Big tractor syndrome

[GManBart]

And I get the feeling that is how many dealers see them.....as toys. They have the experience, they also want to make money, and I would bet there is more money in the larger machine. So are they talking to me about the larger machines because they really can't do what I have seen them doing on youtube.....or are they just trying to get deeper into my wallet.

I know I have been rambling on this over and over....sorry, but I have never had a chance to go to a dealer (car or tractor) and say I want ________

I really want to make sure I am putting just what I need in that blank, not what I want or to have over kill, on not be able to use it when digging up all the landscaping up close to my house.

I'm not a tractor dealer, but if you look at it from their perspective, it might make practical (rather than financial) sense to steer someone to a slightly larger machine. One of their worst scenarios would be to sell someone a smaller machine only to have them come back upset because it wasn't quite enough. As long as the larger machine won't be a problem (like fitting through a door, or something), customers don't usually complain about excess capability. I also think they know how tractors shrink when you get them home. I figured out the exact size I thought I needed, then went up one full size because it wasn't much more money, and I sometimes wish I'd gone up yet another size to a smaller Utility tractor. I knew I'd be able to use the bigger machine for a few more things, but now I see how one step bigger would save me time, and that would have justified the added expense in my mind. Of course, everyone is in a unique situation, but I just wanted to give some credit to the sales guys out there...they're looking at more than just how much money they make (if they're smart). R,

 

[GPintheMitten]

I would never allow a dealer to play the role of sizing my tractor, truck, car, or anything else. I would determine this myself base on specs and maybe talking to other consumers. I would only look to the dealer as a source for product and service or technical information.

If you ask a dealer to size their products to your needs, he is going to go big. But just because he does, it doesn't mean he's wrong.

You got to make up your own mind on size based on good research.

So far it looks like most members here are agreeing that the larger size is more ideal for you.

 

[smitesmash]

The JD 650 is a little tractor with a big heart!

As soon as I sold my 650, it seems that other owners are jumping out of the woodwork.
mine was a great machine, and I'm sorry to have sold it. however it was getting to the point that nearly everything that I asked it to do was causing it to get more bent or broken.

Going back to the OP's original question. with the exception of dealing with stumps

Same basic jobs as above, but I want a backhoe to thin out that forest area, bucket for moving gravel, mulch, dirt

for the forest area question, I would ask: what specifically are you planning. cutting down trees requires a chainsaw, not a tractor. skidding out the wood can be done with an ATV, if cut small enough. and with the help of a logarch (Fetching Arch - LogRite Tools LLC) and possibly a winch, you can bring the logs to you.



with my JD 650, on some Douglas Fir stumps, it could take all day, using the tractor, a chain saw, fire, come-along, old wheel, shovel, pick, hoedad, and when things got really frustrating, firearms.
with the new tractor and backhoe, about an hour tops (still coming up to speed on using the backhoe) digging them out.

however, the purchase or rental of a stump grinder might also be something that you could look at. if it's just for stumps, and you don't need the digging for anything else. I would seriously look at one fo them.

 

[Cherokee140]

I really am not breaking the 650...it is already broke, some are thinking cracked block or head, not real JD had the machine for about 2 months last summer, then the shop fees just got to the point where I just stopped the work. The 650 has always done what I wanted it to do. And truth be known if it still would run without over heating I would not be here.

These trees that I am talking about have grown out from the original fence row....I call them in between trees, to big for loppers, really a waste of time with a chain saw....but that is really the only way you can cut them down. And being black locust the roots are close to the top and they are really moving out across the yard....this I must stop. There is also a great deal of dead wood, old brittle, pretty light, but but pretty big. I don't really want to drag as all the thorns come off and then the mowers get flats. I buy green slime by the 55gal drum.

I really have not made the choice yet. I have quotes for I have quotes for JD 3000 series from two dealers, hope to have a quote on a B from Kubota today. This is still very much up in the air. Like I said before the price difference is not that great.

I have borrowed my friends Mahindra...don't know the size but I did come away thinking too big. He pulls a round bailer with it, and does all that mess. My little machines can pull the rake. The neighbor has a small(ish) tractor (I don't even know the brand) and that is more my size...he is upgrading his machine to a larger one as he also still has horses and wants to move to round bails vs square. He use to bail my property but with his and mine it is really more then he wants to mess with. I talked to him about his and while he never had a problem with his machine you it is a real pain for him to get parts for it....and it has no power steering....I have to have power steering I have some nerve damage and my left side is pretty weak. (another reason the drive over JD stuff is pretty high on my list)....you can get drive over decks for the 3000 series but are limited to the 62" deck.

The forest area needs/has to be cleaned out. We want to put in a small number of peach trees.....50 or so....Peach trees do very well at my house. We figure if we get them in the ground, it will be a good retirement hobby. That and flower bulbs. The wife likes flowers....the new peach trees are going to cross this old fence line.

My mind to the size is pretty far from made up....size is something else. the 1700 MF seemed pretty good, but was hard for me to get on, the JD much more low to the ground. then the smaller ones lower yet. Will this peach / bulb thing ever get off the ground before I start pushing up the flowers....who cares, but I will have fun getting there playing in the dirt with my wife.

I might still borrow that larger (real) backhoe if it comes to needing to take out anything too big for the machine I end up buying. And my boss does have a bulldozer that he said I could borrow anytime. Tracked vehicles again...I am not so sure on that...but anyway.

The decision is not made as to the size but machine brand is pretty set....JD is top because of dealer network....Kubota is next....then New Holland......If they still made that retro 8N it would be a no brainer IIRC those stopped in 2012. And I do want a NEW machine not used.

 

[GManBart]

The decision is not made as to the size but machine brand is pretty set....JD is top because of dealer network....Kubota is next....then New Holland......If they still made that retro 8N it would be a no brainer IIRC those stopped in 2012. And I do want a NEW machine not used.

Just FYI, New Holland doesn't make any of their own machines in the sizes you're looking at. You can buy the same machine from the OEM, for quite a bit less in most cases....often $5-10k less.

 

[radioman]

well-- you mentioned 13 acres so having a small tractor like an BX for the all purpose tractor might be too little. This is probably why dealers is trying to steer you in this direction - however - YOU know your land better then your dealer and the type of projects or things you want to do. So, if you gut feeling a big tractor is not what you need, but may need it later means you can either rent or get one later. The B is so much similar, but a little bigger much more appropriate in size in terms on your acreage size. I am not sure of your manicured mowing areas, but wonder if a RFM would be better if you have alot of open spaces so you wouldnt have to struggle to hook up with limited arm issues. It seems to me that its hard to decide because of budget you may have since the ideal way is to get another new small machine like you had in JD or kubota for mowing and many small jobs, and get a used larger machine- but not sure if you need a TLB in b/l series in terms of how deep of digging you want to go and how much weight you want to lift/move with BH. The BX can only dig to 4 ft flat trench and 5 -5.5 ft extended but wont be neat trench. The BX can only break 3 inch soft wood roots and 1-2.5 hardwood roots unless you really abuse the dipper/risk bending cylinders.

 

[TripleR]

My mind to the size is pretty far from made up....size is something else. the 1700 MF seemed pretty good, but was hard for me to get on, the JD much more low to the ground. then the smaller ones lower yet. Will this peach / bulb thing ever get off the ground before I start pushing up the flowers....who cares, but I will have fun getting there playing in the dirt with my wife.

This caught my attention. For some time I have carried TV steps in all my vehicles and placed in my barn to help me on and off my tractors. A few months ago, I did a Waxman modification to mt L5740, it has been great and while it's on a Kubota can be used on other makes and models. Timber also added a different type to his father's tractor.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/303036-my-grand-l-3240-cab.html
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/258009-step-my-dads-7610-kubota.html

 

[Cherokee140]

I REALLY like those steps...like you said in one of those threads I am only getting older....and to tell the truth I think all that metal in me is making me rusty

I was planning this weekend on one last look at the BX/B 1025R/2032...but with this snow storm that is to be coming I may just have to wait another week.

 

[Baby Grand]

List-o-mania:
1) Make a list of all the tasks you want to do with this new tractor.
2) Make a second list of what size/weight implements you will need to do the tasks on the first list.
3) Make a third list of tractors that will handle the implements on your second list.
4) Go to the dealers, try them out and buy the one that "feels right" to you and your wallet.

 

[rjwerth]

People, you are ruining the quip I came up with after reading the OP....

"If you think sales guys want to upsell you...wait to you see what these guys will get you to buy!"

But NO...you guys have to come out all sensible for some reason. Fine.

Seriously though, you should probably be thinking a bit bigger than you are especially if you are thinking backhoe. I couldn't imagine having a smaller hoe than my 2485 and have it be worth the money spent and you are looking at smaller machines than that....