Help to determine HP needed

[bigbovine]

Qoutes as of this month with FEL and 4x4
JD 3032E $18,000 HST
MF 1529 $16,500 HST
MF 1533 $17,500 Synch Shuttle
MF 1540 $19,500 Synche Shuttle
Kubota 3400 $18,000 Manual
Kubota L4400 $20,000 Manual
Kubota MX5100 $26,000 or $25,000 (Can't remember) HST

By the way, I was giving serious thought to the MF until i kept going back and looking at them. Happened to drive by a Kubota today and the salesman actually talked to me. The Kubota I ussually try to see that is closer to home, the salesmen will not give me time of day. The salesman talked to me for about an hour. I may have been sold on the MX5100. Until now I didn't even consider the HST because the two tractors(JD and MF) I tested, both times I pushed the wrong pedal to start and went backwards(Not natural Position in my opinion). The MX5100 is bigger than I planned, but it is a beast on power, even with the HST, and the HST is very easily operated and no mistaking which way you press for forward and backward. BTW this is for personal use, tractors on the farm I can use if I need bigger. But the MX5100 will make a great backup tractor on the Farm. The area I am looking at is about 8 acres rolling. Any of the ones I qouted will out perform the Ford 2910 (40 HP) 2wd that I currently borrow.

 

[picker77]

Wow. Location means a lot, I suppose, but I just bought a new 3032E with 305 loader and drawbar a few months ago for $15,700 plus tax (I don't have a farm exemption ), using JD's zero interest @ 36 mo.

I'd expect some differences based on region of the country, but $2300 difference seems a bit much on a small tractor buy. FWIW, I could have had a 3038E/305/drawbar for $1100 more under the same deal, and he had several of each on the lot. All 3032E/3038E's are HST, BTW. Seems your JD dealer wants you to make his Mercedes payments for him for a while.

 

[bigbovine]

The John Deere dealer that quoted this is always high. Comes that way in their part of town. There are 5 JD dealers within 30 mins of me and I had priced things years before and they were always about $2,000 higher than the others. They just happened to have what I wanted to look at, and after what I saw in them I knew I didn't need to go to any of the others for pricing. The Kubota I can probably get cheaper from the dealer close to me, but I wouldn't give them the money because I literally cannot get them to talk to me. Even the parts desk(were one of the owners son's works at) called up a salesman and after 5 min waiting, I walked out of there for the last time. I just happened to be driving by this other Kubota dealer after going to another MF dealer(2 hour drive) to see a 1540 in person. After discussing things with the salesman (who came outside in the cold on Christmas Eve) for about an hour, he finally talked me into driving their HST which I had decided I didn't want. The smallest one on the lot with HST was the MX5100 and I wish I had never done it. Spoiled me for what I normally use. But I would say for the size the original post was asking about, Anything in the 30-40 HP CUT range would work. Since I have access to several tractors and a skid steer, I don't have to worry about getting a one size does all tractor. But if I were going to do 10 acres and possibly a horse barn(which we also work) then I wouldnt get too big, because I feel that even the MF1529 would be "big" for horse barn kind of work but doable.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

they were always about $2,000 higher than the others.

And why are they still in business??? :confused2:

 

[TRR]

I've run a 5 foot Rhino SE5 bushhog on my L235 (23.5 HP) for years mostly in 1 to 2 foot tall stuff and on occasion 6 foot tall. The tall stuff was a little much for it but managed 3 acres of it. It would have been nice to have 30 HP for a 5 foot hog though, even for the shorter stuff. As for cost you should be able to get up to a 40 hp tractor with a FEL and bushhog brand new for under $25K. Definately get a 4WD, even if you get turf tires, the extra traction will be worth it when you need it. (Only use 4WD when it's needed, not full time - saves wear on drive train and tires.)

 

[rmaa]

Qoutes as of this month with FEL and 4x4
JD 3032E $18,000 HST
MF 1529 $16,500 HST
MF 1533 $17,500 Synch Shuttle
MF 1540 $19,500 Synche Shuttle
Kubota 3400 $18,000 Manual
Kubota L4400 $20,000 Manual
Kubota MX5100 $26,000 or $25,000 (Can't remember) HST

This is great! Thanks a lot, it really helps!! :thumbsup:

 

[RobertN]

Mine is used... It was a consignment sale. 450 hours, $13,500. Not even broken in yet

Do you mind sharing the price range of this tractor?

 

[bigbovine]

Just as an update, I went back to Kubota dealer and this is what I may be getting.
MX5100 HST
4x4
FEL
Box Grater
Rear Remote
Tires filled(Some Kind of Methanol mix or something, said it was kinda like the
stuff you clean windows with)
All this for 28,000 out the door, tax and all.

 

[EFC]

How did it feel when you sat in the seat?

 

[TripleR]

Just as an update, I went back to Kubota dealer and this is what I may be getting.
MX5100 HST
4x4
FEL
Box Grater
Rear Remote
Tires filled(Some Kind of Methanol mix or something, said it was kinda like the
stuff you clean windows with)
All this for 28,000 out the door, tax and all.

Congratulations on your new tractor, I am sure it will serve you well.