Buying Advice TYM vs LS?

[jlsmith]

It may cost you alittle more but its best to go with a major name brand. JD,MF,Kubota. You know theese brands will always be around and you can get parts. One never knows about these cheeper brands, will they still be around when you need them and how hard will it be to get parts if they close down. And as far as a HST tractor i would do some checking around i personally do not like the HST. More maintance and the filters are higher and u do not get the full horsepower that yo think ur getting.

 

[tdkg]

Thanks for the advice DmansPadge. I know what you are saying about hiring out some of the bigger work initially. I have been considering that already, but I also have the time to peck away at it myself. I have dug out several stumps already with a shovel, pick axe, pry bar and chain saw. It's too hard on the body to keep that up though!
I still may need to break down and hire someone with a piece of large equipment for some of the work, but first I need to clear out a bunch of brush to expose the stumps and provide access to that part of the property. I did this once by hand a few years ago so the tree fallers could get to the trees, but it would be much easier with a tractor. I have many blackberries and salmon berries and other brush, and big clumps of some kind of nasty grass.
I get what you are saying about about a 40 hp possibly being like a bull in a china shop on a small acreage, but I am still hoping to get a bigger piece of property someday, plus I have an older neighbor who needs some work done. I would like to purchase a tractor for both current and future needs.
Thanks again for your advice!

 

[BleedGreen]

It may cost you alittle more but its best to go with a major name brand. JD,MF,Kubota. You know theese brands will always be around and you can get parts. One never knows about these cheeper brands, will they still be around when you need them and how hard will it be to get parts if they close down. And as far as a HST tractor i would do some checking around i personally do not like the HST. More maintance and the filters are higher and u do not get the full horsepower that yo think ur getting.

Look at FarmTrac and Montana...

 

[BleedGreen]

There's nothing wrong with TYM or LS, nor many other brands. The quality of the dealer is most important.

Yes, the quality of the dealer is very important, but I don't think you can say that TYM or LS equipment quality, parts availability or after sale service is the same as Deere, Kubota, New Holland, etc. - Just my opinion.

 

[tdkg]

The local dealer used to carry Montana tractors most of which he informed me were made for Montana by LS. According to the dealer there was a big falling out between LS and Montana recently, and LS is no longer going to provide tractors to Montana just to New Holland. Anyone know if that's true?

 

[tdkg]

I realize the HST models have less Hp than the gear models, that's another reason I wanted to go a bit bigger. The other main reason is I want a machine my wife will feel comfortable using as well, and we have an HST mower which she loves.
A friend who has had lots of equipment advised us to go for an HST for ease of use with loader work.

 

[Gittyup]

Yeah, go HST. But, you still don't need 40 HP for your needs. Bigger also means bigger and more expensive implements, more space required to store, and a bigger trailer to haul it on. And smaller is much more maneuverable. That to me is what is appealing about some of the TYMs, like the T293: very short wheelbase with good weight and HP. Nobody else quite has anything that small with so much power and weight. Now, for the heaviest (which is advantageous for ground work), I think Kioti/BC have every one beat in this size machine.

BTW, I own both JD and Kioti. Even though the JD is, all things considered, a little better total quality, for the cost difference, I'd take the Kioti every time. Then invest the difference and let it grow. This is the never-ending arguement on here. But many fail to recognize that brands like Kioti have already been on the U.S. market for over 20 years. And yes, you can still get parts for those older tractors. Take this and then consider that Bobcat is now behind the same platform. Hard to imagine there's a lot of risk getting one serviced or spare parts for it. The degree to which this is true certainly varies from mfr to mfr, and by model.

Now, way back when I bought my JD I was considering a Honda tractor. Honda.....can't go wrong. Right? NO!!! Honda dropped the tractor line and if you have one, getting parts is near impossible. Same is starting to take shape for Gravely and Wheel Horse. Point is, you just don't know. I could easily see New Holland or MF disappearing in the CUT market. It's almost as likely as it is for TYM or Kioti to drop out. One might could argue that NH already has by rebadging LS tractors.

With the lower prices of the so-called second tier machines comes some increased risk. Just not enough to sway me, at least for certain second tier companies. And I'll take an excellent Kioti dealer every time over a subpar JD dealer that over charges and under services just because he can get away with it. Dealer is absolutely vital, no matter the make.

 

[tdkg]

What size machine would you recommend?

 

[Gittyup]

Not sure who you are asking, but if it's me: It sounds like you are leaning to the bigger tractor options. So, I'd say go for 27 to 35 HP. But, as I said, it isn't really as much about HP as it is about weight, Hydraulic pump flow rates, dimensions, and other features (like electric PTO vs live PTO) for your tasks. HP is only of paramount importance when using the rear or mid PTO to run power hungry attachments like a big mower, tiller, or snowblower, or when pulling huge discs or cultivators. And if you use this criteria and then add in money as a consideration, the Bobcat's are about as good as any deals going right now: CT225, CT230, CT23, CT335. Really unmatched in weight and hydraulics, and far less money than the big 4. Now if money is no object, consider the JD3520 or a grand L bota or a NH supersteer. But, these are all larger platforms.

Why is hydraulic flow important? Speed of operation for a backhoe, log splitter cycle time, and loader operation without starving the power steering or loader speed.

The big advantage of the TYMs T233/T273/T293 is that they are over a foot shorter in wheelbase or even more depending on what models being compared to. The T293 would be a perfect size for you. The shorter wheelbase lets you fit and turn in much tighter spots. You will not want for more tractor with any of these. Even the CT220/CK20 or a B3030 or JD 2520 are all plenty of tractor for your needs. Mahindra and MF also have models in these size ranges too that all would work.

Ground clearance and underside protection are other things you might also want to consider. Most dealers can add an underside cage, and if you are working in the woods a lot, I highly recommend it.

 

[tdkg]

Thanks Giddyup, I was asking the question of you. I appreciate the response! I will check out the models of tractors you listed. 27-35 hp does seem reasonable.
Again, thanks for the advice!