Tractor Advice

[simonis]

Here I am, another neophyte looking for advice on a tractor. I've never owned even a riding lawnmower, but I am sure I need a tractor, just not what kind. I have no brand loyalties, and live in the Nashville area so i have most brands covered as far as dealers.

I have 11 acres of land with a decent slope (haven't measured it yet, we close on the property next week and I just haven't gotten out there with a yardstick) but not anything overly dangerous. But, just the same, I want a low center of gravity.

I estimated that I'll need to finish mow less than 4 acres and rough cut maybe an equal ammount of pasture, leaving the rest as too heavily sloped or wooded for anything but me and a weedeater or a goat. I prefer the goat.

I have a 5 stall barn and may eventually get horses (2 little girls, I don't think I am strong enough to resist the pressure!) so I guess I must consider a smaller tractor to navigate into the stalls.

Today, I visited a NH dealer who suggested a TC30. Nice tractor, a bit spendy with a loader. I'd like to stay around 15K. I also visited Kubota and they advised towards a BX 1830. We looked at larger tractors, but they seemed too big to move around in a barn.

So, I guess the real question is this: for 11 total acres, would a SubCUT or a CUT be better. Which would allow me to do the most if I decided to have a nice garden, for example? My driveway is paved all the way, so I don't a scraper and I have no preference (aside from cost) for a RFM vs. a MMM. I think the terrain will abide by either, as the trees are well spaced where I would mow.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[KiotiJohn]

I can't help feeling you will be disappointed with a sub CUT.
If you didn't have the barn work to do, I would even suggest that you want a large CUT, but you need something that will work both, and the mowing can take quite a bit of time with smaller tractor implements.

A Kioti CK20 with a rear finish mower (RFM) may be just the right size for your needs. It's small enough to work the barn (depends of course on doors etc.), and you can carry a 5' finish mower on it. It's heavy enough to do hobby gardens (albeit it could use even more weight), but not too heavy to mow a lawn in many soils. A rotary cutter can be 4' but I've been able to use a 5' also on mine as long as the material is not terribly high and extremely thick. For anything that is cut regularly, a 5' will usually work.

The CK20 is about the smallest, heaviest tractor in its class, and to me, is a good compromise between a larger frame and a subCUT. It also has some of the best lift capacities for its size.
John

 

[daTeacha]

You may have 11 acres, but you will only work on about half of it. The BX 'bota is a nice series, and the small Deere's are, too. I moved up from a B7100 'bota to a DX29 Case. My ground is typically 3/12 to 4/12 slope and even though it looks not bad, your perspective changes in a hurry up on the seat of a tractor with a full bucket pointed at an angle down the hill. Since you've never owned anything that you ride on save a bicycle or your car, you need to read a lot here about how easy it is to have one of these things fall over. Then read it again!

Low, wide, 4 wheel drive, small loader capacity, limited lift height, load the tires, and be slow and careful. Look 'em over, ask to have one brought out to your place and demo'd on your ground by a guy who knows how to drive it. THEN think about buying something. We like newbies here, hate it when they get kilt by the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[simonis]

I like the tip on the CK20, I have plans to go see on this weekend. I like the size, and it looks more like a tractor than a giant lawnmower (important to justify cost to wife =). I really like the little 'bota too. The JD's I have sat on in the SubCUT class feel a bit cramped (I'm 6'1", not a giant by any means). I do like the 790 though.

As for my premature demise by stupidity, my wife's family farm about 2000 acres, so there are plenty of tractor vets to give me saftey tips. I've even got to run a dozer and a big JD 4020 a few times, although with a vet riding the fender alongside. Big batwing bush hogs are what got me hooked on tractors in the first place!

 

[daTeacha]

Ah Ha! So you aren't new to tractors, just to owning one. That makes a difference.

Is the barn already there or will you be putting it up? If the latter, think about setting the stalls so you can drive through without making a real sharp turn at either end. If it is and you will need lots of maneuverability, have the sales guy bring things out and show that it will work in the barn.

If you look at hst in that setup, check out the turning brakes. They can make a world of difference in a tight spot. Have the inlaws show you how to use them.

 

[jbrumberg]

simonis:
Welcome to TBN! All of us here on TBN are more than willing to help you and the social control agent spend your money /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I have a property profile similar to yours. Get a CUT! I worked our property with an undersized SCUT 4WD tractor for 20+ years. I upgraded to a NH TC29DA last year and I kick myself for not having worked "She Who Must Be Obeyed" harder and earlier. My old tractor had a very low center of gravity which helped me brush hog the sloped lower 6A's. My new tractor with its higher center of gravity creates some challenges as to angle of approach when mowing and FEL work, but I would not go back to a SCUT. I agree with KiotiJohn and daTeacher (as I usually do) as to their recommendations. You really have to look at your anticipated use. As to the turning brakes- I used them alot on my geared Ford 1100 I have not yet figured out how I can use them when I am not in "cruise control (never)" with an HST. I really, really like my HST /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Good luck! Jay

 

[aesanders]

For eleven acres on a small horse farm, I would probably get something roughly the size of the tc 30 or Kubota b7800 or b2630. Maybe even look at something like a Deere 3120. The subcut would work, but would be somewhat limiting for this size of property. Position control and full category 1 hitch for the rear implemts would be a top priorty in my book. This is something most subcuts lack.

Most horse barns I'm aware of are usualy cleaned by hand work anyway. Most stalls are 10 by 10 or 12 by 12 and are not really accesaible even by a small garden tractor. I'd say most as some are designed differently than others. If you are getting a manure spreadure, make sure it is sized accordingly to the tractor. They make small spreaders a garden tractor can pull and large spreaders you need a utilty tractor to pull. I'd look for a good quality brush cutter for keeping the pastures mowed and the treelines cleared.

 

[gamble77]

Sent you a PM.

 

[RickO]

11 acres is a lot of land... it would be an easy decision for me. Buy something 30hp or more so you can run a 5' cutter and a 6' MMM. Don't go with a RFM if you have very much to trim around and if the wife will be using it. Been there done that. I had a Kubota B7800 (B2910 is same tractor with more options) - it would be perfect for that size lot. Also look at the Mahindra 3015 - great tractors for less $$. Also, don't let anyone talk you into anything but Hydostat.

 

[coasterez]

If you like the CK20, also look at the TYM T273. It's almost a foot shorter than the CK20, has 6 more hp (big advantage for mowing), and turns like a dream. It's a little lighter, making it a little less functional than the CK20 in the digging department., but, not by a lot.

Further, depending on your barn configuration, if it will fit, you should get the biggest machine you can. I would look at all the makes 30 hp and below. The New Hollands with supersteer might be a good fit. Or a CK30 - hard to beat for features v. price. But, try as many as you can and pay close attention to the details that affect what you will be using the macine for the most.

Happy hunting,

Tom

 

[Egon]

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

 

[Billy_S]

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.

 

[dooleysm]

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.

 

[simonis]

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?

 

[daTeacha]

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.

 

[flusher]

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.

 

[daTeacha]

The Massey is a classic with good reason. Good choice!