Buying Advice What to look for in a test drive

[jighead]

I'm in central PA, and I'm looking at a tractor in the 35-40HP range mainly for managing compost piles, rough cutting roughly 8 acres of pasture, and in the future possible do some light tilling or disk work, post holes, and spreading. Initially, I'm looking for a FEL and 5' cutter. I have JD, Kubota, and Bobcat dealers very close by and cost has narrowed me down to the Kubota or Bobcat.

At the Kubota dealer, I've looked at the B3200, L3200/3800, and he has some L3700SU's on the lot that would be a decent deal. The B3200, L3200 and L3700 are all basically $20k, and the L3800 is around $22k. The Bobcat dealer has the CT 235, 335, and 440 on the lot and compete in that $20k range with a bit of a bump for the 440.

So there's lots of advice about seat time and test drives and I want to start test driving these models, and I would like some specific advice about what to do during a test drive. From just sitting on the tractors, I like the feel and layout of the Bobcats better, but am concerned that they are skimping somewhere else just for a better seat. So what are a few things I should look at, listen for, and ask from a dealer when we fire up a unit? Can I expect them to let me play with the loader? If they do, what do I do beyond lifting it up and down a few times? Can I expect them to hook up a cutter to the PTO and fire it up?

I'm totally new to tractors and this forum has been incredibly helpful getting me to this point! Any more advice you can give would be put to good use!

Thanks

-j

 

[RoyJackson]

So there's lots of advice about seat time and test drives and I want to start test driving these models, and I would like some specific advice about what to do during a test drive...
So what are a few things I should look at, listen for, and ask from a dealer when we fire up a unit? Can I expect them to let me play with the loader? If they do, what do I do beyond lifting it up and down a few times? Can I expect them to hook up a cutter to the PTO and fire it up?

It's reasonable to give a tractor a good run through, so I would expect to do everything you want to try.
My dealer (Southern York Turf and Tractor in Shrewsbury, PA) lets me do what ever I want but I am a three time buyer from them and they know I know how to sensibly operate a tractor.
They don't now, but several years ago they had a big pile of dirt you could practice on.

Since you're new, do expect a salesman to "mother hen" to a degree...so you don't hurt yourself or the tractor. But you never know....they might even let you try it for a weekend.
As far as what to do...definitely lift the front end with the loader (push the loader joystick forward (but not into "float"), then use the bucket's dump function). The loader should easily lift the front end of the tractor (you'll want the engine RPM around 1500 or so for this test). If they have something like a pile of dirt, go ahead and give the loader a workout.
By the way...this is also going to depend if they think you're serious about buying. If you're just tirekicking and wishful thinking...well, don't expect too much.

 

[jake98]

Find out if it comes with rear remotes, or if they're extra. Down the line you may want to hook up something hydraulic to it.

 

[flusher]

Are you looking at new tractors, used, or both?

 

[jighead]

Are you looking at new tractors, used, or both?

New. I have full time job in town and need something reliable that is going to get jobs done quickly and last a while. If I wasn't looking for the FEL, and just needed a brush hog, I'd be looking used too.

 

[flusher]

New. I have full time job in town and need something reliable that is going to get jobs done quickly and last a while. If I wasn't looking for the FEL, and just needed a brush hog, I'd be looking used too.

OK, new it is.

Check the feel of the tractor seat as you drive fast over bumpy terrain. If the seat suspension is bottoming out and you're feeling the bumps in your teeth, then I'd inquire about alternate seat options. Or you can learn to ride easy in the tractor seat (like you have to do in the saddle). When I brush hog the stubble/weeds in my hayfield, I move pretty fast and get a real workout riding my Mahindra 5525.

If it's a gear tranny, check the feel of the shifting in all gears forward and reverse. Check the feel of the foot throttle. Check the hand throttle-sometimes these things don't adjust smoothly so you have to get used to its peculiarities.

If it's a hydrostatic tranny, see if the foot throttle feels OK to you. My 2005 Kubota B7510HST had a rocker type foot throttle (toe to go forward, heel to go in reverse) that took a while to feel comfortable.

Check the access to drain ports and to the filters, especially in the hydraulic system. The hydraulics usually have a metal screen filter as well as a spin-on cartridge filter. The cartridge filter is easy to service, but you have to crawl under the rear of the tractor and work around the rear brake linkage to get access to that metal screen for cleaning. Have the dealer show you how to access the air filter and how to change the filter element. Sometimes it's a chore to get to that filter.

Also check access to the battery--sometimes the battery is buried such that it's a chore to remove/replace it.

Pop the hood and be sure you can identify all the parts you're looking at. Ask questions if you don't recognize what's under there.

If it's possible, have the dealer hook an implement on the 3-point hitch and operate the hydraulics. Check for bleed down--the hydraulics should hold the implement in the full up position without it immediately starting to sink downward.

Good luck.

 

[Diamondpilot]

When it comes to machinery, tractors/trucks/airplanes/ect, I get the most bang for my buck. That said I must like it also. How does it fit me????

I would first look at the dealers and see how they handle themselves, inventory, customers equipment in for service, ect. How is the parts dept?

Next the machine. Does it fit you and do you like it? What options does it have like remotes, mid pto, super steering?

Chris