Buying Advice Recommendations for first tractor (Kubota)

[timrj]

Okay here's my two cents on this question. For starters I'm going to probably make all you Orange tractor fans upset, but you should go with a John Deere. I know that green tractors are more expensive than the orange tractors, but it's worth the higher price tag. John Deere's will outperform any comparable size tractor (not just Kubota's) for all of your property care needs. And with a John Deere your biggest problem with be keeping your fiance from driving it, plus your FIL will be jealous of your new tractor.

 

[dragoneggs]

Okay here's my two cents on this question. For starters I'm going to probably make all you Orange tractor fans upset, but you should go with a John Deere. I know that green tractors are more expensive than the orange tractors, but it's worth the higher price tag. John Deere's will outperform any comparable size tractor (not just Kubota's) for all of your property care needs. And with a John Deere your biggest problem with be keeping your fiance from driving it, plus your FIL will be jealous of your new tractor.

Some data might make your boast credible. Otherwise not worth the :2cents: your are putting on the table.

 

[NPurdy1112]

Standard is it's rolled in monthly but I think you could do lump sum.

The L2501 gets nearly universally high praise on TBN. Be sure to price with FWA (4x4), HST, and SSQA loader. At least one rear remote would be on my list too.

That is almost exactly how I have it written down. On the rear remote, the dealer mentioned that if i want any future upgrades they will install for free, so long as i have the tractor already in for maintenance.

From what you have posted, there seems to be a lot of things taking place in the near future for you (all good things). Wedding, buying house with land, and a new tractor. If I were you, I would take one thing at a time. It can be pretty stressful and exciting buying a new property, especially if you have never done so before. I would put all my focus on that first then worry about the tractor. You mentioned a budget. Once that house payment starts coming monthly including utility bills and everything else that comes with homeownership, it might take a few months to adjust to that, unless you are already doing this now with an existing home. If you immediately add a tractor payment to that it has the possibility to get even more stressful. It seems like you already have thought/planned these things out, just would hate to see someone get in over there heads with debt. Especially if you are just starting out, which seems like you are doing. Again, I am just guessing that is what you and your future wife are doing.

As far as tractors go I think you will be fine with the L2501 or L3301 for the money you are looking to spend. Like Citydude said, if you will be doing any brush cutting and/or tilling you will need to take into consideration the PTO hp. Good luck to you and your fiancee on your new future. I wish you the best.

Very good advice, thank you. We are downgrading on price and number of properties. Her house is sold (for more than we are purchasing the new property) and mine will be for sale once we close.

No wedding in the near future, more of an elopement type of people. Wedding money is wasted house, tractor, truck, animal funds!

Definitely will be using a rotary cutter a fair amount until we get animals. And high possibility of a rotary tiller in the future. I will get a quote on the L3301 to compare.

I bought a 2501DT (not HST) for my 11 acres and it is perfect. It's a solid tractor and the right size for althe amount of land I have. I considered the 3301 but the emissions stuff scared me off. The 2501 has plenty of hp for the weight of the tractor. The few additional hp of the 3301 wouldn't help without more weight. I do agree the PTO output on the 3301 would be the biggest advantage but I haven't needed it so far and not sure I ever will.

Very good to know. Would hate to need a little bit more a few years down the road. Especially being a first and new to this. Too many good choices with Kubota!

 

[NPurdy1112]

Okay here's my two cents on this question. For starters I'm going to probably make all you Orange tractor fans upset, but you should go with a John Deere. I know that green tractors are more expensive than the orange tractors, but it's worth the higher price tag. John Deere's will outperform any comparable size tractor (not just Kubota's) for all of your property care needs. And with a John Deere your biggest problem with be keeping your fiance from driving it, plus your FIL will be jealous of your new tractor.

Im gonna need a little more info than just buy the green one. What model(s) compare to the L2501 and L3301 in price, features, reliability, and ease of use.

Its gonna be impossible to make an 80 year old man jealous of a little compact tractor.

 

[Citydude]

Im gonna need a little more info than just buy the green one. What model(s) compare to the L2501 and L3301 in price, features, reliability, and ease of use. Its gonna be impossible to make an 80 year old man jealous of a little compact tractor.

The 3025e, 3032e and 3038e John Deere models.

 

[nybirdman]

The 2501 gets praise here because of no emissions,probably under-rated for HP.We have two small "L" Kubota's in the family(+L4240 HSTC),the small L's are work horses for sure.I have used a B7800(similar to B2650) and it was decent but a tad small for our work anyway.

 

[Garrett Wiggins]

The 2501 gets praise here because of no emissions,probably under-rated for HP.We have two small "L" Kubota's in the family(+L4240 HSTC),the small L's are work horses for sure.I have used a B7800(similar to B2650) and it was decent but a tad small for our work anyway.

The John Deere 3025 is a no emission tractor too.

 

[Garrett Wiggins]

Im gonna need a little more info than just buy the green one. What model(s) compare to the L2501 and L3301 in price, features, reliability, and ease of use.

Its gonna be impossible to make an 80 year old man jealous of a little compact tractor.

I would get the Kubota if your soon to be family is mostly Kubota already. I would rather spend my time bragging about how much I like my tractor rather than spending that time always comparing tractors. Here are some facts if you need them.

1) The twin touch on the deere takes up less room on the platform of the tractor. Making it easier to stay comfortable and getting on and off the machine.

2)Wet clutch on the Deere and dry on the Kubota. On Deere there is no need to stop every time to engage the PTO. On the Kubota you have to stop and clutch the tractor to engage the PTO. Much easier on the Deere to engage and disengage the PTO with where the switch is located.

3)The Treadle pedal is on the same side the brakes or on. Can some tell me how to make the tractor go forward and apply one break to spin it around?

4)Compare the maintance cost and it is cheaper with Deere (if you follow the owners manual)

5)Deere has a turning radius of 6.3' vs Kubota 8.2' making the Deere a little easier to maneuver in tight places.


Those are some provable facts.

 

[IslandTractor]

My 2 cents. I'd look for a 30ish hp tractor given the amount of mowing. I'd also consider the loader strength. Kubota, JD, Kioti, Mahindra, NH, LS and several others make equally capable and reliable tractors in that class. Ignore your FIL and go look at the others. The Kubota and JD paint is very expensive.

Consider the implements you'll want now and in the future. You might for example want to get a set or two of rear remotes right up front as you know you'll have use for them in the future (hydraulic splitter for wood, top and tilt for driveway maintenance etc).

 

[paulfun9]

My 2 cents. I'd look for a 30ish hp tractor given the amount of mowing. I'd also consider the loader strength. Kubota, JD, Kioti, Mahindra, NH, LS and several others make equally capable and reliable tractors in that class. Ignore your FIL and go look at the others. The Kubota and JD paint is very expensive.

).

This just about sums up my thoughts!

 

[timrj]

Okay, a JD 3032E Compact Utility Tractor (25 PTO hp) is the comparable tractor to the L3301. Base model with front loader starts out a little under $19,500. Now with the color of the tractor aside, you should go with a 30+ horse tractor because it will give you options for future equipment.

 

[Garrett Wiggins]

Okay, a JD 3032E Compact Utility Tractor (25 PTO hp) is the comparable tractor to the L3301. Base model with front loader starts out a little under $19,500. Now with the color of the tractor aside, you should go with a 30+ horse tractor because it will give you options for future equipment.

A John Deere 3032e has 25 PTO power and a Kubota L3301 has 27 PTO power.

 

[IslandTractor]

Okay here's my two cents on this question. For starters I'm going to probably make all you Orange tractor fans upset, but you should go with a John Deere. I know that green tractors are more expensive than the orange tractors, but it's worth the higher price tag. John Deere's will outperform any comparable size tractor (not just Kubota's) for all of your property care needs. And with a John Deere your biggest problem with be keeping your fiance from driving it, plus your FIL will be jealous of your new tractor.

Baloney. There are many less expensive and equally reliable and capable tractors made by other Asian manufacturers. Besides Kubota, Kioti, LS and Mahindra are all excellent tractors and better bang for the buck. JD is just as good and no better, just costs more money.

 

[Garrett Wiggins]

JD is just as good and no better, just costs more money.

Have you priced tractors in that horsepower range lately? John Deere and Kubota are priced equal in my neck of the woods.

 

[PJSprog]

Have you considered getting a used tractor to do what you think you need done until you have more experience to guide you? New tractors of any color are not cheap.

Also, check Indiana law to see if there is a farm machinery tax exemption (believe it or not, Illinois has this). You may not have to pay sales tax, or risk engaging in sketchy behavior to avoid it.

 

[IslandTractor]

Have you priced tractors in that horsepower range lately? John Deere and Kubota are priced equal in my neck of the woods.

Yep, the bang for the buck comment was in reference to the Kioti, Mahindra and LS.

 

[Garrett Wiggins]

Yep, the bang for the buck comment was in reference to the Kioti, Mahindra and LS.

10-4 my mistake. The way I read it was that you were saying that John Deere cost more money than Kubota in that horsepower range; which is not true. My mistake

 

[IslandTractor]

10-4 my mistake. The way I read it was that you were saying that John Deere cost more money than Kubota in that horsepower range; which is not true. My mistake

My sentence wasn't exactly clear either. Bottom line is that JD and Kubota charge a premium for their extensive dealer networks and established market share. The "hungry" other Asian manufacturers compete with JD/Kubota by building excellent value tractors. It's important to shop around though. Some small dealers think they can charge full MSRP and that means that a discounted Kubota can cost the same, not more, as a non discounted second tier brand.

 

[Garrett Wiggins]

My sentence wasn't exactly clear either. Bottom line is that JD and Kubota charge a premium for their extensive dealer networks and established market share. The "hungry" other Asian manufacturers compete with JD/Kubota by building excellent value tractors. It's important to shop around though. Some small dealers think they can charge full MSRP and that means that a discounted Kubota can cost the same, not more, as a non discounted second tier brand.

100% agree

 

[timrj]

Have you considered getting a used tractor to do what you think you need done until you have more experience to guide you? New tractors of any color are not cheap.

I will agree with this, a used tractor is good to start out with. And as long as you find a well maintained tractor it should give you relatively little problems.

Now for everyone who thinks that I'm just full crap, the reason that I am saying Deere's are the best is because of my experience running tractors. I have run almost every color tractor, but Deere's have been the most reliable with the lowest down time, this is running 10-12 hours a day 6 days a week. This my opinion from my experience.