dad wants a cab

[terryknight]

my father was out cutting the fields (15 acres of old horse pasture) when he came in to the shop he said he's getting too old and thinks he'd like a cab tractor. So here we go looking for a tractor. The tractor will be used for the basic, cutting the pastures, maintaining the driveway (1/2 long), moving some dirt, moving some firewood, maybe pushing some snow if/when it comes (not a priority). Now my father is old school, prefers gear drive (we'll come back to this later), is nervous about final tier 4. likes to let his tractor idle as he does things off the tractor, and doesn't like to run the engine any faster than needed. That being said he and I won't be the only ones using this tractor and while some of the others can operate gear maybe hydrostatic is a better option. He currently has a MF 1045 from 1989 he would sell it outright or trade it in. His female companion has a Kubota 4310 Hydro also could be traded in. SO with the back story out of the way here is what is a

NEED:
-4x4
-FEL
-Cab with Heat/AC
-30 PTO hp
-tractor with FEL weighs ~5500 or less (to fit on the current trailer)
- lift height on the FEL of 100" (this maybe downgraded to a want)

WANTS:
-R4 tires these can be changed
-SSQA, but this can be added
-Tier 4 interim, this most likely puts us into used territory

So far I have found TYM 433, MF1643/1648, and Kioti DK40 and the JD 4x20 series, though the JD is much more expensive. We are looking used, both he and I are very mechanically inclined. Are there any other tractors that fit those criteria? I have not done an exhaustive search and I realize it's a small group of tractor that will have both a great enough reach and a light enough weight.

 

[nybirdman]

Kubota L5740 or one of the M series.

 

[2458n]

Qpen station tractors can be hot or cold and too much of either gets old. Tool shed door to low for a cab so will make do.

 

[terryknight]

Kubota L5740 or one of the M series.

kubota has more power than needed, but i'll add it to the list. all the Ms look to be on the large side

Qpen station tractors can be hot or cold and too much of either gets old. Tool shed door to low for a cab so will make do.

not following. you want a cabbed tractor but it won't fit in your garage so you won't get one?

 

[paulfun9]

I would go and check out the 3 you have found so far and see if he likes any of them.

 

[TripleR]

I had a Kubota L5030HSTC that would be OK as well as any of the other GL 40HP and over. It is hard to get good prices on nice used tractors and you'll probably pay more for Kubota and John Deere. When we buy used, we look at cost and specs not brand, so I would look at all brands of good quality. You will find that even some of the big brands just rebadge lower cost brands like New Holland, Case and many John Deere have lots of Yanmar components.

If your dad is adamant about gears, I'd go with a hydraulic shuttle, but try to talk him into an HST if at all possible. My brother and I grew up on gears and preferred them until recently when age caught up with us. We still operate geared units, but use the HST whenever practical with the hydraulic shuttle a close second.

Lots of members with more specific knowledge than I and I know they will steer you in the right direction.

 

[terryknight]

maybe i should clarify what i'm asking. I'm looking for models that meet the needs and wants list above. I haven't found any actually tractors for my father to go "test drive" yet I remember the Kioti and Massey from when I was looking. a couple of Kubotas have been added. eventually I will put all of these into a spreadsheet and then start looking for the best tractor out of the used ones available. brand does not matter, though there is no TYM dealer around that I know of and my father is not a fan of the local LS/Mahindra dealer. Either my father or I will be the one working/maintaining/repairing the tractor.

thanks for the suggestions so far

 

[TSO]

I'd say stick with the Massey... I'm very happy with my 1648 cab. Although, I think it may be closer to 6000 lbs all loaded up.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Does your Dad like your 5055E?

 

[terryknight]

he says it's "nice," he uses it, he think "I" should have gotten a cab. it's bigger than what he needs. my guess is with a cab and the on and off the tractor stuff he does either he will remove one of the doors or my tractor will see more use from him. though i know he will like the cab in the cold and wind, and the sun and heat.

 

[TSO]

he says it's "nice," he uses it, he think "I" should have gotten a cab. it's bigger than what he needs. my guess is with a cab and the on and off the tractor stuff he does either he will remove one of the doors or my tractor will see more use from him. though i know he will like the cab in the cold and wind, and the sun and heat.

Opening and closing the door is not an issue. It might add about 2-3 seconds for the full cycle of getting off and back on.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Well poking around the JD side of tractorhouse.com I don't find much that is 30 HP with cab and is also gear tranny. A 4059R if he would go HST. Have a good time helping him find just the right size and color.

 

[EddieWalker]

Are there any tractor auctions in your area? I have one that's about an hour away, then there are a few more farther out. I've found that going to the auction yard and getting into the different brands is a great way to compare which ones feel more comfortable to me. No salesman and usually there are dozens and dozens of them to look at.

Eddie

 

[AaronS]

Until you said he didn't like the local LS dealer I was going to suggest an XR4046. Are there LS dealers farther away but still a reasonable distance? A new LS might be bought for the same price of a used big name brand.

 

[kevin37b]

Get him out there and look at tractors ! Big cab door , steps , ease of entry , seat ? All of these tractors are good , but he has to like it . Also get him comfy with HST. I bet you see a smile !

 

[terryknight]

guys we're looking at used model thinking 2005-2013. harder to do find those used models, since very rarely are they on dealers lots. he has access to HST, he uses one regularly he doesn't like it, but he will deal with it if he has to, he's too old to change. once we get a bunch of models that meet the general criteria, then we can try and find ones that will work for him and get him to test drive one.

eddie - that is a great idea. i know of 5 farm auctions, throughout the year, that are local ish, but they rarely have cabbed tractors, those that are are large AG units. I will look into it and see what is available.

 

[EddieWalker]

Here is the link to the one I go to. It doesn't list everything, so when I'm in the mood and have the time, I enjoy stopping and taking a look in person.

Noon Day Tractor Auction

They also list some of the stuff there for sale that you can buy anytime before the auction, and if it doesn't sell at the auction and it's still there, then sometimes it's listed on their other site.

J & K Sales, Ltd

This is my favorite place to day dream about what's out there and get a idea of what things are selling for. I look at this as the top end price for stuff in my area.

Eddie

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Eddie, I've gone down to Noon Day to look around a few times. They do have a bunch of tractors most of the time. It's a good way to spend a couple of hours climbing around on all different makes, models and sizes.

 

[waycoolmarine]

I have 2 Kubota L3430 cab tractors for sale and a L4330 coming in in june im a little drive ,just north of Chicago dan 847 514 9162

 

[vtsnowedin]

The problem with a used tractor from say 2010 is that the buyers that bought them then, as they wanted them, is that IF they still fill the original buyers needs and they don't want or need to sell them. If it is for sale then something has happened like the farmer dieing Or more disturbing is that the tractor did not meet expectations or fill the needs of the original purchaser. Find the one they will not sell and buy a new one like it as that is the one that will serve you well.