Tractor for 6 acres?

SRobison · Sep 9, 2005

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to the site, new to country living and new to lawn tractors. Our little walk-behind is not gonna cover the 6 acres we just purchased! We're told it's a "mini-farm" or "hobby-farm" - that's new to us too!

We've looked at a used Kubota - 1998 B2100HST for $5500. Seems like a good price? No attachments. Doesn't start every time - owner doesn't know why - has new battery. Front right wheel is bent inward - a little worried about what the thing's been through.

We're in the middle of Ohio. The 6 acre flag-lot is free of trees, rocks - but not weeds! It is thoroughly covered with weeds. Fairly flat. Old farmland.

Fall is nearly here. We're considering waiting til spring to find a deal on maybe someone selling a tractor who's wanting to upgrade. Or maybe dealers would be selling old stock to bring in new models?

Would appreciate any suggestions anyone cares to give regarding when and what to purchase. Right now, we're just wanting to keep the lot mowed to keep the township happy. Don't plan to build on it for another 2 years.

Thanks much everyone!

Yalerider · Sep 9, 2005

Welcome to the site! You can find a lot of similar questions and answers to "what to buy". It really depends on exactly what you are going to do. The general suggestion is for mowing a lighter/smaller tractor may do the job. If you want to push trees over/dirtwork a heavier tractor may be better. I just purchased a Branson 3510i 35 horsepower tractor for 7 acres, but my acreage is a tree farm, with another acre I will plant in berries. I needed a bigger heavier tractor to take out trees and roots, and it works fine for mowing as well. I am glad I didn't go with a smaller tractor as I had originally intended, but it may work well for you. I bought new as I just didn't want to deal with someone else's problems and figure I will keep this tractor for years. Also the resale value of tractors seems to be much better than, say, cars. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

beenthere · Sep 9, 2005

Welcome
Read here about problems you 'can' have buying tractors from private (not saying that there are not good deals out there).
But getting from a dealer near you can have some good benefits if something goes wrong or if you need additional equipment (sometimes can rent) to do your jobs as you learn about life on 6 acres.

frank_f15 · Sep 9, 2005

WELCOME TO THE FORUM: ist thing u have to do is not JUMP. that tractor you mentioned sounds like a pass. u also mentioned that you will not build for a few years, where would you store the tractor? can you store it at you current home and then are you able to transport it when needed? might be better tto rent one or hire it out a few times a year till you know exactly what you want. just some ideas

Soundguy · Sep 9, 2005

Price is good.. tractor isn't.... front end damage isn't the bad part.. that's somenting you could fix with 'bolt on' parts.

A diesel not starting well , on the other hand.. is a cause of concern.

Just about any SCUT 18-25hp is gonna be a good size tractor for your 6ac.

Soundguy

LBrown59 · Oct 11, 2005

We've looked at a used Kubota - 1998 B2100HST for $5500. *Seems like a good price?
============= 

 Not to me when I can get a new Kubota BX 1500 for 5700.

thcri · Oct 11, 2005

(
A diesel not starting well , on the other hand.. is a cause of concern.

Just about any SCUT 18-25hp is gonna be a good size tractor for your 6ac.

Soundguy )

I am going to agree on the diesel not starting. That would make me leary also and may be an espensive item to fix.

Murph

KAB · Oct 11, 2005

As already indicated you will want to run from that tractor.

If you have some time before you decide to build, is there a farmer near there that is looking for a field to grow crops in?

As for what to buy or when, you need to decide on what you will be doing long term... Just mowing - look at a ZTR or dedicated mower. Will you be using it for landscaping, driveway maintenance, tilling a garden, building the house yourself, putting in drainage, plowing snow in the winter, then you can start to decide on what size to get. The more you plan on doing then the bigger you will probably want.

I have 3 acres that I will be doing alot of what I listed above. I decided on a Kioti CK20HST. Larger would let me get stuff done faster, but I would have needed a larger trailer, and vehicle to tow the trailer.

Any of the major 3 (JD, NH, Kubota) or 2nd tier (Kioti, Mihandra, MF, Cub Cadet) would provide long term durability and power that you will need. (Can't forget about Power Trac, and others of that style... Sorry far anything I missed). Most posters here on TBN will tell you it is most important to find a good dealer, which is the best advise you will get here. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Unlike the automotive market there is not really a good time to purchase a tractor.

A couple of general suggestions:
Fill in your profile. It does get looked at and will help get better advise.
Read - A lot of questions have been answered here and you will get an idea of what questions to ask. It is always fun to spend somebody else's money /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
Tell Us - Budget, Preferences (if there is something you like or dislike let us know), intended use, time frame, and whatevere you think would be of benefit.

Last but not Least

WELCOME to TBN /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Kurt

ByronBob · Oct 11, 2005

For around 7-8,000 you could have a NEW BX1500 with a 54" MMM. And you could finance it while keeping the "township" happy. Just FYI. It's worth checking out.

flusher · Oct 16, 2005

I'd be careful. That B2100 violates a basic principle of used equipment buying: no MAJOR visible damage.

If $5500 is your comfort range, you might consider a grey market Yanmar tractor in the 20-25HP range with shuttle shift.

If you're hard over on hydrostatic trannies, then you probably should continue looking.

I bought a new B7510HST with LA302 FEL last May for my 10 acres (flat, no rocks, remnants of an almond orchard). At 21HP it does what I need done if I'm not in a real hurry.