Buying my first tractor

[Egon]

The logistics for the OP must also be considered. A Bigger machine will increase trailer and truck capacities and may be limited for landscaping/trenching/mowing lawn use. So the decision should be based on what gets the most work For the OP.

A bucket does fine for moving dirt and levelling when going forward. Backblading doesn’t do much for making flat level surfaces.

From the OP’s description the small tractor will be able to grade slab sites. With rentals their job use should involve as short a time frame as possible. It will not be there for those everyday small twenty minute jobs.

 

[jeff9366]

Mowing will be based on time. If I can mow 7 acres in under 2 hours great, if not some of it will be left to knockdown a couple times a year.

Neither mowing aspiration can be achieved with 25-horsepower gross.

Selling a used tractor is easy. Selling multiple light implements in order to buy heavier, wider implements for a new, heavier tractor requires a lot of time. Depreciation on implements is worse than depreciation on a tractor.

BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR.​

 

[ericmb]

I’m looking at a Mahindra 1635 HST with several attachments for under $20,000. It has a 60” brush hog, forks and 60” box blade included along with the loader on the front. It seems like a great deal, any input on Mahindra tractors would be great.

 

[rScotty]

I’m looking at a Mahindra 1635 HST with several attachments for under $20,000. It has a 60” brush hog, forks and 60” box blade included along with the loader on the front. It seems like a great deal, any input on Mahindra tractors would be great.

That wouldn't be my first choice. What are the advantages other than price?

 

[ericmb]

Price and size are the two main factors. It also has a canopy but no cab. Are there issues or concerns I should be aware of?

 

[fried1765]

I’m looking at a Mahindra 1635 HST with several attachments for under $20,000. It has a 60” brush hog, forks and 60” box blade included along with the loader on the front. It seems like a great deal, any input on Mahindra tractors would be great.

So......it appears that you may be chasing the cheapest idea, not necessarily the best idea.
If so, for new tractors, you should investigate RK tractors.
They will likely be the lowest price!

 

[ericmb]

I have a budget of $20,000. Most tractors I’ve looked at are a lot older to get in that range (I’m finding a lot of 25hp for $17,000-$20,000). I’m not scared of buying older equipment, I bet there would be a lot of life left in them for my needs. A 35hp tractor with loader for $20k seems like a great deal, not even considering the other implements. I’m not familiar with tractors, if I’m missing something it’s no big deal to keep looking. I don’t need a tractor today.

 

[kenmbz]

List what you want to do and then match it to the tractor that would cover the most.
Also, go drive some tractors. I am very happy with mine, but I might not do the same as you or in the same time frame.
Driving the different size chassis will give you a better idea.
For me I need small to get through the woods and don't mind it takes me a lot more time than if I had something with a bigger chassis. But I also don't use a boxblade or tiller, that might have changed my choice.

 

[fried1765]

I have a budget of $20,000. Most tractors I’ve looked at are a lot older to get in that range (I’m finding a lot of 25hp for $17,000-$20,000). I’m not scared of buying older equipment, I bet there would be a lot of life left in them for my needs. A 35hp tractor with loader for $20k seems like a great deal, not even considering the other implements. I’m not familiar with tractors, if I’m missing something it’s no big deal to keep looking. I don’t need a tractor today.

The complaints of folks buying a tractor with too much capability and quality, are as scarce as hen's teeth!

 

[rScotty]

I have a budget of $20,000. Most tractors I’ve looked at are a lot older to get in that range (I’m finding a lot of 25hp for $17,000-$20,000). I’m not scared of buying older equipment, I bet there would be a lot of life left in them for my needs. A 35hp tractor with loader for $20k seems like a great deal, not even considering the other implements. I’m not familiar with tractors, if I’m missing something it’s no big deal to keep looking. I don’t need a tractor today.

 

[rScotty]

That's a good way to look at the search. What you might be missing is some of the history of tractor manufacture.

Other than emissions controls and the hydrostatic transmissions, tractors have not had much if any techincal advances since the utility and compact 4wd size became popular in the 1970s.

Design wise, there is a difference in that somewere around 2008, tractor design changed from an emphasis on being very long-lasting owner maintained & repairable to having more of an emphasis on comfort, features, and being dealer/specialty maintained/repaired. That change happened about when we started to see a lot more suburban moves to small farms.

Older tractors were designed to last and be rebuilt. They tend to change and age slowly. So if you are mechanically knowledgeable, and IF you know what to look for in good well-maintained used machinery of an older type - then you can easily buy all the tractor you want within your $20K budget.

But buying used is not a popular way to buy today, and frankly not a popular philosophy here on TBN. But it still works, just not as commonly done.

rScotty

 

[ptsg]

The complaints of folks buying a tractor with too much capability and quality, are as scarce as hen's teeth!

Amazing how you don't waste an opportunity on taking a dump on Mahindra, RK and several other brands, even though you've never had any experience with any of those brands. Have you ever thought that there is also plenty of people very satisfied with their tractor that don't come to the forums to talk about it?

It seems like people totally forgot how they reacted when Kubota was starting to expand outside Japan.....

 

[Jchonline]

I don’t have any plans for the acreage beyond just living on it. We’re thinking 5-7 acres total.

The lumber company will drop off the lumber on-site, I won’t have to unload it. Moving lumber around may be easier in small bundles and lifting assembled walls would be helpful as well.

A tractor may not be the best tool for the job, that’s why I’m asking. I don’t need one for my current home, but there are some projects I would do with it if I had one. They’re also jobs I wouldn’t mess with without it either.

Check lift heights. A 10 ft framed wall probably isn’t going to work with a compact tractor reach. For instance LA525 loader on the Kubota L01 series has less than 8ft reach at max height (bottom of forks). It doesnt feel great to lift that wall up then have it outreach your FEL capabilities and watch it topple over onto piping in a slab. Ask me later how I know! You can get a boom arm for the FEL that makes it work well. However a telescopic handler is SO much better…

 

[Jchonline]

I’m looking at a Mahindra 1635 HST with several attachments for under $20,000. It has a 60” brush hog, forks and 60” box blade included along with the loader on the front. It seems like a great deal, any input on Mahindra tractors would be great.

Brush up on your electrical troubleshooting skills! Yes my father had a Mahindra.

ALso usually those ”package” deals have the bottom of the barrel versions of the implements (light, thinner steel, no grease points, etc). Be sure to check those very closely.

 

[ericmb]

Brush up on your electrical troubleshooting skills! Yes my father had a Mahindra.

ALso usually those ”package” deals have the bottom of the barrel versions of the implements (light, thinner steel, no grease points, etc). Be sure to check those very closely.

This is a used purchase from an individual. I don’t know if he bought all the implements as a package or individually.

 

[fried1765]

Amazing how you don't waste an opportunity on taking a dump on Mahindra, RK and several other brands, even though you've never had any experience with any of those brands. Have you ever thought that there is also plenty of people very satisfied with their tractor that don't come to the forums to talk about it?

It seems like people totally forgot how they reacted when Kubota was starting to expand outside Japan.....

I stated what I perceive to be a fact!
You disagree?
Have you ever actually looked at a single RK tractor in Portugal?
I have looked at the full RK line in the USA!

 

[ptsg]

I stated what I perceive to be a fact!
You disagree?
Have you ever actually looked at an RK tractor in Portugal?
I have looked at the full RK line in the USA!

Looking and owning one are different things. Being that you don't have experience on owning any of those, why the constant bash on these brands? I just don't get it.

No, I didn't look at a RK tractor because we don't have Rural King stores here. Although, I have looked at the TYM tractors, being that RK tractors are just rebadged TYM tractors, it makes pretty much the same, and saw nothing wrong with those either. In fact, they are heavily built and come with a lot more stuff standard than some of the premium brands, where everything is an option.

Since you looks at the RK line, what's so wrong with it?

 

[metalbender]

Building houses requires a larger machine. Case 580 comes to mind. Weight does work. An ag type for the five acres down the road for general mowing and road maintaining.

 

[redman135]

Hello ericmb, some food for thought.
Sit on the tractor and see if the controls are easy AND comortable to use. There are small differences in ergonomics that can be a deal breaker, hydraulics that are uncomfortable to use after a short time(your arm is at full stretch to reach control).
Write out a list of what you plan to do. This will help you narrow down what you want.
Consider hiring some machines or contractors for larger jobs, this means you can use a lower cost/size tractor.
Be aware there are usually 2 options of tractor in each size, budget and upmarket. The upmarket usually means better ability and comfort.
You ALWAYS get "mission creep" as your skill increases, adequate today will be to small tomorrow.
Good Luck

 

[4570Man]

I don’t have any plans for the acreage beyond just living on it. We’re thinking 5-7 acres total.

The lumber company will drop off the lumber on-site, I won’t have to unload it. Moving lumber around may be easier in small bundles and lifting assembled walls would be helpful as well.

A tractor may not be the best tool for the job, that’s why I’m asking. I don’t need one for my current home, but there are some projects I would do with it if I had one. They’re also jobs I wouldn’t mess with without it either.

Once you cut the straps on lumber bundles it falls everywhere. When I was machine shopping for my current skid steer lifting a full bundle of plywood was a mandatory ability. The 75 kubota proved to be up to the job but if it couldn’t I was going to get a 95. The 25hp tractor you’re looking at will be better than nothing but it’s undersized for virtually every construction job.