Western Owner/Operators

[Kodiak]

I would like to hear from more owners living in the western United States. It appears that the eastern and middle U.S., are well represented. Remember that each and every geographical area has its own unique circumstances, that effect what and why we buy. As well as how they are operated.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

We are too busy using our tractors to protect our houses from the forst fires to write!!!

 

[beenthere]

And how do you use them for that? Mowing around the property? Discing a fire line? Using FEL to do something?

 

[Harv]

Howdy, Russ!

There's a fair number of us here from Californy, which I believe qualifies as "west".

My own tractor property is in the Sierra foothills, and I think you can get a representative feel for my circumstances in my recent <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=projects&Number=130113&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1#Post130113>Seemed Like Such A Simple Project</A> thread. Pictures included.

I'm using an L2500DT, my first and only tractor, and find that it's a very good size for my 42 acres. I'd like to move up to something with a tad more power, particularly a loader with big enough biceps to handle a 4-in-1 bucket, but I don't want any more physical size 'cuz I have a lot of trees, rocks 'n' such to maneuver around. So far, my budget is making the decision moot. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Kodiak]

Thanks to those of you, who have replied.

RockyMtn1:
I've seen the fires on the nightly news, terrible just terrible. It will be along time before it gets dry enough around here, to worry about wild fires. Lately Ive been doing some french drains trying to get a portion of
the property to dry up.

Harv:
I've still got our old Kubota, an L345DT with FEL, and Backhoe. Twenty two years old and still going strong. Shipped it down here from Alaska two years ago. Where the first 12 years she was the only CUT on Kodiak Island. She has been worked hard, and paid for herself several times over. now its time to retire her to the restoration shop and some well deserved quality time. Currently I'm impatiently, and I do mean Impatiently awaiting the delivery of our (new) New Holland TC29, with a Woods 1012 loader and Woods 7500 backhoe.
And yes, I to am seriously looking at adding a 4/1 bucket
At present only have the 3 acres to deal with, but have been looking for an additional 12 to 15. As I would
like to start a small vineyard.

I would still enjoy hearing from others of you who live in the western U.S. As to what type of tractors you have, and some of the ways you utilize them.

Good luck to all of you and your tractors.

 

[tdenny]

Kodiak,

I am very near you neighborhood. I am located in Ravensdale (just south of Seattle near Enumclaw). Glad to have someone from the great NW here as well.

TD

 

[hosejockey2002]

I'm probably even closer to you. I live in Auburn. How much property do you have up there in Ravensdale? It's pretty nice up there.

 

[tdenny]

HoseJockey,

You are very close to me indeed. I spend alot of time in Auburn. I have 5 acres - we built the house two years ago and it came with no landscaping much to my delight. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I'm not sure about your soil but mine is completely rocks - many of them bowling ball sizes. I have to this point dug 250 post holes by hand. I can't wait to get my PHD as I have many more to go. Hopefully it will still work in the rocky conditions.

What part of Auburn do you live? I "grew up" /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif in Kent.

 

[chrisjbell]

Auburn!?! We are neighbors. I'm probably a bit farther down the hill than you - the post office thinks I live in Lincoln, but the phone company thinks I live in Auburn. I'm on ten acres, which I have nearly finished mowing - and I'm not gonna water most of it, 'cause I don't want to to that more often than I have to /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif.

...Chris

 

[chrisjbell]

...except that on re-reading, it looks like you guys aren't in California. But we're still West Coasters.

And Russ, I have a B7300 that I bought new about five years ago. I probably should have gotten one a bit larger, but I've loaded mine up with FEL, blade, brush hog, and even have a backhoe for it. Great tractor, I use it mostly for mowing and putting in landscaping.

...Chris

 

[hosejockey2002]

Yes, Auburn, Washington. I guess its a pretty common name.
To go down hill from where I live you would have to go underground. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[hosejockey2002]

TD,

I live near the Green River right about where R St. SE turns into the Auburn Black Diamond Rd. I've got about 2/3 acre but I keep my little Yanmar busy landscaping the rest of my property and doing little side jobs here and there.

 

[Dreamin_Tractors]

Russ, I live in South Everett, by Silver Lake. I am still trying to decide between a Kubota L3410 and NH TC35D. What sold you on the NH after owning the Kubota? What dealer did you buy from and what are your impressions of the dealer?

Thanks,

 

[Kodiak]

Hello Dreamin_Tractors
As you know, we are both living where income results in attitude. If you have visited our closest blue, orange and green dealers, I'm sure you have experianced that certain uppity attitude. Therefore I began seeking dealers with a more rural neighborly attitude. Which meant go north to the Mt. Vernon / Burlington area,or south to the Centralia / Chehalis area. Luckily an advertisement from Brim Tractor the New Holland dealer in Burlington caught my eye,drawing me north first
I had intended to shop for orange as my first choice, with green as second. Upon my first visit to Brim I knew that I had found the very type of dealer I had been looking for. Plus their prices and financing packages beat orange and green by a good margin. They had no problem letting me spend twenty minutes behind their lot actually getting a new 7038 bucket attatched to a new TC29 dirty. When I expressed unhappiness with the capacities of the 7038 loader. They helped me set up a package with a Woods 1012 loader. As well as a Woods 7500 backhoe. Both of these should improve my total overall package. As well as bringing the price in, close to $1000 cheaper. The last thing that sold me was, one of their mechanics told me of someone in my area that had purchased the very same package that I was looking at. Thus giving me a chance to contact them and check it out as a package before hand. Talk to Brent Vander Pol, tell him I told you.
This is something I would advise for anyone before purchasing. Go in the back and talk to the mechanics. They are the ones with the day to day experiance with all of these tractors
Good luck on your purchase. Remember right now
New Holland has extremely good financing.

 

[Dreamin_Tractors]

Thanks, that's good to know. Brim Tractor has been the dealer that most impressed me so far, and I have been leaning towards the NH TC35D. Both the Kubota L3410 and NH are very comparable in performance, and both seem to be excellent tractors. Besides the NH being less money, I like the looks and design of the tractor. I plan on renting the NH for a week this summer to try it out before I purchase. Nice to see several folks from the Pacific Northwest. Thanks for your insights!

 

[rozett]

If they have a Cub Cadet dealer in the area, I think it is worth your while to stop in and look.

I spent months checking out all the colors of tractor and settled on the CC 7360. I have never regretted that decision. It compares very favorably to the TC35 and L3410. Compared to the 3410, it is 7" longer, 2" wider, 6" more wheelbase, 400 pounds heavier, and 50% greater lift capacity on the 3pt. For durability and reliability, I think it is every bit as good as green, blue, etc.

Worth a look....... //bruce

 

[tdenny]

hosejockey2002,

I know the area very well. We used put in our kayaks right there, as well as do a little fishing. I am sure you have some nice soil living right up next to the river.

How do you like your Yanmar? I test drove several of them most notable a 20D or 20F (I'm not exactly sure). I was just about to buy it when I stumbled onto the JD.

Good to know you are nearby./w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[Dreamin_Tractors]

Bruce how does the price of the Cub Cadet 7360 compare to the others? I will certainly check it out, I am not sure if there is a dealer in the area, but I will check out their website. I have looked at most of the other brands, and really liked both Long and Kioti, but have no dealers even reasonably close to me.

 

[Kodiak]

Dreamin Tractors:
Cub Cadet has a dealer right here in Monroe. Town and Country, they are a very small dealer, seldom carry much inventory. They are really nice people though. Keep us informed.

 

[tdenny]

Dreamin,

I see you are also a Washington guy. I live south but also work at the big B. Where is your retirement property located? Hopefully you'll get to retire soon - but unfortunately as I see from your Bio you are only 37 with two young kids. I 'm also 37 but have 3 kids - new 9 month old. I still have a good 18 more years here at the Big B.

Good luck purchasing your tractor next year - at least you have some good dealers up there especially Brim Tractor. They were good to deal with, I almost bought a 29 - Boomer from them.