First tractor:need help !

[eyi]

Ok I am in market for my first "machine". I am fortunate I found TBN, read many many threads, it is very helpful.

Here's my situation:

- 100 acres, mainly wood
- Began doing small food plots and want to continue
- Already have chain saws, brushcutter, ATVs
- Small sugashack.

My land include a 10 feet width 1 mile road right in the middle. It is fairly flat and the maintenance of it is the main reason actually to buy a tractor. Definitively need also a bush hog or a finish mower or both. Also around my buildings I have a mix of weed and clover that I need to maintain. So actually the primary task is mowing the road and the food plots.

For sure in addition I want a tractor which is perfectly capable of doing much more tasks in the future, I am thinking about: A little bit of plowing for future plots, moving a variety of things with the FEL, snow blowing, some logging, etc.

In fact I think I need the smallest, stable and safest machine that is capable to do a little bit of everything but will mow almost all the time. Which machine would be great ? I have my ideas but don't want to influence...I have Kubota, MF, Mahindra and Kioti all at the same distance. Thanks !!

 

[eyi]

Sorry guys I forgot to mention my buildings are 1500 feet from the main road so I'll have to snowblow that long myself 2-3 times a year. I think I need a machine I can install a snowblower in front.

TKS

 

[stuckmotor]

If it comes down to a bushhog type rotary mower or a finish mower. I'd go for the bush hog. I've mowed the lawn with one many times. It needs to be good and sharp for that kind of work.
Even if you're your own mechanic, nearness to the dealer, for parts, is a big plus.

 

[flusher]

Ok I am in market for my first "machine". I am fortunate I found TBN, read many many threads, it is very helpful.

Here's my situation:

- 100 acres, mainly wood
- Began doing small food plots and want to continue
- Already have chain saws, brushcutter, ATVs
- Small sugashack.

My land include a 10 feet width 1 mile road right in the middle. It is fairly flat and the maintenance of it is the main reason actually to buy a tractor. Definitively need also a bush hog or a finish mower or both. Also around my buildings I have a mix of weed and clover that I need to maintain. So actually the primary task is mowing the road and the food plots.

For sure in addition I want a tractor which is perfectly capable of doing much more tasks in the future, I am thinking about: A little bit of plowing for future plots, moving a variety of things with the FEL, snow blowing, some logging, etc.

In fact I think I need the smallest, stable and safest machine that is capable to do a little bit of everything but will mow almost all the time. Which machine would be great ? I have my ideas but don't want to influence...I have Kubota, MF, Mahindra and Kioti all at the same distance. Thanks !!

With 100 acres and a lot of current and future chores in prospect, I'd reverse my thinking. Instead of focusing on the smallest tractor, I'd look at identifying the largest tractor that I could fit into my budget. That means looking for the dealer with the best financing deal and picking out a tractor there. I would lean toward something in the 50-60 hp (engine) class like my 2008 Mahindra 5525 (55 hp engine, 45 hp pto, 2WD, partially synchronized gear tranny 8F/2R, power steering, triple rear hydraulic remotes) with the ML250 FEL (6-ft wide bucket, 2950 lb lift to 10.5 ft height, skid steer quick attach bucket). Cost: $19K new.

I've never used a front attached snow blower which I assume is operated via a front facing pto. My 5525 does not have this feature. I assume there are tractors in the power and price range I mentioned that would handle such a blower.

Good luck.

 

[Grandad4]

That road is going to dictate how big you'll need to go, and it seems to me you'll want to run 6 ft implements... snowblower, blade, bush hog, etc. Particularly with the snowblower, the more hp you have the better... probably 40 hp is a minimum. As flusher notes, not every tractor is equipped to run a front mounted snowblower. So that gives you a starting point for shopping... go to each dealer and ask what they have with at least 40 hp that will run a front snowblower. I will say, brace yourself for some sticker shock... that will be a very nice, but very costly package.

If the budget doesn't allow that, you could downsize to a smaller tractor with 5 ft implements, which does give up some capability and productivity of course.

Just to add more ways to lighten your wallet, tractors with all weather cabs are pretty popular in snow country for some reason.

As between the brands you mentioned, they all offer well-made products that should do you work reliably. Check out the dealers and find the brand and model you like best. Remember these tractors last a long time... a few bucks difference in initial price is not that significant over the life of the tractor.

 

[jeff9366]

With 100 acres and a lot of current and future chores in prospect, I'd reverse my thinking. Instead of focusing on the smallest tractor, I'd look at identifying the largest tractor that I could fit into my budget.

I'll second this comment from 'flusher' with the caveat that maneuverability should also be considered. I use my B3300SU in the woods most of the time, for me maneuverability is a key issue, however for your tasks my 1,900 pound B3300SU tractor/loader, pulling 60" implements, is insufficient.

"Large" can have a lot of definitions in tractors. I think your minimum weight should be 2,500 pounds and minimum horsepower 38+, in order to pull 72" implements. Minimums.

Four wheel drive is essential for moving snow. Industrial Tires and HST transmission are default selections with an FEL order.

Yes, you need a Bush Hog type Rotary Cutter, or a Flail Mower, not a Finish Mower.

Almost no one plows for food plots. A pass or two with heavy, 3-Pt. hitch mounted Disc Harrow is usually sufficient to cut up the surface in preparation for seeding and then, ideally, a Cultipacker is used to roll in the seed and prevent erosion. Plows are not that easy to find and not that easy to adjust. A Disc Harrow is suitable, relatively easy to use, faster and half the price of a GOOD plow. It can take two seasons to develop a lush food plot.

Road implements to consider are: Box Blade, Rear Blade, Landscape Rake and/or Land Plane. You can really get OPINIONS on which are best for road maintenance on T-B-N. If your road is 3"-6" gravel, consider an easy-to-use Land Plane first. With a one mile road a Land Plane would be worth its cost in time saved and ease of use.

~I do not understand "mowing" the road.~

I am a great fan of the Ratchet Rake. Consider this $300 attachment for your FEL bucket both for food plot preparaton and road maintenance.

If you have not operated a tractor before you are likely to find tractor-ing intimidating the first 200 hours. Go slow; think SAFETY. The Operator is the most important safety feature on any tractor.

Consider a MUTS Trailer for the ATV:

MUTS - Multi-Use Trailer System for your ATV, Quad and 4 Wheeler - Welcome

http://www.kubota.com/product/L3200/L3200.aspx?

 

[eyi]

Thank you very much for your advices so far guys, this is exactly the kind of things I need to know. So because I want to limit my spending on it let's assume I would not go with the front blower. Hence in term of "economic" small but "heavy" machines, I am considering Kubota L3800, MF 1532, Kioti CK35, Mahindra 3616. Case Farmall 35 could also be in the race, the dealer is very nice but much farther than the other ones. All those machines fall in the same price range in the low 20 000 $, HST and FEL.

Sounds good or too small ?

Thanks again

 

[murphy1244]

Thank you very much for your advices so far guys, this is exactly the kind of things I need to know. So because I want to limit my spending on it let's assume I would not go with the front blower. Hence in term of "economic" small but "heavy" machines, I am considering Kubota L3800, MF 1532, Kioti CK35, Mahindra 3616. Case Farmall 35 could also be in the race, the dealer is very nice but much farther than the other ones. All those machines fall in the same price range in the low 20 000 $, HST and FEL.

Sounds good or too small ?

Thanks again

Try to go with the DK series on the Kioti

 

[Grandad4]

Considering what it does, the snow blower needs plenty of power regardless of whether it's in front or in back, so the power issue is the same. However you expand your range of models to choose from by putting it in the rear, and that could save you money. All the machines you listed will do your basic work, although their size would become a limiting factor sooner than a larger unit if/when you got into more and heavier work on your 100 acres. That kind of "mission creep" seems to happen a lot with rural properties. But if things don't evolve like that and you end up keeping the property in a more rustic state, any of these tractors should last you for a long time.

 

[eyi]

the road I am refering to is easily large enough for a F150, for example. And it probably used to be a logging road a long time ago. The surface is a mix of clay and black earth so yes it is covered with grass. Not a gravel road. It is very nice when freshly cut. This is my problem actually, my neighbor no longer can mow it.

 

[jeff9366]

Near my small town there is a Kubota dealer six miles away and a John Deere dealer eleven miles away.

I established rapport with the Kubota dealer, never with the busy, busy, JD dealer.

Therefore I went with the Kubota and I have been glad I did. The Kubota dealer has remained supportive.

I bought The Dealer as much as a specific tractor brand.

I think the Dealer Relationship is important, especially for a first time tractor buyer/operator.

Others differ.

 

[eyi]

What I feel looks like important is a brand with a dealer with a place close to where my land is and close to where I live too which is 60 miles away. The one I have the better feeling with is the Massey, close to where I live, but he mentioned no problem to deliver the machine ! There is another MF dealer close to where my land is, but owned by a different person. I almost prefer to deal with the dealer close to where I live because I have more time on week to deal with issues. When I go at my land, no time to worry about tractor problem.

I don't have an appropriate trailer, it this an issue for future services or it can be done on site by almost anyone ?

 

[jeff9366]

I don't have an appropriate trailer, it this an issue for future services or it can be done on site by almost anyone ?

I think all tractor dealers have tractor transport trailers.

My Kubota dealer charges me $50 to pick up and return my tractor, $75 when I send my RTV500 utility vehicle at the same time.

Twelve miles round trip, plus time securely strapping down the equipment(s) at each end.

The mechanic generally does the hauling, which give me the opportunity to discuss repair/service issues.

Major service comes once every 150 hours. Last year I put 230 hours on the tractor.

I make sure to have a very cold Dr. Pepper for the mechanic.

A mechanic will make adjustments in the field. Actual service is usually performed in the shop, where tools, spares, fluids and fluid disposal are available.

 

[Biggreenavalanche]

Ditto all the above...good solid advice...one thing to consider, the dealer, ask around, go to BBB, talk to all dealers, a good dealer and service dept are one Of the best things to have ! All the brands you're considering should give you years of service, but a bad dealer will not !

Rich

 

[eyi]

Hey guys, what do you think about the case Farmall 35B ?

Looks like to be a pretty complete machine, the dealer is a little bit far but is giving me a good feeling and a good price. There seems to be few info on the net about it ? It is as safe a machine as the other ones I am looking at ?

TKS

 

[jeff9366]

Hey guys, what do you think about the case Farmall 35B ?
Looks like to be a pretty complete machine, the dealer is a little bit far but is giving me a good feeling and a good price.
Is it as safe a machine as the other ones I am looking at ?

35B LINK:

http://www.caseih.com/en_us/Product...owres Update r1 PROOF - complete brochure.pdf

A Farmall 35B will get you started: 38 horsepower and 3,200 pounds.

 

[GManBart]

Hey guys, what do you think about the case Farmall 35B ?

Looks like to be a pretty complete machine, the dealer is a little bit far but is giving me a good feeling and a good price. There seems to be few info on the net about it ? It is as safe a machine as the other ones I am looking at ?

TKS

The Case Farmall 35B is an LS R3039 with a significantly weaker loader, and red paint....the same machine, made by LS, and then Case puts the loader (which they don't make either) on it. They then charge quite a bit more for it than LS does. A new LS R3039H with FEL is running $19,600 from my dealer right now:
LS R3039 tractor loader, 39hp

With the amount of land you're talking about, the length of the road, etc....I'd definitely want something significantly bigger. I have the bigger brother of the R3039, and while it's a lot more machine, I'd want even more than that if I had as much land as you're talking about.

 

[Coyote machine]

Geeze, once again, I have to agree with Murphy 1223! A Kioti DK- 40, which we both have, is an excellent tractor for the $, the weight, the capability to out-lift anything in it's class. I run a Canadian made front plow designed for use with tractor loaders, (see my signature line). Kioti makes a front mounted blower which drives from a mid-mount PTO shaft, but I wouldn't spend that kind of money to get a blower, JMHO.
I too believe a 40+ HP machine is what you want at a minimum, I don't think I've ever heard anyone here say- 'gee I wish I had gone smaller?!':confused2::confused3:
You're going to want most everything on my signature line at some point anyway. I maintain 25+ acres of woods, two ponds, fields, paddocks, etc. And a 600' gravel driveway uphill and around bends....

 

[eyi]

well it is my first tractor experience...actually seriously leaning toward L3800 and SQ 160 to begin with...

 

[GManBart]

well it is my first tractor experience...actually seriously leaning toward L3800 and SQ 160 to begin with...

Based on the size of your land, the road, etc, I'd be willing to put good money down that if you go with an L3800, you're going to wind up buying something bigger in the near future. I only have 15 acres right now (may grow to as much as 55 eventually), and I'd be really limited with an L3800. I use my loader a lot, and have had plenty of times when it wasn't powerful enough, and it can lift 1,500lbs more than the L3800 loader. I'd also be concerned that it was far too light for maintaining that road....a 2,500lb tractor is pretty light when you start doing anything along those lines.