Buying Advice First tractor recommendations

[bboyette]

After stalking posts on this forum for a while I figured I would finally make my first post with the hope of some advice from those more experieanced than I (Which will be most anyone on here).

I am located in North florida on 5 acres of flat mostly cleared land. There is a 1/2 long road/driveway from the hard road to my house which is mostly dirt with some limerock. I share this road with one neighbor and a cattle farm and it takes a beating throughout the year. The initial primary purpose of a tractor would be to fix and maintain the road and my driveway. Within the next year I hope to fence off 2-4 acres and turn it into pasture and would use the tractor to manage that as well as the assorted work and gardening. The land seems to be mostly rock free and there are only a few stumps I am working on removing. I would have to have a Box blade and would love to have a FEL and tiller.


There is a possibility I could acquire 10-21 acres of adjacent property (mostly pasture) if the right opportunity presents itself.

So I have had several questions:

1. whether I should purchase an older model tractor that I can probably do most of the work/repairs on myself (except hydraulics) for a few thousand bucks and just hope I dont get a lemon? Or fianace a new tractor for significantly more but would have more features and warranty? (Additionally most of the old tractors I find around here don't have FEL's which isn't a deal breaker but I would love to have one)

2. While I would like a 35-40 HP tractor, would something in the 25HP range get done what I need at a reduced price?


I have JD, Kubota, TYM, RK, dealers all within a short distance but I have had a negative experience at the JD place. I was leaning toward either the RK24 or RK37 or equivilent TYM if I decided to do new.


I have located a few Ford 3000's around me that may work out for the right price.

Ive only had one cup of coffee this AM so I hope some of this made sense. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[jeff9366]

I am located in North florida on 5 acres of flat mostly cleared land. There is a 1/2 long road/driveway from the hard road to my house which is mostly dirt with some limerock. I share this road with one neighbor and a cattle farm and it takes a beating throughout the year. The initial primary purpose of a tractor would be to fix and maintain the road and my driveway. Within the next year I hope to fence off 2-4 acres and turn it into pasture and would use the tractor to manage that as well as the assorted work and gardening. The land seems to be mostly rock free and there are only a few stumps I am working on removing. I would have to have a Box blade and would love to have a FEL and tiller.


2. While I would like a 35-40 HP tractor, would something in the 25HP range get done what I need at a reduced price?

The most efficient way to shop for tractors is to define potential tractor applications first, then determine bare tractor weight necessary to safely accomplish your applications. Your primary application is road maintenance for which tractor and implement weight are key.

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Heavier tractor weight is more important for most tractor applications than increased tractor horsepower. Bare tractor weight is a tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used.

Within subcompact and compact tractor categories, a significant tractor capability increase requires a bare tractor weight increase of 50%. It takes a 100% increase in bare tractor weight to elicit MY-OH-MY!

Shop your weight range within tractor brands. Budget will eliminate some choices. Collect a dealer brochure for each tractor model in your weight range. I spreadsheet tractor and implement specs, often a revealing exercise. I have a column for cost per pound.

Most tractors under 3,000 pounds bare weight operate in residential or hobby farm applications on one to ten flat acres. Tractors under 3,000 pounds bare weight will enter a residential garage with an 84" header, with the tractor ROPS down.



I suggest buying a tractor with a bare tractor weight of at least 2,600 pounds and at least 12" of ground clearance. Tractors in this weight range are available with engine power outputs of 24-horsepower through 40-horsepower. Tractors in this weight range with <25-horsepower are exempt from costly Tier IV pollution control technology. In Kubota's line these are the models L2501, L3301 and L3901. All the same tractor. L2501 naturally aspirated engine, L3301 and L3901 sport turbocharged engines with more power output.
LINK: https://www.kubotausa.com/docs/default-source/brochure-sheets/l2501.pdf?sfvrsn=34e9b1d_8

When considering a tractor purchase, bare tractor weight first, tractor horsepower second and (narrowly) rear wheel ballast third.

(Usually, but sometimes not.)

 

[mddorange]

:welcome:
To the TBN forum. You have come to the right place as we love to spend other peoples money,

You will get a lot of differing opinions as to which tractor to buy.

No mater which tractor you finally decide on, go to the different dealers to drive as many different tractor as you can to get a feel for each one. This will help you to see the differences between each of them.

 

[jeff9366]

I have JD, Kubota, TYM, RK, dealers all within a short distance but I have had a negative experience at the JD place. I was leaning toward either the RK24 or RK37 or equivilent TYM if I decided to do new.


I have located a few Ford 3000's around me that may work out for the right price.

TYM makes Rural King's tractors. Rural King claims to be developing a tractor service center in Williston, Levy County, Florida but this service operation may not be operational for several years.

Our most knowledgeable Ford tractor contributor, SOUNDGUY, ordered a new RK earlier in December.

A quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important for tractor neophytes. Most new tractors are delivered with a glitch or two requiring correction. My kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment after seven years. Dealer proximity is less important for those experienced with tractors and qualified to perform their own maintenance.

Tractors used in ag or forestry operations may be sales tax exempt. Speak with the dealers about ag exemption qualifications as you shop. Florida is one of the more liberal states with ag sales tax exemptions.

 

[Jchonline]

For tasks I see: road maintenance (more weight is better), maybe mowing (more HP is better), soil preparation, some non specific dirt work, building fence, up to you to list others.

To me getting an older tractor is very much a personal choice.
If you love working on machines, then getting an older machine and doing your own work is of course fine. Just be sure you are ok with taking the time to work on it. If we are talking 10 years old or so, look for single owner, non-rental, low hours. Yes, these are often hard to find (think estate sales, craigslist, local ads). If older, just be ok with working on it!

The RK37 should be a good choice from a spec perspective, but they are relatively new to the market as a tractor brand. They have sold rebranded MF, maybe other in the past. My biggest concern is support longer term. They could be around for a long time, and they could decide to switch from TYM or stop selling tractors entirely. Only time will tell. Personally I am most concerned with dealer and parts support on these newer machines with all the electronics. I don't want a machine I cannot get parts for, or a dealer that is no t willing to work on a line of tractors they dont sell anymore. That said if this is not of concern to you, then go for it! I would just make sure the RK dealer is in fact a full service tractor repair center as well. Some Rural Kings sell tractors, but don't service them.

This size machine would give you room to grow, but not be big enough if you do stay at 5 acres. You could consider the Kubota L series, as these should be in the same range of price. Perhaps a few less HP on the Kubota to match pricing. L3301 or L2501? You really dont need the HP based on what you have described. A JD 3 series would be the equivalent there, but as you mentioned the negative experience...I am only suggesting as to not be partial to one brand. TYM builds the RK tractors.

 

[Tractorable]

Welcome to the forum bboyette!

What’s the budget?

 

[bboyette]

First off, thanks for the lightning fast responses.

While interested in the RK I am most definitely concerned that there may be problems with service and parts. The service staff in my local RK are very reassuring but talk is cheap.

The Kubota may be a safer choice if they can get close to the price.

For a cash tractor the best I can probably do is $6k. The main limiting factor here is the timeline. I will have to do something one way or the other by the first half of next year. The drive is really bad and has even been impassable to none 4x4 vehicles a few time since April.

Acquiring financing for a new one wont be a problem but I want to keep the price to around $15-20k or less than $300 a month.

I will definitely have to look into the weight for the various models.

 

[jeff9366]

While interested in the RK I am most definitely concerned that there may be problems with service and parts. The service staff in my local RK are very reassuring but talk is cheap.

The Kubota may be a safer choice if they can get close to the price.

Acquiring financing for a new one wont be a problem but I want to keep the price to around $15-20k or less than $300 a month.

$20,000 enough for an L2501 with a Loader, especially if you qualify to purchase sales tax exempt.

 

[blacklion66]

Buy used 20-25 hp as someone said graigs list estate sales. take someone with you that knows tractors.

In the distant future if you decided to buy a newer bigger tractor odds are you will make money on your purchase
and the experience gained will be worth more than your investment

Leave the new stuff for those that like keeping up with the Jones

 

[bboyette]

Location updated. And, yes, I am right around the corner.