Which model to buy?

[exiled]

(I don't understand why you'd consider a 5000 series.)

Thats the easiest thing to understand. Working 10 acres. Moving hay and trailers around. Wants to spend under $20,000. Makes the most sence to me. 5203 and above will leave him enough room to expland his operation. 5103 he can do everything he mentioned and have the loader right under $20,000.

 

[Millalien]

I don't know much about the 5000s, but it looks like MFWD is an option that would throw the package w/ FEL over $20k. The OP didn't mention whether he needed 4WD or not.

 

[exiled]

I don't know much about the 5000s, but it looks like MFWD is an option that would throw the package w/ FEL over $20k. The OP didn't mention whether he needed 4WD or not.

Yea, MFWD w/FEL will throw it over $20k.

 

[Phineas7]

I have a 790 4wd. The main reason I chose it over the 2000 series was PTO HP for running a chipper and bush hog. The reason I didn't go 3000 or bigger was I want to use it on hilly terrain in the woods, so I wanted something low and small enough to weave thru the trees. The 790 looks so small on the tractor lot, but seems so big when I'm trying to get it thru the woods (must be an opticle illusion).
I do believe the 3pt hitch is rated in the 800's. It has not problem easily lifting my chipper which is supposed to weight a little over 800. It's stable on the side of hills (MUCH better with loaded tires) and will climb a fairly steep bank depending on traction. The loader should handle bails fine, especially without the weight of the bucket. I have the JD toothbar on mine (which is not lite), it struggles, but it will pick up a heaping bucket of wet Georgia clay. The problem the loader does have is breaking the load out of the embankment, but for loose dirt and general loader work it's fine.
I like the mechanical simplicity of it, but HST would be nice for loader work. It would probably be a good trade if it weren't for the difference in PTO HP for the same engine HP. Although I've not had issues stalling it. It has more HP than traction. When I dig the loader in and it's gone as far as it can, the tires just keep turning and keep pushing.
If I were using it in an open, more farm-like scenario (less hills & trees), I may have stepped up a size, but hard to say. You could probably get a 790 (now 3005) with 4wd, FEL, bail spear, box blade, and bush hog for less that 20K. Not sure what a snow blower cost.

 

[jimmyj]

Met with a dealer and he recommends the 3000 series if I go new. The 790 seems to be a wee bit light in the loader for my wants. I do want 4wd though.

Best idea so far from the dealer seems to be:
JD 3320
gear drive
4wd
turf tires
300CX loader
ballast box
upgreaded heavier duty 52" bucket with cutting edge
block heater
taxes etc all in $23,600.

It's a bit more than I wanted to spend but the specs really show everything I'd like.
32.5 engine HP
3 range tranny (12 speed)
3ph lift 2200 lbs 24 in behind arms
two clutches for fwd and reverse
standard rear PTO
The loader can lift up to 1400 + pounds at pivot (I know the about the issues of the lift physics as you move out etc)

That's a bit higher than I wanted but the Kubota quote I got was almost the same. The best Kubota quote I got for new was:
L3400
Industrial or turf tires
Loader about the same specs (forgot the #)
4wd HST, 3 range
loaded tires w/inner tubes
block heater
taxes etc all in $21,000

Seems like I may have to spend a bit more than I wanted to but I really want to do it right. Either that or go used.

 

[arrow]

if you don't have a large hankering for HST, I would opt for the 990 (different number now?). Find list price. Dealer markup is 25%. Its a simple gear tractor that you should be able to buy for under 20 with FEL and MFWD with negotiating. It will do everything you stated and last you 30 years or more.

 

[arrow]

Just went on to their site. $20689 msrp. (990 w/fel and 4wd.) 25% of that is $5172. So invoice should be $15516. They may be happy with 2 grand over. Give it a shot.

 

[Millalien]

That 3320 price seems high. I got quoted $19,2 for a gear-drive 3320 with 300cx loader, all-in, including tire-fill, work-light and bucket hooks. Ended up with a 3320 HST for $400 more because there wasn't gear drive within 500 miles of here and I didn't want to wait for a 6 week delivery time.

Make the dealers work for it. I told mine I'd lived without the tractor for decades and I could probably squeek by a few more without it.

 

[jimmyj]

Arrow and Millalien, are those Canadian prices you are talking about? I'm in the great white north and we get hosed on just about everything tractor-wise.

Either way, seems I've got to be a better man at this buying thing.

 

[arrow]

No. Add another $40 to those prices Canadian. Don't know what freight charges are per tractor to go to Canada. Even if they were a thousand dollars you should still be buying the 990 for under 20 grand. You may want to looked used. A nice 870 970 or 1070 mfwd with fel can be had from 11-15 depending on hours.