AustinOX
New member
I'm reposting some of this from the LS forum for reasons that will become apparent at the end. I apologize in advance for the length, but most responses to "what should I buy" posts I've read ask for more detail.
First, usage:
I have 12 acres of neglected land in Central FL. It's divided into three sections (not including the average-ish front and backyard). Two are overgrown pastures with scattered trees, and the third is relatively natural Florida woods. The natural area floods regularly thanks to a nearby creek, and much of it stays soft year round. There are a couple dozen down trees and logs, with plenty more that likely should come down and dozens that need trimmed. Long term plans are to have the pastures maintained for livestock and eventually a horse or two. The pastures are low, and soft during rainy season. Some grading and filling will need to be done before we get any large animals. I'll keep the third section pretty natural, but I want to clean it up and bush hog maybe bi-monthly. The other frequent tractor job will be maintaining a long gravel driveway that is built up on clay and currently full of potholes.
I've never owned, or even driven a tractor. From what I've read I definitely need 4wd, and while hydros are preferred for loader work, gear transmissions are better for mowing if you don't have cruise. I expect to be mowing quite a bit more than loading, and I own a manual car by choice. I've only been considering tractors with at least 25 pto hp until today. I want this to be a 25+ year purchase, and have a building for storage.
My neighbor has bush-hogged my property with a late model JD 3032E and a 6' cutter. I talked to him the other day and he said he wouldn't get the JD if he was to do it over. He's not happy with the lift capacity and lack of rear remotes. So far the 3032E is the best priced package that meets my minimum requirements at $18,300 with loader and 5' frontier cutter (at 0%), but I'm a buy once, cry once kind of guy these days. Just adding rear remotes and going to the 6' cutter is another $2k on that JD, and upgrading to the 3038e is $3k more. The 3038e doesn't add any hydraulic advantage.
I considered the pre-tier 4 LS G series, but just read that manufacturers are only required to support pre tier 4 tractors for 5 more years. I don't trust that a pre tier 4 LS will be fully supported in 15+ years. If I must buy tier 4, I think I want to stick with JD or Kubota for confidence in R&D and engineering, and easiest/closest dealer support.
I visited the Kubota dealer today and was quoted over $23k for the same package as the JD in an L3301 with hydro, loader and 5' bush hog. The Kubota looked and felt like the superior machine in every respect, but not $5k superior for homeowner use, and I'd really prefer to cap this purchase at $20k. When I explained this to the salesman, along with my general distaste for the tier 4 complications, he suggested the L2501- specifically the DT version to keep up PTO hp and keep down cost. He told me that the engine was simply a tuned down version of the L3301 that could be easily adjusted for more power after the warranty expires. After some research its clear that it isn't that simple, but a tier 4 compliant Kubota diesel that doesn't need DEF, regen, or a complicated ECU and operates at 80% of its ability sure sounds like it would last 25 years. I've read a number of reviews praising the torque, and indicating that it runs 5' implements without issue despite being under the hp rule of thumb.
So the JD is cheaper, literally and figuratively, with more hp, possibly more convenience with hydro, and a longer warranty.
The Kubota has a simpler engine, is heavier, has more breakout force, and just feels like a machine that will be perfectly serviceable in 25 years.
Opinions?
First, usage:
I have 12 acres of neglected land in Central FL. It's divided into three sections (not including the average-ish front and backyard). Two are overgrown pastures with scattered trees, and the third is relatively natural Florida woods. The natural area floods regularly thanks to a nearby creek, and much of it stays soft year round. There are a couple dozen down trees and logs, with plenty more that likely should come down and dozens that need trimmed. Long term plans are to have the pastures maintained for livestock and eventually a horse or two. The pastures are low, and soft during rainy season. Some grading and filling will need to be done before we get any large animals. I'll keep the third section pretty natural, but I want to clean it up and bush hog maybe bi-monthly. The other frequent tractor job will be maintaining a long gravel driveway that is built up on clay and currently full of potholes.
I've never owned, or even driven a tractor. From what I've read I definitely need 4wd, and while hydros are preferred for loader work, gear transmissions are better for mowing if you don't have cruise. I expect to be mowing quite a bit more than loading, and I own a manual car by choice. I've only been considering tractors with at least 25 pto hp until today. I want this to be a 25+ year purchase, and have a building for storage.
My neighbor has bush-hogged my property with a late model JD 3032E and a 6' cutter. I talked to him the other day and he said he wouldn't get the JD if he was to do it over. He's not happy with the lift capacity and lack of rear remotes. So far the 3032E is the best priced package that meets my minimum requirements at $18,300 with loader and 5' frontier cutter (at 0%), but I'm a buy once, cry once kind of guy these days. Just adding rear remotes and going to the 6' cutter is another $2k on that JD, and upgrading to the 3038e is $3k more. The 3038e doesn't add any hydraulic advantage.
I considered the pre-tier 4 LS G series, but just read that manufacturers are only required to support pre tier 4 tractors for 5 more years. I don't trust that a pre tier 4 LS will be fully supported in 15+ years. If I must buy tier 4, I think I want to stick with JD or Kubota for confidence in R&D and engineering, and easiest/closest dealer support.
I visited the Kubota dealer today and was quoted over $23k for the same package as the JD in an L3301 with hydro, loader and 5' bush hog. The Kubota looked and felt like the superior machine in every respect, but not $5k superior for homeowner use, and I'd really prefer to cap this purchase at $20k. When I explained this to the salesman, along with my general distaste for the tier 4 complications, he suggested the L2501- specifically the DT version to keep up PTO hp and keep down cost. He told me that the engine was simply a tuned down version of the L3301 that could be easily adjusted for more power after the warranty expires. After some research its clear that it isn't that simple, but a tier 4 compliant Kubota diesel that doesn't need DEF, regen, or a complicated ECU and operates at 80% of its ability sure sounds like it would last 25 years. I've read a number of reviews praising the torque, and indicating that it runs 5' implements without issue despite being under the hp rule of thumb.
So the JD is cheaper, literally and figuratively, with more hp, possibly more convenience with hydro, and a longer warranty.
The Kubota has a simpler engine, is heavier, has more breakout force, and just feels like a machine that will be perfectly serviceable in 25 years.
Opinions?
