Tractor Buying Advice

[SethO]

We just acquired a piece of property in central Wisconsin (read snow), 35 acres in all. 2 -3 acres of lawn, about 1.5 miles of a 10 foot wide trail that runs through the property part of which goes through some swampy areas that needs mowing. In the next few years we will do some landscaping work with stones, develop a water garden, and keep a kitchen garden. There is a half acre pond that needs mowing around, and a 300ft gravel driveway that may be upgraded to asphalt soon that will need to be cleared of snow.

I need input regarding what CUT to acquire for the jobs stated above. I believe I will need a mower, an FEL, an a backblade or boxblade. Tilling and other garden attachments will also be required. Do I need to get a snowthrower too? I have space on the property to dump snow if necessary.

I will limit my options to GREEN, BLUE and ORANGE. My wife will be "driving" sometimes. We will like to keep the cost before taxes to about 15 - 17K.

Thanks in advance for all responses.

 

[dcollie]

I'm real pleased with my Kubota BX22 after agonizing long and hard over the new JD "ten" series. In the end, the Kubo was a far better dollar per value buy than the JD, as it was the only 22HP tractor I could get with a proper backhoe, midmount mower and loader for under $ 17K. The JD "ten" series would have been well over $ 24K similarily equipped. The BX22 is one tough little tractor. You probably can do almost everything you need with the above and a bush hog. Wait on the boxblade and try some bar teeth for the FEL. You can virtually the same work with the boxblade as a toothed front end loader and save a lot of money.

Skip the snowblower and use the front end loader in the snow.

I mow my 1.5 acres w/60" MMM in half the time that I was able to do it with my Cub Cadet Garden Tractor (48" deck) due to the wider cut, faster speed, and mow-in-reverse capability.

Your wife would like the BX....it's much less intimidating being a sub-compact, steers quite easily and is a very stable platform, especially when mowing.

You're looking at premium brands in all ....... you won't make a bad choice with any of them.

 

[rancar]

Seth,

<font color=blue>I need input regarding what CUT to acquire for the jobs stated above.</font color=blue>

Based on the size of your property and jobs you've described, I think you'll need a CUT at least in the upper 20s HP range....more likely low 30s HP. You need beefy HP to do the snowplowing, carrying rock, bush hogging dense vegetation around that pond, etc.

You may want to think on spending a little bit up front and buy Muhammad's book. He addresses all these issues in it and after reading it you'll likely be in a much better position to narrow down your choices.

A primarily limitation is the budget you've developed. Upper limit at $17K may buy you just the tractor with nothing left over for FEL or other implements. Your $17K may get you a good used tractor package but you'll have to shop around even more and know your tractors.

Regards,
Bob Ancar
Cambridge, NY

 

[techman]

dcollie:

I agree with you completely...except for the snowblower. I think that the proper tool for snow depends on the need. I have a 2100' drive and using the FEL would take much longer than a blower. Also with a bad storm and the right drifting, I would not have any where to dump the snow with a FEL. I have found in the past that the blower was the only way to get the snow far enough out of the way. Same was true for a plow. Many times I had to use my Simplicity with a snowblower to open up my neighbor's road. He has a plow on his pickup, but when there is nowhere to push it, blowing it up and out of the way was the only option.

paul

 

[knucklehead]

Seth, welcome from another new member who has only been here a few weeks. We started thinking about just getting a $5-6k 2wd farm type tractor w/ no FEL to haul wood, clear snow, rough mow trails, and grade gravel. Having gone through the whole gamut, up to being very tempted on a new Kubota L series, we finally found a '79 Ford 1700 4wd w/ FEL & 60" rear bush hog. We were actually starting to look at older JD's, then back to older farm tractors (more HP and lift capacity for the $$$, but less refined, if you care about that) when this came along via phone call (Spread the word a little among friends).

If you are open to the idea, there are smaller older tractors out there to be had. We sort of settled in the +/- 30 hp range, ourselves, and the 1700 is 28 engine/23 PTO hp. The transmission is straight, non sychromesh gears, but you'll find that the best choice is often either a synchro or hydro transmission for ease of use and when changing direction a lot. The people here on TBN are great, and you can get quite an education regarding models and specs for a relatively small investment of time. That new BX Kubota is nice, and there are B models that are larger, too, then the L models. The JD's have an older numerical series: 6xx, 7xx, 8xx, 9xx, as well as the new 4xxx series. The older Fords are 12xx 13xx, 15xx, 17xx, and 19xx series, now replaced by the "Boomers". I'm just learning about them, since I got a blue tractor. There are other models among the "three colors", but I kept the range down on purpose.

If you are looking at other than new tractors, and want a little info on some of them, just ask. I'm no expert by a long shot, and there are many who are, on this board. I did just come out of three weeks of total immersion in this, so it's pretty fresh. I'm sure you will also be advised to find a good dealer in your area. You can learn a lot by just visiting and telling them what you are doing, and walking the lot to compare models. Beware the dreaded shiny new paint fever, though. I almost got me!

Happy hunting!

 

[DVerbarg]

<font color=blue>I have a 2100' drive and using the FEL would take much longer than a blower. Also with a bad storm and the right drifting, I would not have any where to dump the snow with a FEL.</font color=blue>

I have a 1400' driveway and used the FEL the first year to remove snow. After a few good snow falls we ordered a snowblower. With the FEL it was taking close to 4 hrs to clear the driveway, depending on how the snow was drifting. With the snowblower it now takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how much I want to play.

There is a difference in snowblower quality and the propensity to break shear pins. Many here on TBN have talked about the hassle of changing shear pins out a few times per winter. Only sheared mine once in two years when I picked up a compressed concrete 12" round (2 inch thick) stepping stone. Other then that I have picked up and thrown rocks and gravel up to 5" or 6" without damaging the snow blower or shear pin. The research in purchasing a snowblower can almost be as much fun as the amount of time that gets invested in the tractor purchase.

Being in snow country be sure to consider your snow removal equipment/method when purchasing your tractor. You don't want to be underpowered or you might spend more time then you wish out in the cold.

 

[Carl_NH]

Seth,

Reviewing the other posts re 1/2 mile drive etc.. needing snowblower is accurate, but with a 300' run no, unless you get 20" in a week..

Plow snow 300' driveway, work with stones, develop a water garden, and keep a kitchen garden, and mow 3 acres of lawn and 1.5 mile of swampy trail land.

You can get by with a 18-24HP unit but will likely trade up to a 30HP class tractor eventually as your acreage and location mean a slightly larger unit will adapt better to the potential attachments that you might want (or must have).

Regardng a basic unit get a 28-32+-HP with FEL and RMM or bush hog with a scraper blade attachments.

The L3010 series Kubota as above is about $18-20K, or as suggested the BX 22 with the BH and MMM is a great Pkg at about $17K.

Personally, the BH is the best investment I have made, just get a unit that is easy to use and attach.

Carl

 

[Slamfire]

I don't think you can do it. You want a newer machine that has enough power to run a finish mower, bush hog, some kind of earth moving equipment, and tillage equipment. By the time you've acquired all the implements, you won't have any money left for the tractor.

 

[techman]

Dave:

I already have a Kubota 50" blower I ordered with the tractor. I felt that it was the best choice to stick with origonal equipment brand. I could have ordered another brand rear mount and saved a chunk of money, but with the distance I have, I felt driving backwards that far would be a pain in the neck (literally).

I have yet to try it, but I feel that it will be at least as good as my old 42" Simplicity on a 7119. I used it for 14 years on gravel and blew a lot of stone. Getting the driveway paved this summer, so the job should be easier and less stress on the blower.

I am actually looking forward to the first big snow !.

Paul

 

[smthng2do]

I think the BX series will accomodate you while keeping the price down. The BX2200 is under 10k, and the loader is around 2k. It's 22 horsepower, and has hydro so your wife will fel very comfy operating it. If you squeeze it out though, I would suggest getting into the B7500, or the 2410/2710 series. A lot more tractor for the buck, but we know the mighty buck is always the factor in such a huge investment. I don't think you need the use of a backhoe, but the bucket is a must. a MMM may be all you need for mowing, but you may want to consider a rear finish mower to offset the weight of the FEL. If you have the time, then the FEL should be enough for moving snow. Otherwise, the blower is faster. Perhaps go with the FEL now, and if you feel the blower would be better, get it later on.

 

[Hawkflyer]

While all of the compact tractors in the 16 to 30 HP range would work for your needs, there are a few things to keep in mind. 1) Kubota is dominating this maket nitch for a reason.2) While the old addage "you get what you pay for" is usually true even with tractors, You will pay a premium for certain paint colors that is not justified by improved performance.3) If you are considering a Kubota BX series tractor remember it is designed to fill the "YUPPY" market (you should start wondering about this on any machine that comes standard with cup holders). While priced less than tractors of simular horse power, even other Kubotas, there are resons for this.a) The B series tractors in the Kubota line are designed for heavier duty service that the BX models. In normal homeowner use this differance may never surface. In rental, commercial, and farm use it will.b) Get under the BX and B series, and compare the frames. Look at the bucket curl cylinders, same size but the B has 2 of them. Compare the tire and wheel size the B series has more options, the BX has tires designed to make it look smaller and less intimidating.c) While the horse power is the same on many of the BX/B series machines, this is as much a manufacturing cost saving as anything else. The machines do not apply this power to the job at hand in the same way.d) Find a dealer that serves the rental/commercial market, and ask him what the experiance has been with the BX vs the B. If he is honest he will tell you that the BX does not perform well in those markets. I'm not talking sales here I'm talking working performace and repairs.There are lots of other things to check out but you get the idea. For your application you should get a serious compact tractor. You may wring your hands at the cost differance up front, but over time you will never regret the decision to get the larger machine.Based on information in your post, you are probably looking for a Kubota B2410 or B2710. If you go for the 2410 look into the tight turning option. Some of the stuff you describe would be eisier to do with improved turning radius. Also on the 2410 you can get optional turf/bar tread tires. These are not as agressive as either AG or Construction treads and as such won't tear up your grass as much, but still provide good traction when you need it.Good luck.

 

[frank_f15]

i think u need to stay in the 24-30 hp range. the l series is probalby best for your needs unless u are really going to use it for a lot of lawn mowing, remember sometimes the bigger machines are great for the big tasks but not so good for grass cutting. which is your first priority?i move a lot of snow with the fel and rear blade, but i am only clearing a 100ft drive, my friend has both a fel and rear snowblower and use the fel 50% of the time. your call! u know your needs best.

 

[chim]

As far as the snowblower goes, I guess it depends mostly on what kind of Winters you have. Here in my part of PA, "real" Winters are infrequent. So far I have been able to get by nicely with a 5' rear blade on a 16HP Ford 1210. This Spring I bought a B7500HST w/ FEL and R4's, and I'm anxious to see how it does with snow. I do my 300' driveway, my BIL's 300' and two shorter driveways. Except for real deep snow, I can usually drive forward with the blade cocked to one side and go right through. For blizzards or pushing back banks for a coming storm, backwards is the way it works. That's where I'm expecting the FEL to come in. One of my buds has a JD w/ FEL and he claims the FEL is OK for deep stuff, but takes longer to clear snow under 6 or 8 inches in depth.........chim

 

[SethO]

Thanks everybody.

 

[robertm]

I agree with Hawkflyer. I just spent alot of extra time and agony deciding between the Kubota BX and B series. I bought the B7500, and the only regert is that I did not buy the B2410. It's just a little heftier, and a few other options, but I am thoroughly satisfied with the B7500. I thought the sheer size of the B7500 over the BX2200 would be a problem. I should have wasted all that extra thought and effort (when deciding on which tractor to buy) on what other implements I want! I am far more impressed with the B7500, and it maneuvers as easy as the BX. You get so much more for the additional $. Just my thoughts.

 

[MrP]

I'll second the L3010. Check it out.

You can probably get a L3010 HST R4s and FEL for about $17K. It would seem to meet your needs.

 

[Soundguy]

If you like the safety of the 'big three' but don't need all the bells and whistles, you may want to consider the massey fergusion. In dollar value per HP it stands up well.

As many will point out, technology wise, there havn't been many user upgrades to the MF in oh say 20 years. It embodies 'utility' in utility tractor. Simple controlls and not as many features... more or less an engine, a transmission, and some operator controlls and safety features...
Money might be worth it.

Soundguy

 

[butzkeg]

SethO, each of the big 3 make tractors that are more than capable for doing the work you need.

Look for the options, features and prices that fit your requirements. If you don't have any brand loyalty, your decision will be more difficult, as you'll do more looking/pricing/investigating.

The point of checking out Muhammed's book is a good one, especially for someone just starting out such as yourself. you'll educate yourself quite a bit. Start visiting your local dealers and kick the tires a little.

For every comment about a brand being better than another, there's another to refute that. For every Kubota that has a problem, there's a Deere or a NH with one. Plenty of people have had problems with each brand, but a larger majority of owners have been satisfied with the brand they chose. We have a tendency to hear more about the bad than the good.

Hawkflyer's comment's, and yes I'm picking on you, may be true in his little world. Not every demographic in this country is the same. Region's, state's, countries, and cities vary greatly. I think that's great that Kubota does well in your parts, 'cause it sure doesn't around here. Them green painted tractors seem to be more popular 'round here.

 

[stnickstoys]

Seth,
I understand your desire to stay with the "big three" but I think you are really missing out if you don't look into the grey market tractors. You could get a tractor and all of the implements you are looking for in the $10,000 range. Unless you have a specific need that only the big three can address, I know one of the greys would easily do all of the jobs you named and more! Feel free to call with questions or comments and check my website for other good links. I too am in west central wisconsin.
Nick
715-495-4176

 

[SethO]

I just rode on a BX 22, fantastic machine and I have my CFO's approval for this price package

BX 22 $15100
MMM 60" $ 1650
Rotary cutter (LandPride) 48" $ 825

Does this sound reasonable?