Tractor Decision

[Poncho]

Hey guys... new here. Been visiting for the last several days and am impressed with the site and members, so I joined. It's come time for me to upgrade from a MF135 and I've narrowed down to 3 tractors (4wd): Kubota M4900, Mahindra 4500/5500, and the Massey 451. I live in N Florida on 7 sandy acres. I primarily use the tractor around here for bushhogging but also use it to help maintain our 5+ miles of neighborhood roads (equine community), plus food plots on our hunting lease (very swampy and low lying). After reading previous posts I've decided definately on Ag tires (R1s), although most on lots have R4s, 4wd so I can add FEL later (took me forever to figure out that acronym... still working on CUT). I've always tended to buy up, and we plan to move out West in the near future to about 60 -100 acres, so I've figured a tractor in the 45-55 hp range should meet my need. I agree with the Dealership issue.... the Green & Yeller folks have been very unimpressive (can't never get attention from sales rep /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif). I've got about 4 dealers for MF, Kubota & Mahindra within 100 miles /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. The FEL would not be used to any great extent that I can think of (moving horse manure mostly - 5 horses), but will probably find mores uses. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm kind of fond to red tractors..... but the Kubota I drove (4030) sure was nice! Thanks.

 

[AndyMA]

Welcome Poncho

CUT Compact Utility Tractor I think /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Just out of curiosity, why not look at the New Holland TC45 and TC55?

The TC55 would be a nice size tractor when you move and it is capable of running a bailer.

Andy

 

[Poncho]

Shallow minded I guess! Just have never really been drawn to them... may also be lack of dealers, only 1 in close proximity.

 

[PineRidge]

Poncho welcome to the TBN site!

Like Andy said New Holland makes some fine tractors. Please don't write them off until you have at lease visited your local dealer and given them a test drive. You may be pleasantly surprised at the quality and comfort that you are afforded.

 

[JayC]

If you like red tractors, what about the new CaseIH Farmall DX tractors? Corresponsing to the New Holland, Case has a DX45 and DX55. They are nice machines! Here is the link to the Farmalls:

CaseIH Farmall Tractors

 

[Soundguy]

Welcome.

I also live in florida ( summerfield - thats between gainesville and orlando. ).. and I also live in a horse comunity... small world.

Whereabouts are you?

Soundguy

 

[BB_TX]

Tractor brand is personal preference, so I won't suggest one.
However, definately go with the 4x4 and I recommend getting the FEL to start with. I am betting you will find that one of the most useful implements you get on the tractor. You will wonder how you got by without it.

 

[viking]

CUT- Compact Utility Tractor

The tractors you mentioned lean more toward the utility side of the house.

Good luck and happy tractor hunting. Oh, and when you make your purchase it is required that you post pictures

 

[gone]

The kubota is 1000lbs lighter than the mahindra,and1700lbs less than the Massey. 1700lbs more tractive force, gat loads moving and stopped. also the mahindra and massey are direct injection, makes more power on less fuel, cut's are alittle behind in that area but JD is out to change that! I'd also like to add the 451 is the same basic tractor diesign that massey had since the 70's,tried and tested for all time.

 

[Poncho]

The local NH dealer doesn't have any TC55s to look at and I haven't researched the Case. I've also yet to see the MF451 which is the exact price I've gotten for the Kubota M4900.... as far as the Mahindra goes.... it's about $2500 less... don't know if there is enough difference to justify. I'm not in a hurry... so I may put off until October when there's an Ag Show in Moultrie GA (about an hour from Tallahassee) to try and strike a deal.