I'll keep the 7510 for a few years. Meanwhile I'm looking for a larger pre-owned tractor. Have my eye on a Massey Ferguson 135 (about 40hp engine). I want to level and smooth the 7 acre pasture, probably next year. Need the larger tractor to handle rippers, harrows and because I've been bitten by the vintage tractor bug.
daTeacha
Veteran Member
The Massey is a classic with good reason. Good choice!
