Need advice for buying first tractor

Soon to be Owner · Jan 2, 2008

In the spring I will be moving to an established 15 acre farmette in northern Alabama. All the acreage is level pasture (including around the house). There is a long gravel driveway and snow is not a concern.

I know I need a tractor, but I'm not sure of all the chores I need to do. I will have 2 or 3 horses. l need to do field/pasture maintenance and move manure, round bales, shavings. I want to have some free range chickens; I will have to move their house around the pasture. I may also raise a few (less than 10) small cattle. In my spare time I want to try having a kitchen garden.

Eventually I would like to put in a bluestone riding arena. I don't know what size tractor would be needed or if it would be better to rent one for that project.

I don't have any pride issues related to tractor size, so bigger is not better for me. I also prefer to get the chores done quickly so I can spend time with the horses, so less seat time is better. I don't have to buy new, but I want something reliable because I won't be fixing it myself!!

I don't know what size I need, but the "nice-ities" of the B? models are very appealing. I am concerned about the hand and foot vibration that has been reported for the B3030.

I read the thread on this forum about the B30303 vs B2630 and the info on 3400 vs 3240.

1. Any suggestions on which Kubota model?
2. Recommendations on the type of options/configuration I would need?

It seems like PTO, 3 pt hitch, lifting hooks, bale spear, and good front end loader (??LA723/24) are all necessary.

3. I don't if I need an FEL, toothbar, boxblade - how are they used? Can I buy them later or is it cheaper to buy it already configured?
What about some special type of tire?

I still have to buy a truck and horse trailer, so I'm looking for best value. I know this is a big bite I have bitten off to chew, so all advice is welcome.

thanks
Nadine

BizDoc · Jan 2, 2008

Soon to be Owner said:
In the spring I will be moving to an established 15 acre farmette in northern Alabama. All the acreage is level pasture (including around the house). There is a long gravel driveway and snow is not a concern.

I know I need a tractor, but I'm not sure of all the chores I need to do. I will have 2 or 3 horses. l need to do field/pasture maintenance and move manure, round bales, shavings. I want to have some free range chickens; I will have to move their house around the pasture. I may also raise a few (less than 10) small cattle. In my spare time I want to try having a kitchen garden.

Eventually I would like to put in a bluestone riding arena. I don't know what size tractor would be needed or if it would be better to rent one for that project.

I don't have any pride issues related to tractor size, so bigger is not better for me. I also prefer to get the chores done quickly so I can spend time with the horses, so less seat time is better. I don't have to buy new, but I want something reliable because I won't be fixing it myself!!

I don't know what size I need, but the "nice-ities" of the B? models are very appealing. I am concerned about the hand and foot vibration that has been reported for the B3030.

I read the thread on this forum about the B30303 vs B2630 and the info on 3400 vs 3240.

1. Any suggestions on which Kubota model?
2. Recommendations on the type of options/configuration I would need?

It seems like PTO, 3 pt hitch, lifting hooks, bale spear, and good front end loader (??LA723/24) are all necessary.

3. I don't if I need an FEL, toothbar, boxblade - how are they used? Can I buy them later or is it cheaper to buy it already configured?
What about some special type of tire?

I still have to buy a truck and horse trailer, so I'm looking for best value. I know this is a big bite I have bitten off to chew, so all advice is welcome.

thanks
Nadine

Welcome Nadine:

You have quite a list of chores for your tractor. I have 10 acres and previously had a smaller tractor and traded up after only 3 years. I started with a 21 horse tractor and now have the Kubota B3030. I do not have any hand or foot vibration. The tractor has worked very well. You are right, the niceities of the B3030 are a bonus. The 30 horse power would be better than a smaller tractor since you stated you'd like less seat time. Usually a smaller tractor means more seat time. The B3030 has the ability to use a 6 foot mid mount mower deck, if you plan on mowing, it has cut down my mowing time. The front end loader is one of the most useful tools on the tractor, so I would definitely recommend getting that. the box blade is excellent for maintaining a long dirt driveway, and any other ground leveling. The tooth bar is good if you are going to be digging holes with the front end loader. If you don't plan on digging anything with the loader then I don't see the necessity of the tooth bar. Tires for general farm work, I would recommend R4. I use the R4 for mowing, general tractor work, and snow removal. I had terf tires prior but found that while they were very good for mowing they were not as good as the R4 for traction in some situations. If you are going to do mowing the Ag tires may tear up the lawn/yard. You could add implements later, I don't know that is any less expensive either way but I would definitely get the Front End Loader put on at time of purchase. You will find it to be one of your most useful items. Especially with farm animals. You will find many B3030 owners on the forum who really like their decision.

Best wishes, there will be no lack of exellent opinions you will receive.

john_bud · Jan 2, 2008

Wow, Nadine you sure came to the right place.

First off, my rule of thumb is that moving round bales = 45hp tractor minimum. That one chore pops you into a much larger tractor than you are talking about. That's not a hard and fast rule and I'm sure other folks have other opinions - read them all and form one of your own.

For the other chores, a large "B" or a small to medium "L" tractor are fine.

I like the stability and user friendly "L" tractors. If you can find an L3010, 3410, 3710, 4310 with a FEL attached and 300-1000 hours it would be much cheaper than new and still very reliable (pending correct maintenance, etc). That would be about the right size. The larger ones can use a 6' cutter where the smaller ones a 5' cutter. The slightly newer ""30" series with about the same numbers are also great, they will be on the order of 25-35% more $. A new user is nearly always better off with a hydrostatic transmission (HST in Kubota speak). It makes it 2-10x easier to pick up and begin to confidently use.

In Kubota tractors. the first 2 numbers often tell how many engine horse power the tractor has. That's a marketing statement and meant to make you feel good. PTO horsepower is 5-8 less than engine power due to losses etc. PTO power is real power that you use. It's the power number that you should use to compare between models and companies. The last 2 numbers are the series. We talk about the "10" series, the "30" series or the latest "40" series. (No, there wasn't a "20" series....). So an L3410 HST is an L model, with about 34 engine horse power (27.5 PTO with HST) and is in the "10" series.

One thing many new tractor owners realize is that the tractor that seemed far too large initially turned out to not be as big as they thought 6-12 months later. It's always a balancing act between size, time needed for chores, money spent, etc.

Nearly everyone with an FEL would rather part with an arm or leg than give it up. Very handy. On Kubota FEL's the number is the lift capacity in Kg.

If you are going to mow with the tractor, get turf tires. If you are never going to mow lawn and are primarily working the soil, get R1's. R4's are for those of us that can't decide (LOL!!).

If you have more Q's on particular models, there is almost certainly a person here with one that can help shed some light.

jb

RussMan · Jan 2, 2008

My situation is very similar (15 acres, horses, long driveway, etc) but I don't have the need to move large bales. I bought a B3030, and I love it. My wife also likes driving it, so if you want to play with the horses, buy the 3030 and let your wife move hay and poop while you play .... er ... work. But definitely get the FEL. You can't live without it once you have it.

GreenWannabe · Jan 2, 2008

I have seen some posts on here which recommended using small square bales for horses over large round bales, due to sensitive stomachs. You might search the forum to find those threads. If you decide to use smaller bales, a smaller tractor such as the B3030 could fill the bill.

frank_f15 · Jan 2, 2008

i am not sure what size you will need probably the 3030 will do fine BUT you definettly will want a FEL.

farmguy · Jan 2, 2008

If you are going to be handling round bales forget about the "B" series. I would look no smaller than a 45-50 hp "L" series, and depending on the options you choose you can probably get a M5040 or M6040 for around the same price. But since you said you will also handle shavings the "M" series may be too big around the barn from a physical aspect. Whatever model you choose get 4wd.

jdsafeman · Jan 3, 2008

Size does matter (and weight). Wiser people told me to buy my second tractor first, meaning not to buy too small. I just sold my L3600 after 10 years and it is a very capable tractor able to lift round bails and run a 6 foot mower. A front-end loader is one of the most useful tools you can have. You will find uses for it that you can't even imagine yet.
Think long-term usage and buy a little bit bigger. Good luck and be sure to let us know what you purchase.

Soon to be Owner · Jan 3, 2008

Thanks for all the great advice - keep it coming! The round bales I'll be getting are a little smaller than the standard ones. A local guy bales them and he doesn't have a huge tractor (it's some kind of Kubota with a cab).

Other advice on attachments?

Soundguy · Jan 3, 2008

Everything sounded good for a CUT around 30hp till you mentioned moving round bales... that will be a special issue.

You will either need to get a tractor / loader that will handle the weight ( 700-1200# or larger ). or get a doodle bug trailer. Whatever you get.. make sure it will handle the weight. Perhaps a 3pt bale carrier might be easier on the tractor than a fel carrier.. etc. I tried a 3pt carrier for my NH 1920..(33hp ) but wasn't too happy with it.. ( though it is fine on my ford 5000 ).

soundguy