Let the shopping begin!

[Rngr275]

As mention in my first post I am ready to buy (just not sure what. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...other-tractor-sizing-capability-question.html
Well today it has started as I went to visit my first dealer, which for no particular reason was an LS dealership. Nice folk (Mennonite owned in Penn Yan, NY). After visiting there it confirmed to me that this site has a wealth of knowledge. I went there wanting to seriously look at the J series (j2027 or J2030) but as was suggested here, they are definitely to small for what I want to do. Don't get me wrong they are a really nice tractor just a little small for me. They did not have any G series but had a very nice XR3032H. Got to play on it for a bit and found that it was laid out nicely. According to the sales guy the XR is worth the extra $$ compared to the G series but unfortunately there were no G's there. Compared to the J series that XR was a real rector compared to a lawnmower. I really liked it. The J2023 he had was ~13K, he said a G3033H would be in the 16-17K range and gave me a price of 20K for the XR3032H. Do those prices sound reasonable? I have no frame of reference.

We did have a bit of a debate about attachments. In the post I linked to I described the need to chop up turned over sod and the general mayhem that my pigs do to the field. He suggested a box blade but I just don't see how it would cut or chop up the clumps of stuff. I think it would just pull around the big stuff. After a bit he sort of agreed. He did agree with all of you that moving around big square bales of hay that I buy and brush hogging 5 acres will be a bit much for a J Series.

Over all that LS XR was mighty nice but it was the first one they got with the new Tier 4 Shibaura Turbo charged engine so he did have any kind of feel for how it would stand up other than to say that Shibaura has been around for a long time.

Thoughts?

Next is either Kioti or Mahindra.

McD

 

[TSO]

That LS is a nice tractor. If you're looking at the XR3032, I would spend the extra $1500 and jump to the XR3037 ... you can never have enough HP, especially in the same size machine. The XR series is one of the best values going from ANY tractor brand right now. The main downside of LS tractors right now is a few minor "refinements" in features that are lacking from some of the other players, most notably, the "auto-throttle" HST feature. You can live without it (I did for a long time) but having it is much nicer. The other main drawback of the LS tractors is the loader lift height. They need to add about 1 ft of lift to each of their loaders. The loaders are plenty strong, stronger than many in their classes ... but their lift height is among the lowest (if not THE lowest). This becomes most apparent when "dumping" a load.

Kioti doesn't really have a comparable tractor to the XR30xx series. You'll either stay in the lower "CK" series, or have to jump up to the larger Dk or NX series.

Mahindra are fine tractors... just be aware that most aren't actually made by Mahindra, so you're getting a buffet of components into many of their tractors.

Good luck!

 

[jeff9366]

Much depends on how much you are sizing your prospective tractor for the seven acres you have working now or the additional fifty-eight acres which are woods.

One reason I spend my money with my small local Kubota dealer is their focus on what I tell them my needs are, whether for mods, general service or implements. No fooling around, just valuable suggestions based on their experience. Relative to implements, with Kubota, Woods, Howse and Land Pride franchises in house they have excellent suggestions for what represents value relative to my needs. Still, they do not have everything: Ratchet Rake and Bucket Spade came direct for the respective manufacturers.

It is nice being able to cross check salesperson's advice against T-B-N advice and vice versa. Seems like you are off to a good start. Were you able to look into the service area?

Before finalizing your selection get a look at the Operator's Manual, to see if it is readable. Some are rough translations.

Shibaura has been around a long time.

 

[Rngr275]

Considering I went there thinking I wanted a higher horse power J series or the bottom end of the G series I have already bumped up some as far as tractor and $$ goes. I want to be careful that I don't saying well its only another 1-2K on top of 20 or 25. I do think the extra $$ for the XR is worth it over the G series. Rear remotes, nice cockpit, etc.

I did get to check out the service area and it was pretty decent. And another good sign was the place was really busy and everybody know the counter people… repeat customers I presume.

Do you guys think there are comparable tractors from most out there (Kubota, NH, MF, etc) in that price range?

I looked at a used JD 790 on the way home 2003 30HP FEL 650hrs wanted $13250. Looked on TractorHouse and that price seemed a little high for that year and model. Nice shape though… but after looking at that new XR I was a bit of a step down.

 

[TSO]

...

Do you guys think there are comparable tractors from most out there (Kubota, NH, MF, etc) in that price range?

I looked at a used JD 790 on the way home 2003 30HP FEL 650hrs wanted $13250. Looked on TractorHouse and that price seemed a little high for that year and model. Nice shape though… but after looking at that new XR I was a bit of a step down.

LS makes the NH tractors, they arts practically identical but priced higher ... so NO for them.

The comparable Kubota to the XR3032 would be the L3240, or the L3200 (less features tho).

The MF 1635 or 1735 are comparable.

 

[k0ua]

FYI Shibaura made the New Holland CUTS for many years before LS.
The prices you quoted seem about right. LS is the "value leader" right now.
The loader height is about the only downside I can think of. The Kioti CK and DK series are sure worth a look. I sure like my DK.