Tractor Ratings

[JimWolf]

I have been thinking of replacing my main tractor and have been looking for ratings or tractors in the 30-40hp range - general work for a small farm, haying, backhoe, loader. The sites I have found seem mainly to be telling about features and how wonderful each tractor is. Others are reports by individuals on their experience with a particular tractor or brand - interesting but not that useful. I want something like a Consumer Reports of farm tractors. Let's hear the good but also the problems. Anyone got any suggestions for sites or other resources?

 

[KevT]

IMO you are here. You are asking to much with too many variables. From what I have read, it is more a Dealer Support issue than tractor quality. Meaning all tractors are pretty much equal when comparing weight ratio to HP. I know I went from a 26 HP JD to a 37HP Kubota and love it. I hated dealing with the JD dealer in the area so was willing to go with any brand other than them. Mine is a new "Tier4" which you will read people hating, I don't have a problem with it and any new tractor you get will have it.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have been thinking of replacing my main tractor and have been looking for ratings or tractors in the 30-40hp range - general work for a small farm, haying, backhoe, loader. The sites I have found seem mainly to be telling about features and how wonderful each tractor is. Others are reports by individuals on their experience with a particular tractor or brand - interesting but not that useful. I want something like a Consumer Reports of farm tractors. Let's hear the good but also the problems. Anyone got any suggestions for sites or other resources?

In short most of the new tractors are pretty good. If you can narrow down your choices to a few tractors you can then read up on the experiences people have with those models. There is no best tractor for everyone.

 

[jeff9366]

You are asking to much with too many variables.

It is more a Dealer Support issue than tractor quality. Meaning all tractors are pretty much equal when comparing weight ratio and HP.

Mine is a new "Tier4" which you will read people hating, I don't have a problem with it and any new tractor you get will have it.

I second KEVT's thoughts.

Let's hear the good but also the problems.

The main problems are NO MAINTENANCE and OPERATOR ERROR/ABUSE during operation. These are impossible to quantify as you desire.

80% of dealer performed repair revenue comes from 20% of operators.

There are more than 4,000,000 threads in the TBN archive. If you learn how to search the archive almost every imaginable tractor subject is thoroughly covered.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Very good advice was just given. There is no universal 1 through 10 scale on tractors. Best bet is to find the dealers closest, figure out what hp you need,then go sit on some machines. Also take into account any specific requirements that you have such as loader capacity or scv numbers.

 

[rmorey]

Very good advice was just given. There is no universal 1 through 10 scale on tractors. Best bet is to find the dealers closest, figure out what hp you need,then go sit on some machines. Also take into account any specific requirements that you have such as loader capacity or scv numbers.

I think that is good advice. Go sit on a few, drive a few and operate their attachments. One will jump out at you for ease of operation vs cost vs dealer support. :thumbsup:

It's probably going to boil down to "I like the seat on that one, or the loader joystick feels wrong on that one".

 

[AxleHub]

I have been thinking of replacing my main tractor and have been looking for ratings or tractors in the 30-40hp range - general work for a small farm, haying, backhoe, etc.
. . .
Others are reports by individuals on their experience with a particular tractor or brand - interesting but not that useful.
. . . .

Let's hear the good but also the problems.

I'll offer a bit different perspective. For 9 years I studied and planned on buying either a Kubota or a Yanmar because I saw them at big state fairs each year and liked their features. But my wife was shocked when after all this time and many brochures . . I ordered a Massey instead.

Quite frankly . . It wasn't because of a dealer or salesman . . In fact quite the opposite. Its because I kept reading the specs and general and specific threads on tbn and some others. Then I sat on them and visited 6 brands. And then I read some more to discover what salesmen either didn't tell me or they didn't know.

My point is . . see a couple brands . . Then start reading commentary on those brands and start threads like you did here in the brand areas. Ask questions . . knowing there is maybe some bias to the answers but also some good info and links.

If you depend on dealers and salespeople . . you won't find out things that make a fun and complete decision. In my personal situation . . I would never have known dozens of important things I needed to know from all the reviews and salespeople.

A seat sitting is not just a seat . . its the floor and pedals and controls and 20 other things. TBN and a few others can tell you about what brochures don't. And when you have it narrowed down to a
couple models . . then drive it a bit to confirm your thoughts.

Remember . . all of us have opinions . . what counts is after you get your choice . . what is your opinion of what you own

I started with Tractor Reviews, Videos, Pictures and Tractor Prices for some specific model reviews which then took me to others imbedded inthe reviews.

.

 

[GManBart]

I have been thinking of replacing my main tractor and have been looking for ratings or tractors in the 30-40hp range - general work for a small farm, haying, backhoe, loader. The sites I have found seem mainly to be telling about features and how wonderful each tractor is. Others are reports by individuals on their experience with a particular tractor or brand - interesting but not that useful. I want something like a Consumer Reports of farm tractors. Let's hear the good but also the problems. Anyone got any suggestions for sites or other resources?

Unfortunately, there really isn't anything like this available. Probably the best way to simulate it will be to narrow down your search to the brands/dealers that are within a distance acceptable to you (we all have different standards there). Once you've narrowed down the brands, sort out the models that fit your basic requirements. That will give you your likely candidates list. Do searches here on those models, and see what people have to say about them....you'll get the good and the bad. After that, go visit the dealers for some test drives. You will find that some things feel right, and some things are annoying....just the way it is. Something I don't even think about might really bother you, and vice-versa. It may take more than one trip to a dealer because a trip to a different dealer might make you think about something new....they understand that.

The good thing is that it's almost hard to pick a bad tractor in the 30-40hp range.

 

[Gary Fowler]

The only thing I would recommend is to stay away from anything built in China regardless of the brand. The quality is just not there yet. You can find out which models of any brand are made in China by searching TBN or by just looking at the data plates on the tractors.
I think the Korean made tractors are some of the better quality ones and they are mostly priced right. Kioti and LS are a couple of brands that many folks have. TYM is also made there but not too many TBN members seem to have them.
I think KAMA is Chinese made and also at least one model of John Deere is made in china which may be better than other brands but it is still Chinese made and contributing to the Chinese economy which we don't need any more of than absolutely necessary

 

[Creamer]

KevT is correct "you are here". This is the best on the web. As others have said there is no best for everyone. My little 1710 is 30+ years old and may be scoffed at by a lot on this board but it has served me very well for 22 years and I see no reason to change as I have gotten used to its quirks. You know what you are planning to use it for and when you get on one you will see how it will work for you. My only suggestion is find one that you think is just the right size and then buy 5-10 Hp more because when you get one you will find many more things to do with it.

 

[Grandad4]

Choosing a tractor is a highly personal decision. Even though it's a "work tool", there are all kinds of subjective judgments behind someone deciding what they like and don't like. Even the sincere advice you can find here is colored by the perspective of who is giving it, and it's a sure thing that someone equally sincere will hold a differing view. The good news is that the tractor business is very competitive and nobody selling junk, so you have little chance of getting a lemon.

I'd suggest you do some tire kicking to get an idea of what brands and dealers are near you, and then, before you do any true shopping, go home and think out what specific things are going to be important for you. For example, if you plan to mow or have boggy ground, you probably don't want a main battle tank of a tractor and you'd want something with a lighter footprint. Or you might have plans for some extensive tillage work where a heavier tractor will give you more pulling power.

Comments: a) Your haying plans will drive you to a larger tractor to drive the equipment and have enough weight... few if any modern 30-40 hp tractors are well suited to that kind of work. b) The backhoe is a large expense and only worth it if you have recurring need for it. A few one-time chores can be more cheaply handled by a rental when needed.

This probably wasn't exactly what you were asking for but I hope it's helpful. Good luck with your shopping!

 

[GreenCamo]

...and also at least one model of John Deere is made in china which may be better than other brands but it is still Chinese made and contributing to the Chinese economy which we don't need any more of than absolutely necessary

Would you mind letting us all know which Deere model is made in China? I look forward to your reply. Thanks!

 

[TSO]

I have been thinking of replacing my main tractor and have been looking for ratings or tractors in the 30-40hp range - general work for a small farm, haying, backhoe, loader. The sites I have found seem mainly to be telling about features and how wonderful each tractor is. Others are reports by individuals on their experience with a particular tractor or brand - interesting but not that useful. I want something like a Consumer Reports of farm tractors. Let's hear the good but also the problems. Anyone got any suggestions for sites or other resources?

So your needs/wants are:

30-40 HP
Loader
Backhoe
Haying (specifics? Pulling a baler or discbine...?)
General purpose work.

Do you want a cab?

 

[stoyan79]

You can't go wrong with any of the mainstream brands.

Kubota is number 1 in SCUTs and CUTs for a good reason.
JD is probably as good, but more expensive.
Kubota and JD hold the highest resale value out of all brands, so if you think there will be a chance you'd sell it in the near future, stick with those two.

Kioti and LS are great, and you might find a bargain there.
Some Mahindras are re-badged Mitsubishi tractors, which are very, very well regarded all over the world.

 

[KevT]

You can't go wrong with any of the mainstream brands.

Kubota is number 1 in SCUTs and CUTs for a good reason.
JD is probably as good, but more expensive.
Kubota and JD hold the highest resale value out of all brands, so if you think there will be a chance you'd sell it in the near future, stick with those two.

Kioti and LS are great, and you might find a bargain there.
Some Mahindras are re-badged Mitsubishi tractors, which are very, very well regarded all over the world.

Very well said. Also I question the haying comment, I have a 37hp Kubota and not sure it could run true haying equipment. Now that may be due to the fact I don't want to stress it out but I bought it to put in pasture grass. To many cross fencing and rotation of critters to hay it

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I think 30-40hp for haying is wishful thinking unless your going to use older equipment. A sickle bar cutter for example. There is no way in the world it would run a discbine, I looked into running a 9 footer with my 70pto hp and I wasn't convinced I had enough snot to do it!

 

[flusher]

I have been thinking of replacing my main tractor and have been looking for ratings or tractors in the 30-40hp range - general work for a small farm, haying, backhoe, loader. The sites I have found seem mainly to be telling about features and how wonderful each tractor is. Others are reports by individuals on their experience with a particular tractor or brand - interesting but not that useful. I want something like a Consumer Reports of farm tractors. Let's hear the good but also the problems. Anyone got any suggestions for sites or other resources?

Consumer Reports for tractors? No such animal.

You're looking for a small tractor loader backhoe (TLB).
There are only a few brands that supply the entire TLB package (JD, Mahindra, Kubota, LS, etc).
I'd stay away from add-on backhoes. Get the entire package from one dealer.
Start with dealers close to you and test drive their TLB offerings.
Choose a dealer that has decent service and parts departments.

Good luck

 

[EddieWalker]

Like the others have already said, dealer support is number one. But for me, price is always a major factor and getting more for my dollar without sacrificing quality is also a big part in any buying decision that I make. I've found that the bigger named brands in just about anything tend to be able to get more money for what they sell, when other brands put at a product of equal quality for a more competitive price. I'm still about 2 years away from buying anything, but as of right now, I'm thinking either India or Korean for the brands that interest me the most. I have a Korean build 35 hp Century tractor that was $4,000 less then the same thing Kubota had to offer and all the sales guy from Kubota could say as to why it cost more was it's better. He couldn't say why it's better, or what it could do that the Century couldn't. Just that "it's better" My Century had been abused, neglected and beat up. It just keeps on going and going!!! Now I want more HP for a batwing and I want a cab. I'm willing to pay for those comforts and hope it will be my last tractor. I just want to pay off my truck first before taking on a loan for a tractor.

Eddie

 

[DK35vince]

Kubota and JD hold the highest resale value out of all brands, so if you think there will be a chance you'd sell it in the near future, stick with those two.

I see this posted all the time and I'm still not convinced its true.
If they cost a few thousand more new and sell for a few thousand more used its a wash IMO.

 

[TSO]

I see this posted all the time and I'm still not convinced its true.
If they cost a few thousand more new and sell for a few thousand more used its a wash IMO.

I agree, both my Kioti and LS held their value very well when I sold them after a year.