Buying Advice Newbie Needs Help Buying the Right Tractor!

[TractorWaggs]

OK... I've never owned a tractor... but just bought 11 acres of hills & trees. Much clearing to do, and I'd like to do it all myself.

I've looked for used tractors, but don't see many deals.

So, for clearing trees, laying road, maintaining property (no grass by the way)... I've narrowed the search down to the following:
Kubota L3200 HST
Kioti CK35 HST
MF 1532 HST

All have loaders, all are in the $18K range. Should I avoid HST? Is one model better than another? Which way should I go? Appear to me that Kioti has the most bang for the buck, but they are all close.

Need your help -- thanks for your input.

Waggs

 

[TractorWaggs]

By the way, if anyone feels HST isn't the way to go, let me know. Shuttle / manual 8F/8R seems pretty straight forward, but my bride would likely prefer the HST... appreciate any thoughts, good or bad, on HST

 

[paulfun9]

In all honesty HST or gear really wouldn't matter to me near as much as having a Live PTO that isn't dependent on the gears. My Wife prefers the HST and I can see some advantages to it depending on the work being done and the way the property is set up. This statement takes into account having the right size tractor for any implements you plan on running and knowing how to run a gear tractor which most folks today don't! For the average buyer the HST is going to be the best route and you wont ever have to worry about clutch replacement and if you happen to mismatch an implement you will find it much more forgiving and able to live with.

I think the best advice anyone could give is to go out and test a few machines and see what you are most comfortable on For My last purchase I started looking at the 35hp models like you but quickly went with the DK 40 due to its comfort, ability and the price all fitting me and what I was willing to spend VS the work needing done. Out of the ones you have listed I liked the Kioti best overall but was just more comfortable on the DK series and got a smoking deal on a brand new one that actually cost me less than the L3200 would have cost me when the backhoe and options were considered into the price.

 

[HEC]

I agree with the above statements . Pick a tractor and dealer that works for you . You want to think posible resale , parts availability , etc. .

 

[murphy1244]

Kioti is the #2 seller right now!

 

[batwing]

I agree with the above statements . Pick a tractor and dealer that works for you . You want to think posible resale , parts availability , etc. .

I also agree, wife also loves HST when spending that kind of money its good wife is happy.
Ron

 

[TractorWaggs]

I agree with the above statements . Pick a tractor and dealer that works for you . You want to think posible resale , parts availability , etc. .

How do you like your B2650? A serious contender... more capacity than the L3200. I was impressed with it too.:thumbsup:

 

[Threepoint]

TractorWaggs, since you will be using a loader, and your wife is planning to use the tractor as well, you'll not regret getting HST regardless of your choice among the three tractors you list.

 

[TractorWaggs]

TractorWaggs, since you will be using a loader, and your wife is planning to use the tractor as well, you'll not regret getting HST regardless of your choice among the three tractors you list.

Since I notice you own both Kioti and Kubota, any preference from your standpoint? Both reliable, quality units? Appreciate your feedback before I "dive" in.

I also note that no one came to the Massey rescue.... so I'm assuming it's either a Kubota or Kioti solution...

 

[murphy1244]

Tractorwags, 1st What dealers are within 50 miles of you? What is your Budget? Do you want new or used?

 

[TractorWaggs]

Murph -- I have all of them within 20 minutes of me. Want new unit, as I can't find an decent used ones...all are quite tired. Would like to be below $18k, but all the ones I mentioned are, so boils down to best value for the dollar.

Kioti wasn't even on radar, but when I read about them and went to look at them, they appear to give Kubota a run for the money. Also, Massey units appear nice also, but I read much less about them for some reason.

I don't have a lot of experience, which is why I turned to this chat to get a bit of experience. I appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

 

[murphy1244]

Then you need to get some seat time on any of those you fancy. Do some research and you will find the machine for you, I did.

 

[DK35vince]

Also, Massey units appear nice also, but I read much less about them for some reason.

I have no idea why Massey's are not more popular.
They seem like nice units and the people that have them seem to like them.

 

[murphy1244]

I have no idea why Massey's are not more popular.
They seem like nice units and the people that have them seem to like them.

I like the GC series for a Subcompact..

 

[grm61]

Kioti is the #2 seller right now!

Who is 1 and 3?

 

[Cherokee140]

I would suggest if you are clearing trees and you have a bunch of them you might want a backhoe as well. Also if you are clearing bunches of trees you might think about a chipper of some kind also. Lots of "free" woodchips and mulch can come in handy....you might even be able to sell some.

As to the machines, I really liked the Massey as well....but ended up with a Kubota....in the end they gave me just a better deal. Don't go by just internet price, work on the dealers...get it down to just what you want then work on them. For me the Kubota ended up being the best deal.

 

[Threepoint]

Since I notice you own both Kioti and Kubota, any preference from your standpoint? Both reliable, quality units? Appreciate your feedback before I "dive" in.

Love our Kubotas, love our Kioti. We've had the B2150 for 21 years, and the GF 1800 4WD 60" front deck mower for 15. Both have been reliable workhorses. We've had the Kioti for only a couple of months at this point. I don't think generalizing across brands for reliability and quality, especially among the three you've focused on, is very useful. All three are very good, and so much ultimately comes down to the dealer, and to a comparison of brands within the particular size and feature range that best matches your needs.

When we decided to add a larger tractor this year, we wanted an HST with cab. I was about ready to order Kubota's "Grand L" L4760. Then looked at the Kioti DK45SE HST w/cab, DK50SE HST w/cab, NX4510HST w/cab and NX5010HST w/cab. In that size range and configuration, my wife and I just felt the Kiotis offered more, and the price points were much lower. But I'm sure we would have been happy either way.