Tractor Newbie

[sengli]

Just moved out to the country and got 12 acres. Going to do some snow plowing, mowing and drive way maintenace. Am looking at the bobcat CT335 HST. Really don't know anything about tractors. Seems like descent unit from what I have read and the local dealer is pricing them right $16K new with a loader. Sound good?

 

[milkman636]

I bought the same model a couple of weeks ago. It was 16500 delivered with loaded rear tires, a block heater, and a rear work light installed. It was by-far the best priced 35hp tractor I could find in two months of shopping. Bobcat and Kioti are both offering alot of nice features at prices that other brands aren't coming close to.

Because of price, I was looking primarily at used tractors before I stumbled onto my local Bobcat dealer's lot a couple of months ago. I didn't know they even offered a compact tractor until then. So far I have only good things to say about my new tractor.

 

[sengli]

Hey Milk

Thanks for the feedback. Maybe when we go in to buy this unit, if they wont come down on price much more maybe I can get them to throw in a block heater or rear lights which would be nice. I have owned alot of things with engines on them, but never a tractor. Since you had a block heater installed, I can assume you are in a cold climate then? The sales I guy I spoke with said they really weren't needed, becuase these tractors start readily.

 

[Canada_CT230]

I have 17 acres and a CT 230. I maintain over 2000' feet of gravel driveway, till/cultivate over 7 acres of AG land, clear snow with a 78" blower and bucket, haul firewood on pallets, and split wood with my log splitter.

I have never thought...Gee I wish I had more power. What I am glad about is the size. It is large enough to do what I ask of it and still small enough to be nimble and agile.

I would recommend a block heater for any temps below freezing. I do know they WILL start at fairly cold temps but they do more wear and damage with cold starts. Why not spend $50 or less and save your engine?

Just my two bits.

 

[lilranch2001]

Just moved out to the country and got 12 acres. Going to do some snow plowing, mowing and drive way maintenace. Am looking at the bobcat CT335 HST. Really don't know anything about tractors. Seems like descent unit from what I have read and the local dealer is pricing them right $16K new with a loader. Sound good?

Sounds like a good price, what this Bobcat of Ft Wayne?

 

[milkman636]

........... if they wont come down on price much more maybe I can get them to throw in a block heater or rear lights which would be nice.................. The sales I guy I spoke with said they really weren't needed, becuase these tractors start readily.

The block heater is a small item that does make a big difference. Out of curiosity I tried one below freezing start without it, and it is safe to say that I will be using the heater before every start from now until spring. The Bob-tach on the FEL is also a $600 option. Check to make sure it is in the qoute if you want it.

16k is a good price. It sounds like you may have found a guy that wants to sell a tractor. If you are able to beat my deal I would definitely like to know about it. I don't think I left much on the table.

 

[Patches]

Daedong dosen't make an engine for compact tractors that starts easily in "cold" weather, IMHO

 

[VictorW]

Daedong dosen't make an engine for compact tractors that starts easily in "cold" weather, IMHO

Each model engine is different but I've started my 30 horse at -4'F with two cycles of the glow plugs. I run 5W-40 oil which may help. Each cylinder is firing but you can tell it's not like a warmer temp start up. I let it run for a minute or two at 1,000 rpms before I bump it up to 1,400 for another good 5-10 minutes before I put it to work. As others mentioned, a heater would be good below freezing temps.

 

[afoster]

Were I live a block heater, battery blanket and oil pan heater are more or less mandatory, if you really want to be able to start and use your tractor in the winter. Even after the tractor starts it's usually a good 20 to 30 min. before the hydraulic fluid is warm enough that you would want to even try using your hydraulics. Most times when I'm snowplowing the temp is averaging -25c. Once it gets down to -35c I don't even both trying to use the tractor as usually something breaks.

 

[VictorW]

Not to side track this post but a quick question to Patches. I see that you are using a Blizzard 74" snowblower and I believe your tractor engine is 30hp with 25 pto. I have a CK30hst, 30/24hp, and was looking at a Blizzard 63" but that would just cover the rear R4 tire width. How does your tractor handle the 74?

 

[Patches]

Not to side track this post but a quick question to Patches. I see that you are using a Blizzard 74" snowblower and I believe your tractor engine is 30hp with 25 pto. I have a CK30hst, 30/24hp, and was looking at a Blizzard 63" but that would just cover the rear R4 tire width. How does your tractor handle the 74?

No issues at all; usually use the 1,000 PTO option, running the engine at about 1450 gives me 540 at the output shaft. I have used the 540 option at 2600 to take care of the road plow windrows when they're unusually large, or especially wet. I run in low range, usually 3rd or 4th gear, but have gone to 2nd in those road plow windrows. Hope this is what you were looking for.
As an aside, the engine HP is in question as the engine data plate lists the HP as 20.9KW, which converts to 28 SAE HP. Had several conversations/ e-mails reference this and it has never been resolved to my satisfaction. Kioti's answer is the old stand-by, "we reserve the right to change specifications without notice"??

 

[sengli]

Pretty much determined I will be buying the CT335 from bobcat. But what is your opinions on the newer L series from kabota? I know i priced a an L3240 with a FEL and it was $22K, which is about $6K more than the bobcat unit.

 

[qed-cat225]

Bobcat, you will like the operating platform alone much better, heck just the loader joystick did it for me...

 

[VictorW]

No issues at all; usually use the 1,000 PTO option, running the engine at about 1450 gives me 540 at the output shaft. I have used the 540 option at 2600 to take care of the road plow windrows when they're unusually large, or especially wet. I run in low range, usually 3rd or 4th gear, but have gone to 2nd in those road plow windrows. Hope this is what you were looking for.
As an aside, the engine HP is in question as the engine data plate lists the HP as 20.9KW, which converts to 28 SAE HP. Had several conversations/ e-mails reference this and it has never been resolved to my satisfaction. Kioti's answer is the old stand-by, "we reserve the right to change specifications without notice"??

I know are tractors are a little different but that is just what I was looking for. I've also heard some using the 1000 pto rpm option but wasn't sure how well it worked with lower engine rpm which should mean less hp. Thank you

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Daedong dosen't make an engine for compact tractors that starts easily in "cold" weather, IMHO

I don't know why not. Korea in the winter is a cold mother!

 

[milkman636]

Pretty much determined I will be buying the CT335 from bobcat. But what is your opinions on the newer L series from kabota? I know i priced a an L3240 with a FEL and it was $22K, which is about $6K more than the bobcat unit.

The L series is very nice, but the base la514 loader is a little weaker than the Bobcat, I personally prefer the two pedal hydrostat control over the treadle arrangement, and as you have already found out the price is about 6000 higher.

 

[Patches]

I don't know why not. Korea in the winter is a cold mother!

I don't know either I believe the indirect injection and pre-combustion chamber to be the problem, although, other manufacturers use similar designs on some of their equipment, but start more readily.

 

[sengli]

Not really knowing too much about the different brands out there, make me cautious. My wife is wondering why the bobcat tractors are such a bargain compared to many of the other brands out there now. At the moment bobcat is still offering a free front end loader, which is worth around $5500 or so. Plus I have decided the HST tranny suits me fine so that is another $2k off the sticker.

From what I have read here, it doesn't seem as if many people are experiencing any real chronic issues with the bobcat tractors. Might be buying the tractor this weekend.

 

[Patches]

If you're opting for the HST, you can (add) $1500/$2000 to the price of a gear tractor

 

[SABULA FARMER]

Not really knowing too much about the different brands out there, make me cautious. My wife is wondering why the bobcat tractors are such a bargain compared to many of the other brands out there now. At the moment bobcat is still offering a free front end loader, which is worth around $5500 or so. Plus I have decided the HST tranny suits me fine so that is another $2k off the sticker.

From what I have read here, it doesn't seem as if many people are experiencing any real chronic issues with the bobcat tractors. Might be buying the tractor this weekend.

I know where you are coming from. I purchased a CT335 SST this fall, and I have to say its a pretty good unit. I think it gets better each time I run it...:thumbsup: