Tractor Sizing First Time Buyer - What Size?

thcri · Mar 14, 2003

TractorTruck,

I have a TC29D with Hydro, Supersteer and sensi-trac. I love the supersteer for mowing. As far as the loader I don't think it changes stablility at all. I used to have a TC21D and it was not stabile at all. I took it back in and got the 29D. My lawn is very hilly and I now let my 13 year old daughter mow the lawn because the 29 is so much more stable. If you have any other questions about the 29 just holler.

As far as pricing, I paid just under 20k for the tractor, 72" mmm and 7308 loader.

murph

John_Mc · Mar 15, 2003

( ... I was thinking that the new Kioti CK20 was going to do the job but, now it sounds like I better plan on bigger things. My CFO is not going to like hearing that - I just got her convinced that it would be worth while to make such a purchase so I better wait a while to tell her about an upgrade.)

Keep in mind that the size issue is also a matter of what you are willing to spend more of... your time or your money. If money is a sticking point, then you probably do not want to be looking up around the 35 HP range. You can handle a 5 foot brush hog with 25 HP, depending on your conditions and how often you mow. If you go too much smaller on the tractor, you'll have to step down to a 4 foot brush hog and spend more time. It's similar with other implements.

You may find the ranges of size recommendations you receive here narrowing a bit if you can give us an idea of where you stand on the time vs. $$ trade-off.

BTW... I think Kioti makes some good machines for the money.

John Mc

thcri · Mar 15, 2003

Let me verify my statement on Supersteer and stability. I have no problem with mine even on some sidehills. If you have some pretty good sidehills and the wheel tucking in tight you will see some problems. Supersteer is good for getting around things and you have to look at what you are going to mostly use the tractor for. If it is mowing, then go supersteer, if it is FEL work on side hills then I would forget the supersteer.

murph

Anonymous Poster · Mar 16, 2003

I went to a couple of dealers yesterday and spent some time at the NH dealer. The salesman was impressed with the knowledge I have gained here with all your help so, another big Thank You! to all of you. I am thinking of getting the TC33 w/o SS but, I have yet to get any seat time. At this point, I want to make contact with more dealers and see how they are.

I also looked at some Kubotas, the Grand L series is very nice and I may drive some tractors in the next couple of weeks so, that one goes on my list. I've yet to look at any JD's and the NH dealer only has big JD's in stock - there's another JD dealer that handles the compacts but, I don't trust that dealer based on prior experience so, I'll have to travel farther to find others.

Still trying to determine what we can really afford and need in a tractor but, really appreciate all your help. I am thinking of selling our DR chipper and 4WD ATV to help raise money for implements. It's kind of hard to let go of the ATV, it's been our little tractor for pulling trailers and plowing snow for years. Guess it's going to come down to 'How Much' we can get for it. Kind of funny - the ATV salesman told me I should be buying a tractor instead of the ATV. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Anonymous Poster · Mar 16, 2003

Don,t forget about these grey tractors,also the chines tractors and yanmar tractors. I just bought a 25 h.p. new chinese tractor and including a new 5 ft. cutter and and a 6 ft heavy duty blade,also new,a new carry all and new pig pole all forunder $10,000.My neighbor has got a reconditioned jap tractor that he has been tring to tear up for three years now[seems like it any ways], for about the same money. IF you have plenty of money than go for one of those [name brands],the service will be a lot easier,or it should be,but to us poor folks,15 or 20,000 dollars for a small odd job tractor is to much money. RICHARD GAUTHIER

Anonymous Poster · Mar 16, 2003

Yeah, I've been checking out those options as well, Richard. I just don't know about the lack of dealer support. My cousin also looked at the Jinma (Northern Hyd) units prior to his purchase of his Kubota and he was not impressed with the tractors. There is a place selling Jinma's pretty close but, it is a gas station who gets them from his brother in law - or something like that. Sounds like a pretty loose support program to me. I have a lot of mechanical experience so, that's not really a problem. I just know that it usually pays to buy the best that you can afford - from experience. I have to look closer at what "afford" really means to us. I'm close to having some business stuff paid for but, I don't yet know how "deep" I'm willing to go. My CFO (Mrs.) has been very agreeable to this point and is allowing me a good amount of "Free Rein".

A good comprimise might be to go with the Kioti package deal that includes a 30.5hp 4WD tractor, 4R's, FEL, Box Blade, Tiller, Mower, and trailer all for $17,200. Problem is, no dealer nearby, no HST. Those are pretty big sticking points for me at this point but, so is the price of the big three. Kubota has a decent finance program but NH's not as good unless you can pay it off within a year. It sounds like different NH dealers may have different terms, though.

chrisjbell · Mar 16, 2003

Kubota has a great finance program. They're really nice if you get a bit behind on payments, too (don't ask me how I know that /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif). Mine's paid for now, but it was a great deal at the time - I think I was paying 3.99%, which is darn good.

But as far as what Richard was saying...I have no doubt that the "gray market" tractors can be a good deal. But I can tell you for sure that you'd have a tough time reselling one. I don't know of anyone that would buy one and I know quite a few "tractor people".

Oh, and I am a big fan of HST - especially in close quarters. I've seen people use clutches very well, but for most of us mere mortals HST is a great way to save yourself from doing something distructive - for example, you'll almost never find yourself rolling down a hill in neutral, hoping that you've locked your brakes....

Anonymous Poster · Mar 16, 2003

That sounds like a pretty good price on that kioti with all those attachments.A tiller alone [name brand one],will cost you 1200 or$1500.Maybe,since there is no kioti dealer close that could do major repairs,the sevice part or attraction is'nt there now on that kioti.I bought mine off of northern tool.They have a store kind of close to where I live in southern w.va..I was able to drive one defore buying and including a year and a half parts and labor warrenty, it was under 8,000,25 h.p.,4wd.NOW the downside to this is I have to find a mechanic to do any major repairs that will have to be done in the future because I am not a 1st class mechanic or maybe even a 2nd class one,but I figured I could find one and do the miner stuff myself.There could be a store not to far from you.Lool on the chinese tractor oweners web site and on johns tractor site.I as of yet [I've only got about 35 hrs on it]can not vouch for this tractor as far as if I'm going to have any more trouble with it than a name brand,I could tell you this fall.Those yanmar reconditioned jap tractors[the same people who make some of the john deeres,or so Ihave been told] also have dealers who work on them and sell them,there is one close to charletsville,va.Like I said though, that deal on the kioti sounded fairly good I guess. RICHARD GAUTHIER

Anonymous Poster · Mar 16, 2003

chrisj,just because your circle would'nt buy one means nothing at all to most people.Like Isaid my neighbor has been trying to tear up his yanmar for three years and hasn't yet. I don't have a yanmar.I will agree with you on one point,if you have 20 or 30 thousand dollars to spend to mow a couple of acres and till a living room sized garden than I would buy one of the big three and build it its own house. A lot of us don't and mine is paided for. RICHARD GAUTHIER

Anonymous Poster · Mar 16, 2003

CHRIS BELL,I'm sorry but I couldn't resist,you mean to say that all you old time "tractor people" don't know how to use a clutch or a standard transmission? me o my. RICHARD GAUTHIER

Bird · Mar 17, 2003

And then some of us old timers do know how to use a clutch and manual transmission, and have lots of experience with them, which is what makes us appreciate the HST in tractors and automatics in cars. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Buster57 · Mar 23, 2003

Where you live make sure to get a cab with mosquito netting! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Actually, just make sure to go a little bigger then you think because the price you pay will be long gone before your tractor wears out. I always recommend going with one of the big three. I like my Kubota L3010 and recommend you check out Kubota for sure.
I also own a JD-318 for around the house.
Some day I will own a NH!
Have fun!

Anonymous Poster · Apr 9, 2003

Yeah - no kidding on the mosquito netting!

Well, now I've gone & dunnit . . . I went to three local dealers and got prices after driving a total of four different tractors. I drove a NH class II Boomer, Kubota L3130, Kubota 3710, and a JD 4310. The 3130 & the JD had loaders on so I got to try them out - fun!

Now I am really not sure which way to go. I like the Boomer's ergonomics - very nice feel. I thought the Hydro could be smoother but, I love the styling and the smooth ride. It also seems to be the quietest of the group. I priced a TC33D w/FEL @ $17,500 but, have to add $600 to finance so, it's actually $18,100. They also quoted me a price for a JD 4310 w/FEL of $17,500 but, they did not have any compacts on hand.

The Kubota L3130 was very nice. The Hydro was silky smooth but, the turning radius was obviously larger. Easy to see that this tractor is just plain bigger than the Boomer and the Deere. Next I tried the 3710 because the salesman said I could by that for about the same price as the 3130. That thing felt huge by comparison - a real "man's tractor" (Insert Tim Taylor type grunts here). They both are nice but the 3710 has more noticable vibration in the deck and controls compared to the 3130. The engine note of the 3710's four cylinder is sweet. The 3710 is obviously the most "Beef" for the money but, I am concerned that I may find it's too big to manuever in tight places. Both of the Kubota's came in @ $18,300 w/FEL's.

Finally I went to the local Deere dealer and drove a 4310 w/FEL and it was nice but, noticably louder both in terms of engine note and Hydro. I like the Load Match feature and the obvious dealer support. They gave me a price w/420 Loader of $17,700.

Overall, I don't think any of the dealers stands out much above the other. They are like the tractors, they each have their strengths.

I am ready to make a decision but, I could use some help from all you TBN'ers with more experience. Perhaps you can offer some different perspective than my own about my adventure.

thcri · Apr 9, 2003

TractorTruck,

Did the New Holland TC33D have the super-steer on it? If it did that is about an $1,200.00 dollar add. If you are going to do a lot of mowing around stuff the super-steer is nice. If not and most of your work is Loader stuff then don't get the super-steer. As far as the financing I thought New Holland had 0% for 1 year right now?

Just questioning
Murph

bmac · Apr 9, 2003

2 different NH dealers told me they can match Kubotas 0% for 3 years (through April 30).

Anonymous Poster · Apr 10, 2003

Yeah, NH does have a new finance option but, the salesman told me that their dealership is not participating in that and I would have to finance it through JD at a higher rate - not that big of a deal but, if I finance, I lose the $600 rebate through NH thus the $600 add-on. Unless I can find a better deal at another NH dealer - the TC just isn't gonna make the cut. If it was the lower priced tractor of the group I probably would have made the deal today.

thcri · Apr 10, 2003

Tractortruck,

I would check around at different New Holland dealers if you have some nearby. One of your first post you said you really liked the New Holland. If your first impression was for the New Holland I would try and make that work if you can. First impressioins mean a lot to me. In my area the New Holland beat both Kubota and John Deere in price. But I also know that every area is different.

What it sounds like to me you are dealing with a multi brand dealer and he is trying to push the John Deere over the New Holland and there is nothing wrong with that. If you are sold on that dealer then I would go for the Deere. But again you may want to check around with other New Holland Dealers just to keep him honest.

murph

Anonymous Poster · Apr 10, 2003

Yep, already done that and sure enough, the local dealer handles both NH & JD and I'd say he is yanking my chain on the loss of discount due to financing the purchase. Another NH dealer said that tactic is common and confirmed that the discount issue is BS. I don't think I want to do business with the local NH guy. I guess I'm kind of stuck on which brand to go with and I'm hoping someone can pull me out of the proverbial mud with a sweeter deal. It kind of makes it hard to get to sleep at night - at this point. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

thcri · Apr 10, 2003

( ( I guess I'm kind of stuck on which brand to go with and I'm hoping someone can pull me out of the proverbial mud with a sweeter deal. It kind of makes it hard to get to sleep at night - at this point. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif )

Tractortruck,

You can't let this get you down. When the right deal comes you will know it. Don't lose any sleep as buying the tractor has to be just as fun as driving it. If you feel the local guy is jerking you around then you just have to stay away from him. If he is a good sales person he will call you and ask if you have made a decision. That will be your chance to say, "well I wanted New Holland but felt the deal you gave wasn't as good as what you can get else where. I never did like dual dealers, when you ask them what they think is the best, they will tell you whatever is the best deal or money maker for them at the time. Your profile says you are in Central Wisconsin. I would think that there is local dealers of all brands all around you. Even if you just call around since you know what you want in each line to get pricing. Then you can go to the best deal and then get to know the dealer. Even if you have to go 30 or 40 miles out I would not be afraid. These tractors all are pretty good and usually most repairs can be done at service intervals. If it is something major then you just have to haul it in. My dealer charges me $50.00 for pickup and delivery which isn't much. He has to travel 25 miles. I also have a trailer so I can haul it in also. But don't rush, be patient and the right deal will come.

Just don't rush into something you will regret at a later time.

murph

frank_f15 · Apr 10, 2003

i don't think it is a matter of which brand u choose, it should be about which tractor u like best. as far as the dealer, if u don't like his way of doing businnes now u ain't going to like anybetter down the road. my thinking is if u lie to me once or think i am stupid u made a mistake! i use this principal on ALL intended purchases.