Buying Advice What Should I Buy?

[Behrend II]

Hello,

My B2400 HST is dying on me and I'm considering upgrading...I own a small property and would like a little larger tractor. I think I've overused an undersized tractor for too long and am finally paying the price. I use the tractor for landscaping, driveway grading, snow removal (with FEL & rear blade), hauling firewood etc. I would also like to get something large enough to handle a 5' or possibly 6' Rotary Cutter and I've been interested in a 3 pt log splitter. I will be buying something used and would like to stay under $20,000. I'm interested in hearing your opinions.

Tom

 

[newbury]

A few Q's
How big a "small property"?
What's the terrain like ? Flat? Hilly? Swamp? Mountains?
Do you already have a cutter?
Are you sure you want a 3 pt splitter?
How big a load do you carry? A 10' log can weigh over 1,000 lbs.
Any other attachments?

For example I needed to carry 1,000lbs on the FEL, ended up getting a Kubota M4700 (50HP) for $11,500.

 

[jeff9366]

You need a 50% incremental increase in tractor weight and horsepower before you REALLY notice it. Weight being more important than horsepower.

So seek a tractor with a bare weight of 2,400 to 3,000 pounds and around 36 to 40 horsepower. This is enough weight and horsepower to cut tall grass with a 60" rotary cutter.

Electric log splitters, used in your driveway, are cheaper and simpler than Three Point Hitch mounted log splitters.
220 volt models are faster than 110 volt models.

LINK: Google

Home Depot and Lowe's offer electric log splitters on their web sites.


TractorData.com Kubota B24 tractor information

 

[Egon]

Replacing by used with a budget is often about what is available that will do what you need.

 

[Behrend II]

Newbury:

Property - 10 acres - very hilly and wooded

About an acre and a half of pasture that I would mow with the cutter. I've mowed it with my 54" MM mower in the past...which I believe has contributed to the demise of my tractor!

I do not currently have a cutter

I'm not sold one way or the other on the 3 pt splitter vs. a gas splitter

Probably want at least 1,000 lbs carrying capacity on the FEL

I currently have a 48" box blade that I have used to move quite a bit of earth with my B2400 - Most of the soil in my area is heavy clay...furthering the demise of my tractor!

Like I said...I believe I've pushed the little B2400 well beyond it's intended limits!

 

[Behrend II]

Newbury - The terrain in the picture you posted of your M4700 looks like it could be taken on my property in western WI!

 

[jeff9366]

Here is what is listed on eBay, around Zip Code 54751:

Tractors | eBay


I think you should consider a new Kubota L3560 Grand L, which will cost around $27,000 with FEL and HST/PLUS.

http://www.kubota.com/product/LSeries/L60.aspx

 

[Behrend II]

Hi Jeff, thanks for the link. I honestly haven't considered electric splitters before...I guess I was thinking of the little DR splitters that fit on a tabletop!

 

[roadhunter]

How many hours are on your kubota?

3 point splitters are great if you need to split in remote areas or move around a lot. If you split in one spot an electric might have some advantages. I have a 3 point and wish I had just bought an electric to start with as I split in the same spot every time.

 

[newbury]

Newbury:

Property - 10 acres - very hilly and wooded

About an acre and a half of pasture that I would mow with the cutter. I've mowed it with my 54" MM mower in the past...which I believe has contributed to the demise of my tractor!

I do not currently have a cutter

I'm not sold one way or the other on the 3 pt splitter vs. a gas splitter

Probably want at least 1,000 lbs carrying capacity on the FEL

I currently have a 48" box blade that I have used to move quite a bit of earth with my B2400 - Most of the soil in my area is heavy clay...furthering the demise of my tractor!

Like I said...I believe I've pushed the little B2400 well beyond it's intended limits!

Ten acres of hilly and wooded would keep me on the lookout for a 40ish horsepower Kioti (they tend to be heavier than the Kubotas) and a 5 foot cutter.
I really like my Kubotas but they are a little on the light side, even with loaded tires.
good luck.

 

[jeff9366]

Hi Jeff, thanks for the link. I honestly haven't considered electric splitters.

electric log splitters site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search

 

[Behrend II]

I've read good reviews on the Kioti's, I haven't actually known anyone who had one though.

 

[airbiscuit]

You need a 50% incremental increase in tractor weight and horsepower before you REALLY notice it. Weight being perhaps more important than horsepower.

So seek a tractor with a bare weight of 2,400 to 3,000 pounds and around 36 to 40 horsepower. This is enough weight and horsepower to cut tall grass with a 60" rotary cutter.

I agree that you will be well served with a larger frame tractor.

I had a 33 hp New Holland that had a frame size like the 3XXX John Deeres
I replaced that with a 40 hp New Holland that has a frame size like a 4XXX John Deere

The taller tires and extra weight make a huge amount of difference.

I love my (Shibaura based) New Holland. Not as keen about the new (LS based) New Hollands. If I was in the market today, I would be looking at Kioti or kubota first.

 

[Behrend II]

How many hours are on your kubota?

3 point splitters are great if you need to split in remote areas or move around a lot. If you split in one spot an electric might have some advantages. I have a 3 point and wish I had just bought an electric to start with as I split in the same spot every time.

About 1,000

 

[Behrend II]

I've put about 800 of those on myself.

 

[roadhunter]

About 1,000

1,000 hours and it's worn out

My JCB is just coming up on 1,000 hours and it's barely broke in.

 

[jeff9366]

BEHREND II did not buy ENOUGH TRACTOR the first time.

(Neither did I, either the first time nor the second time. Finally got ENOUGH TRACTOR with #3.)

 

[Behrend II]

Guilty as charged!

 

[Behrend II]

...and I don't want to be in the same boat again

 

[MiserableOldFart]

I was looking at the newer New Hollands and Kubotas as well. I read that the LS based New Hollands also have the Shibaura engines. Is that correct? They seem to have pretty much abandoned the smallest size CUTs though, with the 37 or so hp making the most sense from my point of view, except for price, which is very high.