What would you buy if you were me?

[Mpking]

Hello everyone,

I've been looking at buying a tractor for a few months now and I think I have a fairly good idea what I'd get based off my research thus far but I was hoping to get an opinion that might make me think of something I haven't thought of before.

I recently bought an 8 acre property that is fairly flat with some slope to it except for the east end which descends down a hillside where we have a view over some trees. I'd like to get a tractor for help with these tasks right now:

1. Brush hogging about 3.5 acres of pasture
2. Fixing and maintaining about 1/2 mile of poorly cared for gravel road (probably my biggest concern)
3. Snow removal off the road in winter. We dont usually get much but on occasion we get about 8-12 inches of accumulation. Rarely, we get more.
4. Pulling out timber I am clearing off the slope mentioned above (there are bulldozer trails cut into the hillside)
5. General help with landscaping (moving rocks, trees to plant, bark, clearing debris after storms, etc.)

And these uses in the future:
1. Mowing my lawn (with a mid mount or rear mower)
2. Post hole digging
3. Tilling our garden once we expand it
4. Anything else you can think of

I've made my decisions thus far based on a total budget of about $26-28k for tractor plus implements and the constraints of keeping it a smaller frame for maneuverability and not too much weight to be able to use on the lawn. I'd also like to have as little frustration as possible with attaching/detaching the FEL and implements. I have both a John Deere and Kubota dealer fairly close so those are the only brands I'm looking at right now. So far here is what I think I'd like as a starter package:

-JD 3520, ehydro, R4 tires
-CX300 FEL
-Ballast box
-5' brush hog
-Box blade (haven't decided on size or model)
-Some sort of quick attach like imatch but I'm not sure what will work with all my planned implements
-Land leveler for road use like this one: YouTube - How To - Tractor Land Plane - Gravel Road Maintenance
-Maybe a rear blade for the snow removal

I'd like to know more about which Kubotas to look at but their product naming scheme has been confusing to me so far so if anyone could enlighten me on how to crack that code it would me much appreciated.

Ok, that's what I was thinking after doing hours upon hours of reading online but I've never even driven a tractor before so give me some experienced advice and tell me what you would get based on my planned applications. I've attached a few photos to give you some ideas about what I'm looking at with my property. The contour lines on the 2nd photo are 10ft.

Thanks for your help!

 

[grnspot110]

Looks like you're on the right track with the 3520! :thumbsup: I have a 2004 JD 790, a little smaller, but not much, I've been very happy with it.

Pesonally, I prefer JD, but then I'm a little biased , I grew up on JD's! ~~ grnspot110

 

[k0ua]

Look at the Kubota L3800 package just out.. think that will compare. Cant go wrong with either in my opinion.
James K0UA

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Look at some of these Kubota's, you're on the right track with your sizing.

Kubota Tractor Corporation - L Series - Compact Tractors

Sit on as many tractors as you can. Try to get a feel for where all the controls are and how they operate. Stay with the hydro transmissions, there just plain easier to use, especially for a rookie. Neither John Deere or Kubota are going to give you any problems, get the one that fits you the best. Try to get implements that are not bottom of the line, you'll be happier in the long run.

Good luck and don't be afraid to ask more questions.

 

[Grandad4]

Mpking, I think you are on the right track in your tractor planning so far, since you have very similar property to mine and your specs are pretty close to what I bought several years ago. We ended up with the Kubota brand, instead of JD, but they are both fine companies that make top tier products. We bought a slightly larger tractor than the 3520 you are considering, and the additional size and horsepower has been very useful over time, but a tractor in the 40 hp range would also have been entirely OK.

We started with FEL, box blade and brush mower attachments bought with the tractor. Other attachments were added later: backhoe, rear blade, tiller, post hole auger, fertilizer spreader, forks, carryall, etc. Never got a ballast box... the box blade is usually enough counterweight, and when it's not, the backhoe does the job.

I'd suggest you look at the Grand L Kubota models... L3540 (37hp), L3940 (40.5hp) and L4240 (44hp) are in the same list price range as the Deere you're considering, but I think they are a larger frame tractor than the 3520.

You could also consider going to a 6ft cutter. All of these tractors should handle a 6 ft mower... certainly the L3940 and L4240 would do so with ease.

If your implements are to be stored outdoors or on gravel, etc., the quick attach systems are very handy. We keep pretty much everything indoors on dollies so the attachments are just rolled up to the tractor and mounted easily.

If you read some of the threads here, you'll see that finding a good dealer counts for a lot... one that knows their products, has good service capability, will negotiate a fair deal and is honest. As between JD and Kubota, I'd give equal weight to choosing the right product and choosing a good dealer. Wouldn't leave out other brands either... some fine equipment and dealers besides green and orange.

 

[Johnbro]

Looks like you're on the right track. A mid-sized tractor with the implements you've mentioned will work well. You might consider looking for a used machine--you could potentially save quite a bit and still get a great tractor. My 2nd tractor was used, bought it from a reputable dealer sight unseen (photo only). they shipped it and I happily used it for 20 years.

Box blade (probably 72") and bush hog are no-brainers. My current tractor has 3 rear remotes for top and tilt plus one extra. The box blade i bought uses the extra remote for dropping the scarifiers. I find these remotes far more productive than my former tractor with a standard 3PH. So I would recommend you consider adding those, perhaps instead of the landscape scraper (haven't used one, but lots of people--including me--maintain gravel roads with a box blade). If you've got fencing to do, a post hole auger can be a real time saver. A carry-all for the 3ph will let you lug tools and stuff out to a project site. A tiller would be nice--I'd like one myself, but it only gets used twice a year (spring and fall) for about half a day each time, so is it worth it?

Other useful implements I've found over the years include a log splitter that runs off the tractor hydraulics, pallet forks for the QA loader, and a PTO-driven chipper for debris clean up. Of the three pallet forks have turned out to be the most useful, as well as the least expensive.

If you can rent a tractor for a day or two, try to rent several brands to try them out on some real projects. Since you haven't used a tractor before, it would be super helpful to get some seat time and see what you like and don't like. Some people like gears, some like HST. some people like green, some orange. R1 vs R4. and so on. So actually trying out doing real work--not just driving around the dealer's lot--will tell you a quite a bit.

HTH.

 

[Egon]

Ok, that's what I was thinking after doing hours upon hours of reading online but I've never even driven a tractor before

Maybe visit the dealers and drive a few tractors to see what you like ergonomically.:thumbsup:

 

[bp fick]

How you click with one dealer over another will play a HUGE part in your decision. :thumbsup:
As it should.

 

[nybirdman]

You didn't list your location,but with snow-fall we must assume the north,so a block heater should also be in the mix.Can't go wrong with JD or Kubota,again dealer choice as much as manufactor.Quick hitch bucket is also a must(Skid-Steer type),make sure FEL is also easily removed.
We are fortunate, have an Excellent Kubota and John Deere dealers in our area.I have owned two Kubota tractors L3130(31horse) and an L4240(44horse),we have three JD mowers.
In the Kubota line the L3940 is the sweet spot,right size and power.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[Wooddust]

You will never regret buying JD.

Having spent my life on farm and around farm equipment one thing seems to never change. Some one somewhere can and will make anything cheaper, lighter and promote it well. In the long run the stuff you buy that was heavier, better made, and usually a few bucks more will still be working when the cheap cut rate stuff is in a pile, rusted, twisted, bent or broke.

Off brands especially in the attachment world are a pain in the long run.