Rookie looking for guidance

[Blakemorar]

I have just contracted on 65 acres in the Florida Panhandle with about 15-20 acres in pasture. I have been considering getting a tractor with a FEL for purposes of mowing, light clearing and maintaining the road entrance to the property. I would like to pull a 6' rotary cutter and I also know that I want 4 wheel drive. What Kubota tractor would make the most sense? What transmission would you also reccommend? I am a rookie here and need some guidance. Thanks in advance!

Blake

 

[Bird]

Welcome to Tractorbynet, Blake. Selection of a tractor is, to a great extent, a matter of personal preference, but for my opinion, you might consider any of the L series tractors and I'd recommend the Grand L30 series. Any of those will do what you've mentioned doing, but you might keep in mind that (1) bigger ones will usually do it faster, and (2) most of us find things to do with a tractor after we get it that we never thought about before. And for convenience, comfort, speed, and safety (though some may disagree with the "safety" part), I prefer the HST (hydrostatic transmission).

 

[RobJ]

Go as big as you can afford. Consider all the options like the HST tranny and such mentioned above. That is nice for FEL work but won't do you much good while on a 20-acre mow.


Try not to go to crazy with all the choices!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[copperhead1967]

AMEN...... I LOCKED MYSELF UP IN THE BEDROOM FOR 3 DAYS COMPARING MODELS AND CALLING DEALERS AND PRIVATE OWNERS ON USED MODELS.
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Seriously your dealer has brochures that will help you out. Most of the larger manufacturers have web sites to look at. Spend a little time gathering some info, go to a couple dealers. Kick a few tires. Check out financing deals if your not paying cash. Bigger is usually faster when it comes to tractors but bigger is more money and more expensive to maintain . Also you need to consider service and your dealers rep on service. It sounds like you have a large chunk of land to keep up, so bigger may be best in your situation. I know several farmers who have different tractors to mow with , and then farm / constuction tractors. Usually the "mower" is an older Ford 9N or something like that.

 

[texasjohn]

Welcome to TBN... we were all rookies once!

Prior responses are dead on... I can add a few ideas:
1) Go to dealers and drive different tractors.
2) If you have a buddy with a tractor, maybe he will let you drive his and use his equipment to get a feel for how it all works together.
3) A tractor is just an engine... it is the attachments that personalize it and let you do what you need done. Be sure and include all the implements you need at your initial purchase so you can begin benefitting from your purchase immediately.
4) read, read, read, what has been said before here at TBN... it is a treasure trove of experience, comments and opinions.
5) Don't rush... you will live with what you get for a long time...

Now, for my opinions. Bigger is better. More horsepower is better. Go for what you really need, and more... you will discover that you truly needed it in the first place.

Myself, I had never had a FEL, HST or cab and considered them a little much, but got them because it was a package deal. I couldn't be happier.

I can highly recommend a Grand L 5030 HST with cab, FEL, rear lights, 4WD, at least one rear remote (more is better). I've been able to outfit mine to do all I need done on 200+ acres

 

[DickS]

Buying a tractor is like taking a wife. Look 'em over the best you can, close your eyes, raise your head, and command your future to God.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Get some seat time. Try them before you buy them. It helped me to get tractor time in the place I use them.

My neighbor let me use his NH TC40DA, another his Kubota B21 and a dealer let me use a Grand L3830.

Just driving them around the parking lot is not enough.
Bob

 

[Blakemorar]

What did you end up with?

 

[InlineDieselFan]

I am part of the bigger more horsepower group. Whenever the budget will allow, and within reason. A 300+ HP JD or MF they use in Kansas is a bit much.

Since you are in Florida, I was stationed at Ft Benning for a time, hot and humid sucks!!!! So I would also reccommend a cab or at least a tractor that you can add a cab later. That cab will provide you with air conditioning, you may want that at some point.

steve

 

[FamilyFarm]

GrandL or new M series

If you are working mostly in the open, I would consider the new M series. The L5030 is smaller, not as tall (especially the cab model), so you can maneuver better in tighter areas with lower limbs. Otherwise, the M series is very impressive, especially the cab model. The seat comfort is awesome. An M5040 cab will not set you back more money than a L5030 cab (you might even get an M6040 for the same money). You get one remote, QA loader bucket, better a/c in cab, nicer seat, more roomy cab, heavier duty loader capacity - all in all quite a lot for the money. Of course, the HST is not available, but the hydraulic shuttle shift was very nice too. I went with the L5030 cab for many reasons, primarily the overall physical size of the M series is just too large for much of what I need to do.
Terry

 

[Ob1kubota]

With the acreage you have step up to the M-series with hydraulic shuttle, two remote valves ( you may need a Bat Wing some day) and develop a Golf Course... Good luck guy and welcome aboard. You won't go wrong with a new Kubota whatever you decide on size....

 

[HappyCRNA]

If you're only seriously going to maintain the 20 acres and play on the remaining, don't tie up a ton of money right away. I have 80 acres and keep 25 of it cleared and the rest in hardwoods and food plots for deer, dove, and turkey. My farm is about an hour from my home (are you living on yours?) so I have to transport my tractor. That being said, the weight and other dimensions were a factor. I ended up with the L3400 with hydrostat.
Good luck in your search - it'll sure drive you crazy comparing specs, etc. Make sure your dealer's been in business a while and has a good service department - not that you'll need it with a Kubota!

 

[sandman2234]

I made do with a very small compact tractor, a 13hp Ford 1100. I could drive it up into the rear of my 1/2 ton chevy p/u and go anywhere I needed to. I wanted a larger tractor, and got a great deal on a JD2555. It weighs 7000 pounds and is a little much for transporting back and forth to anywhere with a 1/2 ton p/u. I now miss those quick little jobs that paid the repair/maintance bills and kept spending money in my pocket.
The 2555 will work circles around the Ford 1100, but at a price. Anything ever tears up, you better hold onto your wallet cause it is fixing to take a beating. (not that the little one was much cheaper, just different if that makes sense)
Weigh what you have to work with, such as a tow vehicle to take it to the shop, when needed, any implements currently owned or being considered for ownership. (My JD2555 made junk out of several of my lighter made implements that serviced me for many trouble free years with the Ford)
Horsepower in a tractor is great till you start tearing up things. (and you will!)
Good luck, and welcome to the board. Hope to see you sometime on my travels to Gulf Breeze.
David from jax