Buying Advice Buying First Compact or Sub Tractor

[tonydga]

I live outside Atlanta and recently purchased just over 7 acres back in my home town. I know that I need a small tractor that has a front loader, mower and a box grader. I also know that I need a tractor that will work over more than just a grassy field (some mud, steep inclines, etc). Finally, the max I would pay for a new one is $18,000. That's what I know, what I don't have a clue about is pricing. I was researching and like the Yanmar 324TLD or 424TLD. My question is...what price would I be looking at for everything that I want on either of those models in Georgia? I also like the Mahindra and Kubota models as well but fear that they would definitely be over my budget.

 

[IslandTractor]

$18K should get you a 20 something hp compact with mower and box blade and loader. As you suspect, Kubota and JD are the pricy ones. Mahindra, Kioti, Massey Ferguson, LS would be brands I would look at in addition to the Yanmar. All are excellent brands, they just don't all have the dealer network that JD and Kubota have but each would serve you well.

7 acres is a size that most folks would be looking at 30 something hp tractors but that is just a matter of speed. A 20-28hp tractor using 4-5 foot implements will certainly be able to do the work albeit in a bit more time than a 30 or 40hp tractor using 5 or 6ft implements.

You don't tell us much about what the current state of the land is. Is it overgrown with trees, saplings or brush? Is it simply pasture that needs mowing once or twice year to keep from turning into brush or is it a lawn like pasture that needs mowing every couple of weeks to keep looking perfect??? With a 25-28hp tractor you could run a 5ft bush hog and mow a couple of acres an hour, maybe a bit more. With a 20-24hp tractor you'd want a 4ft bush hog and it would take maybe 2.5hrs to do a couple of acres. Mowing speed will depend on how smooth the land is and how many obstacles you need to dodge.

Bottom line here is that you can get a good tractor for the budget you have but it will likely be under 30hp unless you buy used. Recent used tractors are certainly an option but the problem is that dealers can offer zero percent finance which makes used tractors a bit less desirable. A dealer might have a good trade in and would need to offer a pretty good discount to sell it given that he cannot offer zero finance on the used one. Plenty of folks trade in smaller fairly new tractors when they decide to upgrade so that is certainly something to look for. Used implements on the other hand are often excellent value, especially in the 4-5 foot range you would be looking at. Used equipment in that size is rarely abused (you would have a hard time destroying a box blade or bush hog with a 20-30hp tractor).

 

[GPintheMitten]

I was not familiar with Yanmars but took a look on the Internet just now. Those 2 models look like a pretty good size for your homestead. I see there is a dealer north of Atlanta. I also see they are assembled in Georgia.

Can't help on pricing. Maybe you should just stop by the dealership but lock your wallet in your truck.

After you get an idea of new prices, check for slightly used to see if you can save.

 

[tonydga]

Excellent Reply. Thanks. It was overgrown brush and trees but I just had all that removed. My goal in the next 4 months is to begin transforming a portion of it into a home site. So once that is done, I would need to maintain a lawn at least on a portion of it. Other than that, I would use it for creating a driveway and paths and just working the rest of the property for whatever I decide.

 

[IslandTractor]

Excellent Reply. Thanks. It was overgrown brush and trees but I just had all that removed. My goal in the next 4 months is to begin transforming a portion of it into a home site. So once that is done, I would need to maintain a lawn at least on a portion of it. Other than that, I would use it for creating a driveway and paths and just working the rest of the property for whatever I decide.

So, you contracted out all the heavy brush/tree clearing. That makes it easier to do the routine maintenance with a smaller machine. I used to work on a 5 acre parcel using just a 20hp Kioti (in my avatar) and that work involved a lot of primary clearing. I now have a 40hp but that is because I took on an additional 10 acres to maintain. If I had a total of 7 with at least an acre or so tied up with house and lawn, I wouldn't hesitate to tackle the rest with a tough little CUT like a CK20 or 27 and 4 or 5 ft implements. The work would go faster with 30+hp and 6ft implements but I cannot think of a single task you couldn't manage with the smaller set up. The other advantage besides lower cost is that both the tractor and implements will require less storage space.

You mention that there will be a lawn. While it is perfectly possible to cut a lawn with a CUT and finish mower, most folks with anything but the lightest CUT (think Kubota) generally end up using a riding mower or z turn for a lawn. Reason is simply that tractors are heavy and tend to mush lawns. It depends a bit on what you consider an acceptable lawn to be. I hate lawns so I define mine as an extension of the field and just do a careful cut very close to the house with a battery powered push mower. Another thing to consider is that a bush hog really won't do a decent job on a lawn so you'd need to spend money on a finish mower. A decent finish mower costs as much as a complete riding mower and is more difficult to maneuver around bushes, trees, walkways etc. than a simple box store riding mower. A five foot finish flail mower might serve both to cut the field and the lawn so long as the field doesn't have too much debris left over from the clearing.

 

[southernAL]

Check out kioti. I just purchased a ck2510hst with rotary cutter and boxblade delivered to my house for a little over $16k. You mentioned your in Georgia, I bought from Hurst Equipment in Norman Park GA. Really great dealer to work with, at least my experience with them was. Not sure how far you are from them but you should check them out.

 

[4570Man]

I would look for a used compact. Building a house is a lot of tractor work if you do most of it yourself. 18 grand doesn't buy much tractor new, but should get a pretty good used one I paid 16 grand more my L3240 used with 200 hours. Forgot the yard mowing with a tractor.

 

[varmint]

I would second 4570Man... look for a clean used Kubota in the 30hp range. I found a great L3400 HST with low hours and goodies like SSQA loader, extendable sway arms, rear remote and all the books for around $14K, which would leave plenty for a new box blade and a dedicated mower. The small Grand L models, if you find one, are even nicer.

 

[davesl708]

You live in Georgia. How could you not go Kubota?

You might want to look at used. I bought a eight year old Kubota BX2200 four years ago. No regrets at all. It came with FEL, rear blade, MMM and 60" roto-tiller. Has served well in all capacities and always reliable. You can get a lot of tractor for a lot less money. The difference will cover a whole lot of warranty.

 

[IslandTractor]

I would agree that if the OP can locate a good used tractor with less than 500hrs on it and some sense that it has been well cared for, that it might well save him some bucks. However, in my experience used (few hundred hours) tractors are often pretty pricy compared to new. Tractors definitely don't depreciate the way automobiles and trucks do so often a three year old tractor, just off warranty, will cost just a couple grand less than a new one. Benefits of new include warranty, dealer support, no worries about prior maintenance and beneficial finance terms.

Surely if the OP finds a good used tractor for significant savings that is something he should give serious consideration to. However I suspect he is a tractor newbie and therefore is not in a great position to make his own considered assessment of a used tractor. Tough call. IMO you'd need to save certainly more than a couple grand to make it worth taking the risks even though we all understand that a modern CUT with less than 500 hours on it has many many years of reliable service left. If he does go the used route he should take an experienced tractor owner with him to evaluate any possible purchase.

Also, beware of CL or eBay scams on used tractors. Here is a great example: KUBOTA

 

[flusher]

I live outside Atlanta and recently purchased just over 7 acres back in my home town. I know that I need a small tractor that has a front loader, mower and a box grader. I also know that I need a tractor that will work over more than just a grassy field (some mud, steep inclines, etc). Finally, the max I would pay for a new one is $18,000. That's what I know, what I don't have a clue about is pricing. I was researching and like the Yanmar 324TLD or 424TLD. My question is...what price would I be looking at for everything that I want on either of those models in Georgia? I also like the Mahindra and Kubota models as well but fear that they would definitely be over my budget.

My 2008 Mahindra 5525 (55 hp engine, 45 hp pto, 2WD, power steering, triple rear hydraulic remotes) with the ML250 FEL (6-ft wide bucket, 2950 lb lift to 10.5 ft height, skid steer quick attach) cost about $19K new.

For $18K you have a lot of choices in the 40 hp (engine) range with hydrostatic tranny, 4WD, power steering, dual rear hydraulic remotes, FEL with 5-ft wide bucket. Look for new tractors with these specs for your 7 acre spread.

Good luck

 

[IslandTractor]

My 2008 Mahindra 5525 (55 hp engine, 45 hp pto, 2WD, power steering, triple rear hydraulic remotes) with the ML250 FEL (6-ft wide bucket, 2950 lb lift to 10.5 ft height, skid steer quick attach) cost about $19K new.

For $18K you have a lot of choices in the 40 hp (engine) range with hydrostatic tranny, 4WD, power steering, dual rear hydraulic remotes, FEL with 5-ft wide bucket. Look for new tractors with these specs for your 7 acre spread.

Good luck

My Kioti DK40se only cost about $17K new back in 2007 too but would be completely out of the OP's price range today. I don't think 18K would get you anything over 30hp even without implements. Realistically to stick with his budget for tractor, FEL, bush hog and boxblade, he'll need to get something under 30hp new or a used tractor.

 

[AxleHub]

It was overgrown brush and trees but I just had all that removed. My goal in the next 4 months is to begin transforming a portion of it into a home site. So once that is done, I would need to maintain a lawn at least on a portion of it. Other than that, I would use it for creating a driveway and paths and just working the rest of the property for whatever I decide.

Tonydga,

My opinions will be a bit different than most . . but they are still worthy of consideration imo:

1st. You are in Georgia and Kubota, Yanmar, and Iseki (Massey) all make their assembly "home" in Georgia , so prices should be the best you'll find imo.

2. The 3 brands I mentioned are also the 3bI personally considered over 9 years before investing this year. Why? Simple . . Each of those brands builds their own engines for several decades. They also build for many other brands. Finslly they build thebtractors as well as the engines . . so their engineering it matched to the engines.

3. Many on TBN will tell you to use a zero turn mower for lawn . . yet in the real world . . scuts are built and designed for bigger yards and quality cutting. A scut gives you great capabilities on dlopes and hills. And better large zero turn mowers are only a couple hundred pounds lighter than the scut units.

4. A Massey GC1715 with dl95 loader and a "true mulcher mmm" (no side discharge) will run you between 14k and 15.5k depending on your states sales tax. That leaves you enough room for a quick attach for the fel, and several implements too.

5. You are wise to have hired the rough clearing done. Too often it seems people want abtractor to do everything . . but then it only does "average" on the things you do the most and does great on the things you do less.

6. Units I'd recommend considering are the bx2670-1 (or maybe a small b26xx if you want to spend more), massey gc1715, or the yanmar 324 (not 221 imo).

7. Unless you could find a used unit that saves you 7k or more . . I'd get new with a 5 year warranty like the massey or other competitors offer

 

[krh20fan]

ls xr 3037c WITH CAB AND FEL....23K

 

[maddog69]

I tried to buy used and just couldn't find what I wanted. I just bought a Kubota BX 1879, FEL, ballast box and 54 inch belly mower for $11,900 from Barlows equipment in Kentucky. Free shipping to Florida and no sales tax. I've had a bx 2200 for almost 15 years and love it.

 

[IslandTractor]

I tried to buy used and just couldn't find what I wanted. I just bought a Kubota BX 1879, FEL, ballast box and 54 inch belly mower for $11,900 from Barlows equipment in Kentucky. Free shipping to Florida and no sales tax. I've had a bx 2200 for almost 15 years and love it.

Those BX's are great machines so long as you are not needing to work in thick brush or pastures or rough terrain. I wish I had one to complement my DK40se as they are far better for working on projects near the house or on a lawn.

 

[CDennyRun]

Like others have posted, I would not rule out a good used tractor. You can get a much bigger tractor for less money. Trust me, once you really get to working you'll realize that having more tractor is worth every penny! Nothing against sub compacts, but I haven't missed mine. I get a lot more work done, in much less time. Especially when it comes to brush hogging, moving dirt, and pulling saplings. However a SCUT will be a much better lawn mower than any of the CUT's on the market, and can still move dirt, and run a brush hog.

Here's a few used tractors on my local CL that would be perfect for 7 acres and what you're looking for. I'm sure there are similar examples in your area.

Used 30HP New Holland Tractor with New Loader

2009 Newholland 30 hp 4x4 tractor

New Holland TC34DA Tractor Loader

Can you tell I'm a Ford/New Holland guy? Ha ha

Chris

 

[GPintheMitten]

I don't think you need 40 hp. I think 26- 30 would be fine. I recommend an HST 4wd. I do recommend that you look for used around 500 hours or less and compare to what you can get new.

 

[IslandTractor]

I don't think you need 40 hp. I think 26- 30 would be fine. I recommend an HST 4wd. I do recommend that you look for used around 500 hours or less and compare to what you can get new.

x 2. Good advice.