Buying Advice Looking for purachse advice

[kirkkw]

New to the forum - been reading for several months. Started out dead set in buying a Mahindra then explored Kioti and finally LS. At this point, I have settled on LS and plan on that being what I buy - barring the unexpected. Never owned a tractor before and my tractor experience is limited to about 3 hours digging post holes.

Question: What size of tractor should I buy considering these anticipated uses?

House is on rocky ground north of Leander (Austin). Have 5 acres and a 100ft long dirt driveway. Plan to use the tractor to move dirt around, smooth driveway, and with a front end grapple move and stack cedar trees I plan to chainsaw off at ground level.

May also try to hire myself out to for various jobs i.e., brush hog, dirt moving, landscaping, tree clearing (chainsaw and grapple) etc. Who knows if that would ever come to fruition.

I am thinking of either 35-40 hp with most likely shuttle shift, if for not other reason the price difference would buy implements.

Looking at XG or XR series.

What say ye?

 

[wcampbell47]

Moving dirt and rocks around will require FEL which I think you are planning on. Don't know LS models - but you need 4WD. If you are new to tractors and equipment recommend HST. I started with gear but thankfully made the switch to HST. Nothing (IMHO) beats HST for front loader work. Would not go back, not even to shuttle shift. I think you are in the right hp range. For a smooth driveway I do my best work with a land plane - not the same as a box blade. Reading in another thread the consensus was that a chainsaw and grapple was the most difficult way to clear trees. Backhoe was preferred to dig on four sides of the tree and push over. Brush hog, have 2 of these and wish I had one with the rounded top. The rounded top does not collect clippings to the degree that flat deck ones do. Moisture gets in the clippings and sets up rust. Most good brushhogs have a stump jumper. Hauling this stuff around will require a heavy duty 3/4 ton or better. Recommend a 20 foot trailer. I use a 20 foot car hauler 10,000 lb gvw. Wish it were tilt bed!!! Using 10,000 lb aluminum ramps from Northern Tools. Those standard steel ramps are heeeaavy and can become a pain if you move to several sites in one day.

You want to buy LS - Ok. Very well made tractor. What about financing?? My experience with Kubota (3 times now) is basically sign and drive with 0% interest. You do have to buy an insurance policy on the tractor but that is cheap and covers a multitude of sins you might commit. Kids put sand in my fuel tank one year. Reported to the Sheriff who gave me a case number. Contacted KATC with the case number. Hauled it to the dealer. For the $250 deductible they cleaned the tank, replaced all engine oil, filters and new fuel filter. Basically gave it a service as well as cleaning up the mess. In 2012 at the first of December I signed on the dotted line and brought a new one home. By January 1st I had collected $4,000 in checks for work done and paid my first payment of $327. I charge $60 to $70 per hour for tractor work. Two days a month more than pays my payment.

Just because you buy a tractor does not mean you can operate one - efficiently or well. Practice at your place. Learn how to use the FEL and learn how to grade - level preferably. Start locally within your neighborhood or close by and concentrate on doing the best job you can and not how much money you can make. You can up your price once you become proficient. Get to know the kinds of materials used in your area, where you can buy them and locate someone to haul them for you. Crushed limestone should be plentiful and cheap in your area. Crushed granite as well (Marble Falls, Granite Shoals).

I have tried to cover some basics with do's and don'ts based on my experience. Everyone has a different level of risk tolerance and mine is pretty low. You will discover that there are people out there that are never pleased (alcoholics and bitchy women are just two classes) - avoid them like the plague. Choose your jobs. Go look at them before you commit. In a previous business I would not deal with doctors, lawyers or horse traders unless they paid on the spot. Well my brain is getting muddled. Will post more later - maybe.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Kirk;

Do yourself a big favor and call or, better yet, go see John Ryan at RCO Tractor on Old Bee Caves Road in Austin. John is very knowledgeable on the LS Line and will not hard sell you. I passed by two other closer LS dealers, when I bought my LS XR4046HC in late 2014, because of John and his staff.

Good luck!

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[lostcreekranch]

Here is link to RCO;

RCO Tractor - Compact Tractors and Utility Tractors from LS Tractor USA and Yanmar of America on Sale Now!

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[lostcreekranch]

Here is link to RCO;

RCO Tractor - Compact Tractors and Utility Tractors from LS Tractor USA and Yanmar of America on Sale Now!

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[lostcreekranch]

Kirk;

Here is link to RCO;

RCO Tractor - Compact Tractors and Utility Tractors from LS Tractor USA and Yanmar of America on Sale Now!

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[lostcreekranch]

Wow! A triple post!

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[George2615]

Kirk,
Since it is your 2nd post, Welcome to TBN.................
Lots of good info posted here.
I agree with what's been mentioned. get the HST (not much difference in price), at least a 20' 10K trailer. I use a 22' PJ full tilt bed 14K trailer to haul mine around.
To hire yourself and tractor out I'd recommend you get insurance, both for the tractor and liability. I have Inland Marine (PDI Physical Damage Insurance) coverage for the tractor and a separate liability policy. People today are too willing to sue you at the drop of a hat for any damages. Also mentioned, pick and choose your side jobs wisely.
I've heard many good things about RCO Tractor also. John can explain the advantages of the XR over the XG series.

 

[ozley]

Wow! A triple post! Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

You win something for a triple post I would think.
RCO is a good place to start your tractor life.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Using the EDIT function you can easily delete the two extras. This is a prime time to learn the skill.

Duh! I delete duplicates but, never had a triple. Maybe the "skill to learn" is to figure out what causes the double posts?? Huh?

Can't be that we are all idiots? Huh? Can't hear you Jeff? :-(

If you respond to a thread ........ Hit send ONE time ....... And get a double post, is that the responders fault or possibly a problem with the app??????

I use the iPad app almost exclusively and double posts are off and on, no reasonable explanation to why they occur other than a quirk with the app?

If you want to be a smart ***** at least know what you are talking about!

My 5 cents worth!

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