Help me pick a tractor (25-45 HP)

[airbiscuit]

I think you should go with as large a tractor as you can within your weight limits. That said, the Kubota LX 3520 LX special edition might be a consideration on the lower end, and an MX 5400 on the higher end.

The Kioti DK4720SEH would be a leading contender for me

 

[jeff9366]

My pick out of the tractors under consideration would be the Kubota L3901. It's a solid, no frills tractor that enjoys a good reputation. It's also capable of handling the tasks mentioned, as well as running the 7' flail under reasonable conditions.

If you decide on the equal weight L2501 or L3901 add 3" rear wheel spacers to enhance stability.

I owned a previous iteration of this series. They are pretty tippy.

 

[oosik]

Well - shazbot. I have a mile long gravel driveway that ends at my 80 acres of open range land. Grassy meadows and stands of Ponderosa pines. The 80 acres is a pure rectangle - 1320 x 2640.

We moved onto the property in 1982. Had the driveway constructed and built our house. All in 1982. Same year I bought a brand new Ford 1700 4WD. Kept it until 2009. That year I traded the Ford in for a brand new Kubota M6040. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the Ford. It simply was not big enough to handle some of my projects.

Bigger tractor - bigger projects - significantly greater stability. I have a very heavy duty grapple on the FEL and a HD rear blade on the 3-point. The rear tires have 775 pounds of RimGuard in each tire. The rear wheels are set at max width - 80 inches, outside to outside.

I completely agree with airbiscuit - post 21. Go as big as you can - within the limits of your trailer. As shown in the attached photo - the tractor weighs - 10,000 + pounds.

 

[aesanders]

Agree, but JD and Kubota are more like 20% most expensive, not 50-75% more.

I was quoted @37k for a Kubota l3902 with loader and 3rd function valve added. This is an open station more economy model Kubota with about a 5 foot frame width. I looked at at an Grand L3560 open station and it was order only and would have been over 40k.

I bought the LS MT342 cab tractor with a 3rd function added for 34.5 k. This is a premium featured tractor with extendable link ends, 2 rear hydraulic ports, cab with lots of niceties etc. It’s also wider at 6’ and a little longer and quite a bit heavier. Loader on the Kubota rated at @ 1100 pounds, and @2600 on the LS.

In my opinion, the 50-75% price on Kubota and Deere are right on the money. Maybe closer to 50%, than 75% on these larger ‘Compact’ machines. Oh, and I traded in a Deere I bought new back in 2007 on the LS. Back then the Deere’s and Kubotas were a little more expensive. Now they are crazy more expensive.

 

[TractorNoob85]

I got the DK4520 for $31k with FEL w/ 72" bucket and loaded R14 tires. An excellent tractor for the money as long as you don't mind a manual.

 

[fc1]

I'm with the go bigger set. I have 10 heavily wooded acres and a new to me L3940. It's big in the thick woods, for sure, but I wouldn't mind another 5-800# of lift capability sometimes. With your property, I think 39hp will come up short.

 

[jyoutz]

You need to compare more recently and closely, my friend.

I just did an online comparison. My MX6000 open station with loader is $42.5k and your T574H open station is $33k. If my math is correct, that is a difference of 22%. If you compare the T574H to a grand L6060, then yeah the spread is considerably more.

 

[Williy]

our YT 235C 34hp with 148 hours 2 regens so far

willy

 

[2manyrocks]

500 miles is a heck of a long way to tow a tractor.

Happen to have L2501 and MX5200. IMO, MX5200 is so much more stable on slopes and has plenty of power to run a 6' cutter. Also surprising for how well it turns in a field.

 

[airbiscuit]

What is unspoken here, is that we are advising him on buying his first tractor.

 

[aesanders]

What is unspoken here, is that we are advising him on buying his first tractor.

No he had the 860.

I think the general consensus from those that see the big picture is that with his amount of ground, he will quickly outgrow any model he is currently looking at, and wish he had a larger machine.

 

[airbiscuit]

I'm not sure he owned the Ford 860. In any case, my comment implied that he'll end up either buying a bigger tractor, or a second one for the stable.

 

[Get-in-muh-bellymower]

I think you are all giving good advice based on your own experiences. I will certainly wish for a bigger machine at times and perhaps often.

However for the last 7 years all of my land improvement (aside from mowing) has been done with a chainsaw, wheelbarrow, shovel, and splitting maul. Even the smaller less capable tractors I am considering would greatly expand my capacity to get things done and save wear and tear on my body. In addition they would be easier to fuel, store, maintain, and transport than a larger machine.

I am going to buy an l2501. It's simple, should last a long time and have good parts availability down the road. It won't be able to run my flail mower, but I'll pick up a RC for it to use until I get the Ford fixed. When I have really heavy work to be done I'll rent a dozer/skid steer/excavator.

I'll be sure to report back to tell you all you were right if/when I decide to trade up to a bigger tractor. I think to a certain extent the only way to figure out what I really need is trial and error. Thank you for all of your comments. They helped me understand and resolve my uncertainty.

 

[Get-in-muh-bellymower]

I'm not sure he owned the Ford 860. In any case, my comment implied that he'll end up either buying a bigger tractor, or a second one for the stable.

I do still own the Ford. It needs a new hydraulic pump, I think. Unfortunately it's currently 500 miles north of me and I don't have a shop up there to work on it. I will probably bring it back south this fall to work on over the winter.

 

[Torvy]

I just did an online comparison. My MX6000 open station with loader is $42.5k and your T574H open station is $33k. If my math is correct, that is a difference of 22%. If you compare the T574H to a grand L6060, then yeah the spread is considerably more.

The grand is the one closest in features and capabilities to the T574. Even it falls short in some regards. It's OK. You have the money and are happy.

 

[Robin Veerman]

I am going to buy an l2501. It's simple, should last a long time and have good parts availability down the road.

That's a sweet rig and it'll likely be easy to sell/trade if/when you decide to go bigger down the road. You might try to get ALL filters thrown in at purchase for the first service (Worry about oils later). A spare fuel filter is always great to have.
You don't say...but be sure to acquire the 4x4 version ;>)

 

[jyoutz]

The grand is the one closest in features and capabilities to the T574. Even it falls short in some regards. It's OK. You have the money and are happy.

Yep. I have dependable local parts and service.

 

[sd455dan]

No he had the 860.

I think the general consensus from those that see the big picture is that with his amount of ground, he will quickly outgrow any model he is currently looking at, and wish he had a larger machine.

Yep and a ballasted 860 without an FEL can weigh 6700lb.
I would be looking in the 50+ HP Large CUT/ small utility tractor with MFWD and FEL with AG tires, but jmo.


This won't fit the OP's truck and trailer constraints though.

 

[Rdrcr]

I am going to buy an l2501. It's simple, should last a long time and have good parts availability down the road. It won't be able to run my flail mower, but I'll pick up a RC for it to use until I get the Ford fixed. When I have really heavy work to be done I'll rent a dozer/skid steer/excavator.

Great choice! I’m very happy with my L2501.

Mike

 

[PEJ5]

Weight, clearance, stance, and lift. You need all of these two work with such wooded property. Consider a grapple or a set of forks with a grapple arm. I know Kioti so I'll speak to them. The Ck3520SE has reasonable weight, clearance, and lift capacity. You can do lots of work with it.

Price out a DK model to compare. It has wheels with adjustable centres so you can widen the stance and that improves stability in the woods on uneven ground. It also has more weight, clearance and lift capacity.