Buying Advice Small Tractor Purchase Advice

[postalnut25]

Hello all. I've been doing some research on tractors for my new house, and this site seems chock full of advice. Some of it is a little much for me to figure out on my own, so I thought I would post looking for advice specific to my situation.

My House: About two acres of flat prairie land just a little northeast of Metro Denver. Right now there is just weeds, and a big driveway. I have about a 50'x50' concrete parking area and about 400' of concrete driveway.

Future plans include landscaping, putting in buffalo grass, land work for small projects (one retaining wall, one culvert install, and site work for a second detached garage), putting rock into a large drainage ditch, mowing the grass and clearing snow. Probably a small 3pt auger for installing the fence around the property. I think the only project that might need a hoe would be the culvert pipe install, so I'll probably just rent a trackhoe when that time comes.

Considerations- I would like a plow, but I think a FEL will be fine for snow removal as long as it floats. I would like 4WD and turf tires, with chains for the winter time if needed. I am open for a MMM or a rear mount finish mower, since I'll have three rail fence and clearance won't be an issue. I have a 9'x9' garage door opening for storage of the tractor, and it needs to fit in the 22' deep garage bay along with it's attachments.

Dealers- I've looked at Kioti and Kubota, because my wife really likes blaze orange. However, I am open to any brand as long as it works and I can get a decent price. I am leaning towards new, because I am a maintenance freak, and can keep up on maintenance and make something last until I die, but I don't want anybody else's problem tractor. Being in the Metro Denver area, I have a dealer for every brand within 1.5 hours, and most are even closer.

Last thought- I am open to a Zero Turn mower later on when all projects are done, but then I still need to figure out something about snow removal.

Thank you, and I look forward to suggestions to look at.

 

[RalphVa]

With flat land, the turfs should be fine in the winter. Turfs also have about the best turning grip but will tear up grass because of this grip. Also, with flat land, you don't have to worry too much about ripping away the underneath cooling fan on some of the smallest, lowest tractors. However, the smallest, lowest may not have the 3ph lift you need to get the auger out of the ground. I'd check this out on any you're looking at.

Ralph

 

[Citydude]

Hello all. I've been doing some research on tractors for my new house, and this site seems chock full of advice. Some of it is a little much for me to figure out on my own, so I thought I would post looking for advice specific to my situation. My House: About two acres of flat prairie land just a little northeast of Metro Denver. Right now there is just weeds, and a big driveway. I have about a 50'x50' concrete parking area and about 400' of concrete driveway. Future plans include landscaping, putting in buffalo grass, land work for small projects (one retaining wall, one culvert install, and site work for a second detached garage), putting rock into a large drainage ditch, mowing the grass and clearing snow. Probably a small 3pt auger for installing the fence around the property. I think the only project that might need a hoe would be the culvert pipe install, so I'll probably just rent a trackhoe when that time comes. Considerations- I would like a plow, but I think a FEL will be fine for snow removal as long as it floats. I would like 4WD and turf tires, with chains for the winter time if needed. I am open for a MMM or a rear mount finish mower, since I'll have three rail fence and clearance won't be an issue. I have a 9'x9' garage door opening for storage of the tractor, and it needs to fit in the 22' deep garage bay along with it's attachments. Dealers- I've looked at Kioti and Kubota, because my wife really likes blaze orange. However, I am open to any brand as long as it works and I can get a decent price. I am leaning towards new, because I am a maintenance freak, and can keep up on maintenance and make something last until I die, but I don't want anybody else's problem tractor. Being in the Metro Denver area, I have a dealer for every brand within 1.5 hours, and most are even closer. Last thought- I am open to a Zero Turn mower later on when all projects are done, but then I still need to figure out something about snow removal. Thank you, and I look forward to suggestions to look at.

Hi, and welcome. How much area were you planning on mowing and what size of mower were you thinking of?

 

[Olympus]

Also take a look at the LS brand. They give the most bang for your buck. Kioti is also another great choice.

I think a tractor with a rear finish mower would be your best bet for your property. You'll find endless uses for a tractor and loader.

 

[Olympus]

We got a lot of snow this year and my LS really did great. I use the front bucket in float mode and curl the lip of the bucket up about 2 inches. This let me push the bulk of the snow in front of me and at the same time I used a rear grader blade to scrape that last 2 inches as I went.

 

[Texas Dawg]

Most all the major manufactures make a good machine. What it seems to come down to more then what brand is the best, is what is the price for what I want? Finally from most of the treads on here, even more than the brand and price is the reputation of the dealer. Almost every brand on here has a thread complaining about it being junk and they would never buy another "Brand X" tractor. The recurring theme with almost all of them was their dealer did a really poor job of handling their complaint. Do your research on your local dealers and their reputation. That as much or more than brand or price should be your final deciding factor.

 

[davesl708]

As Texas Dawg mention the dealer is important.

Also, consider used. I bought my BX when it was nine years old. Three years and 200hrs later have no regrets.
It came with MMM, FEL, rear blade and 5ft rototiller. Very low price and all work well. Use it to clear small trees, move rocks, tilled the yard for reseeding and pushing snow.

 

[DKCDKC]

Most all the major manufactures make a good machine. What it seems to come down to more then what brand is the best, is what is the price for what I want? Finally from most of the treads on here, even more than the brand and price is the reputation of the dealer. Almost every brand on here has a thread complaining about it being junk and they would never buy another "Brand X" tractor. The recurring theme with almost all of them was their dealer did a really poor job of handling their complaint. Do your research on your local dealers and their reputation. That as much or more than brand or price should be your final deciding factor.

What he said. A good dealer is crucial.

 

[nybirdman]

For snow removal;a lot depends on your average snow fall per year.If it is over 100" you may want to consider a front mounted snow blower.

 

[postalnut25]

I like the float feature on the loader bucket. I think that would be effective for the snow removal. I'm thinking the blade and loader will be the best option. I don't think a snowblower would get enough use to justify the extra cost and the extra room it would take up in the garage.

 

[postalnut25]

I've been shopping used, and there just isn't much availability around here. It seems that whatever I find that I want to look at is gone by the time I even call on it.

I'm good with used, too, but my wife wants new, so there is a warranty, so that is a consideration, too.

 

[postalnut25]

I understand completely. I am a Dodge man, and won't look at any other truck, but I won't be going back to the dealer I've used the most. I found one with better service. I need to go chat with some more dealerships for tractors, but I'm already leaning away from Deere. The closest dealer was odd. Couldn't understand that I didn't know what I wanted or needed yet and was asking questions for a reason. Across the highway was a Kubota dealer, and the salesman there took a lot of time with the floor models and brochures pointing out features. He also offered to get contact information for people that bought similar equipment so I could ask them questions. I didn't, because I don't want to intrude on people, but he was very helpful for something that costs less than good used pickup

 

[TJP89]

There are no big HP needs here, just for the post hole digger. Snow removal also is a consideration. In terms of size, I'd go small, but not the smallest. I'd put you in 25HP, with a mid mount mower, FEL, and rear blade. A rear blade is relatively cheap and can be used for grading and snow removal, much better than the FEL at both. Your tractor should be small enough for a MMM to work well and have maneuvering room.

Brand wise you have choices. Look at everything around you. John Deere has the 1023e, which seems a little small, and the 1026R, which is a very nice sub compact. A little bigger and you're looking at the 2 series for JD. Kubota has the BX series, very good and solid little tractor. Again, you can go a little bigger to the B series. Kioti has the CK25, but I don't think there's a MMM for that right now. They also have the CS2410, and the CK2510, both of which have a MMM, basic SCUT there, but nice capacities. LS, New Holland, Mahindra, and some others have some options too, but I don't know a whole lot about their SCUTs.

Price is another consideration, decide what you want to spend, and look accordingly.

 

[hwatkins]

There are a couple of sayings on this board that I've learned are true.

Pick out a tractor and then buy the next size up, you'll never say I wish I had a smaller tractor. I was looking at the Kubota BX series initially, but decided to get the B2920 with the MMM. If I had to do it again, I would get the L series Kubota with a finish mower, mostly because the FEL Loader capacity is smaller than I need on the B2920. With land there are plenty of uses for a tractor, so while you may have some initial projects in mind that list will grow.

The other saying is Buy once, cry once. Tractors last a long time, I've had mine 4 years and have about 150 hours on it, so it should last a lifetime. A few thousand dollars one way or the other over 20 years doesn't make much difference so try to imagine day to day life 5-10 years down the road.

 

[postalnut25]

There are a couple of sayings on this board that I've learned are true.

Pick out a tractor and then buy the next size up, you'll never say I wish I had a smaller tractor. I was looking at the Kubota BX series initially, but decided to get the B2920 with the MMM. If I had to do it again, I would get the L series Kubota with a finish mower, mostly because the FEL Loader capacity is smaller than I need on the B2920. With land there are plenty of uses for a tractor, so while you may have some initial projects in mind that list will grow.

The other saying is Buy once, cry once. Tractors last a long time, I've had mine 4 years and have about 150 hours on it, so it should last a lifetime. A few thousand dollars one way or the other over 20 years doesn't make much difference so try to imagine day to day life 5-10 years down the road.

I do worry about going too big. We are only on two acres, so once the landscaping and fencing is done, the only real need is for snow removal and lawn care. I do think that the 25 HP range is sounding good. Originally I though about the BX18, but now I'm thinking it might be too small