Tractor for 5 Acres

[PhoneGuy]

We recently moved on 5 acres and I need a tractor at least by the end of May before everything gets out of hand. Only 1.5 acres are cleared. The rest is in brush and palmettos(a type of palm tree we have here in fla.). I plan on using the tractor at first for mainly bush hog and box blading, and then just maintaining after that. Also our land is flat. I feel that I would be making a mistake by not getting a FEL and 4wd. I was thinking of staying in the 27-30 hp range. I've been looking at blue, orange, and green. I am sure that there are some big differences, but they all seem about the same to me. Of course, then I am a novice. I would like to stay under 15k,
and I am not concerned whether I have Hyd or not. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[RoyJackson]

Boy, have you got a lot of options! Going to be hard staying under $15K though.

Personally, the first two I'd look at would be the Deere 790 (my personal favorite) and New Holland TC-30. I prefer the bare bones tractors, but there's many on TBN who will disagree with me. The 790 is a gear tractor, the TC-30 can be had with a hydro.
Then there's the Kubota 7800..another relatively bare bones tractor.
To keep your costs down, if it's a choice between FEL and hydro, I'd sure go for the loader.

And, of course, there's used tractors to check out. As far as Deere, I'd look for an 855 or 955 (although, personally...I'd want a 770 or 790, but I prefer gears). The x55 series are all hydro transmissions.

As I said, you've a multitude of options and I am very sure you'll get a multitude of opinions on this thread.

 

[PhoneGuy]

Thanks, Roy for the input. I have looked at the 790 and I think that the local dealer here is to high. He wants around 12k for the just the tractor w/ 4wd. I am going to look at all my options including used.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Al,

You might want to look at the new Kubota L2800. Here's a comparison chart to the JD790. The L2800 has a lot more 3PH lift capability and shuttle shift.

It appears that your $15k budget is workable with this tractor, with $$ left over for implements. Here's a discussion about it.

 

[zuiko]

That seems very high. Over list I think. I paid $18500 for a 990 with FEL and 4-in-1 bucket, MX6 rotary cutter. If I dropped the cutter and 4-in-1 that would put it right at $15k. I would do some shopping around. Dealers vary a lot on price. Some just don't want the business.

 

[PhoneGuy]

BillG, Thanks for the info. I just talked to a dealer in Gainesville who gave a price of 12900 for a L2800 2wd FEL.
What do you think?

 

[BillG_in_TX]

I think you should get a price with 4WD.

(Disclaimer - I have a 2WD tractor and have never gotten stuck. But I'll get 4WD on my next tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

 

[PhoneGuy]

I guess my next question is, will 26.5 hp really be enough?
I just don't want to sell my self short and wish that I had gone bigger not matter what the brand I buy.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Well the L3400 2WD is probably about the same price as the L2800 4WD. And probably about the same power to the ground when needed. The L3400 will give you more PTO horsepower and Live PTO.

Of course, you could go with the 4WD L3400 with FEL, and probably still stay under $15k. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I think it's time for you to get out and drive all these tractors!

 

[PhoneGuy]

BillG,
I printed out the spreadsheet comparison and noticed that there is no mid pto. I guess you can't have everything. I will call a few dealers tomorrow to get more info. Also, how easy or difficult is the fel to remove?