? on What to Buy?

dewitt · Jan 3, 2006

Just getting 16 acres - 9 of which is woods. Need to mow about 5 acres, have 900 ft drive gravel, what do you recommend - tractor size and equipment. Looking for new - Kubota dealer 2 miles away but can get to Cub, Massey & New Holland - what do you guys think?

I am in Michigan - middle of state - need to also plow snow! davidd@lymansheets.com

SWB · Jan 3, 2006

It will, of course, depend on your budget. My own bias would be something in the 30-35 HP range in 4wd and hydro. All are good manufacturers so that you should factor in which tractor is comfortable for you and which dealer you like the best.

kozak · Jan 3, 2006

dewitt,

Welcome to TBN.

Ditto what SWB indicated. Would get Front End Loader & if you can swing it a rear snowblower. Will need additional remote hydraulic connections for snowblower. If you can't fork out for snowblower right away can always get a rear blade & use it & the FEL to remove snow. If you do go with 35 to 45 HP tractor & get FEL, will need counterweight on back. (i.e. either filled rear tires or cast iron wheel weights, or just large concrete bucket connected to rear 3 pt. hitch or some other similar set-up.)

Excess tractor weight is a negative during spring & fall months when mowing grass due to relatively soft ground conditions which the tractor will marr / compact up. Even removing counterweights, size of this tractor class will still be an issue. Not sure how close to the house you plan on mowing. That's why some opt out for the R4's (industrial type) tires. Middle of the road between turf & ag tires.
Depending how wet & MUCKY it gets especially during the spring months, may need to also consider a smaller garden or riding lawnmower style tractor IN ADDITION to the tractor you are considering for the larger tasks. As SWB indicated, can also consider a class 2 boomer (29 to 33 HP) which is one size smaller than class 3 (35 to 45 HP NH) & therefore lighter.

Bolt on forks for the FEL are pretty handy as are hooks welded onto bucket for attaching chains.

Good Luck on Your Tractor Hunting & Keep Us Posted.

Vic

3RRL · Jan 3, 2006

Hey dewitt...
Don't know if you're limiting your selection to those you've mentioned or not, but if you get a chance to check out some of the Chinese tractors, you may be able to get a larger 4wd tractor, more hp and more implements for less or about the same price.
I know this from personal experience and ended up going that way. I got a 55hp 4wd tractor, FEL, 7' backhoe, 7' boxblade, 6' brush hog and a post hole digger all delivered to my property for about the same price as a NH with loader and delivery. The Kobuta with loader and backhoe I looked at was Way more, although it was HST.
The implements I got rounded out about everything I needed for my 27 acres. (No snow where I'm at) so I thought it was a tremendous deal....just a thought.

aesanders · Jan 3, 2006

Couple questions for you...

What is your Budget?

Is the mowing for around the house lawn mowing or are you mowing fields?

Are you planning on clearing any woods or just working the cleared land? Any future plans you are considering?

What is the terrain like? Is it hilly or flat? Do you have many trees you're mowing around or wide open fields or lawns.

I personally like many tractors by Kubota, Massey and New Holland. I don't follow the Cubs much anymore, but I'm sure they have some decent models. With a little more info on your property, I would be able to give you some suggested models I would consider.

ronjhall · Jan 4, 2006

Welcome to TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Having a Dealer 2 miles away can be very expensive. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
For mowing lawn I would consider a Kubota B series tractor. Light weight for mowing. Yet large enough to do some of the bigger task.
My B2910 (replaced by B3030 and economy model B7800) with a 72" MMM will cut about 2 acres per hour. This was important to me when I bought my tractor. This is a lightweight tractor with lots of power. I use it to snowplow my 200' of drive plus a neighbors road that is over a 1/4 mile long. It's the top end of the B series size tractors. Other models to consider are BX and smaller B tractors.
My dealer also sells the Massey line of tractors. He sells a lot of them. But not familiar with sizes.

dewitt · Jan 4, 2006

Budget - about $15,000 - $18,000
mow around house - probably 3 acres
no clearing off woods probably will go in woods to bring out some downed trees
terrain is flat - is planted grass - some small slops nothing to steep.

Any thoughts?

SWB · Jan 4, 2006

If it is just for mowing and pulling logs from the woods, you could probably go with a smaller tractor. I personally favor at least a small 30 hp unit since you can get mowing done a little faster and have more pulling power of logs out of the woods. In that price range you can get 4wd, hydro, FEL and mower. Do drive the ones you are interested in and operate them. Don't discount comfort since you will probably spend more time on the tractor than you anticipate as you find more chores to do once you have them.

dewitt · Jan 4, 2006

I did get quotes on the following including loader, finish mower, back blade - Kubotas
7610 - 24 hp $15,950
7800 - 30 hp $17,900

The 7610 has 50 hours on it.

What do you think?

cag · Jan 4, 2006

Dewitt I also think Kubota B series would be a good fit for you,I look closely at the B3030 the only issue I had with the tractor and the reason I didn't buy it, is at the time I tried the tractor I found it to rattle and vibrate, there was talk here on TBN of these issues, I don't know if they've been resolve, they probably did as kubota is known to stand behind there product, if you decide to look at the BX series then I would suggest for you to look at massey GC2300 series great little tractor...cag

dewitt · Jan 4, 2006

Great - there is a Massey dealer about 15 miles away - I will take a look on Saturday.

DmansPadge · Jan 4, 2006

The B series are great tractors, but, for your needs you might just need a BX. They are awesome little tractors that are very capable. They are also smaller and would be easier for mowing with a belly mower. The new BX2350's are coming out and look really nice. You can see and spec them here

The other day I had posted a link in the Kubota forum to a dealer near me in TX. I beleive they are selling a new BX2330 w/FEL and mower for under 12k. Here is their link just to give you an idea on pricing... WowCo

RoyJackson · Jan 4, 2006

"Don't know if you're limiting your selection to those you've mentioned or not, but if you get a chance to check out some of the Chinese tractors, you may be able to get a larger 4wd tractor, more hp and more implements for less or about the same price."

Chinese tractors are for the folks who can do their own work and don't mind waiting for parts.
At this time, there is no dealer support for any of these machines.

Your call...I can do my own work...to a degree..but I won't buy a chinese tractor...regardless of the price.

At this point in time, the chinese machines just don't have the necessary support.

Although I'm a Deere guy..with your acreage, I'd go for a B7800.

aesanders · Jan 4, 2006

Getting some good advise. I'd also look at the b series tractors from Kubota. They have a long standing reputation. B7800 or B2630 would be a good choice. Maybe even the new BX series coming out as well. You could probably get a bx24 wit backhoe and all the implements you desire for your budget. Not sure if you need or want a hoe, but you have that option as well.

SWB · Jan 4, 2006

I am biased towards a little more horsepower and I think the B7800 would be a good choice. Once again, sit on it and drive it. I don't like the seats on the Kubotas. There have been complaints in some of these forums that they make some of us feel as if we are sliding forward out of them. I found that to be the case. The larger Masseys have a more comfortable seat, but I haven't sat on or driven the GC2300 although I have read good things about it. I have owned a Massey before and liked it.

Glenn9643 · Jan 4, 2006

Seems to me that the GC2300 MF would be a little small for your needs. When you go to the MF dealer look at the 1400 or 1500 series, 30-40HP and I think you'll be better satisfied.

SWB · Jan 4, 2006

Speaking of comfort, I think the New Holland seats are more comfortable than either the Kubota or Massey.

3RRL · Jan 4, 2006

( Chinese tractors are for the folks who can do their own work and don't mind waiting for parts.
At this time, there is no dealer support for any of these machines....At this point in time, the chinese machines just don't have the necessary support.)

Roy,
Your point(s) are well taken and I considered them. I own a complete mold making (machine) shop and figured on making my own parts if I had to and doing my own wrenching. I realize not everyone has this ability, but for me it was and easy decision. I knew I would not be sending the tractor back to him (1500 miles away) for service.

As far as dealer support, you are right if you're talking my dealer. I expected better service when I asked him to replace a few minor electrical components and it was like pulling teeth before he sent them to me. Same with some hydraulic connectors that were supposed to be included but missing. I think he had to order them first. But then again, had I gone to the dealer who participates here in TBN forems and services his customers, I would have been much better off.

You never know what a guy can or can't do or what he's willing to do when he asks for opinions....especially when the post subject is "What to Buy?" My post was to give him another avenue to consider. Hope you can appreciate that.

kozak · Jan 4, 2006

dewitt,

Based on your latest reply on what you will be primarily doing (mowing & out of woods log dragging including keeping the driveway clear of snow), I would agree with most of the rest that a Kubota B7800 would be a nice fit. Is a little lighter than a NH TC29DA & probably cheaper. Both the MF GC2300 & Kubota BX series are considered sub-compacts (22.5 HP Hydrostat & 18.5 HP PTO) & although quite capable, I really can't see you clearing a 900 ft. driveway full of snow year in & year out. For the first few years you will have a blast, but sooner or later you will come to the realization that the tractor is too small. Definitely check them out but I think you will see that compared to a Kubota B7800 or NH TC29DA, they are not in the same class.

If the quoted price for the B7800 with all the goodies is a brand new machine, seems quite reasonable to me but I will leave that to your fellow Americans to say yea or nay.

If you like the Kubota Dealership & they seem to go out of their way to help you then 2 miles away is a big bonus.

Good Luck,

Vic

ronjhall · Jan 5, 2006

is at the time I tried the tractor I found it to rattle and vibrate, there was talk here on TBN of these issues, 
Vibration has been fixed. Click Here