Another confused first timer

[Hoodoo]

Well here's the story....I have a 5 acre place in N Central Az. All flat, about 2 acres is horse pasture. Well not grass pasture, but dirt and rock. The other 3 acres are 'grassy' but not nice grass. Plus there are spots with rocks that need to be cleared and always DG to spread. I currently have a riding mower, but the mower deck just crapped out, and I use it more for dragging and cleaning the pastures anyway. My neighbors are great and stop by to help out with stuff, but I really need my own tractor, most people around here use them almost every day for something.

So after much searching, I basically know nothing much more than when I started looking. What I do know is that tractors are expensive!

Here are my parameters: Decent HP (24?) - 4x4 - rear box scraper - front bucket - canopy - mower deck. Other than that I'm flexible. Budget is under $20k. I'd like to go new to get a warranty, plus most manufacturers are offering $0 down and 0% financing which makes it doable....

Brand choice is another matter. John Deere is way too pricey, Kubota is a possible, Yanmar also.
What should I know or do to get this going? I'd like to have one by next spring.

All advice appreciated!

 

[shooterdon]

You will get more tractor for the dollar with brands like LS, TYM etc etc

Visit dealers and test ride to see what you like. Shop the dealer as much as the machine. Look at their service facilities.

If you want a tractor in the spring, you may need to order months ahead. The dealers will let you know current lead times...expect those lead times to get worse.

 

[nikerret]

Where are you?

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Where are you?

He said he was in N central Arizona......

 

[nikerret]

He said he was in N central Arizona......

Yes. Yes he did. My bad.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

There are many brands out there to research..... I know what you mean about confusing choices. When I was shopping, JD and Kubota were 'no go' due to them being $5-6K more than other tractors like LS, TYM, Branson, etc.

A 24/25 hp subcompact would definitely do what you need. Also, just a few dollars more can get you into a small compact which is more capable in lift capacity and weight (which is your friend).

Your area is probably very similar to mine as far as grass and dirt. I originally had an LS SCUT, used it for 2 years/ 220 hours, without any problems and I worked it really, really hard. I sold it for $500 less than what I paid for it. My second tractor is also an LS, same HP, but probably twice the size and weight.

For the mower, skip a mid mount or belly mower.... they are about 2-3 times more expensive than a 3 point mower. You can get either a finish mower or rough cut mower for the 3 point. I use a 6' finish mower on our 5 acres to cut the "field grass", small yuccas, and even cactus.

Good luck with your search... there are not too many tractors sitting on the dealers lots these days.

 

[m1garand762]

You get what you pay for. Stick to a brand with some history and a serious presence in your area stay away from economy brands and keep it Deere Massey new Holland or kubota if you want to be able to get parts and have some resale on your machine. These guys that go no name China and Korea brands and going to all be complaining in 10 years when they can’t get parts for the cheap tractor

 

[oosik]

I agree. Look at brands with some history. A good tractor and normal maintenance will last a life time. Look for a dealership with a good service department. Spend some time talking to the service dept manager. Generally speaking - salesmen will be talking pie-in-the-sky - service dept manager deals with the unit where the rubber meets the dirt.

 

[sea2summit]

What types of things do you need the tractor to do? Just mowing?

 

[jeff9366]

I have a 5 acres in N Central Az. All flat, about 2 acres is horse pasture. Well not grass pasture, but dirt and rock. The other 3 acres are 'grassy' but not nice grass.

Plus there are spots with rocks that need to be cleared and always DG (?) to spread.

Here are my parameters: Decent HP (24?) - 4x4 - rear box scraper - front bucket - canopy - mower deck. Other than that I'm flexible. Budget is under $20k. I'd like to go new to get a warranty, plus most manufacturers are offering $0 down and 0% financing which makes it doable....

Your parameters include tractors with a bare tractor weight varying from 1,700 pounds to 2,800 pounds. Tractor capability is more closely correlated to tractor weight than any other specification. Tractors weighing 1,700 to 2,000 pounds typically come with a mid-PTO to operate mid-mount-mowers. Heavier tractors forego the mid-PTO but are wider and have larger wheels, making them more stable platforms for heavier work over uneven ground.

Bare tractor weight is a fundamental tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used. 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 which cuts through specification clutter.


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