First Tractor- HELP ME!!!

joe5986 · May 10, 2012

After trolling these parts for quite some time, and debating whether or not to buy a ZTM or a tractor, i have decided to go for a tractor. Been having some trouble finding the right people to talk to for good hoenst reviews, but it really looks like this is the place.

I own 12 acres and would like to use a tractor to load/haul wood and rock, do some light grading, mow my 5 acres of grass, and for snow removal purposes. I assume i'll need a loader, a mower deck, 5 ft. blade, and a ballast box.

Been looking at JD (1023 & 1026) and Kubotas (BX2360, BX2660) and quotes for these ones with all my implements are aroound 15k. not sure what else is out there but should i be looking at other tractors? I have never owned a tractor before so i want to do this the right way.

I appreciate any/all help that you guys can give me here... thanks again!

dodge man · May 10, 2012

Its just me, but I think you are looking at the right tractors. Those are the two I would be looking at. A little bigger tractor would be O.K. also, such as a Kobota B series, but it will cost more also. I own a Kubota, but would be really happy with a J.D. also. J.D. and Kubota are also the only two makes that I can by local in my town. There plenty of other makes that people on the forum are loyal to, but it just depends on what is available to you and how good of a dealer they are.

Petroman1 · May 10, 2012

Before I bought my tractor I was looking at the 2305. When I went to the dealer he showed me the 2520. I thought that was too much tractor for what I needed. After a week of going back and forth I decided to go with the 2520! It was the right decision for me. It turns on a dime, mows great, no problem with a 5' box blade. It has met or exceeded all of my expatations.:thumbsup: Test drive the ones you are considering at the same time. If you wait a day or two that is too much time in between. IMO.
Good Luck!

Martian · May 10, 2012

I'll get barked at for posting this, but I don't care:

If your in the market for a SCUT (what you've listed and what I believe you will require) the JD 1 series is by far the most comfortable SCUT in the market. Yes, they do come with a slight premium over some of the competition, but they offer a lot more features currently. If I was in the market for a SCUT right now, I my bias aside, there is no way I would even consider another than the 1026R.

With that said, I'm not saying that you wouldn't be happy with the Kubota (or other) model tractor, I just think you would be HAPPIEST with the 1026R. Still do your due diligence, but I'm just saying where my money is at. The 1 series is just the latest thing to the market, other manufacturers will trump Deere eventually, but right now, they lead the pack by a long shot.

murphy1244 · May 10, 2012

Welcome to TBN, I agree with the new JD can't be beat..

flusher · May 10, 2012

Mahindra Max series has just hit the dealer's lots. Check them out. You may be able to get a better $15K deal.

Mahindra Max 22 4WD HST - Mahindra Tractors - Heavy Duty, Value Packed Tractors. Built Tough to Last with a 5 year Warranty

PossumHound · May 10, 2012

:welcome:

Jesse masterson · May 11, 2012

Look at the kioti , you will be pleasantly surprised . Hard to beat for value I have a dk 45 with rhino backhoe and this thing is impressive

murphy1244 · May 11, 2012

Jesse masterson said:
Look at the kioti , you will be pleasantly surprised . Hard to beat for value I have a dk 45 with rhino backhoe and this thing is impressive

He is looking for a sub-cut with a MMM, Kioti does not make one .

Tompet · May 11, 2012

The op wrote he does not know what else is out there and he wants to do this the right way. He did not write he was only looking for a scut, but that is what models were quoted.

Anyway, with 12 acres and the tasks outlined the op should at least consider the next frame size up to a small CUT. Kubota B2320, 2620 or 2920 with their floating mmm, (possibly a B3200 but it is a ground engaging mmm). Or the JD 2320, 2520, Mahindra etc.
The new Massey Ferguson 1526 would be a very nice fit for what the op outlined.

I have done the trade up routine, so yes, I agree with the op that at this stage he should be looking at other tractor sizes and brands before he makes a final decision.

joe5986 · May 11, 2012

First-thanks everyone for the advice. I will now be doing some further research on Mahindra, Massey,and Kioti. I really do not want to rule anything out as i would hate to regret things later.

Any other implements people recommend highly based on what i am looking at? Ballast box? How is the mowing quality with all of these tractors?

Should i go with turf tires to start off and get something else later on if i need to?

thanks again everyone!

k0ua · May 11, 2012

I might be able to help a little.. sometimes it is hard to envision exactly what a person may want to do with their new tractor. The 5 acres of mowing call out for the BX or the JD as a finish mower. Lighter tractor, etc. But the wood hauling and rock moving, may call for something bigger. My idea of rock moving is often moving over 1000 lb rocks.. Light grading?.. well it depends. If I were you I would MAYBE look bigger. Tractors have a way of "shrinking" after you get them. They seem really big at first, then often the owner wants them to do more and more. As for the turf tires..Vs R4 Industrial vs. Ag tires.. unfortunately you have to choose now, as the wheels are different for each type of tire. Of course you can buy new wheels and tires, but that can be a chunk of change.
I have 7 acres and a Dk35se a tractor about 4 sizes bigger than the SCUTS we are discussing here.. Now whether you need something that big, I doubt it, and it would make a lousy mowing tractor (too heavy) in my opinion. But it sure will move wood and rocks and dig and grade! Good luck in what ever you choose.

James K0UA

DAY · May 11, 2012

12 Acres? Like the guy said in "Jaws", you're gonna need a bigger "boat"!
However, since you are new to the beasts, I suggest that you rent one for a week/weekend, and try it out. A dealer that really wants your business may even have "loaner" for free.

joe5986 · May 11, 2012

i should have been more specific: i own 12 acres, of which approximately 5 is grass. have about 4 acres of field - which i will leave a field, and like 3 acres of a mash between barns/trees/pond/misc.

i dont think that i will be lifting 1000 lb rocks, or 1000 lbs OF rock... but hey ya never know!

just spoke with a Mahindra rep, and he quoted me the Max 25 with a Mower, loader, and 5 ft blade for 16k, which was higher than the quotes for a 1 series or a larger BX. now i REALLY am confused. i have not read much about the mahindra up until this point....

this is going to be a harder decision than i thought!

k0ua · May 11, 2012

joe5986 said:
i should have been more specific: i own 12 acres, of which approximately 5 is grass. have about 4 acres of field - which i will leave a field, and like 3 acres of a mash between barns/trees/pond/misc.

i dont think that i will be lifting 1000 lb rocks, or 1000 lbs OF rock... but hey ya never know!

just spoke with a Mahindra rep, and he quoted me the Max 25 with a Mower, loader, and 5 ft blade for 16k, which was higher than the quotes for a 1 series or a larger BX. now i REALLY am confused. i have not read much about the mahindra up until this point....

this is going to be a harder decision than i thought!

Ok thats cool, now we are zeroing in on your needs/interests a little better. So you will probably be better served by a SCUT.. The Mahindra Max is kinda of a "large" SCUT, with a little better specs on the loader etc. As others have said, the JD in that size is the hot item right now for ease of use and features. Check out the dealers tho and see which offer the best deal and easiest to get along with, and check out their service departments too.

James K0UA

eagle107 · May 11, 2012

I would definitely look at the JD 1026R SCUT; that is the best SCUT I think right now. However, you might want to see if the new Kioti CS2410 SCUT is out yet. That looks nice too. It was suppose to be available at the end of April. I believe this SCUT was based on the old Shibaura/New Holland SCUT models; I think Shibaura sold the tooling to Kioti to make this SCUT.

CS2410: Kioti’s First Ever Subcompact Tractor - TractorByNet.com

Here is a link below showing the new Kioti SCUT:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-buying-pricing/234514-kioti-cs2410.html

dkizerian · May 11, 2012

The Mahindra Max 25 is a little bit bigger than the 1026 & bx

I have an older Kubota B7300 (16hp) and the size is perfect just wish it had more power all around.

If I was spending your money

I'd look into tractors closer to the size of the B series, but these are getting higher in price from where you're at now.

Martian · May 11, 2012

With the more recent info I do believe you will still be better served with a SCUT than a larger CUT. If mowing is the main priority, a SCUT will be nicer to use. I haven't looked much into the new Kioti, but I believe it is like the Mahindra - a little larger than the Deere 1 and Kubota BX. Not that it's a bad thing, just depends on what you want/need.

the6shooter · May 11, 2012

Please don't be afraid to look for some of the tractor packages also. That is something I did for myself.
Don't be afraid to just pick up used implements, there are alot of that stuff out there that still have lots of life left in them.
You can for instance, buy tourself a new tractor with the loader, I will use a massy furguson here in Oklahoma, it's a massey 1529 w/ loader for $15000.00
It is posted on tractorhouse.com, then buy the mid mount mower with it, that is extra, then pick up a rotary cutter used.
I can tell you now, with 12 acres 28 to 30 h.p. would in all reality be what your looking for. I started out with the M.F. 1528 gear, I am glad iI did, but with what I do with mine I traded off and got a M.F. 1643. But I had the need for a larger unit.

We could all sit here and debate the color, prefferance here untill time ends, and still be in the same boat. but with your needs and your money, you'll have to make your tractor your own.

And if you ever need to sell it, at least a 29 or 30 H.P. tractor everybody will be looking to take it home with them.
Good Luck
david

Coginchaug · May 11, 2012

HI,
I am doing the same thing you are except I have been looking for about 6 weeks. I have about 9 acres and will be using in a very similar fashion. When I started I was looking at JD and Kubota, I might suggest you look at Massey. While I haven't made a buy decision yet I am leaning towards a Red Tractor due to price for performance. Also consider loaded tires and a rear snow blower if you look at snow blowers. I might try using just the FEL for snow removal but with two driveways and a parking area I am thinking of adding a blower. Why the rear one? So I can have the FEL for cleanup if needed, added weight, and I don't want to change out a FEL for a snow blower when its 10 degrees outside. So what if I have to turn around a few times with a rear blower.