Looking to purchase B2301 in NH

[pedzola]

Didnt know resale was worse for gear models. Also I'd think you would have better control with gear transmission in most cases, but I have never driven a tractor, so I guess I really need a test drive comparison.

And just for clarity, the b2301 doesn't come in gear. The L2501 in gear should be similarly priced with a B2301 with current incentives so that's what I'm comparing.

 

[BAP]

Pedzola, check out Pinnacleview Equipment in Walpole, NH 603-756-3379. They have a lot of Kubota's in stock and are good to deal with.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Didnt know resale was worse for gear models. Also I'd think you would have better control with gear transmission in most cases, but I have never driven a tractor, so I guess I really need a test drive comparison.

And just for clarity, the b2301 doesn't come in gear. The L2501 in gear should be similarly priced with a B2301 with current incentives so that's what I'm comparing.

Just the opposite. HST is much more precise - and safer as it self "brakes." Go drive some on the lot real close to a glass window or $90,000 M series tractor and see for yourself. I've driven a stick most of my life too and it's irrelevant to this decision IMO. Just drive them in a tight spot and your decision will be easy.

 

[The Deerslayer]

I've been looking for a tractor for a couple months, and at this point I think the Kubota B2301 is my best bet. It has the right mix of features and capabilities to do everything I need, and seems to be a good value vs competitors.

The biggest challenge now is budget, and choosing the right implements to get the job done.

I'm looking to take advantage of the 0% financing, and need to stay under $20k. Anyone who has purchased a B2301 lately - what can I expect for pricing?

Here's what I need to do:

1) Primary concern is maintaining an 800ft gravel driveway, including clearing snow. It's possible to get a lot of snow here in Southern NH, so I'm pretty certain I want a 3pt snowblower. Leaning towards a landscape rake for gravel maintenance.

2) Landscaping projects including moving dirt, installing a patio, probably planting trees, clearing rocks and wood debris, etc. Decided that 3pt pallet forks would work better for my needs than front forks. Cheaper, better lift capacity on the 2301,

3) Potentially mowing lawn in the future. I'm going to look at a 3pt finish mower as an add-on later. Not sure how much lawn exactly I'm going to have at the new home yet. Probably about an acre. I'm going to exclude this from the purchase for now.


So I'm looking to outfit the B2301 as follows:
- B2301 with R4 Tires
- Loader w/SSQA bucket
- Kubota 51" 3pt snowblower
- Kubota rear work lights

Total MSRP from Kubota website = $21,264. I've read that 10% off MSRP is a good target, so that would be $19,137, leaving me around $800 to add maybe a landscape rake and/or... Bucket hooks, tooth bar, ballast box... not sure if the dealer would have the 3pt forks but I found a set online that looks good for about $300. Actually not sure I really need the SSQA. Maybe could get the pin-on bucket and save $500.

Any feedback? What do you think I can squeeze into my $20k budget? Any tips on negotiating? Have a contact w/one of the big Kubota dealers in the area. The other has not responded to my email requests for quote. So... will see what kind of deal I can get w/the first one.

Getting in on this a little late, but figured I would pass along my :2cents: First off, congrats on embarking on your adventure of researching/buying a tractor...one of life's great joys!! :cool2:

My gravel driveway is also about 800 feet and I maintain it with a landscape rake when needed, and snow removal with a rear blade and 3 PT snowblower. Both of those snow weapons are must haves for me. You can get a blade relatively inexpensively and I find it to be the best for snow under 4-6 inches. I reverse the blade so it does not scrape up or move the gravel. Anything more than that depth and the snow blower gets hooked up...love that thing. You will also find the rear work lights to be a huge plus (I have them as well). Once you determine where you are buying from, you may also want to consider having them install a couple bucket hooks as they are invaluable when you find you need them.


Having had a gear tractor prior to my current HST, I highly recommend you go HST. As others have said, it is a dream when doing loader work. For anything I do where a gear tractor would be better (brush hogging), I got the cruise control option but find I do not really use it that much.

Unless you are sure about mowing lawn in the future, you may want to consider the R1 AG tires as they will give you better traction in the snow and mud vs the R4's. I contemplated trying the R4's with my new tractor, but extremely glad I stuck with the R1's. No matter what you do, get the rear tires loaded.

In regards to your dealership search, I recommend you reach out to Ahearn Equipment in MA. Not sure where you are in southern NH, but it may not be that far. Even if it is, its worth the call; the guys there are excellent. When I was searching last year, I looked at places in NH, MA, and CT and ultimately went with Ahearn. They are great to work with across the board. In addition to any Kubota incentives that may be in play currently, they are also offering a $1000 gift card with purchase of a 4WD tractor, which is the same offer they had when I bought mine...pretty sweet. Feel free to pm me and I can share more details on my experiences with them or if you have any questions overall.

Hope this helps and best of luck!!

 

[MarkinMass]

Getting in on this a little late, but figured I would pass along my :2cents: First off, congrats on embarking on your adventure of researching/buying a tractor...one of life's great joys!! :cool2:

My gravel driveway is also about 800 feet and I maintain it with a landscape rake when needed, and snow removal with a rear blade and 3 PT snowblower. Both of those snow weapons are must haves for me. You can get a blade relatively inexpensively and I find it to be the best for snow under 4-6 inches. I reverse the blade so it does not scrape up or move the gravel. Anything more than that depth and the snow blower gets hooked up...love that thing. You will also find the rear work lights to be a huge plus (I have them as well). Once you determine where you are buying from, you may also want to consider having them install a couple bucket hooks as they are invaluable when you find you need them.


Having had a gear tractor prior to my current HST, I highly recommend you go HST. As others have said, it is a dream when doing loader work. For anything I do where a gear tractor would be better (brush hogging), I got the cruise control option but find I do not really use it that much.

Unless you are sure about mowing lawn in the future, you may want to consider the R1 AG tires as they will give you better traction in the snow and mud vs the R4's. I contemplated trying the R4's with my new tractor, but extremely glad I stuck with the R1's. No matter what you do, get the rear tires loaded.

In regards to your dealership search, I recommend you reach out to Ahearn Equipment in MA. Not sure where you are in southern NH, but it may not be that far. Even if it is, its worth the call the guys there are excellent. When I was searching last year, I looked at places in NH, MA, and CT and ultimately went with Ahearn. They are great to work with across the board. In addition to any Kubota incentives that may be in play currently, they are also offering a $1000 gift card with purchase of a 4WD tractor, which is the same offer they had when I bought mine...pretty sweet. Feel free to pm me and I can share more details on my experiences with them or if you any questions overall.

Hope this helps and best of luck!!

I will second Ahearn in Spencer, MA. I was there this past Saturday for some parts for my mower and just decided to get a quote on a Kubota 3301 and 2501. The quote was at MSRP less the $1,500 in incentives (for 3301). Not sure if other dealers will give you more off of the tractor plus the Kubota incentives? Ahearn will give you a $1k card to use after you buy the tractor. You cannot use that to purchase the tractor itself, but can use it for any purchase or maintenance after purchase. They stated the $1k card will end on 6/30. The sales person seemed very knowledgeable.

The weird think about Kubota is the cash price is only $500 less than the 0% for 60 months. I am cross shopping Mahindra (Klem's in same town) and Mahindra jacks up the price by a few grand if you elect the 0%. I am just beginning my search and do not really know if I will buy one. I am a homeowner and having a tractor would be nice, but not sure I want to shell out $20k+. Want vs. need........

 

[RCman]

A lot of opinions on here. I will say I agree that the SSQA is a 'required accessory', I wouldn't own a tractor without one now. I'd also agree with some folks that the front forks are going to be better than rear forks; you can't get a load out of the back of a pickup with rear forks. For clearing snow a rear blower is fine, the HST treadle makes it very very easy to control.

As for dealers, I've used a bunch of them locally. Chappell and Ahearn are good and I buy parts and things from them but I would also give Messicks a call. When I got my L3540 Messicks beat both of them on price by a large margin, delivered (which was not included in the other quotes as I was going to pick it up with my truck and trailer).

 

[MattEffinCameron]

I picked up a B last year. New was going to break my budget...so I found a great deal on a used one from Barlow in KY....even with delivery to CT I saved a lot of money over any local options.

if you're looking to pick up a snowblower (or other attachment) and dont mind taking a drive check out cabela's. Some of their locations (I think only CT and somewhere in MA in the new england area) carried a line of cabela's tractors for a few years. Well they realized this was not going to be a fruitful endeavor and now have inventory closeout pricing on all attachments. Their attachments are all woods attachments painted green. Picked up a brand new 3PH 64" snowblower for 2k. As of this weekend East Hartford, CT still had one in stock.

 

[pedzola]

Thanks for everyone's ideas and recommendations.

1) I will stick with the original plan - B2301 with 3pt snowblower. Sounds like HST is the way to go, and I will consider a rear blade for light snow. Perhaps something I can find later. Need the box blade for immediate landscaping needs

2) Pinnacleview and Ahearn are > 1.5 hours drive. Messicks and Barlow aren't even in New England. We'll see what kind of quotes I get from the local dealers before I go expanding my search. Since this will be my first tractor I'd like to have someone close by to ask questions, and visit if needed.

3) Cabelas! I was just at the one in MA last weekend. The sales guy said he was sold out of just about every implement, and no more of the smaller tractors LM25 available nationally. Sounds like I'm a little late for cabelas deals. I wouldn't want to buy the rear blower before I get a tractor, though it sounds like a great deal for $2k. The Kubota 51" rear blower is like 2650 msrp. Would the B2301 handle a 64" blower?



Can't buy anything til I close on the new house anyway. Have to make sure all my finances are aligned to the bank's liking for the downpayment and etc. And plus until I move I would have nowhere to put any implements. I am still almost a month out before I can purchase probably. Mid-June should be it....

But any other leads on deals would be great!

 

[pedzola]

So I went out to my new property last weekend and started debating whether I should be looking at the next size up - B2650 or L2501.

I will have about 8.5 acres. ~2 acres for the driveway, 1.5 for the yard, leaving around 5 acres of woods, or so I thought. Well I never walked through the rest of the property because it all seemed like pretty dense forest. I made it to the other side this weekend and found some of the remaining ~5 acres also cleared. Maybe about 1 acre total, is my guess.

By "cleared" I just mean they chopped down all the trees. My lot was selectively logged in addition to the area cleared for the house. But originally there was to be a larger subdivision, and the area behind my lot was greatly cleared for this - but ended up being conservation land. So this section of my property that I hadn't seen before was treated similarly. Cut, trees gone, but thats it. Lots of stumps and debris all over the ground.

Wondering what I would do w/that area. Thought maybe I could make a trail to it and then clear it out and plant a food plot or just make a hidden away "Campsite" or something. Not sure if digging a pond is a possibility.

So in any case, a new use for a tractor would be this clearing work (trail and cleaning up stumps/debris) that I hadn't really envisioned getting into. I thought it was all just woods that I would leave as-is. I could just leave it to grow back into forest but it's not looking promising. Just dead wood debris, stumps and dirt, not much green. Seems like it's gotta get cleaned up.

So long story short - looks like a lot of work to do there and I'm thinking something with more heft and bigger tires might serve me better (L2501).


Anyone have any experience cleaning up this type of land?

My whole lot used to be farmland. Bordered by stone walls, all totally flat. So the forest is not ancient by any means, and there are no hills or rocky features to contend with. Just imagine a farm field that had 100 years of trees growing on it.

[Maybe I'll try posting this in a different forum - for this forum maybe the question is, will the 2301 do it for me, or should I be seriously considering the 2650, L2501, or something else?] I think those would be the extent of my budget. A grapple is looking increasingly attractive for all the debris cleanup - wondering if maybe I could deal with a rear blade for snow and spend the snowblower $$ on grapple instead. O_O But then with a grapple I have no way to dig at roots.... was thinking I'd use bucket w/toothbar and then maybe some kind of chain or strap w/3pt... don't know... will need to do some research for sure.

 

[prichard]

What diameter are the stumps? Unless thet are pretty small a tractor is not the tool. You'll likely need to rent a backhoe.