Hello & looking for a tractor on the MS Gulf Coast

[Rick in MS]

I need some clarification please...

I can understand why one would want a FEL with a higher lifting capacity over a lesser amount, but what is the difference between "at the pins" vs "@ 500mm"?

And when discussing the 3PH - same thing "at ends" vs "@ 24 inches".

Finally, what purpose does a higher lifting weight on the 3PH serve other than lifting the implement?

 

[jeff9366]

The lifting capacity of FEL and Three Point Hitch hydraulics decreases rapidly with height. You may be able to pick up a pallet of bricks from ground level with your tractor FEL, but lack hydraulic power to lift the pallet of bricks to the level of a pickup truck bed.

The advantage to a higher lift on the Three Point Hitch is the ability to handle heavier implements. Bear in mind that long implements, such as Disc Harrows and Bush Hogs, protrude far the the rear, requiring much more lift capacity than implements mounted close in, such as Cultipackers, due to adverse leverage.

When loading a trailer with a tractor and a mounted implement it is often necessary to lift the implement very high.

BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR.

 

[jeff9366]

My neighbor believes I need a 60 HP tractor to clear out and maintain the 6 acres of undergrowth in the pines. He says I'll end up tearing up a 35-40 HP tractor working that stuff. The 60's - by Kubota & JD - have MSRPs well above what I would like to pay.

Check out Kubota MX series.

Horsepower is irrelevant until operating a PTO powered implement. The key metric is tractor weight.
I have 37 gross horsepower but 5,400 pounds operating weight, not bare tractor weight. Greater weight derives from thicker steel in constituent components.

Ratchet Rake bucket attachment is the premier tool for clearing and piling undergrowth, work I was doing yesterday. Alas, Ratchet Rake does not serve to transport debris 1/4 mile from this site to our community burn pile.

For transport, I use my Field Cultivator mounted on the Three Point Hitch to drag debris without dirt. Fish hook tines grip snarled debris piles.

 

[Rick in MS]

Check out Kubota MX series.

I have and would love to have one but it's out of my price range if buying new.

I'm not dead set on buying new and I'm keeoing my eyes on craigslist & tractorhouse.com.

The wife and I have both sat on the Kubota L3301 & L3901, the JD 3032E & 3038E, and the LS XR3037H. I have sat on the Mahindra 2538.

The nearest Kioti dealer is 90 miles away and we aren't in a postion to drive that far until we finish the house.

The LS XR3037H has more features, weighs more, has greater FEL capacity and greater 3PH lift than the L3301/3901 but not as much as the 2538. It is also less expensive at under $20k with FEL.

 

[cbth]

Hello Rick, We may be close to each other from your distance to Toomey. I also see you found an ls dealer. I have an ls and an old david brown . From my little experience most of the comments are correct. the old db has more weight and feels better when weight as heavy logs are connected. the ls seems to be a good machine so far,just little under weight. both are 50ish hp havnt had issue with either with 6ft hog in tall thick grass.

 

[WVH1977]

Rick in MS,

I am new to this website (as far as actually posting) but have been around tractors for quite a while (by no means an expert). I base most of my information on the experiences I have had throughout my years of tractor ownership (have made a lot of stupid decisions, but learned from them). I am quite interested in the threads on here about purchasing tractors and most of my posts have been in this forum. I guess the reason is, I never used a tool like this site for buying my tractor (and it is a great tool). I talked mostly with my Dad and some cousins that farm. I drove all over the place and looked at every color tractor out there. I ended up buying a 40 HP tractor for using on 6 acres. Trust me when I tell you a 40 HP tractor is not to big for your land.

The only problem I see you having is justifying the price of a new 40 HP and up tractor. They are EXPENSIVE and you will probably have that payment for somewhere around 4 to 7 years (350 to 550 a month probably). It is a lot to think about and consider. It should be taken seriously and you are doing the homework. A smaller tractor will do the jobs you are talking about. It will just involve a lot more chainsaw work and getting on and off the tractor a whole lot more. I have cleared out a lot of brush like you posted with my tractor. It took a long time and lots of burn piles. I even dug out some big stumps with my loader, just took a long time and lots of back and forth, side to side, and getting on and off the tractor and chopping roots with an axe. Then I had to push and grade all the dirt back over the hole. But again,it can be done and is rewarding once you start seeing the progress. It is a journey and will take many years if not a lifetime to get it the way you want it.

If you do decide to get a smaller tractor do not get a "entry level" one. Buy premium and get the bells and whistles. You will not regret it. You can also add attachments later on as you go along. My neighbor has all kinds of tractors, barns, tools and equipment. I asked him one day how he got all that stuff. He looked me straight in the eye and said "years and years of hard work". I truly hope that you can find what works for you. It can be down right frustrating trying to purchase the "right" tractor. I will tell you this, if i could afford it I would get a bigger tractor and a backhoe, but I don't regret for one minute buying the tractor I have now. If I could afford a bigger tractor I would still keep the one I have now. It has been a great tool for my property and has never let me down. I wish you all the best in your decision on buying a tractor.

By the way: Former Seabee here. Gulfport MS. Hoo RAHH!!!

 

[jenkinsph]

I would want a 2000 lb. fel rating to work with 1000-1200 lb. in the woods. Big difference in loading and stress on the machine working in the woods vs, working on a firm parking lot.

 

[Rick in MS]

Hello Rick, We may be close to each other from your distance to Toomey. I also see you found an ls dealer. I have an ls and an old david brown . From my little experience most of the comments are correct. the old db has more weight and feels better when weight as heavy logs are connected. the ls seems to be a good machine so far,just little under weight. both are 50ish hp havnt had issue with either with 6ft hog in tall thick grass.

I'm on Mount Pleasant Road.

May take Friday off and drive to Columbia. Watts Brothers Implement & Supply shows they carry Kioti, Mahindra & Massey Ferguson with a separate Kubota dealership.

 

[Rick in MS]

Rick in MS,

I am new to this website (as far as actually posting) but have been around tractors for quite a while (by no means an expert). I base most of my information on the experiences I have had throughout my years of tractor ownership (have made a lot of stupid decisions, but learned from them). I am quite interested in the threads on here about purchasing tractors and most of my posts have been in this forum. I guess the reason is, I never used a tool like this site for buying my tractor (and it is a great tool). I talked mostly with my Dad and some cousins that farm. I drove all over the place and looked at every color tractor out there. I ended up buying a 40 HP tractor for using on 6 acres. Trust me when I tell you a 40 HP tractor is not to big for your land.

The only problem I see you having is justifying the price of a new 40 HP and up tractor. They are EXPENSIVE and you will probably have that payment for somewhere around 4 to 7 years (350 to 550 a month probably). It is a lot to think about and consider. It should be taken seriously and you are doing the homework. A smaller tractor will do the jobs you are talking about. It will just involve a lot more chainsaw work and getting on and off the tractor a whole lot more. I have cleared out a lot of brush like you posted with my tractor. It took a long time and lots of burn piles. I even dug out some big stumps with my loader, just took a long time and lots of back and forth, side to side, and getting on and off the tractor and chopping roots with an axe. Then I had to push and grade all the dirt back over the hole. But again,it can be done and is rewarding once you start seeing the progress. It is a journey and will take many years if not a lifetime to get it the way you want it.

If you do decide to get a smaller tractor do not get a "entry level" one. Buy premium and get the bells and whistles. You will not regret it. You can also add attachments later on as you go along. My neighbor has all kinds of tractors, barns, tools and equipment. I asked him one day how he got all that stuff. He looked me straight in the eye and said "years and years of hard work". I truly hope that you can find what works for you. It can be down right frustrating trying to purchase the "right" tractor. I will tell you this, if i could afford it I would get a bigger tractor and a backhoe, but I don't regret for one minute buying the tractor I have now. If I could afford a bigger tractor I would still keep the one I have now. It has been a great tool for my property and has never let me down. I wish you all the best in your decision on buying a tractor.

By the way: Former Seabee here. Gulfport MS. Hoo RAHH!!!

My wife was a SeaBee - a UT.

I spent about half of my Naval career out of Norfolk. I loved riding my motorcycle in the country North of Hampton - Colonial Parkway, Yorktown, Jamestown across the James River Ferry. Through Surry, Waverly and Wakefield before going back to Virginia Beach.

I may have to scale back my land clearing slightly and/or work a little longer to accomplish it but I already have stuff piling up: two large mounds of dirt where the septic tank was dug(some of which could really be used at the other end of the driveway to fill in holes & ruts), the driveway is rutted and getting worse, and the grass is continuing to grow.

Yes, these tractors are expensive and unfortunately financing will be a necessary evil for me on this purchase. I don't want to purchase based on a price point but I'm not going to mess myself up with more of a payment than is necessary.

 

[cat fever]

Rick,
Do yourself a favor and give Kioti a good look. I was looking a couple years ago. Looked at several brands, for the money and capabilities of the tractor the Kioti won out for me. I have not had one issue with it thus far. I realize your needs are different than mine. ( hay and farming type work)
All in all I think any brand of tractor will suit your needs but at least get the most tractor for the money. :2cents:

 

[Rick in MS]

Rick,
Do yourself a favor and give Kioti a good look. I was looking a couple years ago. Looked at several brands, for the money and capabilities of the tractor the Kioti won out for me. I have not had one issue with it thus far. I realize your needs are different than mine. ( hay and farming type work)
All in all I think any brand of tractor will suit your needs but at least get the most tractor for the money. :2cents:

:thumbsup:

 

[cbth]

I'm off Wayne Lee on ccc rd. About 4 miles north. I understand not wanting to "overbuy" my opinion I would stay at least 40+hp and full size. Wish you luck.. If I can help yell out

 

[Steve1300]

I got rid of my little BX when I bought my MX. Now, I wish I had a smaller one but not as small as my old BX. There seems to be an advantage of having a tractor do something that can be done by a smaller one without removing my backhoe each time. I know it would be overkill according to some, but there is something to be said for convenience. I am considering a 2301 to replace the BX2200.

 

[Rick in MS]

So, I took off Friday and took the wife on a 200 mile road-trip to look at tractors.

We started at a Kubota dealer where we were recommended the L3301. They then let the wife drive both a HST and a gear-drive transmission. She definitely preferred the HST but said the gear-drive would not be a deal-breaker. No small Grand L's on the lot.

We then went to a Massey Ferguson/Mahindra/Kioti dealer. This dealership recommended a HP range and then took us around to show what he had on the lot. He recommended 35-45 HP and we started with the Kioti CK4010. Again, she drove both the HST and the gear-drives. HST was the preferred tranny again.

Then we moved to the Massey 1739E, gear-drive only on the lot. A nice tractor. But then he showed us a 1736 with 12x12 Power Shuttle. Even though it wasn't HST, she really liked this tractor - from the fit & finish, to the electro-hydraulic soft-start PTO, to the loader control location, to the seat. Oh, and the neutral position on the PTO to allow the shaft to be turned by hand, she liked that, too. She was very comfortable with the Power Shuttle - if not more so than the HST she was as comfortable.

We then went to a Kubota/New Holland dealer. This dealer only wanted to sell us a L3901. Whether they had one on the lot or not, I don't know, but he never offered to show a New Holland CUT.

None of the Kubota dealers we visited had a L3560 or 4060 and they really didn't seem interested in having one. They also pushed gear-drives more than HSTs.

We both liked the fit & finish of the Massey more than any of the other specific tractors we looked at.

So, apples to not quite apples, we received the following quotes:
L3301 HST, Ag tires, LA525 FEL with SSQA bucket - $22,150
L3901 HST, Ind tires, LA525 FEL with SSQA bucket - $22,575
MF 1736 Power Shuttle, Ag tires, DL125 FEL with SSQA bucket - $24,500
LS XR3037H, Ag tires, LL4102 FEL with SSQA bucket - $19,895

The Massey dealer also offered to deliver the tractor for free - a little over 100 miles one way.

 

[Tractorable]

Where's Mahindra on your list? They tend to be heavy for their size and affordable. The new Yanmar YT235 is a nice unit as well.