In Need of New Tractor-Looking for Suggestions

[Cobraken]

My first post and looking for suggestions on what tractor I should be looking at and where I should be looking.

Here are my requirements:
- 15 acres in Southern California (Leona Valley)
- Disc and groom large horse arena
- Seasonal mowing (not heavy stuff)
- Seasonal filling in of rain ruts (I have some hill side)
- Need a front end loader for basic yard chores
- Horse stall maintenance would be a good thing.
- I need something that my wife can operate.
- Good balance of price vs. quality

My current tractor is a 1958 Ford 801 which has served me well but it's time is up. I can pull a 6' disc, a 6' box scraper, and have a 5' brush hog. I'm not really sure I need something this big the second time around but cost may drive this part of the decision. My implements are beat so I may be in the market for these as well.

I'm looking for suggestions on brands, models, and sources.

Thanks.

 

[Soundguy]

I'd say hp anywhere in the 20's... but w/ 15 ac.. hard not to at least hit 30hp. In any case.. HST for the laoder work, and 4wd will make the loader easier.. and will be safer if there are any hills. power steering, of course.

Perhaps a NH tc3o hit hst? Though just about any 'flavor' of the big 3 will produce a superior machine, as well as many of the 2nd market units. Depending on how wrenchy you want to be.. you may even consider economy tractors such as chinese units.. or a step up from there and hit montana tractors.. etc. Possibilities are only limited by your wants and desires and thickness of your checkbook.

Soundguy

 

[SteveM]

yup budget is going to be everything here, the ideal (new) tractor with required attachments will breeze past $20,000. But that is often far more than folks want to pay. Enter the off brands, or used (my preference).

Fill is in to whatever extent you are comfortable on budget hopes and dreams, and we will provide you a tasty long shopping list.

 

[Cobraken]

I have read a few of these posts and it looks like $20k is easy to spend. I can do $15k to mid 20's.

 

[BamaRob]

As Soundguy pointed out, there will be many units in various colors that will likely suit your needs well. As far as Mahindra is concerned (the brand I'm most familiar with), I'd check out the 2615HST, 2815HST, 3015HST, and 3215HST. These should all fit pretty close within your budget, with the 2615 being near the bottom end and the 3215 near the top end. Most of those are available in a gear model too, if HST isn't a requirement. If you have a good dealer nearby, the Mahindra 15 series is definitely worth a look.

Good luck,

BR

 

[canoetrpr]

The Kubota L3400, L2800 class of machines will fit the bill nicely for the amount of land you have. Both offer HST and will likely be in the budget.

If you are fine with gear then the JD790 is also a great buy. Nice little 28hp machine - very proven design.

The TC30 isa nice capable machine in this class also.
I never drove the TC30 but compared to my L3400 it *feels* kinda cheaper and quite basic. Not that my L3400 is a luxury tractor by any means I just felt that the TC30 seemed to be more stripped down than I really wanted. JMHO - this type of stuff is subjective. It does offer HST so this is where it has JD beat.

Kioti CK30 is also an excellent machine but since it is less popular than the big three - all the more important to look carefully at the dealer in front of you - as you may have less choice in dealers as you would with other brands.

Resale value of a big 3 machine will probably hold up better than the other brands. Really depends on the local market.

My highly biased opinion - the L3400 is the best bang for the buck in this category - covering all the bases including dealer network, resale value etc.. The CK30 is a bit more tractor with some nice extras, but the dealer network was just not big enough around here to let me consider it seriously.

 

[daTeacha]

In that price range, you will find many very good and very capable machines. I noticed a big difference in how the different brands fit my physique (or lack of it). A lot of posters notice the same thing. I suggest you spend some time visiting the dealers near you. Take the wife along, sit on tractors, drive tractors, talk to people who work there and people who are customers. Get an idea what feels like you could comfortably spend a few hours on it running around the yard. Ask about lights, lifting abilities, transmissions, tires, anything you can think of to test the knowedgability of the sales staff and to enlighten yourself about newer tractors.

Be aware that there are at least two sets of fraternal twins out there -- Case and New Holland have very few differences except color. Same for Agco and Massey. There are probably others that I don't know about that others here do. Out there in Cali you are likely to have more access to the Korean/Indian brands than I see here in Ohio. The only one within 30 miles is a startup Mahindra store.

If you're lucky you will find two or more dealers selling the machine you like best and you will be able to work them a little. You may find two machines you like equally well. Drive them, turn them, stop them, back them, forth them, run the loader up and down, dump the bucket, roll the bucket, lift the bucket, and pretty much do anything and everything you can imagine to see which one works best for you.

Decide based on tractor fit, dealership impression, etc. Let color be a small part, if any. Don't be afraid of the "off" brands if the dealership has been around a while. Kioti, Mahindra, Branson, and a few others seem to be doing well, but don't think you will necessarily get a better price just because they aren't the old line names. Kubota is very popular in the market and on this site, with JD coming second. Most of the "name" compacts have imported engines and other major parts, so don't think you're buying American just because it has an old American name.

It's a complex choice and we the customers are better off for it. Don't be in hurry, but don't worry about getting a bad tractor either. In that price range they're all good, so go with your likes and dislikes, for whatever reason, even color.

Keep us posted, and be prepared for a wide variety of opinions about why this or that is better than that or this. Most of us are "slightly" biased toward what we bought, or we wouldn't have bought it..

 

[TOL1488]

You may want to look at the JD 2520 it's small enough for the stable work yet still has a full size cat 1 hitch and should handle all but the disc work (too light is my guess though I'm not positive).

Your problem is finding something heavy enough to use a disc or plow yet small enough to maneuver around in a stable. Granted you could use a tiller or other implement instead of a disc...

Definitely look at the HST tractors if you want to get around in small spaces.

 

[Licklog]

One of the best guides I ever came across while agonzing over which model, which make, and what size was advice to build backward into your tractor from the tasks (implements) you need to use it as well as for and your projected need.

For instance:

If you need a 5' box blade then you will probably need a tractor of 25HP or above (5HP for every 1' of blade);

Ditto for a rear blade for driveway or raw land grading,

How large a Bush Hog or finish mower do you want?

Do you expect to need a backhoe or post hold digger?

What is the lift capacity you need (want) for your FEL and 3PH?


Do you need (want) an HST (wife friendly) or shuttle shift?

Are you handy (mechanically inclined)? New or Used?

What dealers do you have in the area and what are their reputations for general help and service?

Remember that a tractor is really only a power source for the implements you need (want).

Take all these requirements and more and build your dream machine. Match it to the available brands, models and dealers to settle on a short list. Then it probably comes down to price......

I went through this process myself and it made the decision a little more obvious. I chose a used machine that has all the requirements I needed to do the jobs I have with a dealer close by for support.

Hope this helps and have a fun! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[KiotiJohn]

I don't know how much of the 15 acres you will need to work, but I do 2, 4, and 5 acres of my own, and some others' properties as well with a Kioti CK20HST. I would recommend you get at least 25 HP in whatever brand. CK25, or CK30 could still be in your price range, and the easiest for your wife will probably be the HST.
Of course, any of the major brands make good tractors, Mahindra and Kioti tend, in many areas, to be good values for the money, and have the heft for ground engaging work.
John