Tractor Sizing Man buying a tractor is no joke!

[Tompet]

I don't agree with those that say, rent a backhoe when needing it. There are some many times that you need a backhoe to complete a small project and not having one will delay or even cancel the project. Even if you have your projects planned out well, there is always the one that crops up that needs immediate attention and if you don't have a TLB then it is shovel time or trying to do it with an FEL which does not work at all in most cases..It doesn't take many rentals to eat up the price of a backhoe. I would sell my large tractor before getting rid of my TLB even if it may set for weeks at a time, it is there when I need it.
If the 30HP tractor is still within your budget, it may be a better choice for you, that extra 5 HP in HST will just about equal out to your old tractors 25 with gear drive. Many times there is only $1000 or less in difference.

Completely agree.

 

[Coyote machine]

2009. New to tractors mostly, never owned one. Was doing a large addition, then a barn to store my new Kioti DK-35se/hst. Loved that tractor for about a year and then had to upgrade to the DK-40se/hst. Found the extra cylinder and +/- 5 more HP, and stronger loader to be what I had needed but didn't buy due to lack of knowledge when I bought the first Kioti.
I've put 1500+ hours on the two tractors in around 9 years. I bought their largest hoe, the 2485 BH, and have used it a LOT! I would not give it up for 'nutin!
I strongly suggest, considering how far/wide you've looked to NOT buy any tractor sight unseen.
Go look at it and get as much HP as you can. There really is no comparison between your old one and the new one, especially switching to HST. They're just not the same. Take the extra time to get what you really can't do without; and have no regrets. Keep in mind how long you plan to keep it- you're almost there, but somewhat like a prom date, you probably want to try before you buy.
Kiotis are great tractors and the dealers, for the most part, are hungry to make a good customer with each tractor. I went to mine, thinking it was a Kbota dealer, soon to realize it was not- only to end up buying the first tractor the same day- they delivered mine the next day. Since I upgraded to the Dk-40 I also bought their UTV, Mechron diesel, and have been happy with it too. No problems with any of the three machines to date.
You owe it to yourself to look until you find what suits you and your wife. Good luck, post back results.

 

[Wishbonez51]

My wife brought up a good point. I did sit on the tractor when we were at eh dealership and he did go over the features with me. I just didn't drive it or run the backhoe. As I already use the joy sticks on the MT125 and the XJ2025H. So I know it fits me well, just didn't get to test the power. However, another member brought up the point, it is real hard to tell how much power and or lack of power you will need or have until you put it to real use in the field in which I am not able to do testing it at the dealership.

JLwoodworks, Yes the XG3025H has a 3 range gear box which is perfect.

Gary Fowler, Great Points and valid arguments. We are getting the HST and yes it will rob a little bit of the power away. But I will say "every" tractor dealership except John Deere told me for running the FEL and Backhoe, you cannot beat the HST transmission. If you are going to do a lot of farming, plowing and using other attachments off the back for long period of time, than the manual would be best suited. So for us the HST is best suited, and the power of the motor is not affecting the hydraulics nearly as much as the pumps themselves and by getting the much bigger tractor this solves those issues.

Coyote Machine, Great advice and well received. You hit the nail on the head. I wanted to buy the tractor once and want to make sure I am getting the right tractor the first time. This is why we went from looking into the MT125 followed by the XJ2025H and completely satisfied with purchasing the XG3025H with FEL, backhoe 9" and 12" bucket with the Tar River TXG50 Tiller. The backhoe on the XG3025H can handle buckets up to 24" which is fantastic if I want to expand the size of the dirt I can haul out of the hole, I can get one no problem.
There were a lot of things I really liked about the Kioti CK2610 set up and the customer service was the same as the experiences I have been having with the LS dealerships.

 

[3Lfarms]

I think the 3025 sounds like a good fit. Whatever you do, don’t go sit in the larger cabbed models.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Wait, you said your property was just ONE acre, right?

 

[arits74]

i went to buy a ls 35 horse cab tractor and left with a 55 hp cab tractor.i don't regret buying a ls at all.i had a john deere before and looked at deere this time but they are way over priced.a 39 hp deere with cab was $36500. I bought the ls 55hp for $30k.the cab was a little small for me on the ls 35hp.i don't think anyone would regret buying a little more hp tractor than originally planned

 

[donaldj]

I have 13 acres that was once an apple orchard in like the 70's. So, it has 50 years of overgrowth as I try to reclaim the land. I ended up settling on the XR3135H because it was big enough to do the big jobs (next 10 years, probably) and not so big as to be unwieldy when that finally transitions from property 'modification' and into 'maintenance'.

So yeah, get a big tractor, but not so big that it won't serve you in an ongoing way.

 

[airbiscuit]

I'm surprised that you didn't like the Yanmar more. They are pretty nice tractors.

 

[Wishbonez51]

Well it's a done deal now. I paid cash for the XG3025H with FEL, BH with the 9" and 12" bucket and the 4' tiller. Tractor is being shipped to me from the LS dealership called Hobby Tractors in Utah. The tractor is on its way tomorrow and will be delivered on Thursday. I cannot believe how stressful this can be buying a tractor. Which implements to get now or later, which size, which brand let alone which Dealership! I have to say My sales rep Gordon has been amazing. In fact, I worked with the two owners on a daily basis. Scott and Lance have spent countless time with me answering all of my questions, sending me videos and giving advice when asked. They were very knowledgeable and we have scheduled a video conference after I get the tractor so they can walk me through the tractor.

Of course I will be doing youtube videos as soon she shows up.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Congrats! I'm waiting for my new baby to arrive this week as well!

Yes, very stressful. So many decisions and a fair amount of $$$. But think of all the happy tractoring days ahead.
:thumbsup: