Advice on 1st tractor

[Bamacummins]

New to site and need a tractor. Just purchased 5.5 acres with some trees, but spread apart. Will mow probably about 4 acres of it. Have a pond to maintain also. Wanted to stay down in price to about $10000, but see many uses for a tractor. ex. front loader as well as mowing. Mostly will mow with this machine and occassional taking care of 400 ft driveway and cutting up some trees and moving firewood. Like the pricepoint of the BX series, but just want to make sure. If the terrain is somewhat bumpy which mine will be for a while, some like the B series ride. Suggestions?

 

[Egon]

Shop around a bit and sit on lots of different ones.

Make a decision and then wait a bit to rethink.

The Loader always comes in handy. Heck, you could even use it to spade your garden.

 

[rScotty]

New to site and need a tractor. Just purchased 5.5 acres with some trees, but spread apart. Suggestions?

Take your time. The place to start is with a 4wd compact diesel that has a loader and a back blade or box scraper. Those things are MUST HAVE. Your options will mostly be those of size, brand, and transmission type.

From what you are saying, I'd be tempted to also add to the list that it be a 20 to 30 hp tractor with a mowing attachment and turf tires (get chains for winter). One of your basic $$ decisions will be whether to get a gear drive or hydrostatic drive. The standard stick shift and gear driven tractors are more cumbersome, but even more bulletproof than the HST and they sell for major dollars less money. If you are to find a nice 20+ hp with loader and 4wd for less than 10K you may be looking at some geared and clutch trannys. Not a thing in the world wrong with them, and much right. But they are more work to use. Finally, if you have power steering it will put a smile on your face. I'd rank it above HST as a comfort factor.

Again, take your time....practically every make and model of tractor on the market in the last 20 years is good. Tractors last nearly forever. Yes, the compact diesels are more of a consumer type product than the agricultural diesel tractors, but a well cared for 10/15 year old compact tractor with a thousand hours on it probably works just as well and is just as reliable as a brand new one. Used tractors are sold more because owners want different features or different sized machines than because of wear. Because of that, used tractors retain most of their value. It isn't unusual for a used tractor to sell for most of what it cost new.

Finally: leave yourself some money for specialized implements. Without tools, a tractor is just a slow way to travel. It's fun though....
rScotty

 

[Cat_Driver]

Buy used and don't be afraid to go OLD. I have an OLD 1980's Kubota that say around for 10 years and I put new batteries in it filled up the tires and she fired right up and went to work.

I've seen a lot of great used deals out there also check out some auction sites they are giving the equipment away.

 

[Bamacummins]

Should have noted here, that I do know some things about what I want and need, but appreciate all the input. Too much information isn't a problem, just researching to find the best for the money. Not opposed to used tractor if the money is right and someone took care of it. Definitely want hyrdrostat drive. Have an old Simplicity lawn tractor with gears and hate it, bought because it was a few hundred dollars less and was being a tight wad. Won't make that mistake again since it mostly will be used for mowing, but would want the capabilities of a little tractor.

Have set and looked at the B and BX models. Initially thought I would be better off with the B models, but after reading many threads here and looking again at the BX models, I'm leaning toward the BX 2360 or BX 2660. Will have to do some pricing to be sure though on which model. Saw a deal on a BX 2350 with implements at Tractorhouse.com (yearwood equipment, fayetteville TN) but have read too many negative comments about the abrupt stopping in reverse. I guess I could drive one to be sure, but leaning against that right now.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/148830-b3200-bx2660-side-side-not.html
I have a B3200 and a BX2660. Here is some comparison pictures and some additional input.

 

[James Loehr]

New to site and need a tractor. Just purchased 5.5 acres with some trees, but spread apart. Will mow probably about 4 acres of it. Have a pond to maintain also. Wanted to stay down in price to about $10000, but see many uses for a tractor. ex. front loader as well as mowing. Mostly will mow with this machine and occassional taking care of 400 ft driveway and cutting up some trees and moving firewood. Like the pricepoint of the BX series, but just want to make sure. If the terrain is somewhat bumpy which mine will be for a while, some like the B series ride. Suggestions?

I have a 5 acre place. Back in 03 I got a L3130 for all around use and just found it was to large in tight areas but the tractor is very nice. I now have a BX2360 with loader and snowblower. This is the handiest tool I've ever owned. I'm sure it will do what you need. Just be carefull in the bumpy areas. The 2360 will do 75% of what my L3130 will do with less than half the weight. Some days I start by using the loader then take it off and mow and put it on and do loader work again. I really love the little thing, now I just need to find something to do with the L.

 

[Uncle Wayne]

Definitely want hyrdrostat drive.

Probably a little bigger tractor than you're looking for but I bought a 48 hp 4320 JD with hydrostat and love it. I use it for basically what you're planning on. I have almost 18 acres of trees to mow around and between and the hydro makes it so much easier. It's worth the difference in money, imo.
Good luck.

 

[laen64]

yeah me and the wife are going thru the same wonderful delimna. we purchased 5 acres last year that are clear and relatively flat. so I've been searching the forum and all the discussions on Kubota & JD I started out wanted a large L or Grand L, My wife never bought into that for a second. She has warmed up to the idea and approved of the BX and after letter her test drive the Naked BX she loved it and is set on getting the BX2660 with MMM,FEL.
You know I'm still trying to massage her into the B series but until TRIGGER time atleast I know I have her blessing on the BX2660.

Good Luck

Where in Bama?

 

[Big Red]

I have over 6 acres here and a 500 ft. driveway. My land is partially hilly, lots of trees. The dillema for me was which machine AND which implements on it would do me the most good. I considered a snowblower on the Kubota but after talking to the dealer, we decided a snowplow would be better because of the gravel driveway. I have lug tires on the rear because of the plow. They can chew up the grass slightly when in 4 wheel drive but it's not too bad, and I'm real glad I have them because part of the driveway is on an incline. You really NEED 4 wheel drive when moving snow,especially if it's a wet snow.

I'm not much of a fan of the Kubota snowplow, unless they've improved it. It's a bear to mount up and the blade is rather small. I have a Curtis plow on mine that was adapted up by the dealer and it's a real work horse.

Of course I also have the FEL and once you have one you find it can do work around your place that you could never do otherwise. I even strip sod with it for putting in new gardens.

And the mower is a real time saver. It mounts and dismounts in about 2 minutes.

I found,however, that I also needed a small lawn tractor and wagon in order to get into the woods during woodcutting season. The Kubota is way too big out there. Later on, I bought a Kubota zero turn to aid in trimming around all the trees. It has proved to be a real time saver over the lawn tractor.

So those are the situations that helped me decide what to buy. By the way, my Kubota is a 1999 B2400. Be sure to buy enough HP. The 24 horse has proved to be more than enough for the ways I use my tractor. It does a great job with the plow.