bang for the buck,, which machine

[N80]

I agree with MarkV. I think the minimum HP you should be looking at is 30. The next step is to define your budget. If your budget was tight, I'd bag the HST and get a geared or GST machine. That way, you get more tractor for your money.

Faced with those constraints myself, which included a max budget of $20K, I got an L4400. It has 45 hp and around 40 at the PTO. It is closer to a utility tractor in spec but is still small and fairly light. It has capable, but not exceptional hydraulic capacity that is considerably higher than the models mentioned so far. But it only comes in a gear transmission, which I've grown quite fond of.

I'm in the minority here, by a long shot, but I did not find HST to be worth the money (for me) and after two years of heavy loader work, mowing, land clearing, moving brush, plowing, serious landscaping/dirt moving, I have been totally pleased with the robust gear transmission. I've also found that any less hp would have been a detriment to me.

I'm clearly biased towards the L4400 and geared transmissions (it has wildly exceeded my expectations) so take all that for what its worth. I just thought you might appreciate a different take on the issue. In my opinion, the lack of HST is what makes the L4400 the most 'bang for the buck' in the Kubota line if shear capability at a low price is what you are looking for. I'd say the geared L3400 would be a close second.

Rumor has it that an HST L4400 is in the works. At the time I bought mine, the HST would have busted my budget and I suspect I'd still get the gear model today.

 

[crazyal]

Mike, I just finished building a new timberframe house. I had a local cut and install the frame but installed the stress skin panels myself. I was a little worried at first but they are pretty easy to work with. I did get a crane to fly in the roof panels on one side of the house but otherwise I used a set of forks and an old air force hand powered man lift on my backhoe to do everything else. Last winter was the first winter in the house. I used 400 gallons of oil to heat both the house and the hot water for 1950 sqf. I keep saying I'm going to get a wood stove (have 40 acres of woods) but haven't yet.

I think you need to decide on how much work you want your farm to be. I'm sure a smaller tractor would work fine for you but will cost you time. You could find yourself moving bails of hay wishing you had something bigger/ heavier so you could be moving the large round bails instead. Tractors seam to hold their value very well. I keep going back to new as anything I find used in good shape is almost the same price and still sells. Of course you didn't talk about your budget, lol.

My local Kuota dealer isn't a lot of help. I want a mid PTO so I can add a front mount snow blower. From what I've been told the L's don't have it as an option but I've seen used L's with mid PTO's. Find a good dealer and ask lots of questions then post what you've been told here. These guys are great and will either confirm the answers or let you know to look for a new dealer.

 

[machmeter62]

I would definitely go with the L series because of the additional weight and stability, and probably a TLB? If your budget permits; you may want to look at a Kubota L-39 TLB that will handle all your needs now, and in the future. I think it is the most "bang for the bucks," for a new tractor, and will outlive all your needs. It is a lot of tractor for the money, and would fit into your environment? The new "B-26" series, which is smaller and less expensive may fit into your equation also? If you want to purchase a low hour used L-39 or others; type in TractorHouse.com: then select under 40 HP, select Kubota and look for a tractor that may fit your needs. There is a lot of tractors there being sold on consignment with good prices? They also display pictures, and some may need future "wrenching!" Some TBN'ers set a tractor budget; anyhow this gives you a choice? Good luck.

 

[big bubba]

Look at the MX5000, one of the best deals for the money and should cover all that you want and maybe more for the future. Don't underestimate the HP/size for possible future needs and trade in value bb

 

[Mailman17]

I'm looking for a tractor myself . It all comes down to money vs. needs . You have to set a budget , determine if you want new or used and figure out the HP that will be most useful to you . Finding the right balance of all of these is the key . If you want implements that will need to be in the equation . Or you can find what you reaaalllyy want and see if the wifey will go for it !!! Good luck in your search and can't wait to see pictures of it ...

 

[Tom_H]

Before you buy the tractor, read up on attachments and decide how many you could use on the farm and in construction. If you put all your $ in a tractor and have none left for implements, you could limit yourself. On the other hand, if you go too small, you may not get the work out of the implements to the degree you'd like. I'd think about FEL with toothbar and grapple-perhaps brush forks or pallat forks, backhoe with thumb, weld chain hooks to buckets of FEL & BH, mid-mount mower or rear finish mower, mulcher or bagger/blower to go with mower, maybe a post hole digger, rear blade, box blade with top n tilt, rototiller, rough cutter (brush hog), carry-all, sprayer, generator & cement mixer at constr. site. Anything to attach to ROPS-canopy, work lights for night. If you live in extreme heat/cold, think about a cab with heat-a/c, snow blade or blower for front with quick-attach. For agriculture, how many of the numerous types of plows do you need, and seed/fertilizer spreader, etc?

Educate yourself about every attachment available then make a list of every job that you might possibly need to do, and then prioritize their importance, list what machine can do the job at what cost (A rough cutter costs less than a flail or sicklebar mower and has a broader range of use while the others are specialized and costly. A backhoe has a wide range of use and if you have one, you could dig postholes with it and do without a post hole digger). Add it all up and examine the bottom line. Decide what you have to have now and what you could save up for down the road. Don't forget about having the right trailer and tow vehicle. A wide range of accessories can easily total more cost than the tractor. Think about where you will store all this: outside or in a barn with paved floor and implements on dollies for easy attachment, and a big beam with hoist attached at center of ceiling.

If you need $ for lots of implements, think about a B3030 as a reasonably sized/priced machine which would leave you enough cash to supply implements to go with this machine which is powerful enough to run all of them but not so big and expensive enough to leave no $ left for the attachments.

We can't tell you how to spend your $. You have a lot to think about in sizing up your own needs vs. wants. Just my $.02 worth. Others' opinions are valid too.

 

[mikeboom]

what a wonderful set of responses... my growing sense is that the "tractor-type" of personality is one generous with experience, advice, constructive support as I see here,,,
I certainly feel more focused and confident with my instinct toward the hp range and chassis size I've felt is in order...
Also,,I suppose this is an appropriate arena for this question:why Kubota as oppsed to the others?.. to this I would also enjoy hearing responses !!!
thanks so much
Mike

 

[texasjohn]

I'm convinced an L5030 would do all you need done, assuming you have $$ for all the implements needed as well.... since you are doing so much yourself, I'd consider that going long on tractor size and equipment, although $$ up front will pay you back many times in how much you can get done. I suffered for too many years with a tractor that was ALMOST big enough to do the job, and ALMOST enough attachments to get the job done right... It's a struggle and you come in totally beat at the end of the day..However, with enough weight, size, horsepower, implements, loader capacity, you let the equipment do the work it is ment to do and you operate the controls.. no fighting the equipment/tractor to make it work beyond what is comfortable to do.

Regarding why Kubota... everybody will have their reasons... mine is that I find it extremely comfortable for me to work with and work on and have never had a repair need. You can read numerous stories here.

 

[MarkV]

what a wonderful set of responses... my growing sense is that the "tractor-type" of personality is one generous with experience, advice, constructive support as I see here,,,
I certainly feel more focused and confident with my instinct toward the hp range and chassis size I've felt is in order...
Also,,I suppose this is an appropriate arena for this question:why Kubota as oppsed to the others?.. to this I would also enjoy hearing responses !!!
thanks so much
Mike

Mike, like cars there are many with brand loyalty and being on the Kubota forum you can guess which brand will be recommended. I happen to own Kubota’s because my first one has been so trouble free and my needs for a light construction type of TLB limit the choices that are available.

If I were you I would spend time at every dealer of every brand with in a reasonable distance to your place. Sit and drive as may as you can. Get an impression of the dealer and their service department. In some markets shopping a dealer can be as important as shopping a brand. Some times little things like how far the seat slides back or the pedal placement will make the decision of what is right for you.

That narrows it down for you I’ll bet.

MarkV

 

[N80]

Several people have mentioned a TLB or a backhoe. While that would indeed be a handy thing to have (I'd love to have one), I did not see where Mike mentioned any need for a BH. A BH is a huge expense. I think an FEL is critical, but a BH? Mike, did I miss something, do you have needs for a BH?