New B7400 for $7,000?

[sneaky_pete]

Large, authorized Kubota dealer in a neighboring county has a brand new, full warranty, 0% financed B7400 for $7,000. Seems like a good deal to me (first time buyer; bought and read The Book). I'd be using it to brush hog 5 acres (less than that, since about half is covered in trees), no slopes except the borrow ditch on the road frontage, pull stumps and tow logs, maybe grade the driveway. I may or may not get a FEL with it. I would be grateful for any opinions and/or experience -

1. Is 16 hp enough for these tasks?
2. Would the lack of power steering be a horrible handicap (I haven't driven it yet but will soon)?
3. Any known problems or weaknesses for the 7400?

Can't think of what else I should ask. I can get a new B7410 for $8,900 or a new B7610 for $9,900, but I could get the 7400 with a 4' brush hog and a Kubota FEL for $10,400 pretty much out the door.

Thanks in advance.

 

[cokeman]

If you are going to do a lot of slow speed back and forth work while turning (ie loader work) I would suggest power steering.

 

[frank_f15]

i think u might miss the PS especially if doing fel work and also i would suggest the FEL when u buy. Depending on what you want to spend u might want to go up a size or 2 in tractor.

 

[sneaky_pete]

Thanks Cokeman and Frank for the replies. I would probably prefer more hp, but this one seems like such a good deal for the money that it may be hard to pass up. If I get it, I probably will get the FEL too.

 

[JeffRey30747]

In agreement with the other posts, if you opt for the FEL, you will probably regret not having power steering later on. The little B7100HST we have here at work will give your arms a workout when handling full buckets of material.

Jeff

 

[fishman]

Hmmmm, my wheelbarrow used to give my arms quite a workout too when it was full. I think I'd rather have a tractor, even without power steering. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

If $ is an issue, and when is it ever not, you'll get a lot more done with that 7400 than you would with no tractor. That said, I love the power steering on my 2910.

Maybe you would have the opportunity to try the 7400 with weight on the front so as to make your own informed opinion?

 

[sneaky_pete]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hmmmm, my wheelbarrow used to give my arms quite a workout too when it was full. I think I'd rather have a tractor, even without power steering. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

If $ is an issue, and when is it ever not, you'll get a lot more done with that 7400 than you would with no tractor. That said, I love the power steering on my 2910.

Maybe you would have the opportunity to try the 7400 with weight on the front so as to make your own informed opinion? )</font>

Well, those are my thoughts also. I know that power steering is mo betta, but I'm thinking it's not $1,900 better (the difference in price between the 7400 and the 7410 w/ power steering) or way more for more hp. If money were no object, sure I would get a 2910 with every attachment, bell, and whistle.

But since I'm a cheap bast^H^H^H^H I mean thrifty fellow, the deeply-discounted price of the 7400 appeals to me, if it will get the job done. For $1900 I'll put up with the upper body workout. Isn't that how Real Men did it in the olden days anyway? If the 7400 just won't cut the mustard, I guess I'll save until I can afford more horsepower and use it in the mean time.

I am going back tomorrow to drive a BX2230, the 7400, and a 7410. Good idea to have them put some suitcase weights on the front. But I'm bringing my Kubota Credit app all filled out and a check too.

Thanks everyone for all the ideas and opinions. I'll post my decision in a day or two.

 

[frank_f15]

get the one that is best for u at this point in time. i started with real knuckle busters and arm killers with my first tractors. but as u get older the bells and whistles seem like cna't do withouts /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[don716]

I bought the B7500HST with a FEL for about 12,400. It has 21hp. and has done everything I have asked of it so far. If you get a tractor I would get the FEL. My first one did'nt have one and now I can't get along without it. It's worth the extra few bucks a month for the loader.
Donny /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RFischer]

If you are going to use the FEL a lot then you should consider the PS. If not and you're only going to use it mostly for grass cutting and hogging then you'll be ok without it. I have a B7500 and as Frank says when you get older you appreciate the PS. I couldn't do without it. Heck, you can always upgrade someday when you're in a better financial position. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[maxtractor]

If money is no object get more HP and power steering for more $$$. But if it is, (When is it not?) you will have a lot of tractor for $7000.00. I used a B6100 for 20 years without power steering. I did tons of work and never thought the steering was too bad. I also was amazed at the power of that 14 HP tractor. I just upgraded to a B7610 this year and yes I like it much better. But, 20 years ago when I bought the B6100 I could not afford a tractor in the class of my B7610. I am sure glad I didn't wait until I could affords a bigger tractor to buy a tractor. Get the best you can afford and use it. If you find you need or want bigger you can always upgrade later, when you can afford it. If that upgrade is a few years away you will also find that your old tractor didn't cost that much to own. I was surprised what my old tractor brought when I got the new one. Good luck and don't forget the pictures. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Muhammad]

To me, there's no sense to go up to a B7410, since that doesn't give you power steering, either. You'd either have to go down to a BX or up to a B7510 to get PS.

Considering your intentions to use a FEL, I'd be 100% sure that you have strong arms and don't mind tugging at the wheel when doing routine loader tasks. Be sure to drive it with the loader installed, with a load in the bucket... then see if you're ok with how it handles.

It's a sweet deal regardless. Whether it's right for you or not is the question.

 

[sneaky_pete]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( To me, there's no sense to go up to a B7410, since that doesn't give you power steering, either. You'd either have to go down to a BX or up to a B7510 to get PS. )</font>

You're right Muhammad, I meant 7510 not 7410. I went back to the dealer on Friday and drove both the 7400 and the 7510, then today I drove a neighbors BX and borrowed another neighbor's L series and mowed my back pasture with it. Can't remember which L it was, but it had HST. It was real fun to drive, but would be overkill for my needs.

So I went back and signed all the papers for the 7400; just waiting for the install of the FEL to take it home. If I end up looking like Popeye, I'll trade up when I can afford it.

Muhammad, your book and this forum were very helpful in my purchase process - thanks. Thanks again to everyone else who responded and offered advice also.

Wife's digital camera is inoperative at present, so I don't know when I can post pictures, but I hope to enjoying seat time this coming week.

 

[fishman]

I bet you'll be very happy with that tractor. I looked at one when I was shopping back in '01 and it was a neat tractor. For that matter I've seen well used 7100's at my dealer's lot that weren't a whole lot cheaper than what you are paying for yours. If you do decide to trade up anytime in the future, you shouldn't get beat up too bad.

Heck, my dad bought a similarly equipped tractor (a Ford 1100), used it for 20 years, and then sold it quickly for 15-20% less than he paid for it new. They hold their value long term.

 

[bpowell]

I've got a B7400 with 380 hrs. on it: 4WD Hydrostatic with a Bush-hog brand Front end Loader, a 60" pull behind finish mower, a 48" Bush-hog brand rotary cutter, and a 48" box blade. I maintain 5 acres with it and have been very happy...have not missed power steering at all. Do wish it had a little more HP...if your property is flat it will be great but if you are trying to mow on any kind of slope you'll wish for a couple more HP. I use the finish mower on the good grass (fairly flat) and run the rotary cutter on the horse pasture which has some slope to it. The momentum of the rotary cutter makes it much better on the slope where the finish mower struggles. Mine is for sale since I'm moving to a much smaller place. I was going to ask $8000 for the whole lot: tractor with FEL, finish mower, bush-hog and box blade.
Does that price seem reasonable?
Bob Powell bpowell@huitt-zollars.com