new to forum and a question

[varmint]

I gotta add my two cents worth here: my 19hp B8200 has plenty of power to run a 9" post hole auger, and one thing about big tractors that hasn't been mentioned yet here is that they suck diesel. At what looks like $5 gallon fuel coming along, I love the fact I can run my tractor all day long for a couple of gallons of diesel. Try doing that on 50+ hp diesel. Ain't gonna be cheap, no matter how fast the work gets done. Compacting soil is another reason smaller can be better. And, with turfs, the problem is even less.

 

[LMan1967]

Yes, thats a good point, I like the idea of the 1540 but Im afraid its too much tractor for my intended uses. A BH is nice, but I need a bushhog a lot more right now, so Id have to go add that anyway.

Its encouraging that a 19hp will run a PHD. I have a lot of fencing to do!

 

[RPW]

Just because there larger doesn't necessaryly mean they "suck" fuel. My JD5103 (50HP) sips fuel at about 3/4 of a gallon per hour even when pushing it hard. I would say thy with a older tractor that might be true.

 

[LMan1967]

Near me is a Kubota L3300 with FEL for 8500.00 OBO, it has ~ 1500 hours on it. Does this sound reasonable? I'm assuming that it has a gear trans, which I understand is not as desireable as a HSD or shuttle....

The size seems appropriate to my needs - this model is from the 90s I think?

 

[RPW]

Gear vs. HST boy that's a debate and a half I really can't say what a Kubota is worth as I don't own one nor when I purchased had one close to me. As far as gear/HST it really depends on your use. I don't do enough FEL work to justify the added expense. The majority of my work is field. With the modified shift pattern of the 5103 it is just as easy to change directions as an HST. Only difference is the clutch. What Deere did is to change position of 1st and 2nd. Reverse and 2nd have the same gearing so you have the same speed forward or reverse. If I was doing a lot of landscaping then I'd more likely go with the HST. If I have a lot of dirt to move then I'll use my SS.

 

[LMan1967]

Anyone have an opinion on Montana tractors? I found this ad today:

Montana 3840 tractor

 

[Soundguy]

make sure you can get parts... and can spin a wrench..

 

[jenkinsph]

Anyone have an opinion on Montana tractors? I found this ad today:

Montana 3840 tractor

Dothan area should have a lot of tractors to choose from and I recommend you stick with the better represented brands. Montana may be difficult to get parts for now and in the future. I would pass and keep looking.

 

[LMan1967]

Dothan area should have a lot of tractors to choose from and I recommend you stick with the better represented brands. Montana may be difficult to get parts for now and in the future. I would pass and keep looking.

Well, AFAIK there's a Massey dealer, a Kubota dealer, a JD dealer, and a Mahindra dealer around here. I'd like to look at Kioti and LS also, but it looks like their nearest dealerships are >100 miles away. If the website "find a dealer!" feature is accurate.

I plan on riding around some parking lots starting this weekend. :thumbsup:

 

[LMan1967]

OK, after life got in the way :ashamed: I'm really going to try out some steeds this weekend. Wish me luck! :thumbsup:

 

[Soundguy]

post back!

 

[chim]

Anyone have an opinion on Montana tractors? I found this ad today:

Montana 3840 tractor

We have one at work. It has had electrical problems that the dealer managed to resolve. It is a bit on the crude side when compared with the old standbys. Have a look at LS tractors. The dealer we bought ours from is now an LS dealer. I think LS is the same tractor as Montana. He told me Montana has ceased to exist as a tractor brand. I read the "who begat whom" and there were connections with some New Hollands, Massey(?) and others. I got lost in the relationships.

Soundguy is right about parts. We had a guy smash the instrument panel on ours and it took an awful long time to get a replacement.

EDIT TO ADD: We recently removed the Montana's FEL so we could operate a mower in tighter quarters. It took a couple of us, a big hammer and a drift punch to get it free. On my Kubota it's an easy one man / one minute operation.

 

[LMan1967]

post back!

Well, I got a late start so I wasn't able to see all I wanted. The jury is still out.

First stop was the Kubota dealer...I kinda had a bad feeling when I was told that the salesman (they have one, apparently) was 'on a smoke break.' But he did join me a few minutes later. However, he didn't seem very interested in selling tractors today. I told him my requirements, and he suggested a L3800HST. Then he stood there. After about a 30 sec pause, I asked, "is there one you can show me?" "Uh, yeah, I think so."

So we go out to the lot and he shows me a L3800 with no FEL, but a cutter on the back. "There it is." Um, ok. He rattled off some statistics. OK. I asked some questions. Then he asked if I wanted a brochure. Sure. So he ushers me back into the office without offering/ asking if I wanted to sit on it or start it or anything. No quote. Hmmmmm....whatever.

Next, had trouble finding the MF dealer...so I call, and Im told it closes in 10 minutes, but "I can look through the fence at the tractors." Ummmm, no thanks. I'll come back to them later.

Next was the JD dealer. The salesman there was courteous, and suggested either a 3038 or a 4105. He didnt have a 3038 to hand, but he had a 4105 with FEL in the lot. He suggested we go out and 'tear up the parking lot.' Now we're talking! At least he acted like he'd like to take my money....

It was a HST and he showed me all the bells and whistles, and I toodled around the parking lot and played with all the buttons while he was helping other folks. It looked/felt like a well-made tractor.the fit and finish was very good...... the loader control was very intuitive and the HST was nice (although it whines at low speeds, I guess thats normal?)

Back inside, the JD guy quotes me 19.1k for the tractor, 4.5k for the loader, 2.5k for a rotary cutter (holy cow :confused2: ) and $575 for a box blade, making the whole deal ~ 27.1 k. He did say he'd load the rear tires for free, though

Last stop was the Mahindra dealer, but as I suspected, he was closed by the time I got there. He had a 4010 shuttle and a 4035 HST on his lot, so I sat on them and made 'vroooom' noises like a little kid. The 4035 had clearly been on the lot a while as the steering wheel was faded and cracked, and the instrument panel was fogged up and hard to read. The fit and finish on the Mahindra def did not seem as nice as the JD, but since I couldnt start it or anything I dont know how the mechanicals compare.

So, one good experience, one not-so-good, and two places to return to for more info.

Any thoughts/advice? Things I need to ask on the second round?

 

[Soundguy]

all I can say is before you sign any paperwork.. put your but in alot of seats and test drive.

the quality of most 1st tier makers is about even.. thus it comes down to options and ergonomics and $$. tier 2 can still be int he running as value machines. tier 3 are the super economy machines especialy the chinese imports for our domestic market. $$ is lower.. but you may need more hands on for care and feeding.

in all cases, a good dealer for support and maint is very important, and worth more than a few $ of purchase price or a few miles of delivery / driving.

so make your choices with all those in mind.

 

[LMan1967]

Is there a chart/graph/something that shows which different-color tractors are considered apples-to-apples comparisons to one another?

I want to make sure when comparing features/specs that I'm looking at apples-to-apples

 

[Soundguy]

in general, the big 3 are really the big 4.
NH JD KUB MF all for sure top teir players

then you get into a much looser / wider 2nd teir

mahindra, kioti etc.

you also see some new/old names like cub cadet / yanmar I'd easilly hang them somewhere in the top teir..

then you get to the value machines in 3rd teir.

these generally include all the chinese imports for our domestic market.

too many to mention.. foton, jinma.. etc.. etc.. etc..

may also include some of the other players that are smaller or came and went. ( montana, zetor etc.. )

 

[LMan1967]

Thanks. How about models? Are all 4000 series JDs directly comparable to all 4000-series Mahindras, for example?

 

[Soundguy]

no...

 

[LMan1967]

When you buy a tractor, are ALL dealers of that make able to provide warranty service (like car dealers) or do you have to go back to the dealer you bought it from?

 

[jenkinsph]

Dothan area should have a lot of tractors to choose from and I recommend you stick with the better represented brands. Montana may be difficult to get parts for now and in the future. I would pass and keep looking.

I should have been more clear, I used to buy used tractors and equipment in the Dothan area. Lots of large implement yards there in the past.