Who has a tractor they love ,looking to buy ,need info.

[jenkinsph]

new member ,need help choosing a tractor , need something to do simple task cutting grass to heavy jobs like snaking logs . A little light grading , pond banks washing .i realize I need to buy bush hog, grader, finish cut mower heavy winch ,and more ,but the center of it all is the tractor .

Lots of good tractors to choose from, enough to be totally confusing to a newbie. Might be better to do some shopping around and come back with questions about a specific tractor model to get those opinions.

I like Deere tractors because my own experiences with them have been good. Lots of Deere bashers on this site I should add but most of the newer brands that are promoted are not well represented in my locale. A popular brand is simply easier to get parts, service and attachments for and that matters to me.

 

[Buggs67]

I also am looking at a first tractor. My friend has a Kubota L30 he loves. I am looking at the Kioti CK2510 HST which seems to have the most bang for the buck. I'm going to use it on my current 2 acre property for landscaping, drainage and retaining wall work. Maybe some light log skidding. I'd like a Kubota but would have to either spend more or get less.

All advise gratefully accepted.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Before you buy ask each dealer to give you a demo on how easy it is to remove and attach the fel. The MMM and a few other attachmnets.

 

[tman1020]

Here r a couple if pics I took yesterday after I finished putting in a lawn. I used a box blade, landscape rake, and the loader. It came out great. I have about 44 hours on it so far, this tractor replaced a smaller gear drive tractor that I also liked very much. Some advice I will give is; do check out the hydros they r much easer and user friendly. Some guys don't like them because they do rob some power but I'll take my hydro over that old clutch or shuttle any day just get a little higher hp on the hydro model. Also what ever size u think u need consider going up a size or two. It's rare to hear of some one say they wish they would have gone smaller. After that go for the one you just generally like better the way it feels where the controls r located and how it looks. And don't cheap out it's a big purchase you'd hate to get the wrong thing just to save a couple of bucks if you're not going to be happy with that in the long run. That will be more costly than just getting what you wanted in the first place. Good luck.

 

[sawtooth]

A tractor is just an engine....it's the attachments that make all the difference and do the work...you have hours and hours of reading of existing TBN threads ahead of you...this is the best way to understand what people like and dislike and how they use attachments for their equipment. Best make a list of good ideas you find here...there are lots of them, too many for you to do or purchase all...so you'll have to choose what will best fit your needs. Tools for working on equipment is also important so you have it when you need it... Welcome, and good luck!

I totally disagree with this statement. Yes the implement is a big part of the package. You need the correct strength and designed work load for purpose designed. On the flip side you need a tractor to handle the machine and function as required. Transmission choices can also be important depending on job at hand. I also prefer a heavy built machine which last longer and handles heavier loads better plus is safer. This requirement alone throws out Kubota and some other Asian built tractors as they are very light in weight and normally require alot of ballast just to equal weight of another tractor without ballast. Be forewarned though as other companies that make heavy well built machines also have a lighter line that is made by Asian manufacture so you have to check specs first. John Deere is a good example. They have some heavy duty lines but also have 790 and 990 which I believe now is a 4000 model. The 790 and 990 are ok machines but very light and thus cant handle very stout implement. Light implement = less work and shorter lived.

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[flusher]

What's your tractor budget? New or used?
How many acres?
Large or small tractor? Large tractor + more hp + larger size implements = less time required for jobs. So time constraints may be important.
Big logs? Small logs?

 

[Corey MARSHALL MACHINERY]

Hi Tim, if looking for used we have a wide variety.
please give me a call if you are interested.

 

[ashwood486]

LOL ,,,, heavy tractor equals what?
I have been a heavy equipment operator for almost 30 years and the one thing that really sticks out in my mind is being a good smooth operator makes most of the difference. I do not think for a minute the heavier machine always wins.
The work being completed by some of the compact backhoes and FEL in residential areas most certainly can't be attempted by a big powerful heavy machine. I have one of the smallest tlb's on the market and love it because it has all the power it needs to complete everything I throw at it, a great example is the FEL is very strong and will plow into a pile of rock or clay coming out with just as full of bucket as the new turbo backhoe I just used at my work. So my thinking is, full bucket every time is the same on both heavy and light machines. I promise you everyday I operate Caterpillar machines with just a few hours on them including turbo 4 x4 backhoes , etc. I enjoy these also but, they have there place.
My point is each machine has its place and with him only having 2 acres how big of tractor does he need?
One more thing with the new quick attach FEL wouldn't renting certain skid steer attachments for the weekend be a better option than buying one to use it once a year. I'm a big fan of the Kubota TLB's they are a contractor version for around the house construction projects especially French drains , walls, ponds , and moving dirt, gravel or even hay bales but, for farming its not the best choice. If your a farmer then look at the farm tractors.
lol,, I'm done sorry if I rattled to much. good luck If you have any questions about a TLB I would be happy to answer them.

 

[nybirdman]

You really need to decide if "Lawnmower" is in the equation. It hard to have a efficient lawnmower that will skid logs,run a bush-hog ect.I realize a Kubota BX sized machine "will do all" but very limited ground clearance will hurt in a woods setting.Buy a lawnmower and size your tractor to your other chores,look at the larger"B" or smaller "L" in the Kubota line.I am not too familiar with other manufactures but check their comparable machines.

 

[whizdbiz2]

I'd echo nybirdman's comments. If you have a yard to mow, get a dedicated lawn mower. If you are mowing pastures, fields etc. you'll need something heavier. With a dedicated lawn mower you can forgo the finish mower on your tractor and save $1,000 to $2,500 right up front. Used lawn mowers with lots of life in them can be purchased pretty reasonably (got my Husqvarna 54" for under $900 at an auction).

I've had an old 9N for 22 years and did everything with it, got an 8N about 6 yrs ago so I wouldn't have to swap implements so much. The 9N is now just a manure spreader tractor, the 8N did everything else, blade work, snow plowing, brush hog mowing and general pulling chores. But recently we decided that a FEL (front end loader) and a more modern and more reliable tractor would be good and useful thing to have, long story short, bought a Mahindra eMax 22 with a FEL, quick hitch and rear blade. The eMax can get into the barn to help with manure loading and is still stout enough to handle moving composted manure piles, dirt and gravel, firewood and all those things a FEL is good for. Will be getting a 3 point hitch mounted finish mower for it for late season pasture mowing (dealer wanted over $2,000 for a mid mount mower, can do better with a used 3 pt one). Oh, and for the lawn areas have an old MTD built Huskee 46" mower and a Husqvarna LGT2554 54" mower with a snow blade, so covered there and have a back up should one go down. Also have a Cub Cadet 86 that my MIL gave me with a 42" deck but it needs an exhaust valve so that's the ultimate back up and can do some ground engaging work (plowing, tilling, etc.) too when it's fixed. I expect the Huskee is not long for this world, it's 12 yrs. old, older than any MTD machine should be and still function!

I know finance is an issue with used tractors, but you might look there for a good value, dealers seem to have lots of them available and might do financing. I'd been looking for the last couple of years at used ones and tractors with loaders in the over 40 hp class seem to be good buys. Too big for us as we thought about it more but something to consider. Even was looking at used back hoes that probably would have been a pain to maintain for a contractor but might have life in them for less stressfull residential uses. We only considered new when we priced the SCUTS (hmm, we can probably afford to consider that!) and the wife liked the 5 yr. warranty on the Mahindras.