Taking a step back, looking at potentially new tractors

[novasbc]

I want to make sure I cover all of my options. I was looking at a Kubota L3400 because it seemed like a decent price, and was trailerable.

So, I have decided that I would look up my "ideal" tractor, and then work my way down, helping me both with a used & new search.

I would like for it to be able to be trailerable on a 16' car hauler I have. That restricts me from larger tractors, as well as the consideration of their cost.

I'm looking to clean up a bunch of overgrowth that happened on 10 acres of property in 30 years of general disrepair. This involves a fair amount of up front loader work, and lots of shredding.

I believe I would like my tractor to be capable of running a 6' heavy duty shredder, even if I don't get one up front.

At least, in the Kubota line, this seems to point me at the L3901, which seems possible to trailer in my configuration, without having to acquire or rent a larger trailer/gooseneck for my truck. I was playing with the online Kubota builder, because I usually try to figure out the options that I can't add later, or would kick myself for (even if I end up picking one up off a lot.

This is the initial option set (above standar options) that I came up with based on my somewhat limited understanding of what they offer:



I would end up needing to finance this option, but that's not a problem (good credit, large down payment available if necessary, Kubota offering 0%). I'm not loving the idea of the depreciation involved, but part of the idea here, is that I buy a tractor that would stand the test of time.

I'm not going to use this as a makeshift dozer, as if I need one, I can borrow one from my father in law for extended periods of time. Given that, I definitely don't want to penny pinch on the bucket.

So, the next question is: assuming I go new (I have somewhat of a handle on what I'm looking for used), should I be looking at other brands? I've had Kubota recommended to me by friends/family, but am not stuck on them. We have every dealer around you can think of, including one I just heard of (Branson).

In the context of this conversation, I don't want to discuss the merits of new versus used, but merely want to know what my preference would be with new, to compare to possible used purchases, and understand which brands offer the best bang for the buck for me.

I'm one of the sorts, in the past to custom order my vehicles to get exactly what I want, and keep it forever. Custom ordered a 2003 F150 with exactly what I needed, and still use it to the day, and finally custom ordered an F350 in 2015 as needs have evolved (with no plans of getting rid of it). The depreciation hurts less if you keep it for the long term.

Thanks!

Mark

 

[GManBart]

Given your parameters, I'd be looking for something with a touch more HP than the 3901. A 6' cutter will run on 30HP at the PTO, but I'd want a bit more fudge factor than that.

A 16' car hauler should be at least a 7K trailer with maybe 5K useful load right? Since your towing rig will easily handle that sort of weight I'd try to find a tractor that comes as close to maxing your trailer as possible.

If you've got a bunch of dealers available, the best thing you can do is get seat time. It's really hard to pick a bad new tractor, so performance for your dollar, the dealer/network behind it, and how you like running it are more important. Something that I like on a tractor might drive you nuts, and vise-versa...you just can't tell until you run them for a while.

 

[Wagtail]

Mate, your last paragraph says it all. Tractors are expensive tools, however they are extremely long lasting tools and 'you get what you pay for'. That's not saying that a 'less expensive' brand is/isn't as good as a 'more expensive' brand, though... it's about what suits you and what you need to use the tractor for.

Talking to friends and family, especially about the reputation of the local dealerships is a very good start. Purchasing a tractor is one half of the equation; being confident of a dealership's servicing & parts support is the other. And it's a long term relationship.

Find out who the best 'reputation' dealerships (any colour) and go and talk to them about your needs, projects etc... A good dealership will recommend a tractor (and attachment/implements), not necessarily 'what's on the lot', that's right for you because they want your business for the long haul. You'll need to physically sit your arse in those tractors to see if they 'fit' you too.

It's daunting, I know. But it sounds like you're after the 'right' tractor, not the 'right now' tractor.

 

[motownbrowne]

An MX 4800 would fit on a car hauler if you took the loader off. It'd be a drag to limit your tractor options because of trailer axles. You can always swap trailers down the road, but it sounds like you'll be stuck with the tractor for a while.

A 3901 would turn a 6' mower, but a heavy duty one would be very taxing on the tractor. That's just a lot of weight and a lot of force being applied to the three point and PTO if you're using it in its heavy duty capacity.

 

[WVH1977]

If you are going to be towing the tractor with loader and bush hog attached to your tractor, 16' can get small pretty quick. I pull my TC40 with a 20' trailer and it is just right. Just something you might want to take into consideration. If you load the tractor without the loader on I think you would be fine. Me personally, I would want a more substantial trailer. When I bought my bay boat the dealer had it sitting on a single axle trailer with no brakes. I spent the extra cash and had him upgrade to a dual axle trailer with brakes and do not regret it one bit. Tows a whole lot better and safer.

 

[Egon]

Any thoughts on a backhoe as that would fit right in with the cleanup senario?

 

[bspeedy]

I agree with other comments. Don't let a few grand for a new trailer change your whole plan for the tractor. My 10k 20 ft trailer was 3 grand brand new. Sell your current trailer for half that amount and you're out very little coinage.

As for your spec list, you will get better lights if you just buy and install LED's from amazon for about 1/3 the price. Telescoping side links are a great upgrade. I don't pay for extended warranties, ever, for anything. That 2 grand will cover most things that could ever conceivably be wrong with the tractor in two years. In 6 months you will work out any issues and the machine should be good for 20 years. I've owned several used tractors and haven't spent 2 grand TOTAL on them in 7 years and probably 1000 hours of operation.

 

[boggen]

I'm looking to clean up a bunch of overgrowth that happened on 10 acres of property in 30 years of general disrepair. This involves a fair amount of up front loader work, and lots of shredding.

pictures of property? hills? dealing with large trees and stumps?

what is goal of clearing? what will be there after clearing? will you need to deal with any major re-landscaping and smoothing area out?

what other uses will tractor see? beyond rotatory mower (bush hog) and FEL?

with F350, plus wanting to trailer it.... is there other properties tractor will see? or used for business?

 

[Tigershark]

I have around 45 acres and looked at the Kubota because the dealership was 3 miles from me. They were nice but expensive, I expanded my search to Branson and Kioti. the Branson was solid, weighed a lot and had a ton of lifting power in the 40 HP range I was looking for. Then I came across Kioti and started reading up on them, there was a Kioti dealer about 60 miles away and I eventually settled on the Kioti 4010 HST. Love the tractor. The branson was cheaper to have shipped from a dealer in TX than to buy it locally but ultimately I decided the Kioti felt the best and was the best bang for the buck. I liked the bucket operation more on the Kioti than the Kubota or Branson. It just seemed to fit me better and was faster and knowing I would be doing a lot of FEL work I picked the Kioti. Having said all that I would not be able to trailer my Bush hog and tractor on a 16 ft trailer, my badboy bush hog is easily 7 ft long and the tractor is 12 so a 20 ft is what I would need to transport. One option is to hire someone to come in a clean up the initial stuff with something bigger and then you maintain with your tractor. I had a buddy bring in his 100HP Kubota and do a little bush hogging for me and that really helped out because he took out some big stuff that might tractor would not have been able to bush hog Good luck

 

[ericm979]

Extended warranty is a nice source of profit for the dealer and the warranty company. A big chunk goes to the dealer as profit. The rest has been calculated to be significantly more than the average payout, so the warranty company profits. One of the ways they profit is to find excuses to deny valid claims. On average it's better to self-insure. Kubotas are very reliable. An extended warranty on one is a waste of money. It's very unlikely that you will need it.

The L3901 is light weight and expensive compared to other tractors of the same power. Weight is good for tractors- better traction and operation with loads in the bucket or 3pt. It's an economy model. Many others in its class have advanced features like independent pto, hydrostatic steering, more ergonomic controls, tilt steering, extendable lower links, remote hydraulics. Most have more loader and 3pt capacity (though Kubota rates their loaders differently making them seem weaker on paper than they are). If your brush mowing will require frequent speed changes for different density materials, or backing up, an HST will be preferable to a gear transmission. With the rotary cutter I mow in reverse as much as forwards. But I have many small irregular areas to mow until I remove more brush. If you're doing large consistent areas the HST is not as much of an advantage. But if you're doing loader work it is.

Unless you really need the extra 4 hp at the pto or the dual stage clutch for the gear drive, the 3301 is $2k less than the otherwise identical 3901.

If you are going to be doing a lot of blading consider top and tilt hydraulics.

I've been happy with my Branson so far (it's only a few months old). I bought it from a dealer 3+ hours away rather than getting a Kubota from a dealer much closer. It's much nicer than the L3x01 series but cost about the same. The equivalent Kubotas are much more expensive.