What Brands did you look at, and what did you end up buying?

[milkman]

When I saw the Kubota in 2000, I knew it was the size I needed and at the time it was the only brand that I had physically seen in that size category on any lot. Years ago JD almost filled that niche with the 400 series diesel, but then made the TPH and the PTO a ridiculously expensive option. Easy choice for me then, now I would have more fun looking at and trying different colors and after looking at the new and improved BX2350 it would take some thought to come down to a choice again. The trying and looking at part would take some time, not necessarily the deciding part if I could find the orange one that had all the PLASTIC panels that fit together, DA** that ticks me off.

 

[Offy]

I looked at the Mahindra first as I thought that a two wheel drive w/FEL would fit my needs and the 3525 was a lot of tractor for the bucks. I then stareted to look at other brands, Kubota, Massey for starters and the compacts started to make better sense for my 6 acres. I went back and looked at the 15 series Mahindra and the 2810 was looking real good. I then explored Branson, John Deere, Montana and I couple of others that I didn't think enough of to remember. By now I had gotten bitten by the horse power bug and decided on either the Massey Ferguson 1533 or the Mahindra 3215. With a bum leg I went with the Mahindra 3215 HST. It had plenty of room for my legs and the HST was more convienient to drive over the Massey shuttle shift and it saved me quite a few $ over the Massey. I visited 3 Mahindra dealers in my search and found them all to be friendly and helpful and pleasurable to work with. The one I choose was further from my property but was a grand cheaper with his initial quote to me then the other two. I still enjoy my 9N that I've used for 20 years.

 

[Oleozz]

Unlike a few other folks who have posted I wanted a tractor with some creature comforts, like a cab with AC and heat, adjustable lower links on the 3 pt hitch, a lever on the back of the tractor that raises or lowers the 3 pt hitch without crawling back up on the tractor, and especially important no hump on the floor that you have to straddle with your legs. I looked at a bare bones JD 990 and a Kubota 4400, price was ok but not great for what you were getting.
I never considered the MF or New Hollands, both were reasonably close but I knew the reputation of the MF dealer and after trying to buy implements from the NH dealer and never even getting a return phone call I started looking at the Kioti and that's what I ended up with.

 

[Rocky Kioti]

JD, Kubota, Mahindra, NH, Kioti. Bought a CK20 Kioti. All were nice tractors but I felt the Kioti satisfied my needs the best.

 

[KentT]

I wish I would have looked at Power-Trac. However I didn't learn about it until I found TBN.

The lack of dealerships probably would have prevented me from buying a Power-Trac, but honestly, it appears to be one of the best overall machines for most homeowners. Although pretty clunky in form factor and fit/finish, it is a practical design that would serve most non-farming property owner better than a traditional tractor design. It would also be a great design for horse farms.

That's a great endorsement, Bob... and I totally agree.

If you're not pulling a plow or other piece of ag equipment, chances are a Power-Trac would work better than a traditional CUT/SCUT...

I looked at Kubota, New Holland, and Kioti... and bought a used Kubota. Was always interested in Power Tracs, but never had a chance to drive one nor did I want to pay that much for the tractor/implement package I needed.

Later, I found a used PT/implement package here on TBN, and the guy lived 50 miles away so I could test drive it. I was sold on it -- I then sold the Kubota for what I paid for it in order to buy the used PT...

Only regret is that I couldn't afford a new PT-1430 instead of this used PT-425...

 

[shvl73]

Only regret is that I couldn't afford a new PT-1430 instead of this used PT-425...

Hmmm,
you've got me thinking. I've been jealous of you guys with your PT's. Maybe you should sell it (to me ).
If only the Feds weren't taking so much and so soon .

 

[Z-Michigan]

after trying to buy implements from the NH dealer and never even getting a return phone call I started looking at the Kioti and that's what I ended up with.

No kidding. If my nearest Kubota/NH dealer is reading this, I'd like them to know that if they had returned my phone calls, I almost certainly would have bought a Woods mower and blade from them instead of the Frontier/Deere equipment, and I might even have taken another look at the M5040. The two other Kubota dealers in my area are farther away and more expensive but more likely to see my business at this point (in fact, one of them is getting $1200 of my business tomorrow for two implements). Pretty funny since the nearest dealer was initially the friendliest and very helpful.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

That's a great endorsement, Bob... and I totally agree.

If you're not pulling a plow or other piece of ag equipment, chances are a Power-Trac would work better than a traditional CUT/SCUT...

I looked at Kubota, New Holland, and Kioti... and bought a used Kubota. Was always interested in Power Tracs, but never had a chance to drive one nor did I want to pay that much for the tractor/implement package I needed.

Later, I found a used PT/implement package here on TBN, and the guy lived 50 miles away so I could test drive it. I was sold on it -- I then sold the Kubota for what I paid for it in order to buy the used PT...

Only regret is that I couldn't afford a new PT-1430 instead of this used PT-425...

Well in my case, after I had plenty of money invested in conventional tractors, implements, etc, I had the need to replace my garden tractor which was used as a mowing tractor for the sloped areas and some of the yard area. A local fence company that I've done business with personally & professionally has a couple PT422s. The owner brought one out to my property and I got to test it. What I saw was pretty amazing. For a lot of very specific reasons I bought a Ventrac instead of a Power Trac (I also looked at Steiner and all 3 brands are somewhat similar).

However, had there not been a pile of conventional equipment and money invested in it, I might be a PT owner today.

What I am convinced of, is that the Power Trac design is probably more suitable and better for the vast majority of home-owner type property owners than any brand or style of conventional tractor under 35 horsepower. PT does fall short for farmer-type cropping activities. But PT is vastly superior for loader work, faster for mowing, better suited for using a PHD, snow blower and a host of other implements. It is probably not as good for box blade work, but if BB work is only 10% of your needs, then the PT is probably going to be 500% more productive and efficient in operation than a traditional CUT.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I wasn't really looking in the sense that I was going to purchase a tractor right away. I just happened to run up on a NH 1720 that had just been traded in at my local Kubota dealership and traded in my Yanmar 1700.

If I was tractor shopping I would look at Kubota, NH, and Deere in that order. Not that one is necessarily better than the other, but I have a Kubota dealer here that my dad worked for until he retired. He will sell me anything that he deals in at cost plus a very small profit. I guess that I am just lucky.

 

[coasterez]

Looked at JD, NH, Kubota, Kioti, Tym, Branson, Century. I liked them all. All are nice and of good quality. Bought a Kioti CK25 - was best tractor and deal for my intended uses. Had money not been an issue, I'd have bought another Deere.