I need to buy a tractor!

[Ghostbrigade]

I have been maintaining 8 acres of land with Huskee 26HP 54" cut belly mower. I have finally after three years worn myself ( and the tractor ) out.I NEED A REAL TRACTOR ! I will use it predominantly for cutting , some front end dirt work, and maintaing 1200 ft. crushed concrete driveway. I have been visiting this site for quite some time and joined today. I am very impressed with the knowledge shared here as well as the helpful attitudes. I have already read alot of feed back and here is where I am at in my search:
John Deere 3320 HST 4WD W/FEL , 6 foot finishing mower and 5 ft box blade( Industrial tires) $ 21,190.00
Kubota L3400 HST 4WD W/FEL 6' rear finishing mower , 5 ft box blade.( told there was a $450 charge for industrial vs Ag tires) $17,200
Mahindra C27 2WD W/FEL, Woods 6' finishing mower,5ft. box blade, 9" auger. $15,400
I am going to price out the Mahindra 3510 4WD and can the auger. I think the C27 is too small and reading the forums the last few weeks it seems that everyone agrees 4WD is the only way to go.
I have narrowed my search down to three manufacturers. Now the actual tractor. There are reputable dealers within a few miles of my property and they all have extensive service areas. Any final words of advice? I am leaning towards the Mahindra 3510.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="blue"> I will use it predominantly for cutting , some front end dirt work, and maintaing 1200 ft. crushed concrete driveway. </font>

Perhaps just my preference, but based on your job descriptions, I would opt for a light weight tractor over a heavy weight tractor. At 8 acres and primarily used for cutting, acutally based on your implement choice you are talking about FINISH MOWING not rotary cutting, I would go for a light tractor so you don't rut the lawn areas. I would also go for the tightest turning radius I could get and I would certainly opt for Hydrostatic transmission for your two main tasks because finish mowing and front loader work are both more efficiently accomplished with HST transmissions. Your tractor choices are not too large, but you could actually go a little bit smaller if you wanted to, although 30hp sounds about perfect with a 72" mower deck. The JD is a pretty deluxe tractor, but you picked an economy model from Kubota to match it to, and the C27 Mahindra is also an economy model for their line up. Seems like an odd treo to compare.

 

[Soundguy]

I agree with Bob.. prhaps a smallish NH TC or TZ series tractor... Kubota Bx.. etc..

Soundguy

 

[OrangeAlex]

Have you considered a "B" series tractor from Kubota with a 72" Mid Mounted Mower and FEL? Maybe a B3030 or B2630? I think a JD 2000 series tractor is similiar. Sorry, I am not sure which NH, Mahindra, or Kioti models corelate to this class of tractors.. Someone on TBN will know for sure.

By the way, I think the JD3320 you looked at correlates to roughly somewhere between a Kubota L3130 and L3430. The L3400 is roughly somewhere between a JD 790 and 990. If JD made an 890 then I think it would be a very close comparison.

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

-Alex

 

[SonnieP]

I agree with Bob on the weight issue. While everyone knows I like Mahindra... they are heavy and you will scar up your grass with that extra weight.

You may even want to consider turf tires along with a lighter tractor.

 

[Ghostbrigade]

This is why I joined this forum. You have given me alot more to think about. Stay tuned.

 

[Ghostbrigade]

The 8 acres are predominantly pasture, I would go for turf tires but with the other duties I thought the Industrial tires would be a better choice as opposed to the Ag tires.

 

[Ghostbrigade]

Thanks for the advice I will look at New Holland and the Kubota BX series.

 

[Ghostbrigade]

Thanks for the advice, this morning I looked into the Mahindra 2615 4WD HST $16,000 w?FEL, 6' Woods Finish mower and 5' galvanized box blade.
Also the Mahindra 3015 HST 4WD with the same attachments.
$17,850. They are both much lighter tractors.

 

[Ghostbrigade]

You cannot help but love John Deere. I will look into the 790 and 990 models later today. Thye are also only 5 miles from my property.