Decisions (4530 vs. 3215)

[POC]

I went to several dealerships today (MF, Kubota/NH(1 tractor on the lot), Mahindra).
My specific question (or quandry, what would you do, whatever) is this:

While I was having the guy work up a quote on a 4530 w/ FEL and 511BH w/ 36" bucket. The price for that was $29,255.
Another guy popped his head in the room and said that they had a 3215HST w/ FEL and BH. The owner (of the dealership) had used it to put in a septic system. It has about 10 hours on it. I believe he said it could still be sold as "new" even though it had the hours. He off-the-cuff priced it to me at $20K.

I am planning on digging a foundation and partial basement for a house addition. Then clearing some land of small-medium trees and stumps to put in pasture. Build a barn. Some plowing, disking, planting. Yarding some small-medium logs (I've used my dads 30hp 2wd tractor to do this thus far).

What would you guys do?

I see the HP difference is only about 10, but the 3215 weighs more than half the 4530. I know that would help with jobs like plowing, but it would also compact the soil when I'm working around the house.

Patrick

 

[rcrcomputing]

3215 - ml-111 loader = 9 cubic feet-- lift = 1410lbs
4530 - ml-245 = 19.7 cubic feet -- lift = 2950lbs


The 3215 would take twice as many buckets full and can pick up 1/2 the weight.

Course, now that you made me go look. I'll take a closer look at the 4530 myself (if it comes in hst). For me, hst is a MUST have.

 

[rcrcomputing]

Heck, I don't see where Mahindra has anything bigger that 32HP wish HST. Maybe I'm overlooking them?

 

[POC]

No, I don't think they do.

The shuttle shift works pretty slick though. I got to drive the 4530 around and move some dirt. It was fun.
I guess I just need to buy them both....

 

[rcrcomputing]

No, I don't think they do.

The shuttle shift works pretty slick though. I got to drive the 4530 around and move some dirt. It was fun.
I guess I just need to buy them both....

Two tractors are better than one.

I've never driven a shuttle shift. Guess I should.

 

[POC]

Do you think the price on the 3215 is good? Is the 4530 worth another $9K?

What would you do?

 

[Farmerboy]

I just bought a 3215 with Quick Attach Loader, and 3710 Back Hoe for $22,500. Similar to your situation, mine was slightly used (9 hours).

$20K is a great deal. But, for what you want to do, I'd get the 4530.

My only complaint about the 3215 is that I wish it had a larger bucket. However, I didn't want to pay more than $23K.

 

[rcrcomputing]

With what you have in mind. Go with the 45. I wish I had!

 

[POC]

My two concerns with the 45 is compacting/rutting the ground around the house and being so big in the woods. Although the timberjacks made roads in the woods last fall, so there shouldn't be any problem getting a tractor around in there.

Thanks for the discussion guys.

 

[jcpehl]

I have a 4530. Surprising it is pretty nimble in the woods. I’ve used mine for taking down trees along my fence line and making roads through my woods. I’ve been able to maneuver around and through some pretty dense growth. I think if you are going to do a lot of dirt work (as it sounds like your planning to do) you will appreciate the extra horsepower, weight and size of the bucket. I recently dug my pond out with my 4530 and it really surprised me with the power and the relative ease of operating it in thick muck and mud. It never once got stuck, come close a few times but I was always able to work it out with the FEL. It will compact the dirt more than a smaller tractor, but that is a plus when your doing dirt work. All in all I can honestly say I’m happy with my purchase of the 4530. It has never let me down and I have expected it to do some pretty tough jobs. I would highly recommend this tractor to my family and friends and have already done so.

 

[POC]

Thanks for the input. I was thinking the same about the weight re: dirt work. I got it priced with the 36" bucket as I could get a smaller bucket later to do other work. The guy at the dealership said I'd be kicking myself later if I got the 24" vs. the 36" when digging the basement. Guess I should just add it on now.
DEALERS: Do you guys see any indication of deals coming down the pike? He told me about the 0/0/4.49%, which sounds good, but I can't get it done before the end of the month...

Thanks guys,
Patrick

 

[jwcinpk]

If you're not going to be doing any ag work like haying the 3215 will do all you want. Yeah it'll take a little longer than the 4530, but it'll save you some bucks. As for the backhoes the 511 on the 4530 will work circles around the 3710 on the 3215. The 3215 will be more nimble but the 4530 will do more work.
Compare the two backhoes digging force and depth.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Patrick,
The deal on the 3215 is almost unbelievable. I would get the 3215 HST, w/R4 tires, load all 4 tires, and add a tooth bar to your loader bucket. Your initial jobs will take a bit longer, but when you are finished with the big jobs, you really enjoy the 3215 arround the yard. Not to big not to small.

 

[POC]

Patrick,
The deal on the 3215 is almost unbelievable. I would get the 3215 HST, w/R4 tires, load all 4 tires, and add a tooth bar to your loader bucket. Your initial jobs will take a bit longer, but when you are finished with the big jobs, you really enjoy the 3215 arround the yard. Not to big not to small.

Taking your advice, I think that is what I'll do. If I can get approved for the financing.
You guys don't have any ideas about what may happen in May, do you?
Right now I'm only working part-time while going to school, so my pay checks aren't looking too good. But I have a job lined up in May that will be paying really good.
Anyways...thanks for all the advice.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Taking your advice, I think that is what I'll do. If I can get approved for the financing.
You guys don't have any ideas about what may happen in May, do you?
Right now I'm only working part-time while going to school, so my pay checks aren't looking too good. But I have a job lined up in May that will be paying really good.
Anyways...thanks for all the advice.

You can try now, and if they don't give it a go, then try in May.

 

[rcrcomputing]

I've just GOT to say this. Twice as many bucket loads, twice as many hours and wear and tear with the 32..

1/2 as much lift on the bucket. The 45 handles many qucikattach implements with ease..

I don't care so much about a bigger BH. Mine is plenty tough and I have no need for longer than my 7 1/2' Backhoe. Though you may want to get a 12" bucket to go along with it for trenches..
Maybe it's just a personality thing.


You might check the width, length and turning radius to see how different it is. I also have to add. My 5' width is nice at times rather than a 6'.

Also consider hauling. On a 7000lb trailer, you could probably get the 32 and the BH on it. For the 45, you'll need a bigger trailer, bigger truck etc..
Of course, I rigged up to haul mine a few years ago, loaded it on the trailer once to see how it looked, and have never hauled it anywhere.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Something else that I was wondering about compaction. Will 2 trips with the 3215 compact as much as one trip with the 4530? So if you make 50 trips with the 4530 or 100 trips with the 3215, which dirt would be most compacted? Does it even matter?

 

[POC]

I'm not sure about the compaction issue. (This is somewhat humorous, as I work in a hospital; we deal with "compaction" of a difference nature....)

rcr: You aren't making this easy! haha I don't know that I'll ever haul mine anywhere, but the option would be nice to have.
Not that I have anyting to haul either one of them with....

I do like that the 45 is a bigger heavier made tractor. Even the 4110 which is nearly the same HP is much lighter. And every other 45hp tractor I've looked at has been lots lighter too.

 

[jwcinpk]

I'm not sure about the compaction issue. (This is somewhat humorous, as I work in a hospital; we deal with "compaction" of a difference nature....)

rcr: You aren't making this easy! haha I don't know that I'll ever haul mine anywhere, but the option would be nice to have.
Not that I have anyting to haul either one of them with....

I do like that the 45 is a bigger heavier made tractor. Even the 4110 which is nearly the same HP is much lighter. And every other 45hp tractor I've looked at has been lots lighter too.

The 4110 with the Bradco 509 hoe is a hoss. Very tough little tractor. Also saw them with the bigger 511 hoe on them.
Maybe a compromise!
At the price you've been quoted for the 3215 you better grab it or I will!

 

[POC]

I'll stop by today and see what a 4110 with a BH and FEL would be. Maybe try for the financing too.

Thanks again for everyones input. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply to me.
Patrick