tractor purchase

gmt · Aug 2, 2005

Hello to all.
First I would like to say how great and helpful this website is.
I recently purchased some property (greater Houston, TX) and will be needing a tractor to maintain it.

My question is (and I realize it is a loaded question) what type/size of tractor would suit me best?

I will be needing to maintain/mow approx. 20 acres of relatively flat meadows. I would like to be able to pull a bush hog (not sure what size yet) and equip it with a front end loader & maybe a disc.

I am not looking for a decked out "cadillac" -- just a good 'ole reliable general purpose tractor to use periodically to keep appearance up. I would prefer used due to the costs involved.

I have been given lots of free "advice" & I have no clue what direction to go. I have been told to not consider anything under 50-ish HP. Frankly, I think this may be overkill for my purposes. I am considering a tractor in the 25 - 30 HP range, but........

Any thoughts/opinions would be appreciated.

rockyridgefarm · Aug 2, 2005

If you go used, try and stick with one that already has the loader, rather than adding it later. A lot of times the 'good deal' is lost when adding major hydraulics.

Even with flat ground, safety needs to be a concern. Older machines are very serviceable, but what price you put on safety is your concern.

Don't overlook new, even though you say that budget suggests used. Sure, at list prices, used might look like a bargain, but often times new can be had for little more than a good used setup. Especially considering financing.

Another angle is looking at two machines. You might find a Ford 8n with a cutter for low enough, that you could also get a small tractor/loader to do landscaping and mowing near the house.

Finally, whwn you have some acres of your own to maintain, it's different than mowing as a business. Maintaining 20 acres is very doable with a 5' cutter pulled behind a 30ish Hp machine. Especially if you find something to graze it.

hbaird · Aug 2, 2005

If you can change your own oil and do other small maintenance tasks, at least consider a Jinma. I have a 200LE and love it. For what you would pay for a Jinma it can not be beat. The big three buyers don't mind and even seem proud to pay $600.00 for a fifty hour service, some of us are proud of doing it ourselves. If you are the least bit self sufficient with hand tools you would find a Jinma a fine worker. Many at this forum have horror storys to tell to justify spending a lot more money. I have had a few problems, none of witch required great skill or prior knowledge to fix. Tommys Affordable tractors is a little north and west of Houston. I suggest you at least talk to him before you buy. He and several others stock most if not all the parts for the Jinma.
A very satisfied Jinma owner,
Harold

MikePA · Aug 2, 2005

Welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I have a New Holland TC25D (with a FEL) and it runs a 5 foot rotary mower (Woods Brush Bull Model BB60) just fine. I could probably run a BB72. I went with a BB60 since it's as wide as my tractor, so I know if the tractor fits through an opening, the mower will too. This was my own requirement and probably wouldn't apply to most people.

With the BB60, I can cut about an acre an hour of pasture grass. At 20 acres, you're looking at a lot of seat time. For the tasks you've identified, 50 hp is overkill in my opinion.

Bob_Skurka · Aug 2, 2005

( The big three buyers don't mind and even seem proud to pay $600.00 for a fifty hour service )

HUH? I've never even heard of a price like that for any routine maintainence job. In fact, many Big 3 owners here on TBN report getting FREE 50 HOUR SERVICE. I had a regular serivce performed, that included chaning all fluids (hydraulic, engine oil, radiator) and it was under $200, including pick up & delivery of my tractor, and they filled the fuel tank up with diesel before they delivered it.

I think the prices of big 3 tractors are often far more competitive than most people say they are, especially true of the Kubotas which are often lower priced that some of the so-called value/second tier tractors. I'm not knocking any other brand, but I'm tired of hearing that Big 3 brands are not competitive. They account for over 90% of all compact tractor sales, if they were uncompetitive they could not hang on to their market share. In fact, Kubota now is reported to be at 60% in many areas, which means they are growing. They don't sell 6 out of every 10 tractors by being over priced. JMHO

rockyridgefarm · Aug 2, 2005

Just a side note, the 50 hr service usually means a major maintainence of the tractor's hydraulics. It has been drasticly reduced in the newest Deere machhines, and may well be in some of the others too.

Bob is right about pricing, right after I bought my JD tractor, I noticed I could have save almost $500 getting a Jinma. Wow, I blew it!

SteveM · Aug 2, 2005

This is a common post- the 'what to buy, I am new' post....but note that the poster preferred buying used, which means saving some money. I think it is hard for us contributors to offer advice without some idea of budget....there are cheaper ways to manage land, but with them come sacrifices, for sure. Most folks think that tractors are like cars - used machines running 40-60% off new prices. But that isnt the case, and often used machines dont represent much of a bargain.

Fill us in a little more on your expectations, and we will be happy to spill our two cents /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

rockyridgefarm · Aug 2, 2005

But that isnt the case, and often used machines dont represent much of a bargain

Exactly!!

slowrev · Aug 2, 2005

I would think you would want to run about a 6 ft or so cutter on the tractor this puts you up about 35 hp or so.

You will want a diesel I would think because they are cheaper to operate. You will also want a live or independant PTO.
A MF135 sounds ok for you, maybe a 4000 series Ford, or one of the number series IH tractors such as a diesel 444.

Look around and take your time and you should be able to find a good used machine that fills your needs for a lot less than a new one.

I bought a used IH2444 about 3 years ago, it is now worth about 2k more than I paid for it.

Happy tractor shopping.
Ben

Keith_B · Aug 2, 2005

( I have been given lots of free "advice" & I have no clue what direction to go. I have been told to not consider anything under 50-ish HP. Frankly, I think this may be overkill for my purposes. I am considering a tractor in the 25 - 30 HP range, but........

Any thoughts/opinions would be appreciated. )

A 50 hp machine would likely be a bit big for your use. For the difference in price I would opt for the 35-40hp range over the 25-30HP range.

Since you are dealing with relatively flat meadows you can opt for a value priced 2wd utility and come out better than getting a 4wd CUT

You should definitely consider buying new, especially since some of the best new tractor prices I have seen come out of Texas.

What you need a tractor for indicates you should look for specific options. You need powersteering (a must for a loader), live/independent PTO, and category 1 three-point hitch.

Different people are going to recommend different tractors based on what they prefer. I recommend going out and looking at a lot of different options then making your choice from those options. I looked at tractors from Mahindra, John Deere, New Holland, Massey Fergusen, Kubota, McCormick, Long (Farmtrac), LG Montana, Cub Cadet (which was a rebadged Kioti DK40). I wanted to check out the Kioti but there is not a dealer within an hour of me. I found that they are all good machines and all would likely be dependable.

I have also found that the typical TBNer is happy with their tractor, no matter what brand they chose. The most common complaint I have seen is people wishing they had purchased more HP initially.

I chose my Mahindra 4110 because it gave me the most value for my money, based upon the features I was looking for in a tractor. If I were making the purchase today I wouldn't choose a different machine.