Tractor Recomends

RickO · Jan 22, 2006

(
I have been looking around for a compact tractor for some and even done some reviewing here on TBN. I have 15 acres of which 7 is wooded, 3 is brush and 5 is yard. So a good finish mower is required along with a brush hog. Will also do some cleanup up of the woodland also. I am thinking about a 30 hp would be good for the brush and even in the woods but how large of finish mower can I go with a 30 hp. 72" wide is what I am told and thinking but even at that it will take some time to mow weekly.

Any suggestions would be helpful for size.

)

What is your budget? We love to spend people's money but we need to know how much we can spend. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

daTeacha · Jan 22, 2006

Rick-O

I know it sounds unbelievable to a fellow Buckeye, but in the 7th post on the first page it sounds like his budget is not a problem. I get the impression that he's just looking for the best tractor for his needs and isn't worried about the price very much. "... the boss said to just go get it."

I wish I was in that position. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

natural · Jan 23, 2006

One of the local dealers in the area brought out a Kioti CK30HST for us to try. Seems to be a nice operating tractor. However, I am concerned with the fact that it did not start when he brought it out. He said it started right up at the shop but was in the showroom. The temperatures around here are around 30 degrees. He said it sat on the trailer for about 2 hours before he came out to our place. We pushed it inside and about 4 hours later we tried it and it started right up. Isn't 30 degrees a little warm for a diesel to not start? It sure had a nice comfortable platform/operating console though.

Is there just something messed up on this one or is this what I would expect from a compact? We sure don't have trouble like that with our other diesels.

Nate

Big_Cajun · Jan 23, 2006

Sounds a little odd to me...did it have a block heater?

BC

daTeacha · Jan 23, 2006

My little Kubota doesn't have a block heater, just old fashioned glow plugs. It starts pretty well, even at sub-zero temperatures. A new tractor should start readily at 30. Did he heat it 20 seconds or so to warm up the plugs or just crank it? If the latter, you have a salesman who doesn't know his stuff, and I'd stay clear of him. If the former, there's something wrong with the tractor.

I had a salesman do something similar, but then he figured out that he needed to be on the seat to allow it to start. When he sat on it, it started right away. I was not impressed by his product knowledge.

5030tinkerer · Jan 23, 2006

Okay, it's official. I traded up to a GL5030 HST (thanks for all the input, CT_Tree_Guy). John has recommended that I change my user name to "5030tinkerer". /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

So...I have a GL3830 HST with 723 loader and HD Bucket available. I am the second owner. It was purchased new in Dec 2003 and has about 130 hours on it. Basically show room condition. The PTO and 3 point have never been used (I have all of the links, of course). I am in the Des Moines area, about 3.5 hours south of you. PM me if you have interest.

I also have a near new (about 5 hours on it) Kubota mid mount mower as well as a new (not yet installed) mid PTO for this to work.

The unit has R4's on it, but I also happen to have a set of turf tires for it.

I think this answers all of your needs and allows me to make an easy transition to the new machine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I know this isn't the classifieds forum - hope I'm not talking out of school here.

CT_Tree_Guy · Jan 23, 2006

5030tinkerer:

That was quite a coincidence that you just posted that; quite a coincidence indeed. I was just looking at this thread about 10 minutes ago, thinking that your 3830 might just be a good machine for natural.

He's mentioned a TC33, and an 84" RFM. Sounds like the 3830 just might fit in there somewhere.

*****

PS A tractor really should start right up at 30 degrees F.

natural · Jan 27, 2006

Dealer found air in the line. Seems to work ok now. Boss said to send it back. Being it was mostly used for mowing he was concerned about the weight even with turf tires. So whe will continue to look. Kind of a shame I liked it.

Nate

CT_Tree_Guy · Jan 27, 2006

natural -

I recently learned a very valuable lesson about not being too quick to judge any tractor make or model, or particular tractor, based on one, or even two, or even three "little" problems. Or even ones that seem "big" at the time but have a reasonable explanation and are easily fixed (especially ones that occur under warranty). Kiotis are growing on me, and I'd hate to see that tractor ruled out just because of a problem that could happen to any tractor. Maybe someone ran it out of fuel and it didn't get bled properly? I've seldom heard of air getting into a fuel line any other way. I think those are really sweet tractors, and now you've got me curious. I'm wondering if Kioti loaders are a little stronger than those on "comparable" side due to the beefiness of the tractors they're mounted on? You're going to need some ooomph if you venture into the woods ....

Anyway, I hate to see you rule anything out based on a little glitch like that, especially if you kinda liked it ..... Sounds like it is not indicative at all of Kiotis - and as I'm fond of saying, anyone can screw up the finest machine in the world in 3 seconds flat.

Keep us posted on your progress. Just remember - if it doesn't hurt, you haven't spent enough! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

John

AutoUnionTypeC · Jan 28, 2006

( Just remember - if it doesn't hurt, you haven't spent enough! )

daTeacha · Jan 28, 2006

Hey Natural, look at Kubotas if the boss thought the Kioti was too heavy. They're about the lightest for the HP of any I know and pretty tough and rugged tractors. Rumor has it that Kioti's were designed by a Kubota guy who defected to Korea. They are quite a bit alike, even down to the colors.

IslandTractor · Jan 28, 2006

CT,

Your comment about the Kioti loader intrigues me as I have had similar thoughts. Not sure why it is the case but the KL120 loader on the Kioti CK20 seems to be best in class for anything near a 20hp tractor with a lift capacity of almost 1100lbs at full height (at pivot). In fact, it is just a tad less than the capacity of it's larger sibling the KL130 on the CK30. It is substantially higher capacity than the Kubota BX series loaders despite the BX23/24 having more horsepower and is also better than the equivalent 20hp Kubota LA302 (7510). It doesn't seem to be related to hydraulic pump output as that doesn't correlate. I guess it is simply the mechanical advantage of the design but that confuses me as I don't know why the other companies would not optomize their design for increased capacity either. One consideration, and here your point about how heavy the Kiotis are is relevant, is that the lighter tractors (BX, 7510 etc) limit the lift capacity of their loaders due to concerns about tipping forward with a heavy load. However, even Kioti recomments ballast on the tractor rear when using the loader.

The other point about these loaders that I find confusing is that there is not a particularly good correlation between lift capacity and breakout capacity. I presume this is due to mechanical design and leverage. Again using the KL120 as an example, it has lift of 1074 and breakout of 1511 at pivot. The K130 has lift of 1155 and breakout of 2046. The JD 200CX has lift of only 800 but breakout of 2137! The Kubota LA302 has lift of 770 and breakout of 1120. All numbers are at pivot pin and from the respective manufactures websites.

Most people seem to focus on the lift capacity but in the type of work I am doing (clearing land) it seems the breakout figure is the most relevant. Love to pop those small trees out without bothering to cut them down first! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

CT_Tree_Guy · Jan 29, 2006

Hey Jamie, I love your little guy - mind if I borrow him?

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

CT_Tree_Guy · Jan 29, 2006

Ed -

Great post, very interesting stuff! In addition to concerns about tipping the tractor, I think loader capacity has a lot to do with the beefiness of the front axle. I can't swear to it, but I think maybe the bottom three Grand L's might not have quite as strong front axles as the bigger three? Not sure why else you can only get an 853 on the bigger ones. The actual weights of the tractors aren't all that much different; 3,305 lbs. for the 3130, and 3,515 lbs. for the 4330 and 4630. (The 5030 weighs 3,745 lbs. - it's part tractor, part moose). /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Anyway, lots of food for thought here - I'm going to look at Kiotis more closely, they deserve it. I love things that are built strong, I think that's part of the reason Mahindra is coming on so strong. I'd love to see Kubota return to their LXX50 series roots with a new line of tank-like CUT's. I've already told them what to do in a previous post, but they haven't contacted me yet for details. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Here's a recap, from the thread "One less Ignorant dealer" (I didn't start the thread, btw):

This thread
NEW L4330 POWER QUESTION might get them thinking about a completely new line of tractors that I've always wished they would make. The first models would have engines in the 54-75 HP range, hydro option, stronger loaders like the ones on the "M"'s, stronger 3ph lift, available ag radials, and locking front differential like the larger "M" s (anyone else besides me want a 4WD tractor instead of a 3WD?). And before someone says "why not just offer hydro on the M's", these tractors would be articulated, just like the tractor of my dreams, the Holder 872H, and the Power-tracs, which have taken more than one previous Kubota owner out of the orange "fold". The Holders are very, very expensive, but I bet Kubota could make a similar machine for a lot less. Build it, and I bet they will come. Are you listening Kubota? I bought my 5030 because it was the biggest Kubota I could get with hydro. It fills most of my needs, but my next machine will be bigger, and have as many of the features I just described as possible. I'd love it to be a Kubota, but it's looking like it would be a Holder. 

That would be quite a tractor, and I am a little mystified that Kubota isn't all over the idea of building an articulated CUT - the advantages are too obvious to ignore. They already have the technology from the "R" loaders - come on Kubota, are you listening? Is this thing on?? (tap-tap-tap)

Oh well .... that's OK, I'll just buy a Holder... Kubotas suck anyway! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

John

AutoUnionTypeC · Jan 29, 2006

( Hey Jamie, I love your little guy - mind if I borrow him?

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

No problem, enjoy.
J

natural · Jan 31, 2006

( natural -

I recently learned a very valuable lesson about not being too quick to judge any tractor make or model, or particular tractor, based on one, or even two, or even three "little" problems. Or even ones that seem "big" at the time but have a reasonable explanation and are easily fixed (especially ones that occur under warranty). )

Has nothing to do with the fact it did not start. That is minor and an easy one to overlook. It was the weight that concerned us. And remember our primary purpose was mowing. We can always add weight if we do take it in the woods.

Nate

natural · Feb 8, 2006

Still looking, did a test drive on a DX45 and liked it as well as the KIoti CK30 for comfort level.

However, digging deeper in the specs I find a major difference in weight in different tractors. The Kioti, Mahindra, Century all seem to out weigh John Deere, Kubota and Case. If all are tyring to compete with each other why is there such a difference in weight?

Not going to make much difference at this point it looks like we might be keeping the Case DX45

Nate

DrewL · Feb 8, 2006

heavyweights and lightweights

light for mowing and concerns of "tearing up" the ground

heavy for little concerns or ground condition when done with the job