Another Newbie looking to buy a tractor

[rScotty]

Two wheel drive works for 10k+ pound ag tractors, but it’s limiting in a 4k pound compact tractor.

That's exactly the point. What works for heavier industrial and Ag tractors doesn't apply to lighter compacts. The lighter tractors need 4wd, the heavier can use 2wd effectively.
A full size 2wd backhoe can work in slop that a compact tractor would need 4wd just to drive through.

Back to the OP's original question. I think he would do better to have a contractor put in as much of the drive as he can afford, and buy a nice smaller handy compact "chore" tractor to do work around the place. The driveway can be improved over time. It doesn't have to be done all at once.

There's a lot to learn

 

[tacticalturnip]

I hadn't researched the JDs too much but it felt like the 1 series was a (significant) step up from a regular "tractor mower" as they like to say at Home Depot. Haha. From there, it was like each series improved 50-75% in terms of capabilities. The 4 series is their biggest compact tractor. The 5 is considered a utility tractor.

I did watch some videos today about the JD series and it seems like they split each level into almost an A and B up through the 3 series- then the capabilities are more equal.

Almost certainly not going the JD route but figured I'd stop there first to get at least a broad prospective of the whole process.

The closest Kioti dealer to me looks a little suspect if I had any issues. The nearest real Massey dealer is about 2 hours away. My next stop (next weekend?) is going to be a Kubota dealership and then likely the Kioti dealer (they also have Mahindra but I think they mostly work off brochures and not in-stock items). There is a similar situation at a LS dealership nearby as well. There is also a bigger TYM dealer that has various used brands that I'll make my way out to.

Driving somewhere to look for brochures isn't exactly ideal but if they have any models on hand, I can at least get a baseline feel for the brand.

Look into Topsham Tractor if you're looking seriously at Kioti. What is your closest Massey Dealer?

 

[MaineBarn]

Look into Topsham Tractor if you're looking seriously at Kioti. What is your closest Massey Dealer?

Topsham tractor does look legit. The other place near me looks like they have a Kioti sign and not much else.

I saw Kioti extended their free loader and 84month 0% APR to include the CK series. If the NS was included with the free loader, they'd be my first choice at the moment. That being said, will check in at Topsham Tractor.

The nearest MF dealer is Waterman Ag & Turf. Well there's another but based on street view and their own shop photos they don't have larger machines on site.

 

[hkbirdman]

I suggested the Kubota L47TLB. It's a tough machine. The new one is $70K, but that one is $42K, a good deal. They run for 4000 hours, so it's barely broken in at 500 hours.
- On your lake side well - I installed a well on our house on a lake in MA in 1980 20' off the lake after our sand point well failed. dug down 8', cased it with 2' plastic culvert, and that well produced 7 GPM and passed all the water quality tests when we sold the house.
- On SF of expansion of existing structure, its usually a % of the total current Sqaure Feet - usually not more than 30% but there are different exclusions you need to look into - here is some info Footprints on the Shore: Waterfront Home Expansion Rules Update - Murray Plumb & Murray

I agree with Carl NH. That L47TLB at $42K and 500 hours is a good deal. If you are nervous about buying used - ask around to see if you can hire a mechanic from a Kubota dealer "on the side" to come with you to view the used machine. However - at $42K, I don't think it will last too long. I have an L47 with appx. 350 hrs. and this past summer I put in a road of appx. 1000 ft. in my back woods with myself, 1 helper with chainsaw, the L47 with a grapple and the front bucket. We did this in appx. 8 days of 6 hrs. each. I would suggest you make brush and branch piles along your 800 ft. road with the grapple and then cut flat any stumps over 18" dia. and dig out the smaller ones with the backhoe. Your closest MB Kubota dealership will rent you a 12" dia. chipper for around $300/day and also a track mounted stump grinder for appx. $300/day. Based on my recent experience - you and a helper could get all of your chipping done in 1 day and then figure 1 more day for stump grinding. I think you would be impressed with the L-47TLB and find it to be more capable than an AG tractor with a loader and backhoe. Just remember - it's not a bulldozer.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Waterman is right down the road from me. You're looking at the 28 series, roughly, is that right? Or would an 18 potentially work? They typically have a few of each. This is rural Maine, Lord knows when that Street View was taken lol.

 

[paulsharvey]

Waterman is right down the road from me. You're looking at the 28 series, roughly, is that right? Or would an 18 potentially work? They typically have a few of each. This is rural Maine, Lord knows when that Street View was taken lol.

The 2850M is heck of a nice machine, but the cabbed version is like a $12k upgrade i think?

 

[tacticalturnip]

The 2850M is heck of a nice machine, but the cabbed version is like a $12k upgrade i think?

That wouldn't surprise me, but I've never priced one out. I like the 18M a lot too.

 

[paulsharvey]

I could be getting models mixed up; but on the large CUT, small Utility cabs, I Think the 2850/2860 have external 3 point controls. Not sure if TYM or some of the others do, and you definitely want that. External PTO switch, IMO (and my use) is not as important.

 

[rScotty]

I agree with Carl NH. That L47TLB at $42K and 500 hours is a good deal. If you are nervous about buying used - ask around to see if you can hire a mechanic from a Kubota dealer "on the side" to come with you to view the used machine. However - at $42K, I don't think it will last too long. I have an L47 with appx. 350 hrs. and this past summer I put in a road of appx. 1000 ft. in my back woods with myself, 1 helper with chainsaw, the L47 with a grapple and the front bucket. We did this in appx. 8 days of 6 hrs. each. I would suggest you make brush and branch piles along your 800 ft. road with the grapple and then cut flat any stumps over 18" dia. and dig out the smaller ones with the backhoe. Your closest MB Kubota dealership will rent you a 12" dia. chipper for around $300/day and also a track mounted stump grinder for appx. $300/day. Based on my recent experience - you and a helper could get all of your chipping done in 1 day and then figure 1 more day for stump grinding. I think you would be impressed with the L-47TLB and find it to be more capable than an AG tractor with a loader and backhoe. Just remember - it's not a bulldozer.

Sounds good. Congrats on your road construction. The Kubota TLBs sure are special. Hard to find one at a reasonable price. Has anyone looked at it?
rScotty

 

[MaineBarn]

That's exactly the point. What works for heavier industrial and Ag tractors doesn't apply to lighter compacts. The lighter tractors need 4wd, the heavier can use 2wd effectively.
A full size 2wd backhoe can work in slop that a compact tractor would need 4wd just to drive through.

Back to the OP's original question. I think he would do better to have a contractor put in as much of the drive as he can afford, and buy a nice smaller handy compact "chore" tractor to do work around the place. The driveway can be improved over time. It doesn't have to be done all at once.

There's a lot to learn

A much more permanent and finished solution would be to have someone put in the driveway. But where's the fun in that? I'm totally in agreement that the tractor possibly used for attempting this would be overkill for day to day things. However, don't think anyone at a stoplight has ever thought a Ferrari is too much car to beat the person next to them off the line.

Kidding aside, the only potential two potential downsides I'm seeing to getting, lets say a TYM 574HC over a Kioti 2620SEH cab for at home use: yard damage when driving the bucket into the ground if digging with the FEL and the increased monthly cost. Total weight for both with FEL and backhoe is 6923lbs (TYM) and 5205lbs (Kioti). The Kioti, with their 0% APR for 84 months would be $439 a month and the TYM (with their 3.99% APR) would be ~$630 for the same duration.