Buying Advice Tractor advice for complete idiot?

[fshrking]

Hey Guys-
Lifelong city slicker, moving to 10 acres of cleared, hard red clay in the Piedmont of North Carolina. We're hoping to maintain a fairly nice looking yard, a 1-2 acre plot of vegetables, and 5-6 acres of pasture for some animals. The terrain is fairly rough, a bunch of small rocks here and there, and is growing fescue.

I'm looking for a good, reliable tractor. Could someone offer me some advice on a tractor and what implements you think I'll need? How much should I expect to spend?

Thanks so much-
:thumbsup:

 

[gauthier]

Be hard to find a new one for that,unless it was chinese,but might with some carefull shopping find a new one[20-25 hp] for that??
Plus looks like you'll need a tiller,hog,and finish or belly mower,if your planning on mowing your yard with it,so those alone would be 3-4 grand,at the very least.
Many brands of tractors with several being about equal in quality.
What tractor places are around where you plan on living? You could start there and you'll see.
Used might be the only way for you to stay within about 14 grand,if you could spend a little more,you could buy new.
Would just buy me a lawnmower for yard,let tractor do every thing else,it opens up your tractor buying options.

 

[fshrking]

Thanks- I guess I should have left the budget open and asked "How much should I expect to spend for a good tractor for these needs?".

 

[TripleR]

Tend to agree on a separate lawnmower as you can buy a fairly decent one for the cost of a good MMM (Mid Mount Mower) and then buy a very good used tractor of sufficient size for the rest of your needs, 30 to 40 HP Kubota, John Deere, Kioti, Massey etc.

A new Kubota or John Deere that will do all you ask such as a 3030, 3230e will cost a lot more money than your budget appears to allow.

I have bought both new and used machines and would be comfortable buying another good used one any time.

Good luck and enjoy the country life, just can't beat it.

 

[flusher]

Hey Guys-
Lifelong city slicker, moving to 10 acres of cleared, hard red clay in the Piedmont of North Carolina. We're hoping to maintain a fairly nice looking yard, a 1-2 acre plot of vegetables, and 5-6 acres of pasture for some animals. The terrain is fairly rough, a bunch of small rocks here and there, and is growing fescue.

I'm looking for a good, reliable tractor. Could someone offer me some advice on a tractor and what implements you think I'll need? How much should I expect to spend?

Thanks so much-
:thumbsup:

New or used tractor? If used, how much used--1 year, 5 years, 10 years?

I'd look for a CUT in the 30hp (pto) range with hydrostatic transmission, 4WD, power steering, FEL with a 5-ft wide bucket and skid steer quick attach feature, dual rear hydraulic remotes. Kubota B-series is a good place to start. All tractor manufacturers have models like this.

Implements: 5 or 6 ft wide rotary mower (aka brush hog, bush hog, slasher, shredder), 5-ft wide rototiller, 5-6 ft wide box blade scraper.

For your yard, get yourself a good riding mower.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks- I guess I should have left the budget open and asked "How much should I expect to spend for a good tractor for these needs?".

You can build a tractor on the Kubota and John Deere website then take ten percent or so off and this will give you a general idea of what one is going to cost.

 

[gauthier]

I'd look at the dealers around you,[within an hour or so] talk to them,than you'l know a whole lot,about price,warrenty,service,etc.
Don't rule out anybrands that have a full service type dealer.
You might even run into a deal,slightly used or something that one of these dealers has.
How many horse?,well if you plan on mowing your yard,you don't want a big tractor,maybe sub compact,,but if you plan on hogging,5-6 acres and tilling two acres,you need probably at least 30-35 horse,thats why I was saying if you could just buy a lawnmower to cut your yard,it leaves your options for tractor open,you might find a good deal on a larger tractor,larger tractor means bigger hog and tiller and those two jobs done faster.
If you don't have hills or much snow and got a bigger heavier tractor,you might not even need 4wd.
You'll get plenty of advise in a day or so here though.

 

[MMagis]

People sure love to spend other people’s money. What you describe can and has been done countless times with nothing more than a little 8N, brush hog and rear blade, and a lawn mower for the yard. Anything more is just gravy, not needed. That being said, don’t jump into anything yet. I think a 1-2 acre garden is a lot bigger than you’re thinking. For a garden that big you WOULD want a bigger tractor with a 3 point tiller. But, I really don’t think you want a garden that big, unless you plan on selling produce. You should be able to get everything you NEED for $5000 or less by shopping used. Farm auctions are a great place for deals, but you really need to know what you’re looking at.

 

[gauthier]

Yeah,an acre is about 70yds by 70 yards,a two acre garden would be one of those roadside truck gardens or what ever they are called,my garden is really big but its less than an acre.[plus its all dried up,just waiting for the wind to blow it away]

 

[sweettractors]

I would go with older Ford 2000 or 600 or 800 series, MF 35 or 135 or Deere 1010 or 2010,IH 454 or 574 2 wheel drive $3000-$5000 range. 2 bottom plow $300-$500, Lift Disc $400-$600. Used 5 ft brush Hog $300-$500, Used Finish mower for the yard $500-$600, Used grader blade for the driveway $150-$250. Used 1 row cultivator for the garden $150-$200 and a used 1 row Veggie transplanter for seed or stemmed plants $500-$700 for putting in the garden. Ken Sweet

 

[Johndeere3720]

Look at the Deere line up.... 750, 850, 950, 1050, 755, 855, 955, 4200, 4210, 4300, 4310, 4400, 4410, 2320, 2520, 2720, 3120, 3320, and the 3032e. :thumbsup:

 

[gauthier]

14 huh? You are good,when I was 14 I couldn't type a bit, now I'm pretty good with my one finger,and I'd never even heard of computors or the internet.

 

[scoutcub]

Is the "rough" terrain hilly? Or just rutted up? And of course new or used is a big consideration...will you be moving some of those rocks?
also, mechanical aptitude? Judging by the title, assume you would engage a dealer for servicing, or are you able/willing to do servicing and perhaps more maintenance yourself?
I agree with flusher on tractor choice, 30 HP, 4 WD, loader. Might boil down to which dealers are close and moreso, which dealers are close and good to work with.
I know Cub Cadet has some killer deals now, a new 32 HP 4wd w/loader & great warranty for 14K, I'm not familiar with the other makes pricing, unsure if they can match that. Then you get the cat 1 3-pt hitch, PTO, and you can add a mid-mount mower. Very versatile and reliable machines.

Good luck shopping!

 

[VABlue]

Think about which implements you truly need to own. The FEL is a no-brainer, as is a box blade and bush hog. The tiller you can rent once or twice a year when you need it. Same with a disc or harrow. Given your description of the land, you may want to think about owning a landscape rake. Also think about pallet forks - so many versatile uses for that seldom thought about toy! (Not just pallets, they lift boulders, trees/logs, equipment, lumber... Anything you can get them under!) A nice riding mower for the yard will be much more comfy to ride and easier to get close to the house (and other objects) without smacking it.

Once you figure out the size and candy (implements) you want, the dealers near you should be the brands you look at. Then get test drives of them at home. Note the ergonomics of each make and decide which you like best. Tractors are reliable - unless it's undersized for what you need - so you almost can't go wrong. My choice came down to Kubota and Deere, and I liked both, so my wife made the choice. We have an olive green house...

Two acre garden? Heh... You are a city slicker!!

 

[Gittyup]

As you can see there are a lot of ways to go about this. The 2 acre garden.... are you sure? If so, better figure in a BIG freezer, couple of pressure cookers, and a lot of canning jars. Or do you plan to sell produce? If this is to be a business, I'd lean toward newer, less maintenance intensive machines with a very good dealer near by.

$14K should easily get you into a slightly used 30 - 35 HP with loader and bushhog; maybe even new if you luck into a sweet deal on a 2nd tier brand. Tillers are slow whereas a plow and disc will be faster and less to break. If you pick up one of those big rocks with the tiller, it'll make a mess of the thing before you can get it stopped.

I'd take my time and scour around for the best value. Really good deals come about from private owners from time to time throughout the year. Keep an eye on Craig's list ( I use SearchTempest.com) and local publications that regularly advertise such things. I look everyday for really good deals, eventhough I'm not buying, per se. For example, I found my FIL a Kioti CK20 TLB with an old bushhog, 250 hours, for $8K! I since seen similar setups sell for over $12K. There are good deals to be had, if you're patient and willing to dicker (and maybe drive a 100 miles or two).

 

[rScotty]

Hey Guys-
Lifelong city slicker, moving to 10 acres of cleared, hard red clay in the Piedmont of North Carolina. I'm looking for a good, reliable tractor. Could someone offer me some advice on a tractor and what implements you think I'll need? How much should I expect to spend?
:thumbsup:

It's a fair question. The advice first is do you have a trusted mechanical friend who knows tractors who can go with you to look at a few?

Whatever tractor you end up with will probably still be used by generations to come. So I'd recommend you just brace yourself and get ready to invest.

You are probably looking used and nothing wrong with that as tractors tend to last many decades. In fact, so far tractors themselves haven't been around long enough to wear out. I still use use a 1958 model everyday and use it right along with a 2008 and there really isn't a lot of difference. Both have loaders, power steering, a big three point, and a power takeoff. The 2008 has a nice adjustable and independently spung seat....but the 1958 not only has more adjustability, but had adjustments for both the springing and the damping of the seat. Don't laugh, you'll come to appreciate the seat.

Other than the seat, you'll want enough power and wheelbase to do most things, a front end loader to save your back, power steering to turn the wheels with a load in the front end loader, and a universal three point hitch and PTO on the back so that it will run any implement.

Oh...and instead of pricing and worrying about cost, just get a tractor that is well enough regarded locally that you won't have trouble selling it if and when you need the money back or a different tractor. Think of it as an investment. And the best way to do that I know of is to pay an honest price for good used equipment; well cared for. Chances are you upkeep on any good used tractor will be very small. They are extremely reliable.
good luck! rScotty (4 tractors now!)

 

[fshrking]

Thanks a million guys- are you always this helpful? The land is just rutty, not really hilly. It was cleared for timber a few years ago. I'm comfortable working on older cars, so if a tractor engine is like that (meaning I don't have to stick a computer on it to figure out what's wrong), I should be OK.

A couple more questions if you have the time:
Some people recommended a regular lawnmower for the yard... Why? Is it because the tractor will tear it up? Or the tractor is too big to get around most people's landscaping, etc.?

Also, it seems like the financing situation is much better on new tractors... Is that right? Can I get financing from a bank on a used tractor?

Are older tractors easier to work on than newer ones?

Should I plan on getting a trailer for getting the tractor serviced?

Thanks again. This is the most helpful forum I've ever been on.

 

[sweettractors]

Thanks a million guys- are you always this helpful?

Some people recommended a regular lawnmower for the yard... Why? Is it because the tractor will tear it up? Or the tractor is too big to get around most people's landscaping, etc.?

Also, it seems like the financing situation is much better on new tractors... Is that right? Can I get financing from a bank on a used tractor?

Thanks again. This is the most helpful forum I've ever been on.

The tractor in the yard will be fine as long as you don't get in the yard when it is wet. Yes, financing new is at a better rate than a bank, however, The inexpensive rates are reflected in the price of the new machines. You just don't get something for nothing. Banks will loan on used equipment and the rates will be higher. They usually want good collateral or a co-signor to stand good for the note. Ken Sweet

 

[daveshoot]

Hi from another complete idiot, but I have had a new tractor for a couple of months now.

You can get true 0 down, 0% 60 month financing from Kubota, and I believe Deere will match. I went Kubota and I can vouch for theirs- it's free money and a very good deal. The JD dealership offered same and I assume it was valid.

I got the rotary mower and it has been great, indispensable, for the pasture. Around the house, the larger machine (it's only a 24hp) is more difficult to maneuver and the tires (R4) do dent the turf. It rides higher to begin with and then you have the ROPS, so getting under trees and overhangs is a hassle. My little riding mower was made for this task and does it better.

I don't have a mid mount mower for the CUT and I suspect it produces a more even cut than the rear rotary mower, but even without the FEL on, the weight, height, and maneuverability of the tractor are reasons to have a good dedicated lawn mower for house and landscaping.

That's what I learned so far.

 

[Johndeere3720]

14 huh? You are good,when I was 14 I couldn't type a bit, now I'm pretty good with my one finger,and I'd never even heard of computors or the internet.

15 tomarrow.