Tractor Fever

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks to all for the good information I've been reading here in the last few weeks. This is a great forum ! I've learned alot. I have a huge itch to replace my old Ford 2000 with a new tractor and have decided that a Kubota is the ticket. I can get a new 2002 model dt3000 4WD, no FEL, no other options, delivered for $11.100 for a local dealer here in Central VA. Do you all think this is a good price ? I know the loader is a great addition but can't make the $$ work at this time. Guess I'm looking for encouragement to justify the 5 years of monthly payments over the regular repair costs on my 25 year old Ford. All advise considered and appreciated.

 

[HR_Mutt]

Jimbo1
Someone in here said they bought a FEL and the tractor was a necessary attachment/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif. It's a good way to look at it. Don't know how I got by without one. I'm not sure about $$ but I would recommend that you try a HST equipped tractor before you purchase. You might want to register(no cost) and add some basic profile info. What type of tractor work are you going to do with it? Just make sure you get the right one as it'll be providing faithful service long after it's paid for. Have fun/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
regards
Mutt

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I was wondering why you want to buy a new tractor and go backwards in torque and hp...? The only major gain would be MWFD... {& of course new /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif}

What do you currently use your Ford 2000 for? Is this the 3 cylinder unit? Gas or Diesel?

 

[JATO_RaT]

"The only major gain would be MWFD... "

Oh and what a gain that would be. My International and my L48 will have to do a tug of war both in and out of 4WD. I already know the 4WD will win that contest but in 2WD, I'll have to see.

International - diesel, 179 cu inch displacement, about 5500lbs, R2's on back 14.5 24's filled, 8 forward speeds

L48 diesel, 148 cu inch displacement, about 5500lbs, R4's 17.5 24's filled, HST

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>...MWFD...</font color=blue>

and a lesson to type slower...MFWD... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[MChalkley]

Rat - Prediction: the International doesn't stand a chance either way. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[rbargeron]

Jimbo1 - Having used your Ford for years, you know a lot about exactly which features would consititue an improvement for your operations, and have likely focused on the Kubota DT3000 for a lot of good reasons. You are at a big advantage over a "first tractor" customer because you know what works in your situation, and what you want next.

One thing I'd mention is that Kubota's don't need much fixing, even with a couple of thousand hours on them. Sometimes you can get a "pre-scratched" one with more power and features for shorter money. Of course there's nothing quite as nice as a brand new tractor. Have fun - and remember never get it dirty. (Dirty is when you can't see enough of it to figure out where to get on)

 

[Oscar]

I had a Massey Ferguson 65 gas Tractor and went to a Kubota L3710. About 10 less HP, but you would never know it. The Kubota is great!! I spend a lot of time mowing and bush hogging so it was an easy decision for me to make.

P.S. Get a FEL, you won't regret it.

Craig

 

[jimbo1]

Thanks all. To give you an idea of my situation: I maintain a mile of gravel road, grading, ditching and occasionally pushing snow using chains, mow 5 acres, occasionally drag logs for firewood, run a 4 foot home built spring tooth harrow on my vegetable garden, use a boom pole to lift and move logs, poles, etc.. Use a light duty JD 5 ft bush hog and a heavy duty Woods 6 ft rear blade that I can swing out and tilt for ditching. My current tractor is a 1974 Ford 2000 3cyl. gasser rated 30hp. at the pto, weighs 3600 lbs dry and burns at least a gallon an hour when I run it. It's got 2100 hrs on it and to it's credit it does not leak at all. Got fluid in the back tires and the wheels spread out as far as they will go. I live in very hilly terrain and almost killed myself more than once with the Farmall 140 row crop unit that I sold 10 years ago. I am very used to a geared transmission and don't think I'd need GST unless I get an FEL and use it all the time. I will consider holding out for a unit w/ an FEL as that is strongy advised in this forum. If I do I'll have to go with something used. I'm still curious if the $11K price is good for a new 3000dt. Thanks again for including me in your discussions. I did just register and hope that I may be able to contribute to this board in the future.

 

[HR_Mutt]

jimbo1
Welcome/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. Did you check the Carver website for price check and see what they had available?
regards
Mutt

 

[jimbo1]

Yep. Thanks. Good pointer. Been checking the Carver site for awhile and have contacted them. They requested I return a non-disclosure statement about prices they offer before they give me a firm bid on a unit. I haven't returned the form yet. I respect their wishes anyway. They are a good on-line resource for information. I will not share pricing from them publicly if they provide a quotation for a unit and wonder if posting a price from a local dealer was a bad idea. I came to this site originally looking for pricing. I visited this site for an opinion about price on a 3000dt and found an on-line community which I like. I still want to know if anyone thinks 11,100 is a good or bad price for a dt3000. Could be the 300dt is not so popular here as it is a plain Jane but the live pto will be a joy for me to use when mowing. I'll keep checking Carver and other dealers and hope to have a new unit before spring. My motto. Buy in January and sell in April.
I remain- JD- (aren't those some initials for a prospective Kubota buyer? )

 

[BobinCols]

You are a prime candidate for a HST trans.. I know it costs more than the $11,000 3000 but you won't ever regret it. I was using a 1961 TO35 Ferguson (still have) with a gear trans and the difference between the Ferguson and 3010 is like night and day. You look forward to using the 3010.. Even while mowing the Hst is great because you can vary your speed for obstacles and conditions and your throttle and pto runs the same. If the FEL had to wait a couple of years, it won't cost that much more to add then. Reading what you are doing, I would much rather have a HST trans and wait on the loader if you couldn't do both at time of purchase. You can't add HST but a loader can be added. Just my opinion,

 

[MChalkley]

BobinCols - Seconded. I think that's very wise advice.

 

[fishman]

Jimbo1,

$11,100 sounds like a good price for a 3000DT. An hst tractor with equivelant horsepower (B2910) is around $14,000. In fact, given the mass of the 3000DT, the L3010 would likely be the comparison, and it is another $500-$1000.
I priced a 3000DT about a year ago with a FEL and as I recall it was about $14,500. Given that the FEL adds about $2500-$3000, your price sounds pretty decent.

 

[Youare]

Had the fever myself for so long I thought it was a terminal illness. This past July I got over it purchasing a Kubota L3000DT with a FEL. I have a 1951 Ford 8N that needed a rest and some refreshing.

I really like the L3000. That price sounds better than what I had to pay up here in the Northeast. I called or visited 4 dealerships in a 100 mile radius of where I live and got the exact same prices. With the FEL I paid $15,700 set-up with a block heater and loaded Ag's. Sounds like you are getting a much better deal.

Randy