Buying Advice Help with Tractor purchase - newbie

[varmint]

Both of the Kubotas I have had with HST had the cruise control function- I think it's a given. Another plus is that you can set your engine speed at a constant, but change your travel speed at will- with a PTO driven item, that would be a real help. The easy forward/back convenience is also a given with HST.

 

[DK35vince]

Both of the Kubotas I have had with HST had the cruise control function- I think it's a given.

I'm not sure it is a given.
I swear I've read about cruise control being an option on some economy model HST here before. ( Don't recall the make or models)

 

[jeff9366]

I have purchased two new Kubotas. Cruise control was a $35 option for parts, which I paid; plus installation, which dealer did at no charge at purchase. Parts may be higher in 2015.

 

[varmint]

Live and learn. All of the larger Bs and Ls I've seen/owned had it. My economy L3400 has it.

 

[Grandad4]

The TYM uses the same engine as the Kubota L4240 (V2203). I believe this model's running gear is the same as the Mahindra 4110 (that's what I'm told).
..
Is the HST really worth $3 - $5K more?

Last I knew TYM used either Mitsubishi or Yanmar diesels in their tractors and the only tractors with Kubota diesels were Kubota tractors. All of those are excellent engines though.

Yes, HST is more costly, but also improves resale value almost as much.

 

[paulfun9]

The TYM uses the same engine as the Kubota L4240 (V2203). I believe this model's running gear is the same as the Mahindra 4110 (that's what I'm told).

The Kioti has 2 remotes with the cylinders for center & draft control (!). The L4240 has 1 remote.

Found a Kubota L4330 w/HST & 1 remote. Like the L4240, but not quite as fancy HST (no 'dual-range).

Lastly, I got a quote on a real (i.e. no scam) New Holland TN75 (canopy, Hyd shuttle, 2 remotes, Quick att bucket) delivered for $19K


Is the HST really worth $3 - $5K more?

WHen I looked at the TYM they had Perkins engines in them. I honestly never heard of them having a Kubota engine in any of their models are you sure you got your information from a good source. The TYM web site has the old models listed and it says Perkins engine

 

[kminnick]

WHen I looked at the TYM they had Perkins engines in them. I honestly never heard of them having a Kubota engine in any of their models are you sure you got your information from a good source. The TYM web site has the old models listed and it says Perkins engine

The owner's manual states that they use the Kubota V2203 and so does:

TractorData.com TYM T450 tractor engine information

The guy's pictures also show the Kubota in there (same engine/HP/filters, etc. as the L4240 & I believe L4330). The T350 ran the mitsubishi. I'm guessing it was cheaper to put in the Yanmar engine in the newer T453. Same HP, but the V2203 is a 4 cylinder.

 

[kminnick]

So, in summary, these are the contenders right now:

1. Kioti DK50SE - HST, ~670 hrs, hyd center & draft control/cylinders, QA bucket - Price shipped is $21,700
2. Kubota L4240 - HST, ~650 hrs, QA bucket, 1 rear remote, one owner, stored inside - Price shipped is $21,800
3. TYM T450 - 12F/R Shuttle, ~650 hrs, QA bucket w/ removable teeth, 2 remotes w/ hyd cylinders for center & draft, - Price shipped $17,600
4. New holland TN75 - 12F/R Shuttle, ~3200 hrs, QA bucket, forks, one owner (50 acre horse farm), canopy, 2 remotes w/center hydr cylinder - Price shipped $19,000

So, there is a $2700+ cost to get HST. We have a HST forklift at work and I still haven't gotten used to it (we had a hydraulic shuttle). I'm trying to justify the $2700+ dollars. That could buy some nice implements!

If I say I don't need HST, it seems like the NH has a lot of value for the money, but more hrs. Maybe that's not an issue for this class of machine? For $1400, I get a 75 HP machine. I need help organizing this in my mine! Help!

 

[Grandad4]

The owner's manual states that they use the Kubota V2203 and so does:

TractorData.com TYM T450 tractor engine information

The guy's pictures also show the Kubota in there (same engine/HP/filters, etc. as the L4240 & I believe L4330). The T350 ran the mitsubishi. I'm guessing it was cheaper to put in the Yanmar engine in the newer T453. Same HP, but the V2203 is a 4 cylinder.

Well that proves one is never too old, or at least I'm not, make a mistake and learn something new! Had not come across that before, and you're absolutely right!

As for the tractors, I have always liked the TN75's. Rugged farm utility tractors meant to survive hard use on the farm. The L5450, whose description I took to mean 226 hours on the new clutch, is a 1980's vintage classic, every bit as rugged as the TN75 and then some, but good ones are pretty rare these days. That price may be high, but a pristine unit would not be cheap. The L4150 is same generation tractor; smaller engine. No HSt with any of those of course.

Between the others, the condition of the specific tractor means a lot in making a choice, probably more than which brand it might be. If it's going to be primarily used for working in the woods, one of the old brutes has a lot going for it, if it's in decent shape.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Here is a different way to think about this without getting into details, and this analogy has only to do with the size, not the manufacturer. You are going to move, and you are going to move yourself, by yourself. What truck would you prefer to use?

A: Ford Ranger
B: F150
C: F250

 

[kminnick]

Well that proves one is never too old, or at least I'm not, make a mistake and learn something new! Had not come across that before, and you're absolutely right!

As for the tractors, I have always liked the TN75's. Rugged farm utility tractors meant to survive hard use on the farm. The L5450, whose description I took to mean 226 hours on the new clutch, is a 1980's vintage classic, every bit as rugged as the TN75 and then some, but good ones are pretty rare these days. That price may be high, but a pristine unit would not be cheap. The L4150 is same generation tractor; smaller engine. No HSt with any of those of course.

Between the others, the condition of the specific tractor means a lot in making a choice, probably more than which brand it might be. If it's going to be primarily used for working in the woods, one of the old brutes has a lot going for it, if it's in decent shape.

Hi Grandad4-
The L5450 has 226 showing on the hour meter. It was bought by the current owner from a construction company, which makes me think they swapped out the dash. It's also been repainted... Some of these indicators scare me a little.

The TYM is very clean and has been loved. Probably has everything I need except front remote for a grapple and probably plenty of power. He has loaded the rear tires and the whole rig weighs 6000 lbs. Tires look almost new.

The TN75 is pretty much rust-free. I'm looking at it as it came off the field, so it's not clean (leaves, dirt, grease around the pins/zerks). It looks very rugged (FEL size, 3 pt size, etc.). Forklift attachment & QA bucket look quite heavy. It has 3 remotes. Hood has some kinks in it, but not bad. Front tires ~20%, Rear 40%.

So it looks like 1) heavy duty that will need tires & have more hours, Vs 2) newer/cleaner medium duty that would be ready to go.

One last question: The TYM has a mechanical shuttle, which means you still use the clutch from Fwd to Rev. The NH has hydraulic shuttle. Does that mean you don't have to use the clutch?

 

[kminnick]

One more thing - Full load fuel consumption on the TN75A is 3.94 gal/hr... Yikes! I guess that is a lot of HP though.

 

[paulfun9]

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One last question: The TYM has a mechanical shuttle, which means you still use the clutch from Fwd to Rev. The NH has hydraulic shuttle. Does that mean you don't have to use the clutch?

It means clutch is only needed for starts and stops.

 

[TripleR]

We traded a synchro-shuttle in on our hydraulic-shuttle and my brother's Kioti has synchro shuttle. You need to use the foot clutch on the synchro-shuttle to change directions and gears. On our hydro-shuttle, I never use the foot clutch, it is activated by the hand opeated shuttle lever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzdqA6NlXO0

 

[Grandad4]

Hi Grandad4-
The L5450 has 226 showing on the hour meter. It was bought by the current owner from a construction company, which makes me think they swapped out the dash. It's also been repainted... Some of these indicators scare me a little.

The TYM is very clean and has been loved. Probably has everything I need except front remote for a grapple and probably plenty of power. He has loaded the rear tires and the whole rig weighs 6000 lbs. Tires look almost new.

The TN75 is pretty much rust-free. I'm looking at it as it came off the field, so it's not clean (leaves, dirt, grease around the pins/zerks). It looks very rugged (FEL size, 3 pt size, etc.). Forklift attachment & QA bucket look quite heavy. It has 3 remotes. Hood has some kinks in it, but not bad. Front tires ~20%, Rear 40%.

So it looks like 1) heavy duty that will need tires & have more hours, Vs 2) newer/cleaner medium duty that would be ready to go.

One last question: The TYM has a mechanical shuttle, which means you still use the clutch from Fwd to Rev. The NH has hydraulic shuttle. Does that mean you don't have to use the clutch?

Clearing several acres of land is a big job and very hard on equipment, particularly comparatively "small" equipment like a 50 or so hp compact tractor. That was what prompted my earlier comments, of course. For example, few compact tractors will have good underside protection against sticks, rocks, etc. getting into exposed lines, linkages, etc. You either take it very easy or add some kind of skid plate setup.

TYM reportedly makes a good tractor, but just doesn't have a large footprint in the US market, so dealers are pretty sparse. That could be a factor when you're putting the tractor into what sounds like heavy-duty use. You'd want support for parts and repairs readily at hand if needed. Opinions will vary, but for me, doing loader/grapple work with a tractor that must be clutched every time you go from forward to reverse and back would get old in one afternoon. That works against the productivity you seek to realize by installing a fancy grapple on the front, since going back and forth is about all you do when working with the FEL!.

 

[TripleR]

Clearing several acres of land is a big job and very hard on equipment, particularly comparatively "small" equipment like a 50 or so hp compact tractor. That was what prompted my earlier comments, of course. For example, few compact tractors will have good underside protection against sticks, rocks, etc. getting into exposed lines, linkages, etc. You either take it very easy or add some kind of skid plate setup.

Good points and it all depends on your definition of "clearing". We've cleared land with chain saws and ATVs as well as SCUT, CUT, UT and old Ag tractors depending on the terrain and what was to be cleared. Even with the tractors we have, on our last clearing project, we decided to spare the scratches, flats etc. and rented a good sized tracked skid loader with a cab for a week, got lots more done and didn't have to repair flats or repair hoses.

A couple of TBN members have theirs armored up pretty well, but most of us don't.

 

[kminnick]

Good points and it all depends on your definition of "clearing". We've cleared land with chain saws and ATVs as well as SCUT, CUT, UT and old Ag tractors depending on the terrain and what was to be cleared. Even with the tractors we have, on our last clearing project, we decided to spare the scratches, flats etc. and rented a good sized tracked skid loader with a cab for a week, got lots more done and didn't have to repair flats or repair hoses.

A couple of TBN members have theirs armored up pretty well, but most of us don't.

I've already thought about renting a 'Dozer' for some of the really rough stuff. One of my neighbors insists that everyone needs at least 2 tractors: a TLB and a dozer. Having the equipment to haul all this 'stuff' is another issue. I have a '97 Dodge diesel 4wd & 10K trailer, but that may be marginal for some of this stuff.

 

[kminnick]

I'm seriously leaning towards the '06 TN75A. They are throwing in the fork lift QA and a set of new front tires. Plus they have a good used Landpride box scaper and rotary cutter that I can buy & have shipped at the same time. What do these units run new (72")?

I'm thinking a grapple may be just as important (more so?) than these. Thoughts?

 

[TripleR]

We got our first grapple about a year ago and can't believe how handy it is especially since my "ground crew" has grown up and moved on. We bought our second grapple a few months later when we found out how handy it was and got tired of hauling it back ad forth between farms then my brother bought one for our other farm; love them.

 

[kminnick]

How wide is that grapple?