New to tractors

[Anonymous Poster]

I have just purchased a 5 acre property, all cleared, but rough with scrubs and thick weeds. I plan on making it green and pretty (hey, it's mine and I can do what I want). I've never owned a tractor, never ridden a tractor, and have the mechanical ability of a rock. What do you recommend for me? By the way, local dealers are Mahindra, Kioti, Land-Trac, and Kubota.

 

[lblair]

I was in the same postion you were minus the big old booger's/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif only i have 8 acers with woods and pond. 4 acers to mow. I went with a New Holland TC21D compact tractor with a front end loader. I am able to do all my own service work. (oil changes and such) I sugjest trying out several tractors and talk with dealers on your needs. Sence i got mine. I got many attachments. When i shopped i thought instead of getting a lawn mower that wont last i might as well get somthing that will do all i want to do down the road and last a good long time. My father in law has a John Deere lawn mower and its junk as far as im concerned. everything has wore out on it like its a walmart mower. i got 15,000 rapped up in my tractor and all its toys..but i will have it till im a old man...unless i trade up that it/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif Hope this helps some, Larry

 

[Casimir]

booger:

Welcome to TBN -You have come to the right place. Opinions abound /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. You will find someone here with each of the brands you mentioned that love them. The "Big Three" (Kubota, New Holland and John Deere) -- orange, blue and green, are all good tractors, but the Mahindras, Kiotis and Land-Tracs all seem to be getting a good following. Most often, the Dealer you feel most comfortable with and how the tractor fits you are the determining factors.

You say your acreage is cleared, but with scrubs and weeds. If you only want to mow the stuff that's there, probably something in the 18 to 25 horsepower range, with a brush cutter (sometimes called "Bushhog," but that is also a specific brand name), would be about right. If you plan to do anything more, like landscaping, you will find a Front End Loader (FEL) and box blade to be invaluable. Once you get a nice lawn, a mid-mount mower or rear finish mower will fill the bill.

This is a great place to learn about the capabilities and pros and cons of the tractors and attachments, without having to buy and try them all out yourself /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif. Your property sure sounds like you need a tractor (and don't let the CEO hear you call it a toy - it is a tool) /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Welcome aboard and let us know what you decide (with pictures, if possible).

 

[Kodiak]

Well it sounds like you have a couple of years of busy work ahead of you to prepare and plant lawns, landscape etc. After that it will mostly be maintenance, mowing, tree and shrub maintenance, fences and possibly drive way maintenance are the norm. And 5 acres is sizable peice of property to afford you plenty of tractor time.

Your already off to a good start by locating the dealers in your immediate area. As you stated your mechanical ability is minimal so dealing with a local dealer may be a plus. And as many here will tell you, the dealers attitude and reputation can be as positive an experience in your purchase as the products he sells. Asks these dealers if can contact some of the dealers if they can put you in contact with some of there customers for their opinions of both the dealers and thier products.

For the size of property you have and the projects you seem to be looking at, I for one would suggest a midsize compact utility 4x4 tractor in the @30 hp size. The main reasons to looking at this size would be. (1) This size of tractor usually has the weight (good for traction) versus a nice tight turning ratio for maneauverability. (2) This size of tractor has the ability to handle a fair sized loader. One that has a good max lifting capacities (min. 800lbs up to @1200lbs with a 60"/66" HD bucket and/or pallet forks), with a enough lifting height to be able to load a small dump truck or flatbed. (3) Enough 3pt hitch lifting capacity to handle decent sized implements, 7ft backblades or landscape rakes, 6ft box blades or finish mowers, and 5ft bush hogs and rototillers, (min. of 1500lbs lifting capacity). (4) And finally enough power take off (PTO) horsepower to be able to power the above mentioned PTO driven implements without bogging down. I would also like to add that this size of tractor is also quite often offered with a mid mounted finish mower (up to 72") as an option. By the way a front loader will probably be the best tool you will ever purchase, and your back will thank you for it many years from now. I mentioned the above implements and their sizes as these on avg. are the the most popular sizes for the most poular implements. That allow a tractor that size to accomplish the most work effeicently. Which is why most people buy a compact tractor in the first place.

One thing to think about is the type of transmission that you would like to have your new tractor equipped with. Hydrostatic transmissions have become a reliable standard among the industry leaders, and anyone can easily operate one. Kubota has a reputation for having one of the best. But Long/Land-Trac and Kioti are just now introducing their first ones based on tried and proven designs. And there are rumors that Mahindra will soon follow. ( those in the know correct me if I'm wrong here) As an alternative, if you can handle a manual tranny All of the manufacturers that you have mentioned offer good fully synchronised ones with shuttle shift and Live pto. Shuttle shift offers a seperate lever that just allows you to shift between forward and reverse, a very nice feature. While the Live pto allows you to shift gears without disengaging the pto, also very nice. Both features are great for beginners, as well as desired by those with experience.

As I am sure you have heard Kubota has a good reputation as a leader in the industry. However the other brands you mentioned, all have models that are built in South Korea, that are rapidly building a good solid reputation as being dependable and built heavy duty. and the Korean built tractors seem to be priced more reasonable than than the big three. Although with the current economy financing on new tractors appears to be at all time lows. Scroll down lower in the forums and you will find seperate forums for Kubota and Kioti, as well as a forum for other brands that will cover both Long/Land-Trac and Mahindra.

Remember that New Holland and John Deere are also leaders in the industry, and make great midsized compacts, and would bear looking into.

Well thats my point of veiw, hope it helps. And good luck tractor shopping.

 

[Inspector507]

Hey booger,
We love to spend other peoples money..../w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif
Welcome to the best site on the net

 

[manganos]

Welcome to the forums! You should be fine with a 20 hp diesel or so. Check out www.ebay.com . My Kubota BX22 is on it and there are a lot of other tractors to see as well!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks for the welcome and the good info. I have a feeling that I will learn more from this forum than anywhere else on the planet. I've noticed that some of the smaller Kubotas (B2200 in particular) seem to be very popular on this forum. Is that too small for my situation?

 

[Rick Jay]

<font color=blue>minus the big old booger's</font color=blue>

Oh....big old boogers. The first time I read the username I thought that it might be a new bi-****** Austin Powers character. We just had "Goldmember"...I thought this was "Bi-GoldBooger"./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Well...celebrity or not, welcome to TBN.

~Rick

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Sorry, Rick, Bigoldbooger's Goldmember swings only one way.

 

[Rick Jay]

That's just fine, don't apologize to me. And to take a quote from a Seinfeld episode: "...not that there's anything wrong with that!".

Glad to hear you've got a sense of humor. You'll do well here on TBN.

Good Luck,

~Rick

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Here's a picture of the property that will soon become my all-consuming passion (my wife will be glad to hear that). It needs work, but it will be nice when I'm done. By the way, what's the best way to get rid of existing fencing (wood posts, wire mesh, overgrown with weeds and such)? Like I said, I'm new at this.

 

[hazmat]

<font color=blue>I've noticed that some of the smaller Kubotas (B2200 in particular) seem to be very popular on this forum. Is that too small for my situation? </font color=blue>

It all depends on how much time you want to spend doing your landscaping. The BX2200 is a very capable little machine and a good choice for 5 acres, but considered a sub compact. It will do everything it's bigger brothers will do, only you have to take smaller bites.

Some have had problems hooking up three point implements that are designed to go on a taller tractor, requiring moving of the attachment pins etc, to make them work. You mentioned you have the mechanical ability of a rock. If you were to go with the BX, I'd buy the implememnts from the dealer & get him to set them up properly for you vs. buying them at a tractor supply store or over the internet.

I have 4 acres. 2 of which are grass, the rest are woods. I have an 18HP New Holland that, while it has less HP, is one size bigger than the BX2200. I've been very happy with it & often run out of traction before Horsepower. The main reason for my New Holland is I liked the dealer the best, Spec wise, I liked the JD 4010 or 4110 better.

Time to pound the pavement. get to the dealers & test drive the machines. Don't just take a spin around the parking lot, dig some dirt etc. Have them show you how to attach an implement & take the loader off. Also try a standard trans and the Hyrdrostatic.

When you narrow it down a bit, get the dealer to demo the machine(s) at your property.

I think anything from 18-30 HP would fit your bill nicely. If you've got alot of obstacles or will be planting a lot, stick to the smaller side. If it's wide open, go bigger and you'll get your tasks done quicker.

 

[kodiac]

Where do you live bigoldbooger?

 

[frank_f15]

welcome to the forum: can't really tell u much as i don't know your particular sit. check out the land trac. if u want to save a few $. kioti also is a a fine tractor, ask northcreek . everybody likes different things, let us know what u decide. and welcome again.

 

[crown]

I have roughly the same size property as you I choose the Kubota B-7500, it is very capable and easy to use for the first time users such as me. Due the research and check out the dealers and pick the one that feels best to you, all makes and models will be able to do the job so personal preference is really key it is after all your money, everybody likes to spend others. My advise 20 - 29 HP, a good reputable dealer, and a good personal fit. Have fun shopping!!

 

[rdbrumfield]

I'm happy for you. A tractor is truly a man's best friend. I'm into green and orange too. I will say though, if you are going to put a tiller on someday, get one that has some very slow gears. Some will call them creep. I owned a 3450 GST kubota. I found it a little fast for my needs. I also had a 245DT Kubota, if you can find one (mid 70's) they are great. I now have a 5300 Jd and I had them install the creep gear. Makes it a real pulverizer. Happy hunting. Randall

 

[Anonymous Poster]

i recently bought a kioti after owning a ford 1710 and i am not looking back, shuttle shift is awesome.

 

[B7500]

I went with a Kubota B7500 w/FEL and BH. The best investment I ever made for my 5 acres. Have fun deciding and welcome to this group.
-Terry

 

[IRTEXN]

BGB,
I have about the same size place as you in what sounds like about the same condition. I bought a JD4110 with HST, 410 loader and 413 brush hog. couldnt be happier. It has worked very well for me sofar. About $14,000 out the door. Good luck with your choice

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

We also have a lot a little over 5 acres, mostly wooded. Bought a JD 4110 Hydro with loader and rear blade, very happy with the performance.