Buying Advice first time tractor buyer looking for advice

[VTsteader]

Hi,

I'm new to the site and have been reading some posts with great advice for the past few days as my obsession to find and buy a tractor grows!

Here's the deal:

Just finishing building my house (while living in it = possible mistake) and wished I had bought a tractor 3 yrs ago when I started... I plan on continuing to build other structures, another obsession, and want to be able to dig some trenches, pier holes, etc. We also heat with wood so I would use the tractor to skid some small trees or pull a trailer full of split wood. We have 20 acres of mostly hillside woods, not too steep and some wet spots (possible pond sites) so 4WD is a must, I assume. We have a 500' dirt/gravel driveway with a steep 40' or so at the bottom that needs to be plowed. And to top it all off I've been doing some backyard sugarin' (5 gallons of syrup this year!) and would like to use it to move some sap around.

SO, to sum it all up, the tractor needs to dig holes, move snow, move wood and sap, be 4WD and a diesel.

I'm not sure what HP range I should be looking for. I'd like to keep it on the smaller end if possible, I don't mind taking my time because anything will be better than my **** wheelbarrow!

Here's what I've been looking at, a B7100 and a JD 750. Don't know if they're big enough or if there is something else I should be looking at?

Any and all input would be much appreciated! Thanks for letting me ramble...

 

[beenthere]

:welcome:
I'd suggest minimum of 35 hp.
Furthermore, many good brands to pick from, but getting to know a local dealer would be of primary importance due to ongoing help and any warranty work, etc. likely needed. Also, for attachments possibly rentable from this dealer.

I've 22 acres wooded and not flat. My JD 4300 (only 32hp) handles the chores I need doing.

 

[VTsteader]

Thanks! I haven't heard good things about the local JD dealer but I might give them a chance. Otherwise there is a Kubota/Case dealer just over the border in NY that is supposed to be decent. Just over there today poking around their used section...

 

[Western]

:welcome:
I'd suggest minimum of 35 hp.
Furthermore, many good brands to pick from, but getting to know a local dealer would be of primary importance due to ongoing help and any warranty work, etc. likely needed. Also, for attachments possibly rentable from this dealer.

I've 22 acres wooded and not flat. My JD 4300 (only 32hp) handles the chores I need doing.

X's 2. My current one is a DK KIOTI 35 (35hp) great for my 15 acres, I have owned up to 140hp. It's like a shop, get bigger than you think, you wont be sorry. A 35-45 hp should work good for you.

Keep in mind , the bigger the tractor, the higher $$ for implements if they are based on width, so price those too.

I would add your General area you live in, like the county and state or region of said state, that will allow members around you to respond and you may have more "eye and ears" out helping you find a good deal/good dealers.

Don't get bogged down on "Color" (Brands) until you have done enough research to narrow it down.:thumbsup:

 

[richamor]

While more HP is good, HP costs money. The more you get the more is costs. For what you're asking,

SO, to sum it all up, the tractor needs to dig holes, move snow, move wood and sap, be 4WD and a diesel.
..

something in the 25HP range should do nicely. As for brand, I chose Kubota based on my dealer representation in the area (we have 2 good ones) and personal preference. Look and talk around, get on 'em and drive around, talk to the dealers. See what your neighbors are using. Enjoy the shopping!!

 

[art]

So then you are looking for a tractor for many purposes that would include a backhoe as well as a loader, bushhog, snow removal and to keep the driveway in shape.

I'd say you should be into a 30 to 35 horsepower tractor with a 9' backhoe.

Your snow removal choice might make a difference on the tractor as to if it would be a front snowblower or rear.


You do have quite a few options to lok at!

 

[davygp38]

I started out just like you. Got the house, fixed it up myself, burn wood. I went with a 32 hp Kubota tlb,(new) mostly because the dealer, is one of the largest on the east Coast, and I figured I would have no trouble with parts, and service. That 32 hp shuttle shift Kubota was bullet proof never had a problem with it. I think any color would offer a 30-35 hp tractor (shuttle shift) that would do what you need done. I now have a 44hp Kubota ( you will always "want" more power, but if I had to, that 32hp would still do the job. If you can though, get the quick attach for your loader, it really increases what the machine can do with all kinds of bucket attachments that are available. Good luck, and don't forget to post pics, and I urge you write a review of the machine after 60 or so hours.

 

[bigbull338]

from what i read you say you have pretty hilly ground.so you need a tractor with some weight an hp.im thinking an l3700 4x4 w/fel would fitt your needs nicely.an it would do what you needed done.

 

[crazyal]

Digging holes will cost you. Everything else is in the range of a small tractor, even a 7100 would work. But to dig holes you'll need a backhoe, that's not a cheap attachment. It sounds like you don't want to invest the money on a new tractor. If your tractor broke can you fix it yourself and can you live without if for a few weeks? If so then an older tractor may fit you just fine. Best thing you can do would be to take a look at what you can find used and then come here and ask details in the brand specific forums.

 

[DAY]

Ditto Crazyal.
You don't say it, but it sounds like you have no "tractor Experience". If that's the case, find a good dealer, tell him what you just told us, rent some of his used equipment, and try them on for size. Some dealers will deduct the rental fees from the unit if you buy it. Since you mention used tractors, think long and hard about what attachments you really need. You can rent a REAL backhoe many, many weekends for the $6000 price of one of the "toys" that hang off the back end of a Kub or a JD.

 

[teg]

...pier holes...tractor needs to dig holes

Digging holes will cost you...But to dig holes you'll need a backhoe...

I think the OP was talking about post holes and a post hole digger (PHD) can be run on any size tractor. :2cents:

You don't want a tractor too big in the woods...

 

[VTsteader]

It's like a shop, get bigger than you think, you wont be sorry.

Keep in mind , the bigger the tractor, the higher $$ for implements if they are based on width, so price those too.

YUP, I tend to overbuild things so a bigger tractor would fall right in line, however like you said the bigger the tractor the more $$ and I'm not looking to go into debt.

 

[VTsteader]

I think the OP was talking about post holes and a post hole digger (PHD) can be run on any size tractor. :2cents:

You don't want a tractor too big in the woods...

Post hole digger would be good, but was thinking of digging some holes for piers. I guess a big enough PHD would work for that.

Digging holes will cost you. Everything else is in the range of a small tractor, even a 7100 would work. But to dig holes you'll need a backhoe, that's not a cheap attachment.

I'm not looking to dig big holes in general and maybe when I do need to dig a bigger one I would rent one. What about a backhoe on a 7100? What kind of digging could I do with that? If it just takes longer that's o.k. by me!

Thanks again!

 

[nealfris]

VTsteader, where in southwest VT? I have a summer camp up your way and just bought a 30 hp Kubota last summer for my 20 vertical acres. I've been going up there from MA all my life. I have met a ton of locals over the years that have given me invaluable advice.
TBN is an awesome site and I have learned a lot. Local input will add to your bank of info for your decision. The bonuses are two fold, make new friends and possibly a barter system for attachments and maybe help.
I know there are a lot of people on here that say "never a borrower nor lender be" but I have been doing it all my life with fellow builders for expensive tools/equipment that are seldom used.

Neal

 

[VTsteader]

Hey Neal,

We are in Sandgate now and lived in Arlington before about 4 years ago. I am originally from Weymouth, MA and have been up here for 9 years now. Whereabouts are you in Arlington?

I'm just starting to look around and have talked to a couple of people and waiting to see more out on their tractors to talk to them and get their opinions. Snows melting quick up here!

Rob

 

[nealfris]

Rob, good to hear about snow melt, I'm getting the motor home ready for travel.
How small the world really is!!! I've lived in Marshfield my whole life. Graduated Weymouth Voc/ North high class of '76'
My parents used to throw us in the station wagon in the middle of the night (no seatbelts, haha) and we would wake up in Sandgate. We had friends with a log cabin up the South West Corner Rd in Sandgate.
We now have land on spruce mt. right above Benidict Crossing and on the south side of River Rd. We look accross at Red Mt. and Sandgate. Where in Arlington did you live?
One of my best friends is Fred Pickering. He ownes Pickering Landscape and Greenhouses and has a 40 acre farm in the flood plain at Benidict Crossing. He is a wealth of information.
Were you talking about going to Salem Farm Supply? They are great, all the farmers up there go to them. I have a like new Kuhns rototiller over there on consignment.
We should meet up for a coffee at the Wayside this summer. The guy who used to own the store was a good friend of my fathers.
Neal

 

[art]

Post hole digger would be good, but was thinking of digging some holes for piers. I guess a big enough PHD would work for that.

To run an auger that is over 9" you already need more of an industrial auger power head. No $399. special for that project.

I'm not looking to dig big holes in general and maybe when I do need to dig a bigger one I would rent one. What about a backhoe on a 7100? What kind of digging could I do with that? If it just takes longer that's o.k. by me!

Thanks again!

New backhoes right now retail about 1,000 dollars for how deep they go as a ballpark. I'm thinking the 7100 is to small for you as about 6.5 foot depth might be max and yu should have a full frame unit! Not that they would be at a minimum of 20 years old and still carry a history of being reliable at that age thats Kubota, but I would think you might have to move up real soon!

 

[flusher]

Look for something in the 30-45 hp (pto hp) range with 4WD, power steering, hydrostatic tranny, FEL with 6-ft wide bucket and at least 2000 lb lift capacity, ag tires, chain hooks on the FEL bucket, skid steer attachment on the FEL so you can change quickly from the bucket to the snow plow, double or triple rear hydraulic remotes, possibly one or two front hydraulic remotes, a heated cab for those VT winters. Since there are hilly sections on your property, check the maximum track width adjustment on the rear wheels (you want the largest width you can find for stability).

 

[VTsteader]

Neal, funny my parents used to do the same thing. We'd head up to VT early AM and go camping. We even camped at camping on the Battenkill a few times! Didn't remember that until we moved here. We used to own the house just to the north of the Cutleaf Maple Motel on 7A. Nice old house but too close to 7A for us. I'm down at the Wayside often for coffee and free pretzels for the kids, I've probably seen you there! I've been waiting to run into Fred and some of the other guys with tractors to get their advice and went over to Salem Farm Supply just yesterday, nice folks. Hope you get to come on up soon, let me know.

 

[VTsteader]

Flusher, thanks for the insight. Seems everyone is saying that 30hp range is what I should be looking for. The only problem is cost. I might have to start out with a smaller machine and trade up later.