1510D

[PWGflyboy]

I am considering purchasing my first tractor. I need something pretty small to pull a 3 ft tiller to keep a little over an acre clear of weeds between the rows of a crop. The rows are very close together so about 3 feet is my maximum width for a tractor and tiller. Actually, I need a much larger tractor to maintain roads, clear brush, etc. but that is another post. Since I have never owned a tractor, I have a few questions.

1. What do I look for when buying this tractor?
2. I am the least "wrenchy" guy in the world. Can I keep it running?

Since I really need a large tractor too, I thought I would start with a small version, maybe put a loader on it and see what it will do before I purchase a 2nd tractor for the big chores.

From lurking here for a while, I know that VN rebuilds are not recommended and the dealer is very important. Really, all of my tractor knowledge if from these forums.

Thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.

 

[PWGflyboy]

I am considering purchasing my first tractor. I need something pretty small to pull a 3 ft tiller to keep a little over an acre clear of weeds between the rows of a crop. The rows are very close together so about 3 feet is my maximum width for a tractor and tiller. Actually, I need a much larger tractor to maintain roads, clear brush, etc. but that is another post. Since I have never owned a tractor, I have a few questions.

1. What do I look for when buying this tractor?
2. I am the least "wrenchy" guy in the world. Can I keep it running?

Since I really need a large tractor too, I thought I would start with a small version, maybe put a loader on it and see what it will do before I purchase a 2nd tractor for the big chores.

From lurking here for a while, I know that VN rebuilds are not recommended and the dealer is very important. Really, all of my tractor knowledge if from these forums.

Thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Jagmandave]

I would think your budget would dictate your actions. If you can afford a new tractor and since you're not "wrenchy", a Kubota or New Holland should fit the bill well, and you could trade it for a larger one later.

If you must buy a used tractor due to budget concerns, the dealer becomes your most important asset, but remember, a used tractor is just that - used. It will have problems from time to time, and it will require maintenance - and if you can't do either repairs or maintenance it might be cheaper to buy new in the long run. we'll all be interested to hear what you do so let us know, OK?

 

[Jagmandave]

I would think your budget would dictate your actions. If you can afford a new tractor and since you're not "wrenchy", a Kubota or New Holland should fit the bill well, and you could trade it for a larger one later.

If you must buy a used tractor due to budget concerns, the dealer becomes your most important asset, but remember, a used tractor is just that - used. It will have problems from time to time, and it will require maintenance - and if you can't do either repairs or maintenance it might be cheaper to buy new in the long run. we'll all be interested to hear what you do so let us know, OK?

 

[Normmm]

Could a tractor straddle a row of the crop. Maybe one special purpose machine for the crop. and one general purpose tractor for the rest. To be of much help we need more info. A 1510d will do a lot of work. You can doo some very large jobs given time. Of course 1510d has power and weight limits. There are always options like hireing someone with a very large machine to do initial cleanup and then much smaller one can keep it up.

 

[Normmm]

Could a tractor straddle a row of the crop. Maybe one special purpose machine for the crop. and one general purpose tractor for the rest. To be of much help we need more info. A 1510d will do a lot of work. You can doo some very large jobs given time. Of course 1510d has power and weight limits. There are always options like hireing someone with a very large machine to do initial cleanup and then much smaller one can keep it up.

 

[PWGflyboy]

Jagmandave, thanks for the response. I looked at a JD 3203 with FEL and really it seems I can buy 2 tractors, one big and one small and still have change left over if I go with Yanmars. I can do basic maintenance like changing the oil, filters, etc. but when I see posts about fuel pump timing and hydraulic problems, that concerns me since those sorts of things are out of my league.

Normmm, the crop is lavender and it is about 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide so I don't think I can straddle the rows. I am really looking at the 1510d as a special purpose machine to use to determine if the investment in a larger Yanmar is reasonable for me. The 40 acre tract has been neglected for a number of years and there are lots of downed trees, brush piles to move and there is almost a mile of road to maintain so I think I really need to do that myself instead of hire it out.

By the way, I just spent the last 2 days behind a rear tine tiller and got about half the field tilled. I pretty quickly came to the realization that being on the work end of a walk behind tiller is no way to spend the rest of my life.

Thanks again.

Kendall

 

[PWGflyboy]

Jagmandave, thanks for the response. I looked at a JD 3203 with FEL and really it seems I can buy 2 tractors, one big and one small and still have change left over if I go with Yanmars. I can do basic maintenance like changing the oil, filters, etc. but when I see posts about fuel pump timing and hydraulic problems, that concerns me since those sorts of things are out of my league.

Normmm, the crop is lavender and it is about 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide so I don't think I can straddle the rows. I am really looking at the 1510d as a special purpose machine to use to determine if the investment in a larger Yanmar is reasonable for me. The 40 acre tract has been neglected for a number of years and there are lots of downed trees, brush piles to move and there is almost a mile of road to maintain so I think I really need to do that myself instead of hire it out.

By the way, I just spent the last 2 days behind a rear tine tiller and got about half the field tilled. I pretty quickly came to the realization that being on the work end of a walk behind tiller is no way to spend the rest of my life.

Thanks again.

Kendall

 

[Normmm]

A wald-behind is not what I had in mind. You can get more than a mile of middles in your crop. I have seen a rear tine tiller 36 wide with a 2 wheel buggy it tows behind. A 1510d is 41" wide. Check ttp://www.yanmarowners.com/yanmarspecifications.htm for specs on some models. Sounds like you have some major tractoring to do. Look at some of the 20 series tractors they are heavier than most yanmars. Also 4wd is a big plus. A medium to heavy duty 5' bush cutter not a light rotery grass cutter. I perfer a grader blade for road work but you may not need to maintain a crown and ditches like here. We have a some very heavy rains and must take water flow into account.

 

[Normmm]

A wald-behind is not what I had in mind. You can get more than a mile of middles in your crop. I have seen a rear tine tiller 36 wide with a 2 wheel buggy it tows behind. A 1510d is 41" wide. Check ttp://www.yanmarowners.com/yanmarspecifications.htm for specs on some models. Sounds like you have some major tractoring to do. Look at some of the 20 series tractors they are heavier than most yanmars. Also 4wd is a big plus. A medium to heavy duty 5' bush cutter not a light rotery grass cutter. I perfer a grader blade for road work but you may not need to maintain a crown and ditches like here. We have a some very heavy rains and must take water flow into account.