New Member, Looking for advise on a tractor

[buzzkill125]

Hi all,

New member here with very limited tractor experience. I am considering purchasing a new or used tractor for my 5 acre property. Approximately 1/2 of the property is cleared with my house on it.

Terrain:
most of my property is at a slight grade as I am on the side of a hill. Property around the house is relatively level, in front and in the back there are some hills. I have a seasonal stream wet/marshy area that i would like to finish clearing out and eventually turn into a pond. Otherwise I have a lot of thick thick undergrowth with a lot of smaller ash trees ranging from 8-14" diameter.

Uses:
- Snow removal
- Clear another 1-1.5 acres
- Prep work for putting a pond in (I know i'll need a larger machine to actually do the digging)
- I would like to put a garden in
- Plant some trees and put in some mulch and flower beds
- Fill in low areas throughout the yard
- Replenish crusher run around driveway and parking areas
- I have intentions of building a 30x40 garage within a few years
- Build a front porch
- Redo back porch
- I have some spots that get real wet in the spring so I would like to do some drainage work
- Small 4-5' brush hog for doing some property edge work. I get a lot of heavy thick undergrowth and prickers

I have a 54" cub zero-turn for mowing, so other than a little brush hog work this machine would not be used for mowing.

I'm thinking of looking to get a tractor in the 25hp range. Budget wise I would like to keep it around $15k.

I'm not really sure what models to be looking at that are within my price range and HP requirements. I am not afraid of buying something used and I am mechanically inclined enough to do/make some repairs if needed. I have not talked to any dealers yet or test drove anything yet either. Not really sure where to start

 

[screamin400]

My new Mahindra 2655 comes in this week. I am trading in a 2538 with 280 hours. My dealer in Lee center ny will have it within a week I would think. I know where this tractor has been since new. It will be over 15k but I do not know the price

 

[jeff9366]

The best way to shop for tractors is to list your tasks first, then determine how much bare tractor weight you need to SAFELY accomplish your tasks. Bare tractor weight is a tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models.

For most tractor tasks greater chassis weight is more important than tractor horsepower. This tractor fundamental is difficult for people new to tractors to comprehend. It takes a 50% increase in bare tractor weight before you notice a significant tractor capability increase. It takes a 100% increase in bare tractor weight to elicit MY-OH-MY!

Heavier tractors have more tractive power pulling ground contact implements. Greater mass of heavy-chassis tractors increases tractor stability when transporting loads in the FEL bucket, the most rollover prone of routine tractor tasks. Heavier tractors have larger wheels and tires better able to bridge holes, ruts and downed tree limbs, yielding a smoother, less disturbing passage over rough ground.

Safe hillside operation demands more tractor weight than flat land operation. Heavier tractors have wider wheel spreads making heavier tractors less laterally unstable. Rear wheel spreads may be decreased or increased after jacking up the rear.

Shop your weight range within tractor brands. Budget will eliminate some choices. Collect a dealer brochure for each tractor model in your weight range. I spreadsheet tractor and implement specs, often a revealing exercise. I have a column for cost per pound.

Tractors under 3,000 pounds bare weight are offered in one configuration. Most, such as the high volume kubota standard L series, are sparely equipped to hit competitive price points. Others, such as the Yanmar YT235 and Kubota B2650/B3350 series, include enhanced productivity and comfort components.

Most tractors under 3,000 pounds bare weight are operated in residential applications on one to five fairly flat acres. These "residential tractors" fit in a typical garage.

Tractors over 3,000 pounds bare weight are generally offered in a utilitarian configuration and a deluxe configuration, on a common chassis. Deluxe kit enhances productivity and operating comfort ~~~ but you have to pay. Many tractors over 3,000 pounds bare weight are too tall to fit in a typical garage, even with ROPS folded.

Selling a used tractor is easy. Selling light implements in order to buy heavier, wider, implements for a heavier tractor you take a hit in depreciation. Passing time with multiple implement browsers is a pain. ((Ask me how I know.))

For most new to tractors a quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important. Dealer proximity is less important to others, well experienced with tractors, who perform their own maintenance. My kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment.

Horsepower is only a primary consideration operating PTO powered implements.

BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR.​

 

[jeff9366]

Every tractor brand includes a model in the 1,700 pound to 2,000 pound (bare tractor) range with a 100 cubic inch/24 horsepower engine, ample for your needs. Tractors under 25-horsepower are exempt from the stringent, Tier IV emission controls which abruptly increase a tractor's cost above the 25-horsepower break about $3,000.

You would probably want Hydrostatic (HST) transmission, a Front End Loader (FEL) and 4-WD as options. New, equipped, closer to $20,000 than $15,000.

The tractor is just a prime mover. You will need implements and attachments for the tractor. You will need a heavy implement mounted on the Three Point Hitch in order to counterbalance heavy lifts with the FEL.

Better to buy the tractor new, implements used.

You can do your initial research on the web.

Kubota L2501: https://www.kubotausa.com/docs/default-source/brochure-sheets/l2501.pdf?sfvrsn=34e9b1d_8


If you include your city in Upstate New York in your Profile, a T-B-N contributor may notify you of a good used tractor and/or implements for sale near you. This occurs regularly.

 

[majorwager]

RK are rebranded TYM. No dealer in NY but they are in process of negotiating w/ ind repair shops. For warranty work, 8 years by the way.
Outdoors with the Morgans, A You tube channel has series of reviews, attractive prices,

 

[cphilip]

You'd be wise to go take a look at the Kioti CK2610 HST. Just over 3000 pounds with fluid in tires and about 4000 with FEL on. Just under 25 hp so no Tier 4 emissions stuff yet a big bore motor at 1.6L. Its just around your budge at about 16,500 or so with the FEL. Depends on market and area. Im right pleased with mine.

 

[jeff9366]

I am considering purchasing a new or used tractor for my 5 acre property. Approximately 1/2 of the property is cleared with my house on it.

Terrain:
Most of my property is at a slight grade as I am on the side of a hill. Property around the house is relatively level, in front and in the back there are some hills. I have a seasonal stream wet/marshy area that I plan to turn into a pond.

Tractor tasks:

- Clear another 1-1.5 acres of thick undergrowth and a lot of smaller ash trees ranging from 8-14" diameter.
- Prep work for putting a pond in (I know i'll need a larger machine to actually do the digging)

Wheeled tractors are easily bogged in swampy conditions.

Removing stumps over 3" is not small tractor work.

For these two tasks rent a tracked mini-excavator, which puts much less pressure on the ground, is much more stable, has greater reach and a hoe which rotates 360 degrees.

VIDEOS (2): mini excavator stump removal - YouTube

mini excavator pond - YouTube

 

[jeff9366]

Take a look at the Kioti CK2610 HST. Just under 25 hp so no Tier 4 emissions stuff, yet a big bore motor at 1.6L. Around your budge at $16,500 with the FEL. Depends on market and area.

An excellent competitor to Kubota's L2501.

LINK: CK261 HST Compact Tractor | Kioti Tractors

 

[buzzkill125]

Thanks for the suggestions. The kioti and Kubota both seem to be a viable option.

Building the Kubota real quick online comes out to nearly $25k with fel and rear snowblower. What is the reality in difference between website pricing vs dealer pricing. I've purchased a few new atv's and snowmobiles and if I hit the dealer at the right time I usually find some good savings to be had.

Abele equipment is close to me in albany and they sell both Kubota and Massey ferguson.

 

[MAD777]

The Kioti CK2610 has 3 ranges (like the Kubota L series). The link above is to the older, smaller CK2510.