Tractor for my dad

[alidansma]

Hello - I am looking for information on a tractor for my dad - he is retired and lives with us on five acres in the Southern California desert. We have about 20 goats, chickens, a steer, and vegtable gardens- and we are tired of using a shovel and wheelbarrow for everything! I am looking forward to learning a lot here! ~ali

 

[Muhammad]

Welcome to TBN.

 

[Briana03]

Hey there! WELCOME to TractorByNet.com!

I have moved your thread to the Buying/Pricing/Comparisons Forum. You'll get a better response there.

 

[TripleR]

Welcome to TBN, lots of good information on these forums. As was mentioned recently the admin has a book on tractor selection you might want to get. It looks as though a good SCUT/CUT will be in your future.

 

[flusher]

Hello - I am looking for information on a tractor for my dad - he is retired and lives with us on five acres in the Southern California desert. We have about 20 goats, chickens, a steer, and vegtable gardens- and we are tired of using a shovel and wheelbarrow for everything! I am looking forward to learning a lot here! ~ali

Check out the 20-30 hp (engine) offerings at local dealers in your Dad's vacinity. I'd look for one with four wheel drive (4WD), hydrostatic transmission (HST), front end loader (FEL) with 4-ft wide bucket, one or two rear hydraulic remote hose attach fittings. Get chain hooks welded to the top of the FEL bucket (you supply the hooks, dealer does the welding).

Check out the dealer's service and parts departments to be sure they'll satisfy your needs with the time comes for service/repairs.

 

[powergod1]

Check out the 20-30 hp (engine) offerings at local dealers in your Dad's vacinity. I'd look for one with four wheel drive (4WD), hydrostatic transmission (HST), front end loader (FEL) with 4-ft wide bucket, one or two rear hydraulic remote hose attach fittings. Get chain hooks welded to the top of the FEL bucket (you supply the hooks, dealer does the welding).

Check out the dealer's service and parts departments to be sure they'll satisfy your needs with the time comes for service/repairs.

sounds like good advice to me

 

[RoyJackson]

Hello - I am looking for information on a tractor for my dad - he is retired and lives with us on five acres in the Southern California desert. We have about 20 goats, chickens, a steer, and vegtable gardens- and we are tired of using a shovel and wheelbarrow for everything! I am looking forward to learning a lot here! ~ali

Welcome to TBN!!

So, what does your Father plan to do with a tractor? Tilling, since he has a veggie garden.
Since you're tired of using a shovel and wheelbarrow, a front end loader is in the picture.
And, of course, how much does he want to spend?

After you consider all the above, it's time to visit a few dealers and see what fits your Dad and his needs. Buying used is a viable option too, if you feel comfortable with that...

 

[gumshu]

Check out the 20-30 hp (engine) offerings at local dealers in your Dad's vacinity. I'd look for one with four wheel drive (4WD), hydrostatic transmission (HST), front end loader (FEL) with 4-ft wide bucket, one or two rear hydraulic remote hose attach fittings. Get chain hooks welded to the top of the FEL bucket (you supply the hooks, dealer does the welding).

Check out the dealer's service and parts departments to be sure they'll satisfy your needs with the time comes for service/repairs.

Flusher is right on... the Kubota BX with backhoe has been very good to me. JD make a nice one too.

 

[oldballs]

I can only speak for the BX2660 that I own and you would be amazed at what it will do on small acreages. The FEL (front end loader) with a tooth bar is a real digger/lifter. If you mow the MMM (mid mount mower) is great. I guess snow isn't a question; but a RB (rear blade) is handy for moving dirt/sand and cleaning out pens. I wouldn't get a plow for the BX (even though I own one); rather get a middle buster. The BX sits a little low for rough country and plowing. I till good size gardens with a walk behind tiller but wish I had a tiller for the Kubota. I guess "money" is part of this discussion. Your Dad will be so pleased with whatever you decide.

 

[kday64]

As you could have guesses we love our tractors here at TBN, particularly our Kubotas. I have owned my BX2360 for about 6 months and love it. The BX series are serious machines in small bodies.

That being said I also understand they have limited functionality at time, largely based on their ground clearance.

Nothing I have seen thus far would really send you towards an L series IMO. So I recommend you Chechen out the following link.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums//showthread.php?t=148830

Enjoy!

 

[TripleR]

As mentioned by others, the Kubota BX is a great machine, I have owned two over the last eight years and we love my wife's BX2660. They do however have limited ground clearance with a vulnerable HST fan and filter if this is a consideration. Protection plates are available from Bro Tek.

If we didn't own other tractors, we would have gone with one of the B Series.

Every maker produces similarly sized units and you need to look at them all with decent dealers in your area.

You may also consider renting a unit for a day just to get a baseline for comparison.

 

[loghouse511]

OLDBALLS,

Thank you, for spelling out your abbreviations, It, helps us newbies that don't know a TLB FROM A MMM

Loghouse

 

[TripleR]

OLDBALLS,

Thank you, for spelling out your abbreviations, It, helps us newbies that don't know a TLB FROM A MMM

Loghouse

There are several useful threads on abbreviations.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/new-holland-buying-pricing/192436-abbreviations.html

 

[loghouse511]

There are several useful threads on abbreviations.

TractorByNet.com - Compact Tractor Forum


Thanks, that helps a lot!

 

[Soundguy]

what's yer budget?

are you set on diesel and new.. or would you consider an older gasser?

are you set on 4wd or is 2wd ok?

about 2000-3000$ will get you into an old mid 50's to mid 60's ford with some sort of a loader.

fun tractors, and if you look around you can get one with lots of decades of work left in them..

if you are thinking about going that directions, and have questions, ask away.. I collect and restore old fords..

soundguy