1st time tractor buyer

[jeff9366]

If you have not sat on a Kubota L2501, I would recommend that as a great first tractor, not too big and heavy. You can still move it with a 1/2 ton pickup truck. Anything larger and you'll need 3/4 ton to a one ton truck to move it. Big is not always better. In the woods, small and nimble wins.

Most tractors under 3,000 pounds bare weight are operated in residential applications on one to five fairly flat acres. These "residential tractors" fit in a typical garage.

Kubota L2501 = 2,623 pounds, bare tractor, with three range (3) HST and 4-WD.
One hundred cubic inch displacement, 25-horsepower engine; somewhat loud.

L2501 does not take a belly mower. If will take a Three Point Hitch mounted Finish Mower.

Likely will fit in your small garage.

I speculate L2501 was Kubota's hightest volume machine in USA during 2017.

 

[WVH1977]

Not sure how close you are to Syracuse, but my friends dad has a new holland work master 55 like this one and is very happy with it. Just something else that might be worth looking into.


213 NEW HOLLAND 55 WORKMASTER TRACTOR W/LOADER - farm & garden - by owner - sale

 

[Tractorable]

Here's a Kubota L3560 TLB just a few miles away from you. Superb machine:

TractorHouse.com | 213 KUBOTA L356HST For Sale

 

[Tomhanx]

Thanks everyone for all the replies yesterday. Given me a lot to re-consider, and a lot of new things to look at. It definitely sounds like, to get something that will work best here, I'm going to have to up my budget a little bit, or get lucky and find a good deal on craigslist or the local paper. Spent some time last night looking at the L2501 online, and even found one in PA that looks like it might be a good deal. TractorHouse.com | 217 KUBOTA L251HST For Sale

I need to figure out what some comparable size models are from other brands (Massey, JD, etc), so when I have time to spend another day driving around and looking at dealers, I know what to be on the lookout for.

 

[tonyq60]

If you need to mow turf take that option off the list and seek out a used commercial mower for that task.

Many can be picked up for good price then some rehab to get in good working owner for private use.

Mowing turf is not really compatible with a tractor suitable for the other tasks you need.

 

[4570Man]

I think a subcompact is way too small. I think at very minimum you need an L series or equivalent for ground clearance. 40 hp or bigger is more in line. And toss the MMM. They suck.

 

[jeff9366]

Thanks everyone for all the replies yesterday. Given me a lot to re-consider, and a lot of new things to look at. It definitely sounds like, to get something that will work best here, I'm going to have to up my budget a little bit, or get lucky and find a good deal on craigslist or the local paper. Spent some time last night looking at the L2501 online, and even found one in PA that looks like it might be a good deal. TractorHouse.com | 217 KUBOTA L251HST For Sale

Need to figure out what some comparable size models are from other brands (Massey, JD, etc), so when I have time to spend another day looking at dealers, I know what to look for.

Now that you know the L2501/HST weight, comparing tractor models across tractor brands should be easy.

Kubota L2501 = 2,623 pounds, bare tractor, with three range (3) HST and 4-WD.
One hundred cubic inch displacement, 25-horsepower engine.



You need a tractor with at least 3,500 pounds bare tractor weight. You really need 4,000 pounds bare tractor weight.

 

[Tractorable]

IMO, toss the MMM and the backhoe to reduce costs and get a larger heavier tractor. Rent a mini excavator for digging tasks. Mow the lawn with a riding mower or zero turn. You're going to need a multi-machine approach to manage 120 acres.

 

[jeff9366]

IMO, toss the MMM and the backhoe to reduce costs and get a larger heavier tractor. Rent a mini excavator for digging tasks. Mow the lawn with a riding mower or zero turn. You're going to need a multi-machine approach to manage 120 acres.

"There's about 30 acres that I would call arable AND reasonably flat."

 

[teg]

...found one in PA that looks like it might be a good deal. TractorHouse.com | 217 KUBOTA L251HST For Sale...

Take your time, that L2501 is pretty good New is $29k (at 50 hours, basically "almost" new). Have you gone to build your own (to get prices) and roughly 12-15% off is good for brand new... Build My Kubota - Product Selection

View attachment 539817

 

[fried1765]

Thanks everyone for all the replies yesterday. Given me a lot to re-consider, and a lot of new things to look at. It definitely sounds like, to get something that will work best here, I'm going to have to up my budget a little bit, or get lucky and find a good deal on craigslist or the local paper. Spent some time last night looking at the L2501 online, and even found one in PA that looks like it might be a good deal. TractorHouse.com | 217 KUBOTA L251HST For Sale

I need to figure out what some comparable size models are from other brands (Massey, JD, etc), so when I have time to spend another day driving around and looking at dealers, I know what to be on the lookout for.

You asked for advice, but you seem to be very successfully ignoring it!
Follow Jeff's advice, unless you really want to buy TWO tractors!
Buy a tractor in the 3500-4000 lb. range!
40 or more HP!
Do you understand that the Kubota L2501 that you seem to be fixated on, weighs only 2600 lbs. and is 25HP?

 

[jeff9366]

Of your knowledgable respondents, I believe 90%+ would prefer to buy a used Kubota Grand L in good shape over a new L2501.

In 32-horsepower to 60-horsepower, 3,500 pound to 4,200 pound tractors, Kubota Grand Ls are the Gold Standard.

(But an L2501 will probably fit in your garage. ROPS height will be critical dimension.)

 

[teg]

You asked for advice, but you seem to be very successfully ignoring it!

...and you guys seem to ignore the first post where the OP said "...and would be <25k out the door?" Which company is giving away a 4000 pound tractor for 25k with a backhoe and FEL???

Do you even remember buying your FIRST tractor? He's easing into it... The fact that he's switched from a Sub-compact shows he's learning. That's why he's here...

 

[jeff9366]

TEG: See Post #10 and Post #23.

 

[teg]

I also want to add that the cost of my tractor is roughly only 2/3rds of the cost of the "package"... Add in a mower, box blade, rear blade, grapple, Top N Tilt hydraulics, etc. etc.... If you buy a 3 or 4,000 lbs tractor, the price of the package is even higher. :2cents:

I fully believe that having a small tractor and a very large (maybe even older model) with a larger batwing is in his future... ) :drink:

 

[teg]

Tomhanx, sorry for keep adding stuff... but you said you were a first time buyer and just wanted to let you know a couple things about tractor buying. If you've read this before, just skip it!!!!

A smaller tractor can do what a larger tractor does (for the most part) but it has to do it in smaller bites (read that as Slower) If you have the time, that's not a problem. If you have a business or are short on time... bigger is better.

Also, at least for kubota, there is the bare bones "economy" or Standard tractors (you can read that as cheap) but they also have "higher end" tractors called Grand L's they come at a cost... but it has nicer things about them.

You can get "more" tractor for the money if you go to another brand... resale might take a hit and there *might* be a chance of having problems (most tractors will have some issues!). I'll stop here but if you have more questions, fire away!

 

[2ndhalf]

Of your knowledgable respondents, I believe 90%+ would prefer to buy a used Kubota Grand L in good shape over a new L2501.

In 32-horsepower to 60-horsepower, 3,500 pound to 4,200 pound tractors, Kubota Grand Ls are the Gold Standard.

(But an L2501 will probably fit in your garage. ROPS height will be critical dimension.)

EGads he's keeping respondent stats now! Jeff your a sick man you know that right?

 

[fried1765]

...and you guys seem to ignore the first post where the OP said "...and would be <25k out the door?" Which company is giving away a 4000 pound tractor for 25k with a backhoe and FEL???

Do you even remember buying your FIRST tractor? He's easing into it... The fact that he's switched from a Sub-compact shows he's learning. That's why he's here...

Yup!
I sure do remember buying my first tractor!
It was a 1951 8N, and I bought it in 1971,(paid $800) it was 20 years old then,...and I STILL HAVE IT.
What the OP needs to learn is that he needs a proper sized tractor, but he certainly does NOT need a new tractor.
I bought a 16 year old 48HP Ford TLB in 1986 (paid $10,000 - had 1350 hrs.), and I still have that one.
That TLB is now freshly refurbished.
I also have a 1989 freshly refurbished 32HP Ford 1920 FEL (paid $9,500 - had 1050 hrs.), bought in 2013.
It appears that the OP has a champagne appetite, with a beer pocketbook, and is determined to buy .... NOT ENOUGH TRACTOR!

 

[fried1765]

EGads he's keeping respondent stats now! Jeff your a sick man you know that right?

YOU might not appreciate the tone of Jeff's commentary, but......
Jeff's recommendation is 100% CORRECT !!!

 

[Tomhanx]

So... I'm not ignoring anyone's advice. I'm not fixated on any specific brand or model. Jeff had mentioned the L2501 in a couple of his posts, explicitly stating it would probably fit in my garage, so yes, I spent some time the other night looking at the model online. I am hesitant to look at some of these MUCH bigger tractors that are being suggested, because 25k really is my limit, and that NEEDS to include the implements mentioned earlier. I also never once said that I'm buying new. I said I'm going to make another trip to some dealers...to sit on different machines, and continue doing research, so I have a better idea of what to look for online for used listings.

Jeff, I appreciate your help and some of the knowledge you've shared.
Teg, I appreciate your posts from yesterday, sounds like you better understand where I'm coming from, and my apprehension towards these much bigger machines.

But I really don't appreciate the attitude from other posters here. I came here to learn, not be insulted. I'll be looking elsewhere for advice.