Yet Another New Tractor Buyer

[warriordba]

Hi all, I am like most trying to get the best trator for the money. I think I am settling on a Kubota probably the B7610, but how would you rate that against say a NH TC25. I have seen threads that say Kioti should be less but our local Kioti dealer seems to be higher than Kubota.

Despite a neighbor saing Deere has better resale, I think the best advice I was given was buy a tractor for keeps and ignore resale.

I admit I am tempted by low price/ high HP of the Jimni's but to be honest when you read between the lines of all the good stuff, most of the forum talk on them seems to be about finding parts, finding service fixing this and that etc so I am leary. Should I be??

I want the tractor mostly for the front loader and to attach a post digger etc. I might move snow with it in the winter. While I have 9 acres, much is wooded and the rest pasture. My little 2048 Sabre handles most of the mowing.

Thanks,
Glenn

 

[RoyJackson]

I think your not being too concerned about resale is a good idea.

If you have a Deere dealer around, it wouldn't hurt to look at them. They might be more competitive then you think (or, vastly overpriced...)

If you do look at Deeres, the only one I'd NOT recommend is the 3202 as that does not have a method to operate with the operator off seat. You might need that when you use a post hole digger.

Personally, I think the B7610 will be too small for your needs. I looked at the previous model, the B7500. Nice machine, but for 9 acres (depending on how much you intend to work)...bit small. So, while you're at the Kubota store, look at the B7800.

I'm sure you can get some good deals with the lesser known brands, but you do take the (bigger) risk of being an orphan when it comes to parts, service and reliability. It also depends on how much mechanical talent you have...and if you're OK with turning a wrench.

Nothing wrong with used tractors either, so that's another option.

 

[SkunkWerX]

Glenn,
As far as your comparison of the NH TC and the Kubota, I will tell you this story.

When I was looking (purchased this spring) I asked my dealer about the difference. They sell both brands, and they had started as a Ford/NewHolland dealer long ago, picking up the Kubota line about 10 years ago when another dealer closed down.

My dealer said they weren't overly impressed with the NH's , in that class of tractor. he told me if i was going larger, he'd have me in a NH, but, in the smaller class, they tended to think the Kubota was better.

They had more NH's lined up than Kubota's, which he said moved off the lot more briskly.

I had already made my mind up for Kubota, before even walking into the dealer, based on my own research, but, after hearing him give his comparison, I felt I had made the right choice.

Now, before anyone thinks I'm knocking the smaller NH's , there is not a huge difference between them. Some of it is going to be personal preference.

You have to look at the dealership, parts, service, distance as well as the machine itself. If you have a NH dealer 15 miles away, and the nearest 'Bota dealer is 60 miles away, that could have a big influence on anyone's purchase! Same goes for Deere. Out of the 3 of them, in that class of tractor, I don't think any of them is vastly superior over the other.
It's just looking at Price/Features/Dealer/ and what you feel fits your needs best.

I'll add to what Roy said, you may need a bit larger?
Depends on how much of your 9 acres isn't going to be touched.
I'd look more at the B3030, or, dare I say...[gasp]...the GL3130.

Good Luck!! Post some pictures when it's delivered!
(Whatever you choose you'll be happy.)

 

[ChuckinNH]

I thought that the John Deere's would be a lot more expensive too, but found that they really weren't. The direct comparison for the B7610 (which I have also looked at, and liked) is the JD2320. The best price I've gotten on a B7610 was $14,100 with fel. The best price I've gotten on the 2320 was $14,500 with fel, loaded tires, and ballast box. Since the usual charge for the loaded tires is $200 in this area, and the ballast box is $200, it's a wash.......... and you get position control, brakes that you can use for steering, drive over mower deck, and JD backhoe option that is not 3pt mounted ...... though it isn't the strongest hoe around. The loader hydraulics, and performance is smoother, and faster on the Kubota, and the optional front mounted attachments are a better match for the tractor size wise. Your call there I guess. If you are going to be using a post hole digger ( I have no experience with them) many like the clutch setup on the Kubota much more than the independent pto control on the JD. Lots of things to consider, but price shouldn't be a show stopper on those two choices.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I want the tractor mostly for the front loader and to attach a post digger etc. I might move snow with it in the winter. While I have 9 acres, much is wooded and the rest pasture. My little 2048 Sabre handles most of the mowing.

Are you sure a tractor is what you need? I would take a look at the power-trac models since they would be ideal for FEL and posthole drilling work if you're not doing any conventional ag that requires a tractor. They also do fine for mowing. Another possibility would be a used skidsteer, again champs for FEL and drilling holes.

If you do want a tractor, I will simply add my 1.5 cents that I looked at JD absolutely last because I had always assumed they were overpriced and not worth it. I changed my views 180 after seeing, driving, and pricing them, and I now own a JD. Not to knock any brand, but don't count JD out based on assumptions. I would generally agree to pick based on your use and not resale value, and I find the comment especially entertaining because so many people here claim that Kubota has better resale than all others.

 

[IslandTractor]

From your description of your intended work, the Kioti CK20 would be fine. It has as good a FEL as any of the tractors up to 30hp (stronger than the Kubota 7610) and 21hp should be fine for post hole digging.

What part of the country are you in?

Kioti pricing is often odd as smaller dealers often seem to think they can quote list price. The bigger dealers seem to be more realistic and price competitive. Undiscounted Kioti will often cost more than discounted Kubota or even JD. Discounted Kioti is generally quite a bit less so the goal is to find a realistic Kioti dealer (there are many including several on TBN who deliver interstate). You could also talk to the first dealer and ask him to beat the others. You'd be comparing to the CK20 (at bit less power than the other two but just as strong a loader and heavier). Again, it depends on the dealer but by shopping around you should be able to get the Kioti's for less than the equivalent Kubota/JD.

All the tractors that have been mentioned would do the job for you but I personally would not think more than a 21hp tractor with a good loader is necessary unless there are other tasks (eg mowing 9 acres) that you haven't told us about.

 

[warriordba]

Hey folks, thank you for all the helpful replies. It helps a lot. To answer the last question, I live near Hanover PA. The best quote so far (from a Maryalnd dealer) has been 15,700 for the 7610 with FEL , 54 in mower and ballast box and 17,715 for the 7800 with 60 in mower and 60 in FEL. I probably will follow your advice and take another stab at a Kioti price as well.

Thanks,

Glenn

 

[RoyJackson]

Hey folks, thank you for all the helpful replies. It helps a lot. To answer the last question, I live near Hanover PA. The best quote so far (from a Maryalnd dealer) has been 15,700 for the 7610 with FEL , 54 in mower and ballast box and 17,715 for the 7800 with 60 in mower and 60 in FEL. I probably will follow your advice and take another stab at a Kioti price as well.
Thanks,
Glenn

Did you try the Deere Dealer in Hanover...or Messicks in Abbottstown?
As far as prices...if you're OK with gears, you may as well look at the 790. That would be a B7800 sized tractor for the B7610 price (with MFWD and loader)
I used to work in Hanover, BTW. I normally deal with Southern York Turf and Tractor in Shrewsbury.
I'm in Windsor, about 25 miles east of you...

 

[IslandTractor]

Hey folks, thank you for all the helpful replies. It helps a lot. To answer the last question, I live near Hanover PA. ..... I probably will follow your advice and take another stab at a Kioti price as well.

Check out Wallace Tractor in Lake Ariel, PA

 

[RoyJackson]

Check out Wallace Tractor in Lake Ariel, PA

That's up past Scranton...a goodly hike.

 

[IslandTractor]

That's up past Scranton...a goodly hike.

Let your fingers do the walking...570-689-7494. Ask for Rick. Worked for me.

I wouldn't necessarily do that for Kubota, JD or NH who have many more dealerships. Kioti tractors IMO are great values but the dealership situation is still spotty compared to the big three. The phenomenon discussed earlier that there are some smaller dealers who don't seem to understand price competition is the reason that one needs to consider seeking prices from a high volume dealer. You'll still need to decide if you are happy operating with telephonic support but it works for a lot of happy Kioti campers here on TBN. Kinda like buying that new plasma TV from Amazon rather than the local store to save $$$. The difference is that Wallace (and a few other big dealers like it) is in fact at heart a local tractor store rather than just a mail order shop. They just operate and support via phone/UPS/trailer more than the local stores. Again, if I had an excellent dealer down the street I might argue it would be worth paying a bit more and working with that dealer but when the dealer down the street is a small shop and doesn't have the experience, it might be better to look further. For someone who is not comfortable doing their own routine service and fixing small items (which is about 95% of what you'd rely on the dealer for) the local dealer is going to make more sense. Kubota, JD and NH have much better dealer networks today for that sort of direct service/support. However, telephones, email and UPS certainly help close the gap. You still want an excellent dealer for after sales support but that dealer doesn't need to be down the street. In my own experience, even though I bought my first tractor from a local dealer, I never took it back to the dealership again and operated via telephone and UPS even from that dealer (30 minutes away). That made me much less shy about looking more broadly for the second tractor.

 

[RoyJackson]

I bought my 790 from a Dealer 350 miles away. However, there are 2 Deere dealers within 25 miles. That, and knowing the reliability of the 790 (my 670 was basically the same machine as the 790), gave me a warm fuzzy feeling about buying a long distance machine.
That's not for everybody though. One thing you won't get if you buy long distance is the close rapport with your local dealer.

 

[warriordba]

Well I spoke with our local Kioti dealer and they are now carrying Massey-Ferguson as well and suggested they could beat my Kubota price with the Massey. So my question is what do you folks think of M-F in the compact range??

Thanks,

Glenn

 

[Z-Michigan]

MF is a good brand also. They are part of AGCO now, which is a huge ag machinery company. Take a look at the MF compacts and see if you like them.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

Glenn,
go test ride one. I did and liked the M-F 15XX series a lot, even if I ended up buying something different. Comfy seat, good control locations, nice turning radius.
Also - when you're looking, ask if they have any demo models. The one I ended up with had 4 hours on it and was an 05 on the lot in 06, so my dealer knocked about $4-5k off the price for the same thing in the current year.

 

[warriordba]

Hi all. I contacted the Kioti / M-F dealer. His price on the ck20 is still not compettive with the Kubota B7610 price I have. The M-F is way more. The only way the M-F price competes is if I drop to the M-F sub-compact line and then of course I can still beat it by going to the Kubota subs. I am going to pay the M-F dealer a visit to look just to play it safe but.....

..... it looks like I am Kubota bound. The only decison is to take the 7800 or use that extra $2000 to buy the 7610 and some accessories (post hole digger etc). On that note would any one trust a TSC (Tractor Supply Company) post hole digger. Folks have told me anything from TSC will not last too long.

To paraphrase a long gone Baltimore Sportscaster, "Stick a fork in me I am done!!" or if your prefer, "The Tractor Lady is about to Sing"

Thanks again for all the great advice!!

Glenn

 

[VABlue]

TSC equipment isn't the best built stuff, but if you use it with care and take your time it should stay healthy and get the job done for a long time. Its like anything else - if you take care of it and use it carefully, it will last. I think most people that go through lesser made stuff treat it like it's heavy duty... It really depends on your soil - a TSC PHD will go through sand pretty easily, but would require some more care and patience to get through hardpacked clay. It may not go through stone... Mileage varies by use and patience.

 

[warriordba]

Hey guys, I know this is not a tractor question but you all probably know anyway, speaking of inexpensive stuff what are your thoughts on equipment from Harbor Freight. I was interested in their 30 ton , 9 HP log splitter. Really Cheap price, under $1100.. Folks who own them say they are good but then you also see the same folks mention things like the hydraulic hoses are thin and have to be immediately replaced, the hydraulic fluid is hard to fill and the levers are mounted inconveniently. Engine is nice, Robin-Subaru.

Thanks,

Glenn

 

[RoyJackson]

Hey guys, I know this is not a tractor question but you all probably know anyway, speaking of inexpensive stuff what are your thoughts on equipment from Harbor Freight. I was interested in their 30 ton , 9 HP log splitter. Really Cheap price, under $1100.. Folks who own them say they are good but then you also see the same folks mention things like the hydraulic hoses are thin and have to be immediately replaced, the hydraulic fluid is hard to fill and the levers are mounted inconveniently. Engine is nice, Robin-Subaru.

The old adage applies: You get what you pay for...

 

[crbr]

The old adage applies: You get what you pay for...

True that, indeed.