New tractor advice

[Big_Cajun]

If I were looking for a tractor at that HP with those features, I'd definitely look at the MF lineup. I love Kubota, but when I'm trying to decide, it's always between MF and Kubota. All the tractors you named are nice. Just give them a test drive and see which is the most comfortable/best bang for the buck.

BC

 

[Big_Cajun]

If I were looking for a tractor at that HP with those features, I'd definitely look at the MF lineup. I love Kubota, but when I'm trying to decide, it's always between MF and Kubota. All the tractors you named are nice. Just give them a test drive and see which is the most comfortable/best bang for the buck.

BC

 

[JerseyRay]

Jay,
Thank you and the rest of the folks for the advice. I had considered in getting a FEL for the Ford 1000 (owner's manual says it's a 25hp/23pto) but to find a loader with pump and installation would be expensive, probably over double what the tractor's worth. I've been saving up and I rather get a new one especially now with the low financing rates available. Along with the horse poop I have some low spots on the property I want to fill in with some free dirt/fill I got from the highway department, appx 100 tons. Far as mowing it takes me or my wife about 5-6 hours mow the property so I figured to get something with a wider cut to supplement my ride on mower. As far as a BH I thought I would save some $ and rent one when I need one. Put the bucks toward a better tractor. Also it would be one less piece of equiptment to store under a tarp somewhere. I've put up all the fence I need for a while. Dug most of the postholes by hand "whew!" I read repeatedly on TBN a good dealer relationship is even more important than the brand of tractor. Maybe I can get some tips on what makes a "good" dealer. By the way I've been to 3 NH, 2 JD, 3 Kubota, 1 Cub Cadet and one MF dealer. I have a stack of papers with specs from all. I been researching so much I wore down my wife she'll let me get anything at this point.

 

[JerseyRay]

Jay,
Thank you and the rest of the folks for the advice. I had considered in getting a FEL for the Ford 1000 (owner's manual says it's a 25hp/23pto) but to find a loader with pump and installation would be expensive, probably over double what the tractor's worth. I've been saving up and I rather get a new one especially now with the low financing rates available. Along with the horse poop I have some low spots on the property I want to fill in with some free dirt/fill I got from the highway department, appx 100 tons. Far as mowing it takes me or my wife about 5-6 hours mow the property so I figured to get something with a wider cut to supplement my ride on mower. As far as a BH I thought I would save some $ and rent one when I need one. Put the bucks toward a better tractor. Also it would be one less piece of equiptment to store under a tarp somewhere. I've put up all the fence I need for a while. Dug most of the postholes by hand "whew!" I read repeatedly on TBN a good dealer relationship is even more important than the brand of tractor. Maybe I can get some tips on what makes a "good" dealer. By the way I've been to 3 NH, 2 JD, 3 Kubota, 1 Cub Cadet and one MF dealer. I have a stack of papers with specs from all. I been researching so much I wore down my wife she'll let me get anything at this point.

 

[jbrumberg]

JerseyRay:

Good work on the research and wearing down the wife! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Researching out and deciding on "the best fit" tractors and "necessary" attachments is relatively easy compared to getting "She Who Must Be Obeyed's/Comptroller's" approval. I need to submit a needs assessment and 3 bids to get anything (I am kind of kidding.) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I used my Ford 1100 for 20+ years- it was under-powered and over-used but I was able to get the job done. It was a major step up when I purchased my NH TC29DA, and I have no complaints (although the Ford with its set up could handle slopes better). If I was you I would do something nice for the wife - dinner out, flowers, first new tractor project is for her, etc. before you run out of money buying attachments. We at TBN can help you with that. Jay /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Dex]

Jerseyray,

No matter what you buy it will cut faster than what you are cutting with now. I have a 72 in RFM. I cut 5 acres in about three hours. It use to take 4 when I had the 24 hp JD 770. Now with the 44 hp HST 3720 it cut the cut time one hour. Plus with the HST it has cut my time to zero. (I now sit next to the pool and drink a beer and watch the 13 y/o cut on the weekends /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif) I do not know how I lived so long without HST so look into that when you decide.

 

[RickO]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( I read repeatedly on TBN a good dealer relationship is even more important than the brand of tractor. )</font>

I read it all the time too and I don't always agree. I do think you need a dealer within an hour but I don't see the need to have one close. Ask the guys who have some of the newer tractors how much time their tractor has been in the shop in the past couple years. Choose the right brand and your chances of needing the dealer close by are decreased. All the major brands and even some of the less well known brands (i.e. Mahindra, Kioti) would be good choices. I would drive an hour to buy a tractor without thinking twice. Don't buy something you don't like because a dealer is close. I agree with the HST being a must. It is worth every penny extra.

I personally never liked mowing with a RFM. I had one for a year on a B7800. I downsized to a Ford 1210 HST with a 5' MMM and I like mowing with it. I'll tell you something else, my B7800 Kubota would run a 6' RFM but if you get into some heavy grass with it your slowing way down. The Ford goes through heavy grass no problem. If you are going to be doing a lot of mowing and you think you can move your manure with a MMM still on, I would get a MMM.