Which Kubota would be best for me?

[lawn_king]

Most people don't know what size tractor they want until they get some seat time. I'd suggest buying a used 30-40 hp open-station basic L-series ($9k-$13k) and get some hours on it working your place. After a year or two on the mid-size rig you'll have a good idea of how much tractor you really want, bigger, smaller, cab, hydro, etc. You'll get most or all of your money back on the used machine if you want something different. I'd suggest you hold off on the backhoe until your second machine.

This is good advise! I purchased 3 new kubotas in 8 years before i got the right machine !

 

[BrierPatch]

Things to consider.

Do you plan on mowing with this tractor also or something else?

Are you going to want a smaller tractor to fit in and around your fruit trees, especially once they have grown. You can always space your trees according to your tractor size also.

1 acre garden is a pretty good size garden imo. Are you going to be using a tiller? What different types of ground engaging things will you be doing in your garden. Smaller tractor means smaller implements and more time. Smaller tractors are more manuverable though.

The implement HP usually depends on the size of the implements. How much hogging are you going to be doing or on a regular basis? I only use my brush cutter once in a while, either reclaiming some woods for yard or cutting back the briers (Briers can be pesky you know, just ask my wife) at the edge of the woods. Most of this was with my 17HP (14HP pto) B7200 and a 4' cutter. It also ran a PHD with 9" bit just fine also.

Backhoes are great. They are great for landscaping and retaining walls. The general deal is the smaller the tractor the smaller the BH and the smaller the BH the longer it will take to do most jobs. Smaller BH also have a smaller reach. They are however more manuverable and tear up the yard less when landscaping.

Give us as much info as you can and there will be lots of responses of people that have expeirences in what you are wanting to do.

Good Luck,

 

[BrierPatch]

I agree with rbargeron.

You may consider getting a larger machine first to do more of the initial heavy work and then get a smaller machine to maintain. Or at least you would have a good idea of the capabilities and size of tractor. However I am not sure this economy is a good time to be trying to resell a used tractor. That is the boat that I am in. I had a full size TLB and the smaller B7200 as a pair when I built my house. Now most of the heavy work is done and I replaced both tractors with one for maintaining the place and finishing up landscaping. However I have not been able to get my old tractors sold yet.

 

[afish]

Sounds like L3240 would be a good fit for you. I will agree with others its hard to figure out what you will need till you get some seat time which is the reason most people upgrade after a couple years. But I think the 3240 would last you a long time from what your describing. You might also want to add 3rd. function on the fel for a grapple(moving the brush) and a couple rear remotes for TNT for the grading work.

 

[mnormandeau]

Hey thanks for the recommendations. I definitely need to head down to my local Kubota dealer and see what's what. We've got two in the area though one doesn't really negotiate much from what I've been told. I definitely want the loader option as well. Can't move dirt very far without one. The backhoe is more of want than a need at this point. Its just that most of the projects I WANT to start on require one. Looking at Craigslist, the used models aren't all that much less expensive than a new one. If zero percent is available I definitely will pursue that. Any recommendations on how to get the wife on board.

 

[afish]

I dont know where you are located since your profile is not complete but check out barlowequipment.com they have used inventory with prices online and have great prices on new and used if you do a search here you will find alot of members have bought from them and have noyhing but good things to say. Ask for Brady You can also check our sponsor carver equipment they have good prices to but I ended up gettig a used l-39 and carver didnt have any at the time so I bought from barlow and it was a great experience and got a great price. When I purchased mine someone else was getting one in michigan also so we were able to split the freight.

If your having trouble convincing the wife you need a tractor with 7 acres its probably going to be easier to buy a comfy couch

 

[afish]

I just stopped in at barlowequipment.com and they are having a 25 year anniversary sale offering free shipping up to 500 miles on used tractors.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Stopped at Barlows today to take pictures of my new B3200 in the crate but was to late. They already have it out of the crate. Still took the pictures. Steve said truck in Wisconsin area now delivering 4 and loading one this evening going west with 4 so freight shouldn't be to bad if you can wait a week or two. I know they have a L3240HST QA bucket filled tires and 35 hours coming in next week. Pictured below.