Sleepless Nights!!

MFL · May 13, 2004

Good Afternoon,

Gentlemen (and ladies?), as with so many before, I’m about to buy my first tractor and I would like to ask for your help and advice. Let me tell you a little about my situation and the choices I’m considering.

My wife and I own ten acres outside of a small town about 25 miles south of Atlanta. We are having 7 acres cleared and stumped at the end of this month. The company we have hired to do the stumping will pile up the debris as well as they can, but they say the land will still be pretty rough. The eventual use for the land will be to pasture our horses, and possibly keep a ½ to 1 acre plot for a garden. I don’t foresee ever needing a tractor for anything other than pasture maintenance, fence and property repair and driveway repair. After burning or burying whatever is left after the stumping, I anticipate that the heaviest work I’ll be doing will be grading and leveling the pasture, bush hogging once the grass comes in, and using a drag mat to break up the manure. The barn where we currently board our horses has an old Ford 2000 that I sometimes use to help with the bush hogging and to run a disc harrow to prepare for seeding. While this has given me some tractor time, I still consider myself a novice and feel it would be well worth the cost to buy something a little more modern and safe.

I have a fairly wide choice of dealers in my area, with a Kubota, New Holland, Deere, Massey, Mahindra, Cub Cadet, and Farmall dealer all within a 15 mile radius. The only tractor that I don’t have close at hand that I have seen positively reviewed here is a Kioti (58 miles away). My budget is 15K, and I am trying to include some attachments in that price. Here are the three possibilities I’ve narrowed it down to:

•The Mahindra 2615 HST. New with a FEL, 4wd, hydro trans and a scrape blade. $13,750 delivered.
•The New Holland TC 30. New with a FEL, 4wd, and standard trans. $14,400
•The John Deere 4200. Used (2001), with a new 420 FEL, hydro trans, 4wd, and scrape blade. 494 hrs for 13,950.

While I really like the way the NH drives and feels, from what I’ve read here, I think I would be better served by an HST.

All comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Also, if someone has a recommendation for a model I may have missed, please send it along. My main concern is one you have all seen before; I don't want to buy more tractor than I need, but I don't want to need more tractor than I bought. Thanks for your help in advance. Hopefully after I take the plunge, I’ll be able to get a good nights sleep again.

Golfgar4 · May 13, 2004

First, welcome to TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Allow me to compliment you on a very well put together intial post. Very informative and well thought out. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I truly envy your situation with so many dealers within such a short distance. Most of us are lucky to have just 2 or 3.

I really can't speak specifically to your question as I have yet to purchase my tractor. I just wanted to make sure that you knew that the NH TC30 is available with an HST transmission. Although based on your budget and your quoted prices, it may be slightly over what your budget allows. But if you really like the NH as much as you indicate, you might seriously consider "biting the bullett" to get the HST. I think in your anticipated use, an HST would be almost a requirement.

Good luck on your selection. Look forward to future posts! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

MFL · May 13, 2004

Thanks. After spending some weeks reading the posts, I was trying to cover all the bases.

While having so many dealers is nice, I sometimes feel that it's too many choices. Info overload!!

I was aware of the HSTon the NH, but it adds almost 2K to the price. If I go over the 15K budget my sleepless nights would mostly be because I'd be sleeping out on the porch where the boss would put me!

mathteacher · May 13, 2004

I just bought a B7610 Kubota with the hydro trans. It is great! My dad has a JD 4200 with standard trans. I personally would not get a tractor without the hydro trans.

Are you looking at the Kubotas? What size Brush Hog are you planning on getting? Just wondering. You might have access aready and that might justify more or less HP to buy.

Donald B.

MFL · May 13, 2004

I have looked at the Orange, but all the local guys that I've been speaking with seem to think that the B series would be too small, and unfortunately, I can't afford to jump up to the L series tractors. I originally started with the B7610 w/hydro, 4wd and a FEL. I drove it, and liked it but as I said, the locals all seem to feel it is too small/underpowered. This all from guys that own 40-60 hp tractors.

What do you think? From your experience do you feel they have a valid point? As I said initially, after the first big push, I'm mostly doing pasture maint.

Bird · May 13, 2004

( originally started with the B7610 w/hydro, 4wd and a FEL. I drove it, and liked it )

If you liked it, that's one of the most important criteria. I used a B7100 on 10 acres, plus my brother's 10 acres, neighbors' properties, etc. before moving up to a B2710. The B7610 will do the jobs you described, but I think you'd like a B7800 even more.

JayC · May 13, 2004

I don't remember if they are out already or if they are coming out, but Kioti is introducing the new CK25 and CK30 machines. They are 25 and 30 hp. They are very solid machines. They are also available in HST. You may be able to get a CK25 for your needs to fit your 15k budget. There are quite a few Kioti dealers on the boards. If you are interested, you should leave a post in the Kioti forum in case they don't see this one. Just a thought. I'll provide a link to the CK25.

Kioti CK25HST

Good luck!

MFL · May 13, 2004

Thanks JayC. My only concern with the Kioti is that my nearest dealer is a little far (58 mi). I wouldn't mind for maint. parts (air filters, etc.), but it be different if there were a problem. Any personal experience with the Kioti? Are they reliable enough to travel to see them?

Moon · May 13, 2004

Welcome to TBN MLF!
...a couple of observations for your consideration:
after having a tractor it will be used for more than your are thinking right now.
Financing is favorable.
A budget strecher will sure come in handy.
IMHO HST is worth streching the budget for.

You asked for recommendations, I'd recommend what i have. A Kubota Grand L3010 =( L3130 Current model). Mine is 4wd w/HST & R4 tires. It is capable of so much more than I ever imagined. In an effort not to oversize, I do think the Kubota B2910 would also tame your property nicely.

Good luck in your hunt.
Moon of Ohio

Poppa · May 13, 2004

MFL, My Kubota B7800 has HST, 30 HP and came in at $14900. Keeps you under your 15000 assuming the only implement you add is the manual backhoe attachment aka shovel. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

When You say you can't afford the L series, are you talking about the grand Ls, 3130, 3430 etc or have you priced the L3400 or L2800. They are both gear models and tough as nails.

Finally, Yes, based on your budget requirements, I definitely think you should make the trip to the Kioti dealer. I believe the LK3054XS falls into your budget (see tough as nails comment above) And, from comments on this board, /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif they are supposed to be very reliable.

It seems to me that you have a number of choices, I think the best thing you can do is go spend some time in the seats and see how they feel.

Remember to have fun, you don't get to do this very often so enjoy it. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Mike

JayC · May 13, 2004

I haven't had any personal experience with a Kioti. They are very nice machines! If I were able to buy a tractor right now, I would seriously consider the Kioti. The nearest dealer to me is 63 miles away. The next two are 68 and 86. Those were the only three that showed up in a 100 mile radius when I searched the dealers at Kioti's website. 58 miles isn't that far. A good dealer will deliver and pick up the machine if there are any problems. Some people have bought their Kioties as far as and more than 90 miles away! There are few problems it seems to report with these machines. They are good quality and growing. Pretty soon, if not already, the big three (John Deere, Case/New Holland, and Kubota) will probably become the big four! I currently have a thread going in the Kioti Buying/Pricing forum about dealers. One dealer replied and said that their customers range 120 miles in all directions! That in itself is a testament as to how far people are willing to go for these fine machines. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Edit:

Btw, I too have quite a few dealers in closer proximity. Within 15 miles there is a John Deere, Case/Cub Cadet, and an AGCO dealer. Within 30 miles there is two more John Deere dealers, Kubota, and Case/New Holland.

Henro · May 13, 2004

The company we have hired to do the stumping will pile up the debris as well as they can, but they say the land will still be pretty rough. 

I think this is a key consideration.

If you have all the time in the world a small tractor will get the job done. Eventually. I would guess trying to make things pasture like with my B2910, after your contractor was done, would work my tractor pretty hard. And take a lot of time. A smaller tractor would work harder still. And take even more of your time and effort to get the job done.

What you don't want to do is buy too small and regret it. Over the 20 or 30 years your tractor may serve you, the additional cost of a tractor more suited to the work you want it to do is not that much...

Still...these words are based on a guess as to what pretty rough actually means. And of course only the contractor knows what he has left after jobs in the past.

Having two years of B2910 Kubota "dealing with dirt" under my belt, my gut is telling me if I were in your situation I would want to be owning a Kubota L3130 or 3430 size machine. Color does not matter. Size does.

Since you are not concerned with lawn type grass cutting a larger tractor (if you can afford it) seems like it would work for you in the long term.

This is just one guys opinion though...good luck in your decision.

Poppa · May 14, 2004

But Henro, He wants to stay under 15000. If that is a hard number then he really isn't going to find a Larger Tractor, at least not new. L3130 is going for 19000 +/- I would guess L3430 is higher than that. A Kioti DK 35 is going to be 16000 or more.

Seems to me he has two uses for this tractor. The first use is a lot of Dirt work early,
( After burning or burying whatever is left after the stumping, I anticipate that the heaviest work I’ll be doing will be grading and leveling the pasture )
requiring or at least begging for a large tractor. Probably best to Rent or hire this out.

The second and much longer phase of his tractoring
( The eventual use for the land will be to pasture our horses, and possibly keep a ½ to 1 acre plot for a garden. I don’t foresee ever needing a tractor for anything other than pasture maintenance, fence and property repair and driveway repair. ))
I think would be well met by a B Series Kubota, A mid size Boomer, a CK series Kioti or one of the mid to... OK, you get the picture I am tired of trying to please all the brands. Anyway, that is how I see it hence the saying, my two cents /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mike

MFL · May 14, 2004

Thanks Henro, your post is very timely. Reacting to some of the replies that I’ve received and some of the other threads I’ve been following, I spoke to the guy who will be doing my cleanup once the trees are removed and asked him to be more specific about what the acreage will look like after he’s done. I told him I’m a little worried about having to move a mountain with a teaspoon. What we arrived at is that for about $750 more, he’ll grade and level an area suitable to raise my barn and arena, and leave 90% of the debris piled, stacked and ready to burn. What would be left to do would be just to grade the ‘rough edges’ on my chunk of Georgia hills. The $750 now seems more reasonable than spending an extra $1500-2000 for a tractor that I’ll only use at 50-60% capacity later.

Last night I also helped deliver a yearling to a farm where they have a Kubota B2910. Steve (if you’re out there, thanks again) talked to me about his experience owning it and let me use it for about ½ an hour. I moved about a ton of rain-soaked chicken manure, and generally ran the thing around his 22 acres. I loved it!! Plenty of power, very stable, and a breeze to drive with the HST. When he bought his, he went whole hog. FEL, BH, new bush hog, all the options. Even though he’s owned much larger tractors from different companies, he says this is the most versatile, reliable one he’s ever had!! That meant a lot more to me than anything a dealer could have said.

Anyway, after hearing my story, he feels, as others have recommended here, that I should seriously consider the B7800. A little more ‘plain jane’, but basically the same tractor. He also thinks I should be able to get it with a FEL for under 15K, maybe less.

I’m calling my local dealers as I type. Thanks again to everyone for your input. Can’t say enough about the wealth of info available here, and all of the well though-out opinions you have all offered. I’ll post as things progress. Seems like the future is looking pretty ORANGE!!

DAP · May 14, 2004

58 MILES? My nearest dealer (with reasonable pricing) is 5 counties to the north or 2 states away in any other direction!

I could spit a button 58 miles! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MFL · May 14, 2004

Nail on the head, Poppa! BTW, my test drive last night was wiht the FEL mounted only. No BH. Steve did say his tires were filled. Not sure what that means, exactly, but the beast sure seemed stable to me.

MFL · May 14, 2004

Seems like dealers up north are VERY few and far between?!? Wonder if it has anything to do with the fact the ground is frozen for 11 1/2 months a year /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Poppa · May 14, 2004

MFL,

Filled tires means just that. the tires are filled with a liquid ( cacl, winshield wiper fluid, antifreeze, Rimguard) or foam. Gives a lot of extra weight down low and increases the stability of the tractor a lot.

Mike

EastTexFrank · May 14, 2004

( but I think you'd like a B7800 even more )

I think Bird nailed it again.

To recount my own experience with my B2400 on 9 acres of pasture and 4 acres of yard/garden, it is almost the ideal compromise - not too big for the yard and it can handle the hilly pasture with a 4' shredder - but if I was only mowing pasture I would want a few more hp and a 5' or 6' mower. I think you'll be very happy with your choice in the size you are looking at.
Welcome to the board and look forward to more contributions when you get your machine.

MFL · May 14, 2004

Poppa,

Thanks. Thought it was a slang term indicating something to do with the actual tire. Any adverse effects to the tire themselves? I would think that you would have to worry about corrosion of the tire or rim.