What tractor?

[jeff9366]

We have also considered used tractors and there have been a couple of nice kubotas, but they sold before we could even get to see them.

New tractors arriving at all dealers have to be Tier 4 emissions compliant. Tier 4 tractors are a LARGE increment more expensive than their Tier 3 compliant predecessors. So Tier 3 compliant used tractors are the "hot ticket" at the moment.

The Sticker Shock Effect.

 

[flusher]

Holey-moley, flusher, what in the world do you do with all those tractoreenies?

Impressive.

My wife would have bruised me when #2 arrived, killed me with arrival of #3.

Dicker, purchase, restore, parade---it's a hobby. Keeps me out of the bars

 

[dacoonz]

Actually, we've been looking at this for about a year. We don't need to hurry, but the property does need to be maintained. If the right used tractor came along, I'd buy it today. We really should shred it now for fire and brush control. If we don't find one by the fall we'll probably get a new one. In the meantime we'll keep watching for new ones and any special offers that may come along. Both of the new dealers seem basically ok, but they have also both given misinformation that slanted towards their tractors.

 

[GManBart]

I like the Kubota, but it is considerably more costly. Is it worth the extra $$$$?

I certainly don't think so. Kubota makes a great machine, but I just don't see the added expense for most users. As recently as Dec I priced similar 40hp machines (same basic options) from Kubota, Kioti, LS, and several others. The Kubota was $31K, the Kioti, $22K and the LS $21K (I'm rounding those numbers). I simply can't fathom how they could possibly be nearly 50% better. Slightly better, sure, I can see that, and maybe it's worth paying for if you run a big commercial operation, where you're raking up a boatload of hours, but for the typical owner who puts 1-200 hours a year on it? No way.

Also, I am getting different opinions on the transmission type: Kubota dealer says Hydrostatic is the way to go. LS dealer says Hydrostatic is more expensive, requires more maintenance and must be run with the engine at high speeds. Any comments or suggestions are welcome.

The hydro definitely costs more, but it's worth every penny. If you're doing FEL work, it makes life so much easier it's hard to describe. Yes, you lose a bit more power compared with shuttle, but it also allows you to do things very precisely, much easier...try backing up to an implement and creep at a fraction of a MPH with a shuttle, then try it with a hydro...no comparison. There are also some pulling scenarios where the hydro is better....I have (very carefully) pulled over a big tree while my neighbor made the back cut....I was able to keep constant pressure on it while he was cutting, instead of the off/on you'd get with anything having a traditional clutch. That sort of stuff is hard to describe, but really makes a difference once you've experienced it.

I wouldn't shy away from a used machine (I'm looking at a nice, used Massey myself right now as a third tractor), but that's where a local dealer makes a big difference...not so much in the new machines (they really don't break often), and especially so if you're not familiar with working on tractors and/or diesel engines. R,