which tractor to buy?

Anonymous Poster · Mar 28, 2003

I have 1 AC of hard clay soil (when not wet), mostly gradual sloping along with a gravel drive. I'm looking to do some grading work on the yard and drive, spread loam/create a lawn then use the tractor just to maintain grass and clear snow off the drive. I was hoping to get a small utiltiy tractor with loader and mower deck and not spend more than 15K. I'm in New Hampshire and have the usual choice of dealers. Any advice on which model(s) might fit my needs. Thanks

JimD · Mar 28, 2003

I have 4 ac. and will be taking delivery this saturday on a JD 2210 with Loader, 62"MMM, and rear blade. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I have been looking a long time and really liked the NH tc24d & JD 4115. I wanted to stay in the 20 hp to 25 hp range. However, these tractors seemed a little heavier and pricey for me. I was able to get everything i wanted (size, price, & attachments) in the 2210 at $13,700.
Good luck in your search!

thcri · Mar 28, 2003

Jfields,

If I was you I would look at some of the sub compacts out there. Kubota makes a BX1500 or the 1800 would be nice. Or you could look at the John Deere 2210. They are both good units. They may be light on the loader department and if you feel that way after looking at some of them you could look at the John Deere 4010 series or even the New Holland TC18 or 21D.

Go check a few of them out and get to feeling comfortable with one or the other. Also look for the dealer that you are most comfortable with also. There is many tractors out there and all good, but your dealer has to stand behind the product he sells. But I would think anwhere between 15 and 24 horsepower would do you good.

murph

markie61 · Mar 28, 2003

Don't forget about the new Kioti CK20 - seems VERY competitive....
Mark

thcri · Mar 28, 2003

Mark,

My apologies, I failed to mention the Kioti. And yes you are right. It is a good tractor. I fail to mention some of them because we don't have any dealers around for them. In fact we don't even have a dealer around for Kubota. A town of 90,000 people you would think there would be.

murph

Anonymous Poster · Mar 28, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have 1 AC of hard clay soil (when not wet), mostly gradual sloping along with a gravel drive. I'm looking to do some grading work on the yard and drive, spread loam/create a lawn then use the tractor just to maintain grass and clear snow off the drive. I was hoping to get a small utiltiy tractor with loader and mower deck and not spend more than 15K. I'm in New Hampshire and have the usual choice of dealers. Any advice on which model(s) might fit my needs. Thanks )</font>

I have the same land and similar goals as you and just bought a BX2200 from Kubota. So far I've been very impressed with what it can do, and you should be able to get tractor, fel, 60" mmm, and back blade for well under your maximum price. This is a 22 horse deisel 4WD tractor, btw. You can check the Kubota groups for many glowing reports of this series tractor.

Not that there aren't other tractors that will meet your needs, of course! Good luck with whatever you decide to get!

Anonymous Poster · Mar 30, 2003

I would look at the Kubota B7500. It has 21 Horsepower and 16 PTO Horsepower. I would get it with the L302 Front End Loader. I priced the B7500 with L302 and 5' Rear Woods Finish Mower for 13,895. That is in your price range and will do all that you described. My friend has just bought one and it is a really nice tractor. Give it a look.

Anonymous Poster · Mar 30, 2003

I would second any recomendation for the B7500 and also recommend the L302 over the LA272- besides discussing it a few places here, I bought one last Wednesday! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

chrisjbell · Apr 1, 2003

I'll "third" the recommendation. I have a B7300, which is great (although I'd love power steering - I just wish I'd been on this forum before I bought!). The B7500 is a really nice machine and I'm sure you'd be happy with it.