Buying Advice Tractor for homestead / land maintenance

[Binx]

Hello All,

We're getting a little closer to building our homestead! We hired someone to clear our land (forestry mulchers) last month and it looks awesome (see 1st attachment). Thank you for that advice. The homesite will be near the back of the clearing.

We planned to purchase a new tractor by the end of September, but saw an equipment company selling a Kubota MX5800 HST 4x4, 47 hours, with an Ansung 2150b loader and a rear remote for $27k (see 2nd attachment). Is this a good deal, especially considering the loss of 0% financing/insurance? Will there be any problems using the Ansung loader with a grapple?

We had narrowed down our choices to the Kubota MX and Kioti NX5510 or 6010. We plan to look at that Kubota later this week and I plan to stop by the Kioti dealer to see if there are better incentives available.

We plan to work on the property when it cools off a little. It's not fun sweating in 90+ degree humid weather. And he still doesn't want a cabbed tractor . We will put up wood fencing with the trees we thin out around the homesite, bush hog and maintain property, level/maintain 1/4-1/2 mile driveway, and clear trails. Do you have any suggestions on leveling the rutted driveway (see 3rd attachment)?

I have attached (4th attachment) a list of implements and would like your advice on these choices, cat 1 or 2, timing of purchases, or alternate/additional ideas. We're a bit torn on the tree saw. We need to clear out the invasive and weaker trees around the homesite so the other trees can have more room to grow. Unfortunately, leaning over to cut a few hundred 3-5" trees is going to be tough. How are tree pullers with 50-60 hp tractors?

I plan on sending an email to Travis at EA to ask him about pricing and wait times (oh boy) after more research and your advice.

Thank you!

 

[Tractorable]

I can’t say I know enough about aftermarket loaders to advise if they’re a positive or a negative on a tractor. My inclination would be to say that while you may save a few grand going with the lightly used MX5800 with aftermarket loader, you’ll be losing any 0% financing deals, potential warranty coverage, and the resale value may be negatively affected.

I have no idea if the aftermarket loader is “performance matched” to the tractor or if it could potentially lift a lot more creating unsafe conditions. As a potential buyer, I’d personally pass on it and go for the all the advantages that come with a new purchase, but that’s just me.

 

[Binx]

Thanks for your advice Tractorable. I felt unsure about this option and we weren't thinking about the 0% financing at the time. We decided to look at a used Kubota (w/Kubota loader and eligible for 0% financing :thumbsup at a dealership today.

 

[Imold]

So how did the visit to the dealer go?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

One of these or equal can make & maintain your drive a dream task.

As far as ETA and your immediate needs, you may need to re-think that whole scenario as far as what immediate means to you.

For the size tractors that you are considering, all of your attachments should be cat 1-2 at the minimum IMO.

Just my :2cents:

 

[ericm979]

Cutting the trees with a chain saw isn't that hard. You can try it and see how well it goes, then get the tree saw later if you think you need it. There's probably going to be some trees you can't get the tractor backed up to anyhow.

The root rake style grapple is better than the long tine style grapple for digging and for picking up single large logs but the long tine grapple can hold more brush/small trees. If you're cutting small trees you'll be wanting to pile them to chip or burn.

I'm sure Wallenstein makes a nice chipper but the Woodmaxx 8H or Woodland Mills 8" costs a lot less than that (or the Woodmaxx 9").

EA makes good stuff (I'm happy with my wicked grapple) but you can find good quality US made rotary cutters and box blades for a little less.

 

[Binx]

So how did the visit to the dealer go?

Bad and then good. The Kioti dealer 10 minutes from us wasn't coming down from his prices and he didn't have any used NX tractors.

This past weekend, we went to the Kubota dealership about an hour away and looked at a used MX5800. It looked pretty darn good. If the salesman hadn't told us, I would have thought it was a new tractor. He said it was used to pull peach carts and since it was used for some kind of Kubota farm program, we would still be able to get the 0% financing and full warranty.

We both test drove the tractor and really liked it (I don't think he's ever going to let me use the tractor ). They're going to add a LA1065 loader/bucket, change the tires from R1 to R4 and load them, and add a grill guard. Delivery will be this weekend. Fingers crossed on no rain!

 

[Binx]

One of these or equal can make & maintain your drive a dream task.

Would you choose a rear blade or box blade if you could only have one? All these attachments are adding up quick in both money and space.

As far as ETA and your immediate needs, you may need to re-think that whole scenario as far as what immediate means to you.

I know what you mean. I asked Travis and timing is about 10+ weeks now. We were looking at the ratchet rake that jeff mentioned or a piranha bar to start. We would want a rotary cutter next and then a grapple.

 

[Tractorable]

Bad and then good. The Kioti dealer 10 minutes from us wasn't coming down from his prices and he didn't have any used NX tractors.

This past weekend, we went to the Kubota dealership about an hour away and looked at a used MX5800. It looked pretty darn good. If the salesman hadn't told us, I would have thought it was a new tractor. He said it was used to pull peach carts and since it was used for some kind of Kubota farm program, we would still be able to get the 0% financing and full warranty.

We both test drove the tractor and really liked it (I don't think he's ever going to let me use the tractor ). They're going to add a LA1065 loader/bucket, change the tires from R1 to R4 and load them, and add a grill guard. Delivery will be this weekend. Fingers crossed on no rain!

Great news! Congrats on your new purchase! The MX5800 is a total beast and looks beefy with its oversize R4’s. Will be a great fit for your property and should last forever. Don’t forget us virtual tractor fans, we want pics!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Would you choose a rear blade or box blade if you could only have one? All these attachments are adding up quick in both money and space.



I know what you mean. I asked Travis and timing is about 10+ weeks now. We were looking at the ratchet rake that jeff mentioned or a piranha bar to start. We would want a rotary cutter next and then a grapple.

I would get a rear blade first. Much easier to work your road-drive with a good heavy (700lb minimum)rear blade. Get a 6 way blade with skid shoes, 8' wide.

You mentioned cost. No "good" implement is going to be cheap for your tractor. I would look for used units to start with. New is going to cost some $$$$.

Good luck with this adventure.

 

[Binx]

Cutting the trees with a chain saw isn't that hard. You can try it and see how well it goes, then get the tree saw later if you think you need it. There's probably going to be some trees you can't get the tractor backed up to anyhow.

The root rake style grapple is better than the long tine style grapple for digging and for picking up single large logs but the long tine grapple can hold more brush/small trees. If you're cutting small trees you'll be wanting to pile them to chip or burn.

We've (He's) been using a chain saw every weekend for over a year now and it's starting to kick his butt, aka lower back. The chain saw weighs about 20lbs and he's bending over for each cut so there's not much stump left. That's why he's looking at a tree saw. That's saying a lot since he doesn't complain about hard work and hates spending money.

We'll probably need to clear an area and dig a shallow hole. Maybe get a piranha bar for that.

I'm sure Wallenstein makes a nice chipper but the Woodmaxx 8H or Woodland Mills 8" costs a lot less than that (or the Woodmaxx 9").

It will probably be the Woodmaxx. I can't believe the Wallenstein is almost double the price.

A makes good stuff (I'm happy with my wicked grapple) but you can find good quality US made rotary cutters and box blades for a little less.

Do you have any recommendations on a good company for rotary cutters and box blades? I've heard of EA and Gannon, but that's about it.

 

[ericm979]

20 lb chainsaw! I'd be tired too. I have a couple small saws for brush cutting and limbing. They're both under 10lbs. Even a couple pounds makes a big difference. The Echo CS352 is 8.8 lbs for the powerhead and isn't that expensive. It's super easy to start which is good when the brush is so thick that you have to stop often to pull stuff out of the way.

I got a Kodiak rotary. Mine's the regular duty, I'd get medium duty if you're going to be mowing a lot of 1"+ brush. AgriSupply carries them.
My box blade is a Gearmore. It's well built and was a good price. But they're a southwest US company so you may not be able to get them at a reasonable price in the south east.

 

[Binx]

Just checked the specs for the chainsaw since you mentioned it was heavy. It's 13.2 lbs dry, so probably around 15 lbs with fluids. It feels heavier than that when I'm carrying it around!!! We've got a smaller chainsaw that hasn't been working for a bit, so I'll tactfully mention that it would be easier on him if he fixed it. :laughing:

Thanks for the info on the box blade and rotary cutter. We'll check them out.

 

[Binx]

Great news! Congrats on your new purchase! The MX5800 is a total beast and looks beefy with its oversize R4痴. Will be a great fit for your property and should last forever. Don稚 forget us virtual tractor fans, we want pics!

Hi Tractorable,

We got our tractor and picked up a little hitchhiker too!

We purchased our first attachment...a piranha tooth bar! Now comes the wait for the other attachments... unless we break down and find alternatives.