Same old newbie story & request

[Joemac8]

I am a near 70 year old newbie. I've lived my entire life in Chicago. I have 12 Acres of mostly wooded property with a home and large garage in far north central Wisconsin. My road into the property is blacktop with woods encroaching on the road. I tried to cut the brush back with a lawn tractor but no joy. I then bought a Swisher (44") 14.5HP Rough Cut Tow-Behind Trail Cutter. Since my lawn tractor is small and two wheel drive, It has a very hard time pulling the Swisher. I tried renting a real tractor with a bush hog but no one local wants to rent one. At one time I had a Ford 9N but the engine block cracked so that is long gone.

I've secretly always wanted a John Deere tractor. No reason other than history and marketing and bling. I am retired and my wife plans on retiring next year. We plan on moving to Tennessee or Kentucky from Chicago after she retires. We would like to get at least 20 acres there. That would require a lot of grass cutting. Yesterday the wife brought me an ad from the newspaper with a deal from Kubota. 82 months free financing, and $1,000 off.

What I need is a tractor with a front bucket for the heavy snow in northern Wisconsin, a grass cutter and a brush hog. Just glancing, I like the JD 2032R and the Kubota L3301. The made in the USA thing means a lot to me so along with the secret emotional tie to JD, the Georgia made is a very strong point.

Anyway, I could all of the comments and suggestions I can get as I don't want to make a purchase I will be sorry I made and either not be able to do the job, be way over kill or be outrageously expensive.

Thanks, Joe

 

[M5farms]

You pay for the green and yellow for the reasons you mentioned. If buying New I would seriously look at the kubotas , I do not own one but have driven and worked several the last few yrs and they are good tractors. I bought a Kubota UTV a couple yrs ago and have been very pleased with it

 

[davesl708]

Hi. Welcome.

Both are good choices. Love my Kubota. Test drive both and get a feel for them. You will be spending a lot of time in the seat so how it feels to you will make it more enjoyable time.

As important as brand choice make sure the dealer will be there for you. Dealer service is as important as brand. Ask around about dealers in the area you settle or think you might settle.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[Surreal001]

The type of land and the chores you want to do with it should be the driving factors in your selection. 20 acres of pasture requires more power to maintain handily than does 20 acres of woodland. A mixture of the two means your power demand will go up based on the grass vs trees makeup. More grass means you'll want to run a bigger brush hog and finishing mower. You'll probably want something in the 30-40 hp at the PTO minimum. Keep that in mind when you look at specs. Also, whether you want a cab or not, the ability to change buckets on your loader quickly (Skid Steer Quick Attach) for different jobs like snow removal and lumber handling. Finally, I always recommend buying a tractor with rear hydraulic remotes to give you options like mounting a backhoe on the tractor.

 

[Surreal001]

John Deere and Kubota are two of the better options if you're buying the tractor with plans to move in the future. Both have excellent dealer networks and are likely to be reasonably close to you no matter where you end up moving to. Also, members here seem to love Kioti, and I'd be remiss to not mention LS or the New Holland Workmaster as good options too. Good luck.

 

[PJSprog]

Welcome to TBN, Joe.

I understand your affinity for "Made in USA" products. We'd all like to see more of that for sure. Unfortunately, it doesn't tell the whole story. Any JD Compact Utility Tractor you buy will likely have an engine made in Japan. It may be assembled in Georgia, but it is with many foreign-made parts. We recently bought a new LS tractor. While it's a "Korean" company, but my tractor was assembled just an hours drive from me in DuBois IL. Many of the other "imports" operate the same way.

That said, if you want a John Deere, then, by golly, buy a John Deere. There's not a whole lot of difference in most of the tractor brands available today. They all make very capable machines, and any of them would serve you well. Either the JD or the Kubota you mentioned would be an excellent choice.

 

[TheMadOne]

I am a near 70 year old newbie. I've lived my entire life in Chicago. I have 12 Acres of mostly wooded property with a home and large garage in far north central Wisconsin. My road into the property is blacktop with woods encroaching on the road. I tried to cut the brush back with a lawn tractor but no joy. I then bought a Swisher (44") 14.5HP Rough Cut Tow-Behind Trail Cutter. Since my lawn tractor is small and two wheel drive, It has a very hard time pulling the Swisher. I tried renting a real tractor with a bush hog but no one local wants to rent one. At one time I had a Ford 9N but the engine block cracked so that is long gone.

I've secretly always wanted a John Deere tractor. No reason other than history and marketing and bling. I am retired and my wife plans on retiring next year. We plan on moving to Tennessee or Kentucky from Chicago after she retires. We would like to get at least 20 acres there. That would require a lot of grass cutting. Yesterday the wife brought me an ad from the newspaper with a deal from Kubota. 82 months free financing, and $1,000 off.

What I need is a tractor with a front bucket for the heavy snow in northern Wisconsin, a grass cutter and a brush hog. Just glancing, I like the JD 2032R and the Kubota L3301. The made in the USA thing means a lot to me so along with the secret emotional tie to JD, the Georgia made is a very strong point.

Anyway, I could all of the comments and suggestions I can get as I don't want to make a purchase I will be sorry I made and either not be able to do the job, be way over kill or be outrageously expensive.

Thanks, Joe

One thing to keep in mind is that the smaller JDs aren't "made" in USA so much as they are assembled. That 2032R is a Yanmar power plant with some green trim. Still a fantastic tractor, but one of the reasons I went orange was simply that Kubota is one of the few who make everything under their own name. Just something to think about. Really there's not a junk line out there anymore. compacts have proven to be such big business that the manufacturers realize how much market there is and build quality machines accordingly. The only "maybe" exception in the NorTrac stuff, and even that seems to be mostly quality.

 

[Joemac8]

Other than the emotional and not logical attraction to JD, another reason for these choices is that both have dealers in town in Wisconsin. I don't know how they are to deal with. Obviously I want a good product at the least reasonable cost. If they want list price or close to it, reading other posts here suggest I move on to a dealer willing to do some price negotiating. Both Kubots and JD have no interest financing which is important for this purchase. While I'll probably have to get the brand grass cutter and bucket, I'm told that most any bush hog should work. So dickering on the tractor with these implements is preferable

Thanks again for the replies and suggestions. Please keep them coming.

Joe

 

[jeff9366]

I do not understand your plan. Are you going to maintain two homes in retirement? One in Wisconsin and a second home in TN/KY? Both locations COLD in the Winter?

I would establish one home and legal residence in a state without state income tax, where the winters are warm, such as Texas or Florida.

Currently, seven states do not tax individual income – retirement or otherwise: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Two other states – New Hampshire and Tennessee – impose income taxes only on dividends and interest (5 percent flat rate for both states).

Which location will have the tractor, or will you trailer it back and forth?

Even a deluxe, heavy tractor is going to be inconsequential in cost, relative to the expense of keeping up two homes, property tax twice and state income tax off the top.

I am turning 70 in July, the last thing I would want is two homes. Most couples are downsizing/simplifying by age 70.

 

[TheMadOne]

I don't know the JD lineup that well, but the L3301 doesn't have a Mid-Mount Mower, and, frankly, would be a terrible choice for mowing a regular lawn. To heavy and not maneuverable enough. It would take any rear finish mower with the correct setup(540 PTO Cat I 3pt). I think you have to drop down into the "B" series to get a mid-mount.

 

[Joemac8]

By "brand" I mean the mimplement from the tractor manufacturer. If a JD then JD grass cutter and bucket.

 

[Joemac8]

I do not understand your plan. Are you going to maintain two homes in retirement? One in Wisconsin and a second home in TN/KY? Both locations COLD in the Winter?

I would establish one home and legal residence in a state without state income tax, where the winters are warm, such as Texas or Florida.

Currently, seven states do not tax individual income retirement or otherwise: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Two other states New Hampshire and Tennessee impose income taxes only on dividends and interest (5 percent flat rate for both states).

Which location will have the tractor, or will you trailer it back and forth?

Even a deluxe, heavy tractor is going to be inconsequential in cost, relative to the expense of keeping up two homes, property tax twice and state income tax off the top.

I am turning 70 in July, the last thing I would want is two homes. Most couples are downsizing/simplifying by age 70.

Yup, two homes. I love Wisconsin all year long but am getting pretty tired of severe winters. Tennessee is retirement friendly tax wise. While there is still an income tax, it will have little effect on us. Other than Orlando, I'm not particularly fond of Florida. I have little experience in Texas so my frame of reference is very limited.

I plan on staying in Wisconsin April through mid-November then driving to the warmer climate towing the tractor behind my Suburban.

At least that it the head plan. Actual plan as well as your mileage may vary.

 

[Snapper Head]

I went through something a bit similar back in 2010 when I, thankfully, found TBN. Not retiring, but we bought a place in the sticks that is 13 acres. About half is pasture (for our horses), half woods, and half lawn.

I focused on what I wanted/needed to do with the tractor first, and then on brand/manufacturer. For my use, which is mostly pasture work, followed by dirt/tree work, I chose a Kubota L3940. I do not mow the lawn with it, we have a Kubota ZD for that. After 6 plus years I still believe I made the right choice concerning size and capability. With 39 horsepower, 33 at the PTO, a front end loader, and hydrostatic drive/control, I still get that stupid grin on my face very time I climb into the seat.

You do need to spend some time operating the one you want, or at least sitting in the station to get a feel for it. Size matters in that if you feel it is too small or too large, you will be unhappy. Plus the ergonomics of each tractor, particularly each brand of tractor, are different. I was not as comfortable at the helm of JD rigs as I was with the Kubotas. For me, hydrostatic was the way to go. You will need to consider maintenance costs, whether you do some things yourself, or have a dealer to them. Consumable parts for any brand are expensive; for green or orange, they are doubly so. I ordered my tractor with both a rear and front hydraulic remote. I have not used the rear yet, but LOVE my grapple on the loader and use it extensively.

You are in yer 70's and have always wanted a JD; frankly, I wouldn't mess around with father time if I were you - I'd be shopping green. That way, when you climb up in the station that stupid grin we all get will be a bit extra wide on you.


Big Al

 

[jeff9366]

I like the JD 2032R and the Kubota L3301.

JD 2032R is ~~1,973 pounds, bare tractor.

Kubota L3301 is ~~2,700 pounds, bare tractor.

It is difficult to compare apples-to-apples when visiting dealers. JD 2032/Kubota L3301 are NOT too comparable.

 

[jeff9366]

By "brand" I mean the mimplement from the tractor manufacturer. If a JD then JD grass cutter and bucket.

I believe you are referring to a mid-PTO powered, Mid Mount Mower (MMM), which is one type of Finish Mower. You need to use the standard descriptors or you will not receive worthwhile replies. And, yes, MMMs are specific to both tractor brand and size of tractor within that brand, hence fairly expensive.

A frequent comment here is: A Zero Turn mower does not cost that much more than a MMM, cuts faster and is more maneuverable BUT you maintain a second engine.

Front End Loaders (FEL) carry tractor-loader buckets. FELs are also proprietary to tractor brand and size of tractor within that brand. Talk to dealers about optional Skid Steer Quick Attach (SSQA) FEL to bucket link. With SSQA you can drop the bucket prior to mowing by moving two levers. SSQA is a tractor industry standard so every tractor SSQA is compatible with others in the same size range, regardless of tractor brand.

 

[Deere Dude]

I am a near 70 year old newbie. I've lived my entire life in Chicago. I have 12 Acres of mostly wooded property with a home and large garage in far north central Wisconsin. My road into the property is blacktop with woods encroaching on the road. I tried to cut the brush back with a lawn tractor but no joy. I then bought a Swisher (44") 14.5HP Rough Cut Tow-Behind Trail Cutter. Since my lawn tractor is small and two wheel drive, It has a very hard time pulling the Swisher. I tried renting a real tractor with a bush hog but no one local wants to rent one. At one time I had a Ford 9N but the engine block cracked so that is long gone.

I've secretly always wanted a John Deere tractor. No reason other than history and marketing and bling. I am retired and my wife plans on retiring next year. We plan on moving to Tennessee or Kentucky from Chicago after she retires. We would like to get at least 20 acres there. That would require a lot of grass cutting. Yesterday the wife brought me an ad from the newspaper with a deal from Kubota. 82 months free financing, and $1,000 off.

What I need is a tractor with a front bucket for the heavy snow in northern Wisconsin, a grass cutter and a brush hog. Just glancing, I like the JD 2032R and the Kubota L3301. The made in the USA thing means a lot to me so along with the secret emotional tie to JD, the Georgia made is a very strong point.

Anyway, I could all of the comments and suggestions I can get as I don't want to make a purchase I will be sorry I made and either not be able to do the job, be way over kill or be outrageously expensive.

Thanks, Joe

Small world, sorta. I have an acquaintance that lived in Chicago and worked as a cop, has a house in northern central Wisconsin near Cable and is in the process of finding something in central Tennessee by Cookeville or Crossville. But his name is Jim.

Sounds like a good plan to get out of the cold and snow. We moved from Central WI to TN a couple years ago and we had an combined accumulation of 3-4" of snow the last two years. Good luck with the tractor stick with green.

 

[Joemac8]

Small world, sorta. I have an acquaintance that lived in Chicago and worked as a cop, has a house in northern central Wisconsin near Cable and is in the process of finding something in central Tennessee by Cookeville or Crossville. But his name is Jim.

Sounds like a good plan to get out of the cold and snow. We moved from Central WI to TN a couple years ago and we had an combined accumulation of 3-4" of snow the last two years. Good luck with the tractor stick with green.

Smaller than you know. I was a Chicago cop for 37 years. My wife is still on the job till next year. My place is outside of Minocqua in WI. We visited Tennessee several times and were quite impressed with the area around Chattanooga. Small, small world indeed.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

My advice is that the color of the tractor won't mean much if you find that it doesn't fit your needs or your body. Pretend you're color blind and find one that fits you physically and will handle appropriately sized implements to do the work you need to do.

For 20 acres, I would want at least a 5' brush hog, which means you would need a tractor that has at least 25 PTO horsepower. Be sure to add up the weight of the tractor, front end loader and brush hog you want to see if your Suburban will legally tow it. I assume it will, although you may need a weight distributing hitch to be legal. And buy an appropriately sized trailer (length and weight capacity) to handle it with some margin for error.

If in doubt on the tractor or trailer, go one size bigger. It's much better to have the power and not need all of it than to need it and not have it.

 

[Grandad4]

Be sure to spend some time figuring out just how much you can comfortably tow over long distances with that Suburban. Larger equipment, of course, has more capability, but is harder to transport and obviously costs more. Depending on what tractor and implements you expect to transport with the tractor, you could easily end up hauling 6,000 or 7,000 lbs of equipment, even with something in a mid-sized compact tractor, like that Kubota L3301 you mentioned. As others have noted, that Deere you were eyeing is smaller and would be easier to tow, but it's quite a bit less tractor from a work standpoint. You also might find it makes sense to keep implements in each location so you only have to transport the tractor and FEL.

 

[Joemac8]

I was thinking of open station. No need for heart or AC. I will definately think of having implements in both places. As mentioned it is a lot to tow.