Buying Advice Need/want a new tractor

[ArmyDoc]

A little background first. I have ~190 acres, mostly planted pine, ~20 acres recently cleared and planted in bahahia, but still a bit rough / uneven. Plan is to convert the pine to more pasture over time - likely silvopasture with 40-60 ft strips between trees. Land has about a 2-3% grade with only a few areas that are steep, and I don't plan to work those any time soon.

I bought my first tractor 4-5 years ago (1970's MF 245) I believe its 45hp. I have a 6 ft bushhog, 5 ft spring harrow, 5 ft disk harrow, a post-auger, and a small box blade. I've learned a lot on that old tractor. I find it a bit small for what I need to do, and I really want a CAB. (I work indoors so the heat past about 85 is just too much for me).

Anyhow, I'm looking at getting a new tractor. I've been told having a dealer near by is a key concern. The Case IH dealer is about 18 miles from here, the John Deere dealer is about 25 miles. The New Holland dealer is ~30 miles, as is Kubota. There's a mahindra dealership about 35 miles away. So lots to choose from.

I want a front end loader - don't have one and wish I did. I have about 750ft of drive way. I have used the box blade, but it's narrow (4ft) and a real hassle to get change between what ever I have on the tractor (usually a bush-hog). I'm hoping it is easier to change implements on the newer tractors? I was thinking a FEL would be better for up-keeping the driveway and also help me with moving things around the farm. We have a lot of brush in the 1-2 inch range. The small tractor struggles through that, though the bush-hog will tear it up. I've read about FEL based cutters, but don't know if that's an option. Most require a 15+ gph hydrolic system. Eventually I'd like to upgrade to a bigger bush-hog. Not really planning on haying the pastures right now, but I guess that is a consideration down the road.

I was told to look in the 75-100hp by some of my friends (one says 75 is pleanty the other says get a 100 and you won't regret it). I am suffering from option overload, and don't really know where to start.

What size tractor do you recommend?
Of the dealers I mentioned, Case, John Deere, New Holland, Kubota and Mahindra, what do you recommend, and why?
Is there a line that stands out to you?
Are there other considerations I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance...

 

[sea2summit]

Deere's foreign made tractors in the 75+ HP range seem to be a pretty good bargain. I must say I've been tempted and I'm hard corps orange.

I've got a MX5800 on 27 acres near Columbus and it does what I need done but there are days I wish a I had a dedicated excavator or a skid steer. Have you considered two pieces of equipment? An L or MX with a loader is probably going to be more handy than a 100+ HP tractor because it wont tear up your lawn as much and maneuvering it will also be easier. If your loader work is in a fairly limited portion of your property at one time or if you're doing a lot of heavy lifting I'd for sure get a skid steer.

1-2" saplings wouldn't be noticed by my MX if I knock them over with a loader then run the brush hog over them, but you're not going to do it with a county line cutter you need something heavy duty.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

To save a lot of time, will you tell us what an honest budget is? This can make a HUGE difference with what recommendations are-should be made.

I say this because years ago a guy asks similar questions, but says he has a 20K budget. Then out of the blue he spends 100K plus on just the tractor. :shocked: By doing that, everything was just wasted time for everyone. Might have been no big deal for that OP, but for everyone that was actually trying to help the guy, it was just a slap in the face.

It goes the other way also, people make recommendations in the 40-60K range and it ends up that you can only spend 30K.

List out some parameters and it helps you and everyone trying to help you.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Are you planning on keeping the MF for "smaller" work? Like near the house or yard area? I'd think about 2 tractors, a small one for light duty chores, and a larger one (50-75 hp) for the pasture work.

 

[newbury]

A little background first. I have ~190 acres, mostly planted pine, ~20 acres recently cleared and planted in bahahia, but still a bit rough / uneven. Plan is to convert the pine to more pasture over time - likely silvopasture with 40-60 ft strips between trees. Land has about a 2-3% grade with only a few areas that are steep, and I don't plan to work those any time soon.

I bought my first tractor 4-5 years ago (1970's MF 245) I believe its 45hp. I have a 6 ft bushhog, 5 ft spring harrow, 5 ft disk harrow, a post-auger, and a small box blade. I've learned a lot on that old tractor. I find it a bit small for what I need to do, and I really want a CAB. (I work indoors so the heat past about 85 is just too much for me).

Anyhow, I'm looking at getting a new tractor. I've been told having a dealer near by is a key concern. The Case IH dealer is about 18 miles from here, the John Deere dealer is about 25 miles. The New Holland dealer is ~30 miles, as is Kubota. There's a mahindra dealership about 35 miles away. So lots to choose from.

I want a front end loader - don't have one and wish I did. I have about 750ft of drive way. I have used the box blade, but it's narrow (4ft) and a real hassle to get change between what ever I have on the tractor (usually a bush-hog). I'm hoping it is easier to change implements on the newer tractors? I was thinking a FEL would be better for up-keeping the driveway and also help me with moving things around the farm. We have a lot of brush in the 1-2 inch range. The small tractor struggles through that, though the bush-hog will tear it up. I've read about FEL based cutters, but don't know if that's an option. Most require a 15+ gph hydrolic system. Eventually I'd like to upgrade to a bigger bush-hog. Not really planning on haying the pastures right now, but I guess that is a consideration down the road.

I was told to look in the 75-100hp by some of my friends (one says 75 is pleanty the other says get a 100 and you won't regret it). I am suffering from option overload, and don't really know where to start.

What size tractor do you recommend?
Of the dealers I mentioned, Case, John Deere, New Holland, Kubota and Mahindra, what do you recommend, and why?
Is there a line that stands out to you?
Are there other considerations I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance...

I bolded some of the pertinent facts. But as:

To save a lot of time, will you tell us what an honest budget is? This can make a HUGE difference with what recommendations are-should be made.

I say this because years ago a guy asks similar questions, but says he has a 20K budget. Then out of the blue he spends 100K plus on just the tractor. :shocked: By doing that, everything was just wasted time for everyone. Might have been no big deal for that OP, but for everyone that was actually trying to help the guy, it was just a slap in the face.

It goes the other way also, people make recommendations in the 40-60K range and it ends up that you can only spend 30K.

List out some parameters and it helps you and everyone trying to help you.

he wrote, more info would help.

However based on the info given and your handle I think 100HP would be overkill. For example a Kubota M6 is about 100HP and tricked out with FEL etc would probably run $80K.

Even 75HP might be overkill.

From your info - 190 acres, silvo culture, long driveway a nice 60HP range model should handle most of your needs.

 

[bigbull338]

ok you want a cab 4x4 with loader.the more ground you convert to pasture the bigger tractor you need.i rogh priced a 110hp kubota and case tractor.both with cab loader 4x4 hydro shuttle was $63.000 new.i ended up trading for a 110a.i traded a 7040su rops 4x4 fel and $19.000.

 

[cat fever]

I think you would be happy with 65-75 HP tractor. If your future plans are to hay and make the big 1 ton bales then 100 HP is something to consider. One thing I would recommend is getting a tractor that has the instructor/buddy seat. Kids or grandkids need a place to sit.

 

[ericm979]

Telescoping lower links and stabilizers makes changing implements easier. A quick hitch makes it even easier but not all implements fit.

You will want implements sized to match the new tractor so don't forget to include them in the budget.

You only need to be near a dealer if you're using the dealer a lot. If you do your own maintenance and don't have warranty issues or major repairs that are beyond your knowledge or tools, you don't need to go to the dealer at all.

 

[Streetcar]

Are you planning on keeping the MF for "smaller" work? Like near the house or yard area? I'd think about 2 tractors, a small one for light duty chores, and a larger one (50-75 hp) for the pasture work.

Two tractors are great. Close good dealer is more important to a new tractor operator

 

[rusty842]

I think a 60-75 would be a good size. I wouldn't have anything other than a John Deere or a Kubota. When I was looking at ROPS tractors it seemed the Kubota had more creature comforts than the John Deere did but I figure that's not true with a cab tractor.

A bad dealer can ruin any brand tractor you get. Talk to people around you and see how the dealer service stacks up.

4x4 is a must if you get a FEL IMO.

I personally hate this new emission stuff so I would buy used before I bought new. Everyone I talk too say the new tractors burn more fuel because of the emissions. I know for a fact the Diesel Pickups use way more fuel with the emission equipment.

 

[atsah]

With that much property you want to do the new tractor thing right the first time. My brother has 250 acres that he hays and works in one way or another, he has a 75hp JD 4x4 with a loader for some things and he has a 110hp 2wd tractor for the heavy haying equipment. It's tough to have one tractor that does it all but if I had to have only one it would have 85-100hp, that would pretty much cover your bases.

 

[bigbull338]

as said the buddy seat is great.my tractor doesnt have the buddy seatnor does it have sirusxm radio wich id love to have.you also have to remember a cab tractor eats hp.by that i mean it takes 10hp to run everything in the cab.

 

[ArmyDoc]

To save a lot of time, will you tell us what an honest budget is? This can make a HUGE difference with what recommendations are-should be made.

I say this because years ago a guy asks similar questions, but says he has a 20K budget. Then out of the blue he spends 100K plus on just the tractor. :shocked: By doing that, everything was just wasted time for everyone. Might have been no big deal for that OP, but for everyone that was actually trying to help the guy, it was just a slap in the face.

It goes the other way also, people make recommendations in the 40-60K range and it ends up that you can only spend 30K.

List out some parameters and it helps you and everyone trying to help you.

Tenative budget is $50k. That makes me really nervous. I can afford it, but I don't want to spend that kind of cash and then have a machine that won't do what I need, or that is costing me in repairs. I bought my 245 for just $5k with implements (except the bushhog - that I bought later) I had to put $4k into repairs (was expecting 2, but more was wrong than expected) It runs great now, but I keep breaking things. I tore off the right break pedal somewhere, and can't find it, or a replacement. I've broken the L brackets to the steps (they're 45 years old, I think it's just stress fatigue) but it's a pain to find replacements. I don't want to be having to hassle with that anymore, which is why I'm thinking about a new machine.

I could probably stretch to 60k, but would really like to keep it under $50k. Wife seems good with that, so its a pretty solid number.

 

[ArmyDoc]

Are you planning on keeping the MF for "smaller" work? Like near the house or yard area? I'd think about 2 tractors, a small one for light duty chores, and a larger one (50-75 hp) for the pasture work.

I've been debating that. We don't really have much to do around the house - can do it with the push mower easy. Someday might get a zero-turn when the mower dies. There are two 1/2 acre pastures on either side of the house that the smaller tracter might be better for. And a smaller tractor might be better for keeping the fire breaks up because it isn't very wide. On the other hand, maybe I should just make it wider, since I haven't been doing the upkeep on it I should due to no cab on the smaller tractor and repars...

 

[ArmyDoc]

Telescoping lower links and stabilizers makes changing implements easier. A quick hitch makes it even easier but not all implements fit.

You will want implements sized to match the new tractor so don't forget to include them in the budget.

You only need to be near a dealer if you're using the dealer a lot. If you do your own maintenance and don't have warranty issues or major repairs that are beyond your knowledge or tools, you don't need to go to the dealer at all.

Lol. I wish I could, but I think I'm slowly learning my limits. I'm definitely not a mechanic. My handle is ArmyDoc because that's what I am, I just work at the VA now instead of in the Army. I had hopes my son would be interested in the farm, since he works at a large truck service center, but his interests are more towards the welding end, and he's not much interest in the farm. Thankfully, he will do metal work for me if I bust something too bad... just takes a bit of time to fit it into his schedule.

 

[ArmyDoc]

With that much property you want to do the new tractor thing right the first time....

exactly.

 

[rbtjr]

Tenative budget is $50k. That makes me really nervous. I can afford it, but I don't want to spend that kind of cash and then have a machine that won't do what I need, or that is costing me in repairs. I bought my 245 for just $5k with implements (except the bushhog - that I bought later) I had to put $4k into repairs (was expecting 2, but more was wrong than expected) It runs great now, but I keep breaking things. I tore off the right break pedal somewhere, and can't find it, or a replacement. I've broken the L brackets to the steps (they're 45 years old, I think it's just stress fatigue) but it's a pain to find replacements. I don't want to be having to hassle with that anymore, which is why I'm thinking about a new machine.

I could probably stretch to 60k, but would really like to keep it under $50k. Wife seems good with that, so its a pretty solid number.

Like another poster above, we have a Kubota MX5800 and really like it. We have also had a MF 245, a Kubota 54 hp and a Kubota L3800. Aside from the size issue you are addressing, my only feedback is that if I were you I would get 4WD, an HST transmission, and a FEL with hydraulics so you can operate a grapple and/or a 4-in-1 bucket. To me, those features greatly increase flexibility, utility and ease of operation.

 

[ArmyDoc]

Thanks for the input everyone. It sounds like the consensus is that something around 75hp will be enough for my needs. Any more thoughts on brand? I stopped by the Case dealership yesterday (nothings open, but they are closest and I figured I could look at what was on the lot.) They have a 75C with loader for about $47k. Good grief these things are beasts compaired to my little MF245.

So far JD and Kubota have been recommended. Can you tell me why? I have a friend who started with Kubota, loved it at first but recently switched to JD. He says it's better, but I remember how he raved about the Kubota when he first got it, and I can't help but thing recent purchases are always the best thing out there.

 

[ArmyDoc]

Like another poster above, we have a Kubota MX5800 and really like it. We have also had a MF 245, a Kubota 54 hp and a Kubota L3800. Aside from the size issue you are addressing, my only feedback is that if I were you I would get 4WD, an HST transmission, and a FEL with hydraulics so you can operate a grapple and/or a 4-in-1 bucket. To me, those features greatly increase flexibility, utility and ease of operation.

Thanks for the specific recommendations regarding options - hadn't much thought about that aspect yet. Do you think I should get the 4 in 1 bucket right off then? Or do you switch between the two?

 

[atsah]

In the HP range your looking at my vote would go to JD, JMO..