Buying Advice Questions about potential purchase, not sure where to start

[marinusdees]

Looking to purchase my first tractor. Have decent lawn tractor (JD x350) but it's proven inadequate for any projects beyond cutting grass.

There is a John Deere dealership nearby, and a Kubota dealer even closer, so I would like to limit my search to these brands.

I currently live on a 3.8 acre property in Washington. It's slightly hilly, very rocky soil (sometimes boulders), there's several trees but it's mostly a meadow, and it's constantly on the verge of being swallowed by blackberry. The property was neglected prior to purchase, so I'm in the process of restoring it and transforming it into my sanctuary. Use cases are moving wood, I would love to get a brush hog (as I've paid for this several times now and it's baffling how quickly blackberry grows), moving sod, filling holes, evening out land / tilling, and as a helper for ambitious gardening plans.

I think it's time for me to start considering a tractor. My budget is probably around $20K with some wiggle room.

Additional considerations: I've never used a tractor before, I'm not very mechanically inclined, and as such, I would love to have something user friendly and reliable. I don't know if this matters, I'm in my 30s and a woman, so I want to come prepared to any dealer so I don't get taken advantage of.

To be honest, I'm not 100% sure a tractor is the right thing for me. The anonymity of the internet will allow me to admit I'm sorta an idiot and in over my head, and maybe I should just stick to hand tools and manual labor.

Either way, thank you for any insight you can provide, I sincerely appreciate your help and advice.

You need a goat. Much cheaper, go to the nearest livestock auction, buy a goat. Turn it loose or on a chain, will destroy any vegetation, eat blackberry vines. When it's done, take it back to the auction, get your money back. Guaranteed. If you are in a hurry, get two goats.

 

[WinterDeere]

What I don't get about the TLB recommendation, or really any backhoe, is the OP said their primary need is a 3-point mower. TLB's remove the 3-point hitch, and even a regular CUT with subframe backhoe, is 3-point easily accessible?

Laugh about goats, but I had a friend go this route. Worked well on his 17 acres, but taking care of them over winter was a real drag.

 

[Pleease]

No need to get 5’ implements for your use on 3.8 acres. 4 foot would be plenty.

From what you describe, the subcompacts like the BX Kubota and 1025 Deere would be more than adequate. You could bump up to a slightly taller machine like the B or 2025, but not really necessary.

You mention moving wood. Can you describe this scenario? Is it logs (how big) or firewood. This would be my only thought that a bigger machine would come into play if you wanted to move large logs. Everything else can be handled with ease by the subcompacts and compact mentioned.

Thank you - another thing I didn't know and now I do! Maneuverability is crucial. I like to LARP as a strong lady, but sometimes I have to accept that I have limits. Accessible changes I can make on my own will be very important to me. Based on what has been shared, keeping the front loader on will likely be the primary configuration yet can't be fixed since I have other uses for the tractor, too.

Someone might've mentioned this - I didn't check all the comments - but a tooth bar is incredibly helpful for digging and clearing land. I haven't had blackberry plants to deal with, but my Kubota BX1880 (their smallest-horsepower model) is a brush-clearing savage with the BXpanded Piranha tooth bar attached, even taking down saplings easily.

The capabilities of a small 4wd diesel tractor are somewhat amazing. I mow a guesstimated 2 acres at our lake property, more than half of that on a steep hill. I was able to dig a flat spot for a 16x24' shed into the side of a steep hill comprised of clay and rock - some rocks too big to fit in the 4ft bucket.

I had never even sat on anything larger than a riding mower until driving the BX around the dealer parking lot, but in time developed a good feel for it. You have to be careful on hills - these machines are naturally tippy - but mine will climb just about any grade safely as long as I go up and down the hills vertically.

So aside from the awesome utility of the tractor, I bet you're actually going to enjoy it - I know I do .

 

[pacosperson]

Looking to purchase my first tractor. Have decent lawn tractor (JD x350) but it's proven inadequate for any projects beyond cutting grass.

There is a John Deere dealership nearby, and a Kubota dealer even closer, so I would like to limit my search to these brands.

I currently live on a 3.8 acre property in Washington. It's slightly hilly, very rocky soil (sometimes boulders), there's several trees but it's mostly a meadow, and it's constantly on the verge of being swallowed by blackberry. The property was neglected prior to purchase, so I'm in the process of restoring it and transforming it into my sanctuary. Use cases are moving wood, I would love to get a brush hog (as I've paid for this several times now and it's baffling how quickly blackberry grows), moving sod, filling holes, evening out land / tilling, and as a helper for ambitious gardening plans.

I think it's time for me to start considering a tractor. My budget is probably around $20K with some wiggle room.

Additional considerations: I've never used a tractor before, I'm not very mechanically inclined, and as such, I would love to have something user friendly and reliable. I don't know if this matters, I'm in my 30s and a woman, so I want to come prepared to any dealer so I don't get taken advantage of.

To be honest, I'm not 100% sure a tractor is the right thing for me. The anonymity of the internet will allow me to admit I'm sorta an idiot and in over my head, and maybe I should just stick to hand tools and manual labor.

Either way, thank you for any insight you can provide, I sincerely appreciate your help and advice.

Regardless of the brand, you end up with a tractor with a bucket.

These can be dangerous on your ‘hilly’ ground. Never move the tractor around with bucket raised higher than absolutely necessary and never traverse along a hillside with the bucket raised. That tractor will tip over if the bucket is raised altering the center of gravity.

Definitely get a 4 wheel drive. The tractor will have brakes on the rear wheels only. Traveling downhill with a bucket loaded with fire wood you will lose braking as the weight shifts. In 4 wheel drive you can use the front wheels (which will have added traction) to help you slow down.

 

[fattylumpkins]

Cursory reviewing the a popular marketplace, I sent a message about this one.

Based on another post by her, appears to be an estate sale, which describes the ideal situation you all defined previously.

I should go to a dealer first just to get acquainted with the equipment prior to an open dive into meeting with an individual, I feel. Going to try to do that this week.

Loader controls are often referred to as "lift" and "curl", the first being the hydraulic cylinders that lift the loader arms, and the latter being the hydraulic cylinders that dump or roll the bucket fore/aft. When directing an operator at the controls, we typically use the wrist to show curl, and movement from the elbow or shoulder to show lift.

Like wise with "Tractor Time with Tim", which was very good specifically for those looking at sub-compact tractors.

There are always new ones popping up, I haven't really watched much since the last time I was shopping for my latest new tractor, 2018/19.

Thank you for explaining. That would be really nice to have, I don't necessary need it, but I could definitely already see several ways I'd want to use that.

I agree. The little Kubota B26 has been made now for close to 20 years as an old style TLB without emissions or computers. TLBs are just like tractors, but on TLBs the backhoe is standard, while the 3pt becomes the optional attachment. Has a PTO and simple 3 speed HST transmission plus a 4 post canopy.
They tend to have industrial tires. Nice. An older one might just barely be within her price range

As for good books on general tractors and tractoring I don't know of any such. It seems an odd omission.
rScotty

I'll keep an eye out for this model particularly, don't see anything secondhand posted at the moment.

Makes sense about books - an owners manual would be fine enough reading when I get one!

 

[fattylumpkins]

You need a goat. Much cheaper, go to the nearest livestock auction, buy a goat. Turn it loose or on a chain, will destroy any vegetation, eat blackberry vines. When it's done, take it back to the auction, get your money back. Guaranteed. If you are in a hurry, get two goats.

I want to get a goat or 2! For multiple reasons - my main hobby besides outdoors-related things is spinning wool and an pygora goat is in my future, but most likely distant future. The dual purpose is tempting. Not sure if that's actually feasible given what I've read about keeping them (escape artists and mischievous) in combination with how many hours my day job takes from me, but this is a great point!

 

[fattylumpkins]

Regardless of the brand, you end up with a tractor with a bucket.

These can be dangerous on your ‘hilly’ ground. Never move the tractor around with bucket raised higher than absolutely necessary and never traverse along a hillside with the bucket raised. That tractor will tip over if the bucket is raised altering the center of gravity.

Definitely get a 4 wheel drive. The tractor will have brakes on the rear wheels only. Traveling downhill with a bucket loaded with fire wood you will lose braking as the weight shifts. In 4 wheel drive you can use the front wheels (which will have added traction) to help you slow down.

Thank you! I absolutely needed to read this, and appreciate your safety advice I needed to read this.

 

[rScotty]

What I don't get about the TLB recommendation, or really any backhoe, is the OP said their primary need is a 3-point mower. TLB's remove the 3-point hitch, and even a regular CUT with subframe backhoe, is 3-point easily accessible?

Laugh about goats, but I had a friend go this route. Worked well on his 17 acres, but taking care of them over winter was a real drag.

Nobody who ever had goats is laughing. They will eat anything and everything. Thorns are no problem.
Back in HS, my trailermate and I had three: Billy, Buck, and Nancy. Purchased for $2.00 each at the livestock auction. Self-sufficent critters.

Re: TLBs vs CUTs... I don't get the feeling that the OP knows enough yet to even describe a primary need. All she knows is she has ambitions to do work on her 4 acres. Maybe do for herself what she has been paying to have done. There are lots of options. Paying someone else - or using goats - to mow and rip out blackberry brambles isn't such a bad option either.
rScotty

 

[jack s]

Looking to purchase my first tractor. Have decent lawn tractor (JD x350) but it's proven inadequate for any projects beyond cutting grass.

There is a John Deere dealership nearby, and a Kubota dealer even closer, so I would like to limit my search to these brands.

I currently live on a 3.8 acre property in Washington. It's slightly hilly, very rocky soil (sometimes boulders), there's several trees but it's mostly a meadow, and it's constantly on the verge of being swallowed by blackberry. The property was neglected prior to purchase, so I'm in the process of restoring it and transforming it into my sanctuary. Use cases are moving wood, I would love to get a brush hog (as I've paid for this several times now and it's baffling how quickly blackberry grows), moving sod, filling holes, evening out land / tilling, and as a helper for ambitious gardening plans.

I think it's time for me to start considering a tractor. My budget is probably around $20K with some wiggle room.

Additional considerations: I've never used a tractor before, I'm not very mechanically inclined, and as such, I would love to have something user friendly and reliable. I don't know if this matters, I'm in my 30s and a woman, so I want to come prepared to any dealer so I don't get taken advantage of.

To be honest, I'm not 100% sure a tractor is the right thing for me. The anonymity of the internet will allow me to admit I'm sorta an idiot and in over my head, and maybe I should just stick to hand tools and manual labor.

Either way, thank you for any insight you can provide, I sincerely appreciate your help and advice.

I have a similar sized property, with similar needs. I bought a Kubota B2320 (23 hp) about 17 years ago, and I have been very happy with mine. I have never owned anything else, so I don't have anything to compare it to. If you follow the maintenance recommendations it should last a very long time. I think a 23-30 hp tractor should be sufficient for normal needs for a property like yours. I have a loader bucket (which came with the tractor), a bush hog, and a small 5x8 trailer. I haven't priced one recently, but it was all less than $20k when I bought mine. It is very easy to operate and quite comfortable. The only 2 brands that I considered were Kubota and John Deere. I got the Kubota because they had a special and threw in the loader bucket. I would stay away from the Chinese-made brands. Some people have had good luck with them, and some haven't.

 

[Pleease]

I have a similar sized property, with similar needs. I bought a Kubota B2320 (23 hp) about 17 years ago, and I have been very happy with mine. I have never owned anything else, so I don't have anything to compare it to. If you follow the maintenance recommendations it should last a very long time. I think a 23-30 hp tractor should be sufficient for normal needs for a property like yours. I have a loader bucket (which came with the tractor), a bush hog, and a small 5x8 trailer. I haven't priced one recently, but it was all less than $20k when I bought mine. It is very easy to operate and quite comfortable. The only 2 brands that I considered were Kubota and John Deere. I got the Kubota because they had a special and threw in the loader bucket. I would stay away from the Chinese-made brands. Some people have had good luck with them, and some haven't.

There are no doubt good tractors made by others, but if you decide to make a change "down the road" you can always sell a K or a JD because everyone is familiar with them, and parts should be available for a long time.