Final thoughts before purchase in the 3500lb+ cab range?

[greginfinity]

So my tractor journey started here looking at something like a 1025r for basic yard maintenance, moving brush piles, dirt etc. As I looked into tractors, I started thinking about being able to clear some land, grade it, remove stumps, do snow removal etc. I was lucky enough to borrow a Kubota L4060 with backhoe last summer for a couple months and got a good idea of what I could do with a tractor, and what I couldn't do.

I quickly decided that I would want a cab, both for bugs/snow/heat, but also because I don't have space in a garage. I also realized that if I was going to spend $20k on something like a 1025r, I might as well jump up in size and get a more capable tractor.

My needs are: snow removal, clearing trees/brush on wooded land (and maybe chipping), grading cleared land, moving dirt for gardens, moving rock for landscaping etc. After renting a 13,000 lb mini excavator, I have talked myself out of paying the premium for a backhoe. The backhoe on the L4060 is nothing compared to a mini excavator. I am sure I there are a few tasks around the house where I would want one, but I can't justify the extra money.

Attachments: Loader, grapple, rear blower, box blade, (borrow a chipper)

The dealers around me are JD, Kubota, LS, New Holland, and a little further are TYM, McCormick, Bobcat. I am looking for something that is over 3000lbs with a cab.

Kubota - The dealer seems ok, although I think the tractors fly off the lot without any effort. An L3560 is about $37k and they have 0% for 84. I don't love the treadle but it is fine.
JD - Almost nothing on my local lot. Sister dealerships have 3 and 4 series but they are so expensive that I haven't bothered to go look.
LS - 0 tractors in stock locally. 2 hours away there is an MT357HC for $37k, and I think they have 4% for 84.
New Holland - Best customer experience so far, I know they are marked up LS tractors but the dealer seems solid but small (they mostly sell large construction equipment). There is a Boomer 40 (same as XR3140) for $34k, or Boomer 45 (same as MT347HC) for $38k. I HATE the gear shifter on the MT3 sized tractor, it is right against your right knee, next to the loader joystick. Terrible design. They have 0% for 60.
TYM - Such an odd dealership, they sell tons of recreational type products, and have a pretty huge operation of RVs, trailers, boats, etc. They were nice enough, but the TYM products don't seem polished. Definitely the cheapest option, but I don't want to deal with them if I have any issues.
McCormick - No HST on the lot, but the tractors look nice!
Bobcat - No call back and no stock.

I am leaning towards the New Holland Boomer 40 (which is an XR3140). I know I am paying a little extra, but they are right down the road, and seem to have a good reputation. I'm not sure I love the loader being far out on the tractor, you gain visibility at the expense of max lifting load. I definitely like the old shifter location on these tractors, not how it is on the Boomer 45+. The little tires on the front worry me a little bit with traction and getting stuck, we do sometimes get soggy/muddy areas. Not sure if that should hold me back though. I also like that I get two rear remotes. Not sure I would ever use the mid-pto.

Any thoughts on anything I am missing?

Thanks for this great resource!

 

[sea2summit]

Guess my only thought would be the rear mounted snow blower, seems to be the largest task and the 40 has 34 PTO HP claimed? Not sure how large a blower your thinking or what kind of snow conditions but I'd probably look closely at that task and make sure you have enough power to do what you want with a blower.

Other than that it sounds like you got to cheat on the test borrowing a tractor long term and running a decent sized excavator

 

[fried1765]

So my tractor journey started here looking at something like a 1025r for basic yard maintenance, moving brush piles, dirt etc. As I looked into tractors, I started thinking about being able to clear some land, grade it, remove stumps, do snow removal etc. I was lucky enough to borrow a Kubota L4060 with backhoe last summer for a couple months and got a good idea of what I could do with a tractor, and what I couldn't do.

I quickly decided that I would want a cab, both for bugs/snow/heat, but also because I don't have space in a garage. I also realized that if I was going to spend $20k on something like a 1025r, I might as well jump up in size and get a more capable tractor.

My needs are: snow removal, clearing trees/brush on wooded land (and maybe chipping), grading cleared land, moving dirt for gardens, moving rock for landscaping etc. After renting a 13,000 lb mini excavator, I have talked myself out of paying the premium for a backhoe. The backhoe on the L4060 is nothing compared to a mini excavator. I am sure I there are a few tasks around the house where I would want one, but I can't justify the extra money.

Attachments: Loader, grapple, rear blower, box blade, (borrow a chipper)

The dealers around me are JD, Kubota, LS, New Holland, and a little further are TYM, McCormick, Bobcat. I am looking for something that is over 3000lbs with a cab.

Kubota - The dealer seems ok, although I think the tractors fly off the lot without any effort. An L3560 is about $37k and they have 0% for 84. I don't love the treadle but it is fine.
JD - Almost nothing on my local lot. Sister dealerships have 3 and 4 series but they are so expensive that I haven't bothered to go look.
LS - 0 tractors in stock locally. 2 hours away there is an MT357HC for $37k, and I think they have 4% for 84.
New Holland - Best customer experience so far, I know they are marked up LS tractors but the dealer seems solid but small (they mostly sell large construction equipment). There is a Boomer 40 (same as XR3140) for $34k, or Boomer 45 (same as MT347HC) for $38k. I HATE the gear shifter on the MT3 sized tractor, it is right against your right knee, next to the loader joystick. Terrible design. They have 0% for 60.
TYM - Such an odd dealership, they sell tons of recreational type products, and have a pretty huge operation of RVs, trailers, boats, etc. They were nice enough, but the TYM products don't seem polished. Definitely the cheapest option, but I don't want to deal with them if I have any issues.
McCormick - No HST on the lot, but the tractors look nice!
Bobcat - No call back and no stock.

I am leaning towards the New Holland Boomer 40 (which is an XR3140). I know I am paying a little extra, but they are right down the road, and seem to have a good reputation. I'm not sure I love the loader being far out on the tractor, you gain visibility at the expense of max lifting load. I definitely like the old shifter location on these tractors, not how it is on the Boomer 45+. The little tires on the front worry me a little bit with traction and getting stuck, we do sometimes get soggy/muddy areas. Not sure if that should hold me back though. I also like that I get two rear remotes. Not sure I would ever use the mid-pto.

Any thoughts on anything I am missing?

Thanks for this great resource!

A third function is a MUST, as well as two rear remotes!
I have a Kubota L48TLB with hyd. thumb, (originally from Union Farm Equip, in Union, ME), and find that I use my BH (not always for digging) almost as much as the loader.

 

[Williy]

If you have a Yanmar dealer in your area check out these tractors:

Hop on the tractor and test drive them before you make a decision
as this should give you a better idea of what you want and fit you
needs

willy

 

[greginfinity]

Fried, you aren't supposed to tell me you use the BH a lot! Now comes the second guessing!!!

Love the look of the Yanmar but the closest dealer was many hours away, a $50k price tag and a couple month delivery.

 

[WM75Guy]

The new NH Workmaster 55/65/75 series is made by NH in a joint venture in Turkey. It is a totally different tractor than the LS models. You might look at the WM 55 HP cab model for comparison. My WM 75 cab model was $46,000 last year, that included 3rd function, R4s, and wheel weights.

 

[Beaver Cove Deere]

Hey Bub,

Are you really set on new? I couldn't bring myself to pay for it and I waited till the implements I wanted were up for sale used. I don't blame you one bit on bagging the BH. Mini excavator is easily 10 times faster.
Between Hammond Tractor, Union Farm Equipment and Chappell in Milford I was able to save a pocket full of cash and the stuff I bought wasn't all beat to death. In fact it was all very light used and taken care of. The tractor was filthy in dirt, dust and wood chips but cleaned up really well and was much better than I expected when finished.
The only new thing I bought was the forks and 6 choker chains for the logging winch.

 

[greginfinity]

I am pretty set on new since the used market is crazy right now. I am not going to pay 80-90% of new for a tractor for one with 500+ hours. For instance:

2015 Kubota HST L3560 Tractor Loader - farm & garden - by dealer -...

2015 Kubota HST L3560 Tractor Loader - New LA 805 Loader with 72" Quick-Tach Bucket - One Owner - 317 HRS - Air & Heat Cab - Excellent condition - 36 HP

maine.craigslist.org

 

[fried1765]

Hey Bub,

Are you really set on new? I couldn't bring myself to pay for it and I waited till the implements I wanted were up for sale used. I don't blame you one bit on bagging the BH. Mini excavator is easily 10 times faster.
Between Hammond Tractor, Union Farm Equipment and Chappell in Milford I was able to save a pocket full of cash and the stuff I bought wasn't all beat to death. In fact it was all very light used and taken care of. The tractor was filthy in dirt, dust and wood chips but cleaned up really well and was much better than I expected when finished.
The only new thing I bought was the forks and 6 choker chains for the logging winch.

No doubt a ...... "mini excavator is easily 10 times faster".
How fast is it when you need to just dig two or three relatively small holes, and the mini is sitting in a rental yard, X miles away?

 

[Beaver Cove Deere]

No doubt a ...... "mini excavator is easily 10 times faster".
How fast is it when you need to just dig two or three relatively small holes, and the mini is sitting in a rental yard, X miles away?

I’ll plan my job around a time frame that works better. It’s at home. Not a job.

 

[RustyA]

Very happy with my Boomer 40 cab. Small front tires bothered me compared to Mahindra I was comparing it to. Cab is very quiet, ac is cold on a hot day and heater keeps windows clear at -20 with ac compressor engaged, which can't be done on many tractors. Loader visibility is great but had to rimguard rear tires to drive with loaded bucket. My only real complaint is 3pt lift isn't very high for loading/unloading from trailer. Hydraulics are very smooth. Rear wiper, cruise, mid-pto, and 2 remotes being standard were a big deal for me compared to other color tractors. I also have confidence my dealer will be there when I need them and have qualified techs and tools. Other Korean tractor dealers seemed sketchy in service at best. Kept my JD 1070 20 years and parts/service meant a lot to me.

 

[grsthegreat]

No doubt a ...... "mini excavator is easily 10 times faster".
How fast is it when you need to just dig two or three relatively small holes, and the mini is sitting in a rental yard, X miles away?

Problem is, in 26 years living on my place, I’ve rented an excavator 5 times. No use owing one.
now as an electrician I could have used a backhoe a lot, but I found it easier to hire an operator to dig while I followed behind placing pipe and wire. I didn’t have to haul equipment, I got job done faster and the homeowner paid for the ditch so who cares. Also no backhoe to maintain and insure.

ill bet you dollars for doughnuts 95% of the people with backhoes on their tractors just use them for counterweight. I mean really, how many holes do you dig unless you work at a cemetery.

 

[greginfinity]

So are the small front tires (T Rex) actually a problem or they just sort of look disproportionate? While clearance is better on a larger machine, I do like the feel of the lower center of gravity on the smaller size.

And I don't think I will use $8k worth of a backhoe. I would probably spend more time taking it on and off than using it. I am sure there will be times when I REALLY wish I had it, but I can work around that.

 

[grsthegreat]

Around here, I can rent a good sized mini ex for $500 a day delivered and picked up... and that includes 2 buckets and a hammer attachment. Not that I really ever need one much anymore. I was thinking one time about purchasing one years ago for my business, until I started working with a contractor that Own’s 2 of them for his business. Always working on them keeping them running. Mind you he uses the heck out of them, but they are high maintenance machines.

 

[sea2summit]

So are the small front tires (T Rex) actually a problem or they just sort of look disproportionate? While clearance is better on a larger machine, I do like the feel of the lower center of gravity on the smaller size.

And I don't think I will use $8k worth of a backhoe. I would probably spend more time taking it on and off than using it. I am sure there will be times when I REALLY wish I had it, but I can work around that.

Clearance doesn't mean nearly as much to me as a smoother ride from larger tires.

 

[fried1765]

Problem is, in 26 years living on my place, I’ve rented an excavator 5 times. No use owing one.
now as an electrician I could have used a backhoe a lot, but I found it easier to hire an operator to dig while I followed behind placing pipe and wire. I didn’t have to haul equipment, I got job done faster and the homeowner paid for the ditch so who cares. Also no backhoe to maintain and insure.

ill bet you dollars for doughnuts 95% of the people with backhoes on their tractors just use them for counterweight. I mean really, how many holes do you dig unless you work at a cemetery.

For me, it is not a question of backhoe economics, I always want to have a BH at my disposal,..... to make my life easier!
Those times needing an 11' BH (with thumb) come up more often that you might think,.....especially when you are 80 years old.
It is NOT all about digging!
At about 20 hours per year, my Kubota L48TLB maintenance is minimal, and replacement value insurance is included on my homeowners policy!

Example: Last year I dug out my old 1,000 gal. fibreglass underground fuel tank, and crushed it with the hoe and thumb. Then placed the debris in the bottom of my dump trailer.
Only other way, would have been to rent a mini for at least a day, and the mini would need to be delivered and returned, from 30+ miles away.
Would have been very pricey!

 

[dodge man]

The loader bucket does look like it’s out there a long ways. That can be good and bad. Bad because it does hurt how much you can lift. Good because if your dumping near the edge of a hole, it gets you back further, same thing if your clearing brush, further away is better.

Hard to compare because you are looking at a much bigger tractor than I own, but I owned a Kubota BX for several years and traded for a JD2025r. The JD is bigger and has a larger loader. When I went to dump something off the edge of a gully I noticed the JD seemed like I had to get closer. I looked up the specs and the loader bucket is closer on the JD than the Kubota, even if it is bigger. You may appreciate it being out farther.

 

[CoThG]

Fried, you aren't supposed to tell me you use the BH a lot! Now comes the second guessing!!!

Love the look of the Yanmar but the closest dealer was many hours away, a $50k price tag and a couple month delivery.

Wow. Way overpriced for what you are getting.

 

[5030]

One thing to keep in mid is... A rear mount blower is a power hog, especially in heavy, deep snow. I run an 80" Lucknow 2 stage on my M9000 Kubota (92 horse pto on the dyno) and my Lucknow uses every bit of it and then some of the snow is deep and not fluffy. I can make it smoke if I get in a rush and it's turbocharged too.

Way back when I had a 5030 HSTC (my screen name) and I had a Woods 36" 2 stage on that and even the Woods used every bit of horsepower the 5030 made (I think it was around 45 pto) and there were times it need more.

You need to consider that when buying anything. Blowers are power hogs.

The blower will be the biggest power eater of anything you want....

If the snow of light and fluffy, no issue. When it gets heavy there is always a power issue. and in Maine, at least northern Maine, there will be a lot of snow. Southern Maine, not so much.

Just my opinion from years of experience.

 

[fried1765]

Fried, you aren't supposed to tell me you use the BH a lot! Now comes the second guessing!!!

Love the look of the Yanmar but the closest dealer was many hours away, a $50k price tag and a couple month delivery.

I am sure that a backhoe is not for everybody, but I doubt very seriously that most who have BH's would now be willing to surrender them.
To put it into perspective, there are two more bits of BH information I should share.

#1) I am 80 years old, and do not try to pick things up that weigh more than 70 lbs., or wrestle around much more than 200lbs.
My yellow lab pup weighs 71 lbs. That is really all I can lift.
#2) My L48TLB hoe has an 11' dig depth, so it is a light construction type piece of equipment, and is able to lift, push, pull, or dig, substantially more than a 6' or 7' hoe.
I do also have the L48 loader with bucket, quality EA quality forks, and a medium duty generic grapple.
Sometimes though, only the BH will do the desired job (private).

My Kubota L48TLB will remain in my barn until I am firmly planted under ground,..... perhaps, it could even be used to dig that final hole for me.