Buying Advice Tractor or mower?

[aquafiend]

Another update:

Haven't had a great response from the local kubota dealer but the local deere guys have been great. So it looks like I'll be going for the deere - I'd rather have good dealer support, since it seems like both brands are well respected.

I played around with the 2320 on the lot and it seemed nice and easy to use (for this first-time buyer). They actually have the 2320 already set up with most of the attachments I wanted, so that might be the one. First question: is there any concern buying one off the lot rather than new from the factory? They have quoted with a discount, but I would have thought it would be discounted from msrp no matter what.

Second question: When I started asking questions about larger models (3000 series), the sales guy pointed out that they have a 3032E with loader for almost the same price. He seemed to think it was a toss up between them. Should I be considering this one since it's available? The sales guy said that the 3032E has an older/worse transmission than the 2320 and no mid PTO. I also think the loader does not come off as easily. Now that I'm home I'm regretting not driving the 3032 to check manouverability for mowing. The main thing that's giving me pause is the fact that two gardening attachments the dealer said would fit the 2320 (frontier one bottom plow and subsoiler) are listed for 25-50 HP - and the 2320 comes in at 24.1 by spec. Not sure if that's a problem, as it seems like 24HP is plenty to pull a small plow, but maybe I'm wrong.

3032E pros: more HP, more lift capacity.
3032E cons: worse transmission? no mid PTO (but not currently planning on using it), harder to take off loader (but will probably leave it on all the time, except for maintenance?). A bit more expensive. Seems like it might have less ground clearance than 2320.

I would also probably prefer the lighter 2320 for soil compaction, etc. unless the weight is necessary for the tasks I have.

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Grandad4]

Either of those models would work well for your needs, I would think. I'd lean toward the 3032E because it's heavier and seems better suited to your land preparation/clearing and snow removal work. If you had more mowing, it would be the other way around. Maybe some of the TBN folks that know the JD models well will have more comments.

 

[Gittyup]

Go for the bigger, heavier tractor. You won't need a mid pto if you are buying a separate lawn mower. I think the 2320 is too small. The 2520 would be OK. Don't buy too small and regret it.

It seems you are only considering JD and Kubota. Good tractors. But, you pay for it, and other makers actually have better platforms for certain configurations. You are doing yourself a disservice if you don't look at MF, NH, Kioti, bobcat, mahindra, branson, TYM, and cub cadet.

On the mower, I recommend a used JD 400 series. These are awesome at mowing, and can be found with push blades and/or snowblowers. These are much better machines, even at used, than a new X300 series.

 

[aquafiend]

Gittyup: thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately in order to jump to the CUT level I'm limited to the brands that have financing deals. I'm also a bit nervous about service/dealer support so I'm trying to go with someone local. After going through your list there is a MF dealer and a bobcat dealer close to me, so I've asked for quotes on the MF1526 and the bobcat CT225 - thanks for the heads up. Oh, and my local Kioti and Kubota dealers have not returned emails / phone calls ...

 

[Gittyup]

Many dealers won't give you the best price via email or phone. They want to know you are a serious buyer, not a competitor just fishing for prices. They also want to see your face in the showroom.

Just about all of them offer some kind of special finances/incentives, and you can get way more tractor for your money many times for brands other than deere and Kubota.

It is best to drive them all. It isn't easy to compare without doing so. Rare do any two offer the same options/features. For example, I've test driven the 2320. Like it a lot for an over sized lawn mower (BX-like) that can do some light loader work. But the CT225 is much more tractor, for probably less money: weight, lift capacity, hydraulic flow, hp, 3 range HST, etc. If you compared these side by side it would quickly be clear which is the heavier duty tractor. I think you'll find the same with the MF, though you may not save any money in that brand. Mahindra, TYM, and Branson also offer great value/performance.

Yes dealer is very important. Make sure you buy from a good one. But, they don't necessarily need to be close by. My dealer is over 250 miles away. Support has been excellent and I saved thousands over the closer guys. Dealer has come to my house twice and performed repairs right in my driveway. I doubt the closer guys would have given me any better service.

If you are going with a separate lawn mower, you want your tractor to be built to do real tractor work. The 2320 isn't.