Buying Advice Tractors - Choices versus Money

[Gittyup]

FEL - Front End Loader
TYM is a brand. Good tractors.
AG tractor is heavier built with more hp than a CUT (Compact Utility Tractor). AGs generally start at about 50 hp and up (I think).
Fluid is placed in tires to gain weight. Fluid must not freeze. Some guys use windshield washer fluid, and there are other brands specific products to this purpose.

 

[putt_putt_green]

If you're not intending to make this into lawn area immediately, here is an option. Dig the stumps down a little bit, cut them off at about ground level, put some stump rot on them. At some point, you can cover the whats left of the stumps with a few inches of soil (from your pond dirt). There would be no huge holes to fill. Pine rots fairly fast. You will probably have to add dirt to the area where the stumps are as the stumps rot away over the years. You won't have to worry about what to do with the stumps this way, and it should be pretty cheap.

 

[greggh]

I agree aboout hiring out the stump and pond work. Those are one time tasks that too expensive to size a tractor for.
It's too bad that you were snibbed by the JD salesman. That's not good for JD. Is he the only salesman at the dealership? I say this because JD is an excellent brand of tractor. But it could be that the dealership is not the best as well. It is always better to deal with people that appreciate your business and will take care of their customers. That being said, if he is the only salesman, go to another dealership where you are welcome, but be sure that they will take care of you after the sale as the need arises. Life is too short to deal with A**holes.
A lot of dealers will lend you a tractor for a short period of time for you to see if it will fit your needs. Of course you need to show that you are a serious buyer. Many brands are now offering 0% interest on new tractors. Figure out what you feel you can afford and go tractor shopping. That is the best part of the experience.
Good luck in your search.

 

[putt_putt_green]

Last Question - Do any of the dealer websites have demonstration videos?
Showing how to use the controls, how to change PTO attachments, etc.
(OR do they want you to pay for those lessons?)

You might even search youtube for videos, but I think seeing in person is better.


I'd go to a dealer or a neighbor you need to know better when they aren't busy and have them show you the ropes. Most hobby tractor owners would be more than glad to show off there tractor for you. You could download some owner's manual. Have the dealer show you the difference between an HST and Power Shuttle model, how the PTO (power take off) works, how the 3 point hitch works, how a backhoe works, and how the front loader works.

 

[mowpower]

Just my added .02, you can get into a Kubota B7800 hydro with FEL and backhoe for about $23,000. Nice unit will do lots of work, but for the pond you want and 40 stumps it's like useing a spoon when you need a shovel. I think I would go one of 2 ways. #1 buy a used backhoe for about $15-20,000
do the pond and stumps and whatever other major work. Then you can re-evaluate your needs and get a CUT for the rest of your projects. #2 hire out the pond and stumps as others have said and find an appropriate CUT that would fill the bill for the rest of your work.
Get some bids on the stump work and pond. You can always have someone start the pond do the major work and you can get in and finish it up with a tractor.

You could do what you have listed with a L3400 or B7800 it just would take a long time and wear on the machine.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Wow..That's a lot of good Information.

I had no idea about the range or power and weight required to do that variety of jobs.

I believe I definitely need 4WD.

My closest neighbor used to own the local
Sawmill. He cut those tress down for free and hauled them of the property
as long as he could have the wood. These were 80 FT pines that were
60 ft from the house. A few had snapped this winter but fell the other way.
He had a big old JD that appeared to be specifically built for the job of knocking down trees and hauling them with a winch. All 4 tires were huge,
the same diameter front and rear and all 4 of them turned. It was also narrow
to make as small a path thru the forest as possible to haul them out. He was spinning all 4 of those tires at times because of all the rain and the soft
ground..

I live at the foot of a mountain (Well.. a really big hill). I get a lot of rain run
off. When it does rain for an extended period the ground gets very saturated and you can hear it
squish underfoot. When its dry..it very dry and seems to drain very well
otherwise. Everyone around here has a spring-house because the water
just bubbles up out of the ground in a lot of places.

So I understand that certain machines are designed to do a specific job and
may not be good for something else.

JD is all over the place here and yes..I have been snubbed by the salesman. He acted like he was selling Lamborghini's.
However there are three Manhedra dealers within relatively easy driving distance.

The pond sounds like I need a Bulldozer with Tracks - not wheels. Is that what you meant? Real weight and HP for Earth moving..not digging. I want it deep enough and large enough to sustain itself. I can put a solar pump aerator
in when water flow gets low. But the spot I have in mind is always wet. I
imagined it at 8ft at the deepest part. I really intend to have it stocked with
fish that I can use as a food supply. Not necessarily for swimming although I
know it can be irresistible on a hot July afternoon.

Okay..some more questions

What does FEL mean?
TYM Brand?
AG Tractor?
..a small CUT?
Did I read something about the tires being filled?

Last Question - Do any of the dealer websites have demonstration videos?
Showing how to use the controls, how to change PTO attachments, etc.
(OR do they want you to pay for those lessons?)

Thanks again everyone..I got more information in one day that I did in
the last 2 months from dealers.

The dealers should have spent the time with you to answer all of those questions. But, you have to also give them an hour or two to go over it all. The problem I run into is the people stop during the week day while they are at work, and they want a flyer a few prices and run. I can't show them the extent of what I have to offer if they don't give me the time. Hopefully if you give them the time, they will give you the time. Good Luck!

 

[john_bud]

Hello Everyone,


Can I find a machine that will do all that for under $20k?
Thanks for all your help

Phil

Phil,

The answer is "no". You can't get one machine that will do all that for under 20K. You can however, buy 2 machines for about 20k and get all that done.

Your bigger chores are large enough that you can use an industrial loader hoe.

Case 580
Deere 310
Ford 555

You can get a decent one (15 years old) for about $10K to $15K. You can then use it for 2-5 years get all your jobs done then sell it for just about what you paid. A machine in that class will get the jobs done quick. By the way, a long 5' trench is hard with a home owner class hoe. You will be moving the tractor for every 5-6' of trench length - PITA!!!

A small tractor in the 20-25hp range with loader can be found for $7-15K depending on how new you want. Heck, you can get an 8 year old Kubota L3410 HST 4x4 with loader for 10k if you look around. On the used market look for green or orange. Deere or Kubota - only. You'll pay more but will have fewer issues, excellent support and be able to resell easily if you ever want to. Those 2 brands are like buying an IBM computer used to be - maybe not the 100% best, but never a mistake. Expect 1000-1500 hours to be on the clock.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

Phil,
since you're already interested in them, go check out the Mahindra website where you can see video of Bindian (another TBN'er) on her Big Red Beast in motion.

have fun shopping and good luck!

 

[MossRoad]

In all seriousness, I'd hire out a tracked excavator with operator and have them do your stumps and pond. They will do it cheaper and faster than you could ever do.

 

[MossRoad]

Did anyone tell PAtractorfactor "Welcome to TBN?"