New land... need a tractor!!

[Luke'sScreenName]

Lol!!! A family doc!

Ok, just making sure you weren't a CT surgeon or something who would need every optional premium available and still be dissatisfied!

Of course everyone thinks the brand they own currently has big advantages otherwise they wouldn't of bought it. In that vein go sit on a Kubota MX. At the larger size of CUTs, with very respectable lift capacities, good ground clearance, less bells and whistles to break.

All MX models have the same lift capacities of the loader and 3pth. HP differs but I doubt you see and performance difference for your needs.

Kubota apparently has the industry's best customer satisfaction (followed by Kioti). Also has BY FAR the largest market share. That makes me feel more confident in there R&D and support of the new Tier4 emissions technology. And KTAC insurance is essentially low cost, nearly no-fault replacement insurance.

Messicks, a lager Kubota dealer in PA, has a very good reputation on TBN and elsewhere and frequently helps TBN members with questions/problems.

 

[docsfarm]

I know you didn't ask but:
Unless you have servants and sheep shorten the driveway and decrease the acres to mow. W/ 200 acres you will start stumbling into projects every time you or the other part of "we" sleep.

:laughing:
I'm afraid I used up all of my servant budget when I bought the land! LOL

 

[Deerherd]

I have about half your acreage and a 1/4 mile drive and wouldn't want any less than a utility tractor. AG tires, set to their widest and not filled unless you have really dry conditions.

Get a cab, it removes the misery of heat, cold, blowing snow, stinging insects, allergens etc and puts a smile on your face where there once was a frown. It's actually safer in the woods and all I do is trim a little wider and higher.

Get TNT and a good quick hitch and buy all QH compatible attachments. The only thing I own that's not QH compatible is my logging winch.

This may run a little more than your original 20K budget but I wanted to bring this to your attention prior to realizing it after you purchased a CUT, like I did! Good luck in your search!

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Look at Kubota's MX series, lots of tractor and power with few frills. Definitely load the tires, add wheel weights, and do not skip the 4 wd. Shuttle shift, gear drive and a quick attach fel and you're good to go. Btw, I know that area very well and you couldn't have picked a prettier area to live in. Good luck.

 

[farmer2009]

You've gotten a lot of good advice here. I'll also back the MX series Kubota. But also look at the M5660 Kubota. That's what I would have gone with but having low clearances in the poultry industry I wanted the shorter MX series. Also the LS tractors are good. I'd look at the XU5055 in them.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I grew up on a 200 Acre farm and all we had was an 8N. We did everything with it, from baling hay, plowing, discing, mowing to pulling logs out of the woods. However, this is 2015, I would go with a 40-50 HP open station diesel tractor with FEL, QA, AG tires and go from there. Check out Marshalls equipment on tractorhouse, they are in PA and always have a bunch of used tractors. Also check out Messicks Equipment, also in central PA.

 

[Terry1040]

Get TNT and a good quick hitch and buy all QH compatible attachments. The only thing I own that's not QH compatible is my logging winch.



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Thanks for the photos ! Can you provide brand name, model on the "logging winch" That is an unknown item to me. Thank you. :cool2:

 

[Deerherd]

Thanks for the photos ! Can you provide brand name, model on the "logging winch" That is an unknown item to me. Thank you. :cool2:

It's a Wallenstein Bush Pilot XF140.

 

[GManBart]

A lot of people will tell you to get HST. But you can get a lot more tractor for your dollar if you skip on HST. For your uses, a larger gear tractor will probably get more done than a smaller HST tractor.

Most brands there is about $1500-2500 difference between shuttle and HST. That isn't enough to get you "a lot more tractor"....might get you the next bump in HP rating, but not really more tractor.

 

[docsfarm]

I was thinking about the shuttle versus HST thing more. And while I don't care at all, if my wife were wanting to use the tractor, the HST would be the way to go.