Which New Tractor

scudbait · Jan 8, 2003

I will buying a new tractor later this year. I have looked at several utility tractors and obtained quotes on package deals from Mahindra, Long, Massey F., and Ford/NH which include a brush cutter, box blade, and trailer. The units that I have been looking at are 40 - 50 HP units, which include;
- Ford/NH 3010S
- Massey F. 231S
- Mahindra and Long models with comparable features and specifications

I plan to purchase a loader for the tractor within 1 or 2 years after purchasing the tractor. I will be using the tractor to clear and cut a 48 acer parcel I purchased in S.E. Texas just north of Houston.

I have been told by relatives to stick to a name brand tractor such as Massey, Ford/NH, JD or Case I/H because they have been around for years and its easy to find parts many years down the road.

Please give be some suggestions as to the specifications, features, reliability and any other differances associated with the different brands discussed hear-in and/or comparible brands/models that will meet my needs.

Thanks
Scudbait

RanchMan · Jan 8, 2003

scudbait -

If you do a search on the board, you'll see this subject comes up quite a bit and there are lots of threads that go in to the +'s & -'s of each brand, along with brands "A" vs. brand "B".

Without going in to the details, suffice to say you will find a lot of folks who agree with your relatives regarding staying with a "known" brand. That being said, you will also find a lot of folks who do not concur with your kin. (I have a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.pbase.com/traxer128/tractor_pics>Mahindra 4110</A> myself. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif)

Assuming you consider one of the "other" brands, there is a place that should be pretty near you where I found the "best deal." It is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topflightequipment.com/>Top Flight Equipment.</A> Again, I won't get in to all the +'s & -'s of various brands (I'm sure others will pick up the torch in addition to having it in the archives), but it wouldn't hurt to drive down and talk with the folks there.

Good luck.

Soundguy · Jan 8, 2003

Well here are my OPINIONS /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

Any good tractor is good.. reguardless of brand... However if you aren't the handy type, I would stick with a brand that you can get serviced if you need to.

I'll comment on the NH and MF as I've had both and used both. The MF's are real good basic tractors.... not much change in features and designs in the last 20 years.. generally nice and big and stought and lotsa tractor hp for your buck compared to many other big three brands... Although I have noticed as of late that the MF's aren't as heavy as similar hp models of other brands.
Unless you are doing landscaping, you will find that more tractor weight equals more usable traction.
A personally like some of the NH models.. except the TC series.... kinda light for me.. but I hear they are great.
The 3010S has the same feel and look of the older 70's through late 90's ford / NH tractors. It is an economy model, but don't let that scare you.. I test drove one at the dealers.. and it is a whole lotta tractor for a good price. The dash and operator area is plain.... but then that doesn't bother me.. I just need an instrument cluster and hand controlls.. no bells or whistles....
I guess this is a shameless plug for the 3010s.

You'll get other comments as well I'm sure.. there is a real big Kubota following on this board.

It seems, in some areas, the kubota is the 'bang for the buck tractor'.. but not in my area.. both JD and Kubota are sky high here, with NH and MF the bargain dealers.

Soundguy

Woodbeef · Jan 8, 2003

You might also want to take a look at the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.valtra.com/>Valtra</A> M600 or new A65. It is at the high end of your hp,but well worth a look.

MikeBurr · Jan 8, 2003

I would also go for the loader now, maybe a little cheaper now and there will be something each day that it will help with. Also look for 4 wheel drive, always good to have.

Anonymous Poster · Jan 8, 2003

Thats so odd how prices with Dealers vary from region to region.
I have been Shopping for the last couple months here in MD for a sub or compact tractor.
I really like the NH TC-18 but NH are the High Priced boys.
Kubota and some JD middle of the road and other JD dealers willing to deal.

Casimir · Jan 9, 2003

SubVet -- sent you a private message.

earthmaster1 · Jan 9, 2003

Sub Vet, You must remember the cost of doing buisiness varies greatly from area to area, insurance, realestate, property tax, wages for your employes etc.

Anonymous Poster · Jan 9, 2003

For me 3 things factored into my decision, price, quality, and dealership. Yes i bought a KIOTI, dealer is about 8 miles from my house and delivered at no cost. I live in MI and jd,and kubota are priced very high. I have a friend who has a mf and he speaks highly of it. My brother has a ford and hasn't had a problem either.

Boondox · Jan 9, 2003

<font color=blue>price, quality, and dealership</font color=blue>

There is more truth in that than you can imagine. Price isn't everything. Neither is quality. They are both important, but without the support of a local dealer you can trust, you may find yourself sunk. Look at the entire package, including dealer reliability and service after the sale.

Pete

Justaplain · Jan 9, 2003

"Service after sale" is like getting a new wife, after the ceremony it ain't always what you were led to believe.

scudbait · Jan 9, 2003

Good reasoning, I think all married men experience that in one way or another.

Thanks
Scudbait

Soundguy · Jan 9, 2003

<font color=red>Good reasoning, I think all married men experience that in one way or another.

<font color=black>Reminds me of a joke one of my friends always tells:

"Science has determined that there is a food that actually lowers women's $ex drive.............wedding cake"

Soundguy

TedLynn · Jan 9, 2003

I've had MF135 and a MF253. They were both good machines. The 253 is now a 263 and is head and shoulders above the 231S. The 231 is MF's "value line" and was manufactured in Romania (I believe) for several years and I was told recently that they are now manufactured in Turkey. Between the tractors you listed, Mihindras are far ahead (in their Korean models - the Indian models are old technology and are huge hunks of iron, but basically 40 year old designs). All the major tractor companies are international corporations and their product line reflects the same. The best value in tractors seem to be Korean at this time. It will be interesting to see which one/ones rise to the top in sales. At this time it appears to be Kioti and Mahindra. I sold my MF 253 and bought a Kioti DK-45. No regrets, and I certainly would not go back. Good luck in you purchase. Ted DK-45

surfacewave · Jan 9, 2003

Yup, everone is right. No matter color, race, or creed they are all good tractors. Depends on your pocketbook mostly and what kind of service you expect when you have problems or just plain parts/maintenance issues. I would reccomend talking with the neighbors in your area about the dealers and actually visiting the service department to get a comfortable feeling with the people you will need in the future. Tractors all have problems but most of them can be fixed fairly easily but it can be very hard to deal with a service department who doesn't treat you as a "VALUED CUSTOMER"

frank_f15 · Jan 10, 2003

welcome to the forum! don't forget to look at the KIOTI if u have a dealer near u. lots of guys like them

Woodbeef · Jan 10, 2003

The Massey 231 was built in Poland by Ursus.

As for the New Mahindras,the 00 series is not based on the old IH licensee tractors. All new design,and a 3 year warranty to boot!!

earthmaster1 · Jan 10, 2003

Personaly i would go with the mahindra, but maybe that because i have one. You're in Texas, mahindras are assembled in texas, parts inventory is in Tomball Texas. Im in the northeast and very happy with mine and dealing with the dealer and company, excellent tractor. If you looking at larger, you have the 4110 korean tractor and then the 4500, 5500 and 6000 all in 2wd and 4wd indian made. All are a great product you wont be dissapointed with the quality and reliability.

popeye · Jan 10, 2003

I am doing pretty much the same thing with 53 acres near Lufkin. Wound up with a Kubota MX5000 with shuttle shift. The more I use it the more I like my choice. It stays at my uncles place until a home can be built for it. We are still clearing a poorly done clearcut. He now uses the bota more than his Ford 6000. We got the best deal in Nacgodoches. They beat everybody around us.
MX5000
502 FEL
Rhino SE-6 (6' bush hog)
16' pipe trailer (can't remember the correct term for it)
$19,800
I can email you the dealer name if you want it.
Mike