First tractor

Newbie2024 · Feb 22, 2024

Doing research for purchasing first tractor. I am a 54 yr old home builder homesteading 3 acres of mountain property. Gotten into 4th yr here in 2024 and property needs a tractor to progress. Have about 20 trees already felled, a sawmill waiting to accept them. There are also trenches that need to be dug, some possibly 300ft long along with dropping more trees continuing clearing to build rental cabins. Probably can only afford an under 40hp tractor. Figure i need loader, grapple attachment, backhoe and probably log splitter attachment. I am in Maine and have choice of manufacturers, for the most part, within 2 hours. I say first tractor but i had a1970 case 530 ck with a poor transmission. Could not get that tractor up the mountain. Because of the poor tranny could not back up, it barely would move forward after a couple months of work. Through that experiment i know i need 4wd. Any import from experienced owners in quality and pricing of manufacturers like jd, mf, bad boy, Kubota or any other suggestions. Thank you for reading this far.
Marc~

Thomas · Feb 22, 2024

Welcome to TBN.
Lots good info over the years on what your seeking...try Search button.

RjCorazza · Feb 22, 2024

New or used? A new 40hp loader tractor with backhoe and grapple would likely be in the $60-75k range off the top of my head. Shopping used requires more legwork, risk, and being prepared to make a fast cash offer.
There are deals to be had in the used tractor market, but I get the impression after your Case experience you're not wanting an older beat up machine that requires a lot of work.
My personal preference for manufacturers is Kubota, as I have had an excellent experience with several tractors and commercial mowers over the past 25 years.

Carl_NH · Feb 22, 2024

Welcome to TBN! you will find a lot of good information here. Given your property is woods and maybe rocks and stumps you might want to invest in a Tractor with a loader, and grapple, and a mini Excavator combination. The mini does the stumping and ditch digging and the tractor the hauling grading and cleanup. Go with lightly used machines (under 3-400 hrs for tractor, or 2000hrs for mini ex) and you can get a lot more for your $.

You could get by with say a 25hp tractor/loader and 6-8K excavator and get a lot done. If you want to get an all in one TLB there are a number of them on Facebook Marketplace in Maine - here is an example of a Kioti 35 HP - Log into Facebook

And a mini ex Log into Facebook

You will do well with all the major brands Kubota, Kioti, Yanmar, Mahindra, etc.

I would say if you can only get one machine get a Kubota TLB Series - L35, L45, L47 - they are built for construction and more rugged than the bh attached to a tractor.

rScotty · Feb 22, 2024

We live in the mountains and have had a dozen tractors through the years.

I'd start by going to several dealers and driving their tractors. Then do the same for a few that are for sale privately. By then, you will know enough to make a better decision.

New tractors are way overpriced, and since 2014 are crippled by emissions equipment.

If I were buying today, I'd be looking for a well-maintained used tractor in nice cosmetic condition with under 1000 hours and less than 25 years old. The most important thing is how it has been used. A lot of old tractors are just beat up....but there are still plenty which are not. A old tractor that has been used right will last you a lifetime if you do the same. OTOH, I absolutely would not take any tractor that has been beat or abused no matter what the price. And that goes double for ex-rentals.

You will know the right one when you see it. It will have good original paint, few dents, 4wd, a front end loader whose bucket is straight, a decent seat, an independent PTO, and a 3pt hitch that goes up and down smoothly. It will start easily on a cold morning even if it does sputter and run rough for a minute.

Expect that you will have to put new tires on it. At least I always have.

tradosaurus · Feb 22, 2024

So you are homesteading 3 acres and going to put rental cabins on the same acreage? Seems like it would get crowded real quick.

jakenh · Feb 22, 2024

I have a John Deere 3038E on my 13 acres (coupled with my late '60s Ford 4000) and I use the Deere for almost everything. I haven't come across a job I haven't been able to tackle with it (even using a 6ft. tiller for garden). The only thing about Deere is the premium price tag on them.

My neighbor uses a Kioti CK2620 hydrostatic and he seems to like it pretty well. I think he was able to get that one new for significantly cheaper than my Deere, but at the cost of some HP.

I have a buddy that uses a Mahindra and he's had a few issues with it (granted, he probably doesn't treat it as well as he should).

I've never heard anyone (besides folks online) complain about their Kubota B-series tractors.

What I'm getting at is all in all, a subcompact is probably more than sufficient for 3 acres. Newer tractors will have the regen junk and that's just a headache you have to accept with the purchase of a "new" tractor, and their really aren't any (that I know of) that are extremely reasonably priced. You're looking into at least 20k, most likely no matter what brand you go with. At least that's the prices I was getting when I was looking here locally in East Texas.

Might look into something used if that price tag is too hefty for your needs.

rScotty · Feb 22, 2024

tradosaurus said:
So you are homesteading 3 acres and going to put rental cabins on the same acreage? Seems like it would get crowded real quick.

Is raising crops still part of "homesteading? That's a lot of work.

5030 · Feb 22, 2024

My only suggestion is, avoid sites like FB Marketplace and CL and get on TractorHouse and look at used tractors. I've dealt with them numerous times both buying and selling equipment and every time it's been seamless and whatever you do, make sure there is a local dealer handy for whatever brand you decide on because at some point, you will need them and a good dealer close by makes all the difference.

Nice thing about Tractor House is they can deliver a unit for a competitive price as well

paulsharvey · Feb 22, 2024

I went with the Kioti CK2610, but also looked at Massey MF1526, RK25, TYM 2515, and Mahindra (similar side, don't know model). I ruled out Mahindra, as it was $$$$. I ruled out TYM T25/RK25, as I wanted 3 speed HST, and more weighr/size. The Massey 1526 was very nice, but a quarter size too small. Came down to Kioti vs TYM 2515, and was able to examine at same dealer, and bottom line; the Kioti was like $1500 less money, had a nicer seat, and orange looked better.

So far, no regrets, but if I had more money, I would have bought a Massey 1860M powershuttle.

I did passingly look at the L2501 Kubota, and didn't consider the JD. I had LS recommended, but that dealer went under. Yanmar, I've used, but with the two speed HST, it had super low and gutless as choices (don't remember model)

riptides · Feb 22, 2024

With three acres, I'd rent out equipment to clear and stack, then rethink what you plan on doing with the property. A smaller tractor could suffice for any remaining projects.

Newbie2024 · Feb 25, 2024

I can say most of the suggestions and comments here have been helpful. Seems

rScotty said:
Is raising crops still part of "homesteading? That's a lot of work.

Yes, I would typically say so.

paulsharvey · Feb 25, 2024

Unless you really plan to use that back hoe a lot; I wouldn't spend the $6500-8000 for it. It seems most other people disagree with me on that. I would save the BH budget, let the actual hoe jobs pile up a bit and rent a mini. A JD-35 mini will do approx 5-10 times the work in the same time as a CUT with a back hoe. If you let 8 hours or so worth of hoeing build up, and rent a machine for a single day; that's like $650. You could easily do that 10 times for the price of the less good CUT BH.

Nothing you described implies you need more than a larger model 25hp machine, which can be had with a loader, 3 range HST, for around $21,500-24,000 from Kioti/TYM/LS/Massey. If you got $25-30k for machine; you can add Kubota L2501 or JD of similar size. Locally, for some reason, compact Mahindras costs are on par with Kubota?

Nothing wrong with getting a grapple, but if money is tight, you might be able to get by with just forks?

Nothing you mentioned really needs high PTO HP, so loader capacity sounds like a key comparison point.

Carl_NH · Feb 25, 2024

There are a number of nice and lightly used (under 200 hours) Kubota's and Kiotis with backhoes, L2501 3901 and CK 26 and DK Kioti too for sale in ME and NH at the moment.

Two years ago there were none, it seems some were bought and barely used during the covid era.

Newbie2024 · Mar 2, 2024

paulsharvey said:
Unless you really plan to use that back hoe a lot; I wouldn't spend the $6500-8000 for it. It seems most other people disagree with me on that. I would save the BH budget, let the actual hoe jobs pile up a bit and rent a mini. A JD-35 mini will do approx 5-10 times the work in the same time as a CUT with a back hoe. If you let 8 hours or so worth of hoeing build up, and rent a machine for a single day; that's like $650. You could easily do that 10 times for the price of the less good CUT BH.

Nothing you described implies you need more than a larger model 25hp machine, which can be had with a loader, 3 range HST, for around $21,500-24,000 from Kioti/TYM/LS/Massey. If you got $25-30k for machine; you can add Kubota L2501 or JD of similar size. Locally, for some reason, compact Mahindras costs are on par with Kubota?

Nothing wrong with getting a grapple, but if money is tight, you might be able to get by with just forks?

Nothing you mentioned really needs high PTO HP, so loader capacity sounds like a key comparison point.

Excellent information and reasoning passed on thank you. More and more I am going away from the bh, big expense and do not believe it will pay for itself. With other attachments I can most certainly compile what needs excavation. Working around it with what i have, tractor,loader, root grapple and rent a ditch witch. Think I am picking Kioti ck 2620. Cheaper by more than 10k over jd and can do more by a lot over the jd. About 8k cheaper than kub and i have 5 dealers within 100 miles of me. I have done a bit of shopping around, in person and internet. A less expensive machine that out preforms the other major brands sounds like a company actually doing something for the consumer. Not taking advantage like green and orange do.

Newbie2024 · Mar 2, 2024

These prices are with back hoe included, which I believe is going to be omitted, loader, loaded tires, hst and grapple, sub 25hp.
>JD near 55k and by far the machine that can do the least. Per the numbers from brochure, salesperson and internet (as is the case with all information given.)
>Kubota just under 50k still can't do a much a the TYM or Kioti.
>TYM just under 36k and seems like it may claim to actually lift more with its loader.
>Kioti is just over 37k claiming 1800 and change loader lifting at the pins. I am very excited to actually drive it this coming week. Dealer i went to in NH, so no sales tax, just got a ck2620 in. Suppose to be assembled before mud week and ready for me to see Thursday. I do not see any reason this will not be my new tractor. u
Unless a whole lot of comments come out with evidence of why I shouldn't. Thank you all again for the input. It has most certainly been a tremendous help.

CliffordK · Mar 2, 2024

What are you hauling with the front end loader?

A small tractor 20 to 25 HP will struggle if you are moving heavy logs.

Or is that only a short term need?

chim · Mar 2, 2024

We have a few acres, but no projects like you have planned. I can't add much to what has already been said. When we built, I had a subcontractor do all the excavation. Never had anything that needed excavated since so never considered having a backhoe (either as an attachment or as a separate machine). If faced with the need to do some digging, a call to a small local excavator would be easy - or a piece of rental equipment might be fun.

After the first couple tractors, we finally got one with a loader. I'd suggest getting one with a QA mount because there will be other attachments you'll discover are quite useful. Being able to remove the entire loader and frame makes it nicer for using the rear finish mower. It's more nimble and the front tires don't dig stuff up.

Determining size sometimes isn't easy. I guessed wrong a few times before arriving at what for me is ideal. It's a whole lot nicer to have a loader with an excess 500# capacity than to have a loader that's 500# short. The PTO and general robustness dictate what implements it will handle. There's a whole bunch that believe staying below the Tier IV HP is a good shopping parameter. That depends on what you want to do with the tractor. If you want to pull a 90" RFM and have a cab with A/C, it takes more than 25 HP. If an open station suits you and you don't mind using smaller implements a 25HP unit is fine. I had a 32 HP tractor that handled a 72" RFM OK, but I'd think at 25 HP or less a 60" mower would be about the limit.

A cab is great when it's hot or cold or dusty. While some don't care for them, I'm thrilled to have one. I can plow snow without a coat. I can mow 3 acres on a hot dusty day and step out of the tractor fresh and ready to head to the restaurant.

Be patient. It took around a year to find our current tractor. We were looking for a nice used pre-Tier IV unit. Found the L4240HSTC with 977 hours that would pass for brand new back in 2018 for $26K. It's like my Grandad once responded to a car salesman when Grandad told him what we were hunting. The salesman said "You aren't going to find many like that". To which Grandad said "We only need to find one".

edgarrian · Mar 3, 2024

Id get a tractor and rent an excavator as needed.

rScotty · Mar 3, 2024

Newbie2024 said:
Excellent information and reasoning passed on thank you. More and more I am going away from the bh, big expense and do not believe it will pay for itself. With other attachments I can most certainly compile what needs excavation. Working around it with what i have, tractor,loader, root grapple and rent a ditch witch. Think I am picking Kioti ck 2620. Cheaper by more than 10k over jd and can do more by a lot over the jd. About 8k cheaper than kub and i have 5 dealers within 100 miles of me. I have done a bit of shopping around, in person and internet. A less expensive machine that out preforms the other major brands sounds like a company actually doing something for the consumer. Not taking advantage like green and orange do.