Looking for a tractor this weekend, need advice

dooleysm · Mar 25, 2005

Hey guys, I've been lurking here on this board for a couple weeks now and have learned alot, especially when compared to what I started out knowing, which was nothing.

Last year I bought 10 acres of old pasture (in Southern Indiana, near Jasper) and built a house on it. My parents bought another 3 acres of pasture and 30 acres of woods adjoining, with the intention of maybe retiring there someday. The land is moderately hilly and there's an old pond that we drained and intend to have redug to about 2-3ish acres.

That's the background, and here's roughly what I'm looking for in a tractor...need to finish mow the yard area, about an acre, the area around the pond (don't know the size yet), and the area around the drive. I also need to occasionally mow a portion of the remaining pasture, although I want alot of it to grow up to support my beagle running hobby. After our record 18" snowfall in 2 days this past winter and having to dig out with a shovel, I know I need something to push some snow. Also need something to maintain the 300 or so feet of gravel drive.

From reading the posts on here and talking to a few dealers, etc., it sounds like a Kubota B29xx with a FEL and a belly mower would get me what I need. I'm thinking 4WD is necessary for pushing snow and for getting up and down the hills. I imagine I could rent or borrow a bushhog from someone when the need for that arises. Does this sound like the right size tractor with the right implements for the job(s) I have? Thoughts on HST? Is the 29 hp enough, too much, or just right?

I'm planning to hit up the Kubota, John Deere, and New Holland dealers nearby this weekend. Is there anything I should be looking for or questions I should be asking?

Thanks in advance,
Shawn

RoyJackson · Mar 25, 2005

With your acreage, I'd want at least 25 PTO HP. That includes the Deere 4310 and 790 at the minimum. I do about an acre of finished lawn with a 790, but a smaller riding unit might be more practical (if you're concerned with that). The 790 would be OK, but the 4310 might be a bit big, epecially for the weight.

How much acreage would you brush cut? That, and pushing snow, is what put me in the CUT market initially. If you want to brush cut those 10 acres, I'd sure consider the 4310 over the 790. If I recall, the Kubota 2910 PTO HP is around 22, so you might want a bit more.

You're in a situation where one size may not fit all. Henro (who I'm sure will chime in) has two tractors: a BX2200 (or 2300) subCUT and a 2910. For your lawn, the BX series would be great. For your pasture, you'd want considerably more machine. With a potential of 10 acres to cut, I'd want to run a 6' or 7' rotary cutter. I don't think the 790 or 2910 models would be sufficient. Now you're into the Deere 4310, 4410 or corresponding models from Kubota and New Holland. If you're OK with doing your own work, you could look at the lesser known brands.

So, I'd go for a lawn tractor or subCUT for the lawn and a bigger machine for all other tasks, if that's within your budget.

As far as the work other then the lawn mowing, you might consider an older 2WD tractor as well.

Bob_Skurka · Mar 25, 2005

For the most part all the tractors are going to be 4 wheel drive, there are exceptions, but in the compact tractor market, probably 98% of them are 4wd. As for size, for 10 acres about 30hp is a nice size. The Kubota B2910 is being replaced by the B3030 but some of the B2910s are still out there and available. They are very nice tractors, on the small end of the 30 hp machines, and also very light. Because of their smaller size and low weight, they make great finish mowers. Mine is 4+ years old and has never needed a repair, the engines are probably the smoothest running engines on any tractor of any brand. It is a 30hp unit.

I would presume you are looking at pushing the snow with the FEL, given how far south you live, that is not a bad choice, I know Indiana got dumpted on this year (at least every part EXCEPT where I live) but the storms that hit are not likely to be commonly repeated so I think it is safe to call them fluke storms. I find pushing snow with an FEL to be fairly slow and prefer a snow blower, but there is little reason to invest in a blower in Jasper when you have a FEL.

I have the 60" bucket on my FEL, they have a smaller 54" bucket, and if you plan on digging with your tractor, get the smaller bucket and a tooth bar, it will dig easier than the 60" bucket.

As for HST, I am strongly in favor of it. I think it is much easier and much faster to mow with an HST machine. My General Manager borrowed one of my tractors, and after using it started a search to trade his gear tractor in on an HST unit. They are also easier/faster when using the FEL. The reality is anything you can do with HST you can do with GEAR, but I'm spoiled and won't give it up now!

The B2910 is great with a 72" belly mower. A slighly lower priced version of the B2910 is the B7800, it uses the same frame but has some fewer features, I don't believe all of the B7800's come with a mid-PTO so you want to tell the dealer that you want a mid-mount mower and mid-PTO if you start looking at the 7800.

If you are looking at doing any logging work on your parents 30 acres of woods, then you might want to go up in size and weight. The B2910 is nice for 10 acres, it is great for finish mowing, so if you end up mowing your parents 3 acres then it will be easy to accomodate them. IF you are going to try to manage the woods (other than to cut a few paths through them) then I'd step up to a 35 to 40 hp tractor with more weight.

dooleysm · Mar 25, 2005

Thanks for the response, looks like I left a few items out...

Other than the "yard" and a yet to be determined area around the pond, and along the drive, the rest will be allowed to pretty much grow up for rabbit habitat, with a few lanes cut through here and there to watch the dogs run. There is an area of about an acre where our septic field is buried that I'd like to keep knocked down, maybe once or twice per year.

I am not real comfortable doing alot of work on a tractor myself. I think I can manage routine maintenance myself, but anything more than that, and it's out of my league. That's why I'd really like a good dealer to call on when I get in over my head.

I talked to a Kubota dealer several weeks ago just to start getting some ideas. He had a used (1 year old, less than 100 hours) B series (forget the exact number) that had an FEL and 60" belly mower. It had HST and he wanted $16,500 for it. He also priced a new L3400, I think, with an FEL and no mower, for $16,500. Both of these are at the top end of my price range. I can get my hands on $7000 without breaking a sweat, and Kubota has 2 year financing at 0% on new tractors, which would maybe, MAYBE get me into the L3400 with a mower, if I could sweet talk the dealer a little bit.

Bob_Skurka · Mar 25, 2005

Given your price range, you may want to consider a rear mount mower. They are typically much less expensive than belly mowers. I'd really hate to see you go below 30hp but if you are only knocking some areas down for paths, and only knocking down the septic area periodically, you might be able to get away with it (but it also limits your ability to work in your parents 30 acres of woods even more) Backing off on the HST is also going to save about $800 to $1000, no matter what machine you buy from any brand.

Look at all the brands from all the dealers in your area and rule out the dealers who you don't feel comfortable with. $16,500 will get you into a new tractor in the 30hp range with a FEL and a rear finish mower if you bargain hard. You may have a real hard time getting a mid mount mower instead of a rear mower and stay in your range.

Henro · Mar 25, 2005

Other than the "yard" and a yet to be determined area around the pond, and along the drive, the rest will be allowed to pretty much grow up for rabbit habitat, with a few lanes cut through here and there to watch the dogs run. 

dooleysm,

Can't think of too much to add to what Roy and Bob said.

I will tell you that I think my B2910 with a RFM cut my yard about as well as my BX2200 with MMM does. It was just that the RFM did not work for me as far as the way it swings on the back. Plus I did not get a wide enough RFM...should have got a 72" one.

My gut is telling me that a B2910 or better, a B3030 would work well for you. I like the B3030 because it takes the BH75 backhoe...which I like better than the 3PH backhoe that I have...

The B2910 tractor is a very hard worker. I have no complaints at all. I put 350 hard hours on mine last year. It gets between the trees well too. I would get the 54" bucket myself. I originally ordered a 60", but decided afterwards to go with the 54" which I am happy I did. The rear tires (R4) are about 53" wide, so the loader is a good match. There have been times when I could not have gotten between trees with the 60" and when that happens you become real happy you have the 54" bucket

I think the 54" also is stronger...but I'm not sure how to quantify that.

It sure sounds like the B series tractor will work for you.

Now...it kind of hurts to ask this....but....have you considered Kioti? They seem to make a pretty nice, reliable tractor at a price that is very competitive...might be worth a look before you pull the trigger... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bob_Skurka · Mar 25, 2005

Kioti might be an option, there is a dealer about 50 miles from Jasper in Owensboro, KY and another about the same distance in Switz, IN.

New Holland, Kubota, Deere, and Case/Farmall all have dealers within 5 to 20 miles (some have more than one dealer), Mahindra has a dealer about 35 miles away.

dooleysm · Mar 25, 2005

I just did the dealer search on Kioti, and saw the Switz City and Owensboro locations, both of those are over an hour away from me. Not terribly convenient, but maybe worth considering if I don't find what I need this weekend.

The Case/Farmall dealer turns out to be the same as the Kubota dealer, who I was already planning on visiting tomorrow.

I've been talking to friends and family about my tractor search lately, and here's what I've learned...my father-in-law built a house for the Kubota/Case dealership owner last summer. My grandpa has known the New Holland dealer his whole life. The John Deere dealer lives in the same tiny town as my in-laws. I'm banking on all of this, combined with the 50 cents in my pocket will buy me a cup of coffee tomorrow morning /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Indydirtfarmer · Mar 25, 2005

( I'm banking on all of this, combined with the 50 cents in my pocket will buy me a cup of coffee tomorrow morning /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )

Just don't expect creamer and sugar for $.50.....

I'm guessing the JohnDeere dealer is Stone and Stemle..?? Good folks. I bought a conbine from 'em a few years back.

dooleysm · Mar 25, 2005

Yes, Stone and Stemle is the John Deere dealer, in Ireland and Washington. Hopf Equipment is the Kubota/Case/Farmall dealer, and Bresch is the New Holland dealer, located in Holland, IN, oddly enough.

I've heard good things about all of them and I believe my father-in-law buys some of his construction equipment from Hopf Equipment and Stone and Stemle as well.