Not sure if anyone has asked this of forum members but what are your thoughts on the following:
20acres of land, mostly pine forest but with at least 5 or 6 acres of relatively flat pasture, 2+ feet of snow in the winter, -30 degree temps possible, 3 miles of private unimproved road (some of which you might want to plow or blow snow off of), penty of slash piles to move as well as dirt and rock. Desire to mow (brush hog) 10+ acres of the land.
What size in HP of a tractor would you buy?
Also, I've been looking at the following tractors and wonder if any of you have experience with them, the manufacturers etc etc....
Manhindra 3616 4wd 36hp with loader -- $18630 list plus loader (not listed)
Manhindra 4035 4wd 40hp with loader -- $22590 list plus loader (not listed)
Note: those are the list prices on the HST model but the Shuttle is a lower price (not sure why) and I couldn't get actual price with a loader as it states higher 3 point hitch and loader CAPACITY.
Massey Ferguson 1635 w/loader and 60" standard bucket -- $25474
Massey Ferguson 2605 w/loader and 66" standard bucket -- $23631 (this is my preference I think)
Branson 3520R w/loader and standard bucket (not sure of size) -- ~$22500 (probably least likely to buy at this point).
I looked at the Case tractors (my wifes father was a Case guy from way back) but price seemed quite a bit more then the rest and I'm not interested in a green tractor (snicker)...nor a Kubota (price seems too high for me)....so, if you had you choice would you go with the Massey or is there another brand I ought to look at?
I've been looking at both used and new and know of a Massey 245 that is being painted right now after a complete overhaul and with a loader will run $8500 and is only 2wd which might be tough in the winter at my place.
Anyway, I'm not in a hurry and know some of you have tractors that you use a lot so please feel free to tell me what you think.
Thanks!
Erik
I have some pretty serious tractor experience.
My take on your needs.
1. 30 hp is plenty...more is OK but not needed.
2. 4WD ...definitely
3. Good used is good and may be great. You will to be using it all that much so not a great need to pay for more than you need in terms of "remaining hours". Lots of very accurate ways to check major parts for wear. etc.
4. Along with #3...lots of farmers trade really good machines and Ag prices been good lately, so farmers by a new tractor, new pick up and whatever else next. Might be worthwhile to go into hard Ag country to buy as the casual user tractor can have lots of issues.
5. Mahindra...no
6. If you mean JD when you say green, you need to get over it as best you can have, especially used.
Quote from: alextrent on June 15, 2012, 09:40:33 PM
I have some pretty serious tractor experience.
My take on your needs.
1. 30 hp is plenty...more is OK but not needed.
2. 4WD ...definitely
3. Good used is good and may be great. You will to be using it all that much so not a great need to pay for more than you need in terms of "remaining hours". Lots of very accurate ways to check major parts for wear. etc.
4. Along with #3...lots of farmers trade really good machines and Ag prices been good lately, so farmers by a new tractor, new pick up and whatever else next. Might be worthwhile to go into hard Ag country to buy as the casual user tractor can have lots of issues.
5. Mahindra...no
6. If you mean JD when you say green, you need to get over it as best you can have, especially used.
Great feedback thanks :)
My father-in-law was a die hard Case man and described John Deeres in a way that wasn't flattering ;) and while I don't really have an issue with any manufacturer because I don't know tractors I just think he'd roll over in his grave if I bought a 'Green $#%#@' tractor! lol -- actually my wife has to approve the sale too and I think if I said I was getting a JD she'd refuse to go along with it on principle.
Maybe not though and I've looked at some of them because frankly I think they might be cheaper.
Used has been my main focus actually, and I've seen a LOT of good used tractors though I find it harder to find Case and Massey Ferguson's used then I do John Deeres and Kubota's etc -- and when I was looking at trucks back in the 90's you could find tons of Fords and Chevy's but not so many Dodges. Why? The theory was that people kept their dodges.
I don't know if it works that way for tractors but I'm assuming (because I'm a rookie) that it's the same way. THe Kubota lovers, well, love orange and the John Deere fanatics love Green and the Massey and Case guys love red....or something like that....
Anyway, I was surprised by your comment on the Manhindra actually, because I know they just won a big award while the Branson's have a poorer reputation I think.
Anyway, thanks again! I'm seriously looking at used Massey's but might have to compare them to JD's to see what prices I can get.
A 4wd 35hp Green tractor for $10k is better then same year same spec red one for $15k in my book! ;)
Also looked at some New Holland tractors but they just seemed small compared to similar priced Massey's.
Looked at a similar JD to the Massey I prefer and it was about $5000 more then the Massey and $7k more then the Branson.
I have a JD 3032e i bought new in 2009.
it is 4WD, tractors with loaders need 4WD if you plan on using the loader.
I have small acreage and wish I would have bought one with more than 30 hp.
at the same time, if i would have bought a 50 hp, I would probably want a 80 hp.
You might want to check out TractorByNet.com, you can learn a lot about tractors from the forums there.
I know that if you want to get a good buy on a used tractor, you should check your sources on a daily basis.
I looked for two years before I finally found a good buy; I was finally considering a new tractor when I saw a new listing on Craig's list. By that time, I had learned enough about tractors to know to jump on the one I finally got. It was a Kubota L4200. The seller was moving overseas and wanted a quick sale. I paid right at about 50% of what they were selling for across the country.
If I had bought new, it was going to be a Kioti. From what I have read by the owners on the forums, they offer the quality of Kubota at several thousands less.
Good luck,
Arky
Likely should not have been so negative on the Mahindra...no real first hand experience.
A couple of grand is well worth it for one that goes...or else the fun goes out of it.
Kubota ia a great tractor in the 30-40 HP range.
Hardest working tractor I owned was a 30 HP IH..about 10 years old but had a life on a tobacco farm where there was no heavy work. 2WD but never missed a lick.
I researched, test drove and stayed up all night trying to figure out what tractor to buy. Here is my two cents... You will not go wrong with the Big 3- Kubota-JD and NH. You will pay a little more for the JD, than the Kubota or NH. All compact tractors are made overseas. Some are assembled in the USA. Mitsubishi, Yanmar and others are off brands of the NH and JD.
I bought a Kubota- My decision was based on parts availablity, repair work, dealer support, and re-sale value. I agree with what someone else said about Tractorby net- great site.
Your decision on HP has a lot to do with what you intend to do. I use mine for everything from cleaning the barn to mowing to grading my driveway. I have the B-2410 HST. I have a blade, box scaper, mower and auger. The reason I went with the B2410 is so that I could get it into the barn and through my trees when I mow. My neighbor had a 35 hp with a backhoe. It seemed a little top heavy and I felt for the money spent on the backhoe attachment , he could have rented an excavator that is much easier to operate.
If you have any slope at all- 4wd and HST is a must. With the HST you can stop on a slope, without applying the brake. The HST allows a lot of freedom and no clutch to tire your left leg out.
If you go with a smaller tractor, just plan on more time to complete the project. I love spending time on my tractor so- more time to complete a project is great.
Good luck
Thanks for the posts.
Had a chat with my dad who grew up on a farm. He told me about his fathers Farmall A (15hp?) that they used nonstop to work the farm (in Iowa).
He suggested I didn't need new nor any bigger then 30hp.
The 4wd he felt wasn't really needed except that he then commented with the grades I have to drive (and clear of snow) that the 4wd might be better to have.
So I'm taking another look for used 4wd tractors in the 30hp range.
my first tractor was a 2 wheel drive without a loader, a Mitsubishi.
now that I have a tractor with a loader, I'm not sure how I ever lived without it.
I use the loader bucket to move lumber scraps, tools, of coarse dirt and gravel.
in your area, would be good for snow removal.
tractor of.choice is more of a regional thing. just dont buy one of the non brand name ones and buy the one that has the closest shop for repairs and parts for you. buying "the best" tractor doesnt help if its 300mi to get an oil filter
I wish I had need for a tractor! They are not only useful (but not for me) but fun machines.
i like old tractors. my new place is just under an acre so i dont need a tractor but i want one so i am looking for a farmall cub with a belly mower and a blade
Quote from: CjAl on June 16, 2012, 09:09:32 AM
i like old tractors. my new place is just under an acre so i dont need a tractor but i want one so i am looking for a farmall cub with a belly mower and a blade
You can mount a blade under the belly of a IH Cub and works very well as a minigrader
Quote from: CjAl on June 16, 2012, 07:16:06 AM
tractor of.choice is more of a regional thing. just dont buy one of the non brand name ones and buy the one that has the closest shop for repairs and parts for you. buying "the best" tractor doesnt help if its 300mi to get an oil filter
I am more concerned with parts being available. I can always keep a filter and air cleaner on the shelf. However that said my buddy was in Portland bought a Yanmar used off a landscape guy. It, the trailer and all the implements from a loader to scraper and brush mower. I laughed when he told me about his buy. Good luck getting parts I said. He is a fixer and fusser type guy. Anything he needs is here the following day so it seems.
OJ my dad he never spoke well of JD Green. We were IH around the farm and ranch. Yet way after he retired we realized we made the most of his money with an old JD A loader tractor I still have. That is going to be one of my retirement winter projects rebuilding it.
As far as four wheel drive at almost seems as if it doubles your power. Then there is do you want balast in your tires or not and what type of fluid to use. They have gotten away from the old stand by Calcium Chloride as it is very corrosive. I have seen a list of fluids available and freezing resistance from water to beet juice. Don't laugh it is good down to -35 and available through a dealer network and is non toxic and almost as heavy as Calcium Chloride. I have a IH that the rims need replaced because of the Calcium Chloride over the years.
Interesting day.
I went to the New Holland dealer and found a 1520 35hp w/loader for $16,900 and a 1510 w/loader for $15375
That tractor actually looks and sounds like just about the right size for my needs and the price is quite a bit less then I expected.
I then went to the JD dealer to see what they were offering in a similar class. I got a lot of talk about how great they are (I might add) and the tractor (3038E w/loader) lists at $16,780 according to the website and I was quoted $18,900 after taxes.
So not much difference and cheaper then I expected. I was also told I could get a 41hp w/loader (4035 I think) for about $20k.
All in all I'm still thinking the 1520 New Holland is a good deal and would likely do all I wanted but the JD 3038E is about the same with the same pricing more or less.
Still trying to get information on dealer pricing of Massey's and other brands but it's looking more and more like New Holland and JD have decent small tractors with loaders in a price range I might be able to live with.
you cant go wrong withbeither one. i always bought new holland skid loaders over john deer because the jd hydraulics always felt clunky to me. but i like jd tractors.
Quote from: CjAl on June 16, 2012, 03:15:40 PM
you cant go wrong withbeither one. i always bought new holland skid loaders over john deer because the jd hydraulics always felt clunky to me. but i like jd tractors.
THanks
I noticed on the JD the rear diff lock was a half pressed break peddle (which makes me pause because I can see bouncing up and down on it in rough terrain) whereas the NH locking diff control was a lever.
http://www.tractor.com/manufacturers/new-holland/2011-new-holland-t1510-review-1466.html
Good review on the NH 1510
I liked the 35hp model but Dad says I don't need that much.
On a side note, used tractors are getting harder to find and higher in price! I hadn't given it much thought before but I guess the bad economy has driven a lot of people to buy used.
Food for thought.
new holland is probably going to be the best bang for your buck. their financing is good too, or at least it used to be. my brother was the matco tool guy for the new holland dealer and friends with the salesman so i used to get some pretty good deals. dont be afraid to hagle prices
Quote from: CjAl on June 16, 2012, 03:32:11 PM
new holland is probably going to be the best bang for your buck. their financing is good too, or at least it used to be. my brother was the matco tool guy for the new holland dealer and friends with the salesman so i used to get some pretty good deals. dont be afraid to hagle prices
Thanks.
Well my wife tells me she thinks within the next 3 months we could buy a tractor (she holds the checkbook or I'd already have two and be broke! lol) so I have to wait until she approves the sale but at $15k we're starting to talk a price range I'm more comfortable with.
I guess this 1510 was part of a promo deal and the dealer wants to sell but I suspect the price could come down a little since they aren't offering any screaming deal on interest rates (NH's site claims 0% for 60 months but the dealer seems to feel his price is too good for that deal)....
Anyway, if I buy used I'm more then likely going to pay cash but buying new with a small down-payment would free that cash up for implements -- of which I'd need at least 2 or 3 to start.
Anyway, lots to think about but I think I might be getting closer to settling on a tractor...
I would suggest buying as much HP as you can. If you are like me you will find in most cases more Hp would have been nice. I am thinking specifically with the loader and bush hogging chores. I currently have a small 24 HP Kubota which I bought new. I wish I had more Hp. I also have owned a Ford 1720 which was a great little tractor. I wish it had more HP. If i could find one, a ford 1920 is a great tractor but I would probably want more HP. Buy the Implements with the tractor. Package as much stuff as you can in the buy and leverage the implement price with the tractor. It is a major investment and you want to be sure you get all that you want. I would also consider what dealers are close to your property and home so that when you need service there is some one close by that has a reputation for good service. That might be the Green guy.
Thanks Chuck.
Spoke with the Mahindra dealer today -- seems like the 3616 would be doable and with the 5yr warranty does sound appealing.
The boss (wife) told me to start planning to buy the tractor! [cool]
So it's time to get REALLY serious. She's ok with buying one this summer though would prefer late summer.
She's the finance boss of this home (good thing too!) and with her approval it's no longer and IF but only now a WHEN and the when sounds like within the next 3 months.
I'm getting pretty excited!
I know northern tool has a line of 4wd tractors, does anyone have any experience with them?
For the $15k they want I'd go to a New Holland if price is only consideration since the price is only slightly more for same size.
More then likely I'll get a Mahindra, JD or New Holland at this point (It's narrowing down to that I think).
Mostly like final factor will be financing and parts/service availability at the property....with the 5yr warranty on the Mahindra adding a little extra weight to the equation.
If JD has the same warranty though, then I might have to go that route since a JD dealer is right there in that neck of the woods -- my only issue is that the JD is really, I think, a Yanmar and I'm not sure they are as good as the Mitsubishi Manhindra.
When I bought my JD 3032 they also had the 3038.
the difference was a turbo.
they both had the same lift/pull capability.
the 3038 was $1000. or a little more than the 3032.
also, What made me choose JD over other brands, and since I was buying a package deal, frontier implements were better made than the howse implements included with the other deals I was looking at.
also my JD is a hydrostatic drive... I love the feature.
Good points -- the 3032 (E or D can't remember) is what I was looking at but the price was for the 38 -- seemed like a nice tractor with good features -- some things I liked better then the NH and some on the NH I liked better then the JD -- seems 6 of one, half dozen of the other.
The Mahindra 3616 is about the same price as the JD3038 and pretty much the same power though I think it lifts more (have to double check that)...
Parts are more available at the property for the JD I imagine but financing isn't as good....6 of one....
good luck on your search, I like orange, green, blue, or red.
a buddy of mine has a mahindra, and he loves it! he has owned it for years, and has never had a problem.
just remember, get a tractor that has everything you think you will need.
power steering, shuttle shift or hydro, loader, 4wd, maybe a remote or two?
Its cheaper to do it the first go around.
Thanks :)
This one: (http://www.mahindrausa.com/images/products/tractors/overview/large/mahindra_lifestyle_5010-hay-bales_779px.jpg)
Has really gotten my attention. $20k if bought this month with good financing options and 50hp! It's a beast!
I think with the loader it weighs over 7000 lbs and the salesman tells me that he believes it's actually the best deal money can buy right now in Mahindra's (almost the same price as the 4035 40hp tractor -- less actually -- and only $1400 more then the 36hp 3616 that weighs almost half as much).
Many on tractorbynet seem to think 40-50hp is what I need to look for and in a Utility not a compact....
Price isn't bad, size is HUGE but power to lift a LOT of weight and run any implement I could dream of.
If you need power and weight, that sure looks like a deal. On the other hand, if you do not, sometimes too big is a hinderance. you don't what a garden tractor, but there is a reason you see all those 30-35 horse tractors on big farms. After giving you all that "buy small" advice, I probably would buy the big one
Quote from: alextrent on June 20, 2012, 03:53:32 PM
If you need power and weight, that sure looks like a deal. On the other hand, if you do not, sometimes too big is a hinderance. you don't what a garden tractor, but there is a reason you see all those 30-35 horse tractors on big farms. After giving you all that "buy small" advice, I probably would buy the big one
I go back and forth but the price keeps making me think that if I can't save $5000 on buying a 35hp compact then why do it? I have 20 acres to work and about 3 miles of road to grade, plow and fix....maybe the big one is the ticket....I don't really know though
Three mile of road...I go for the big one. Just the bigger grading tools will save you lots of time.
Quote from: OlJarhead on June 20, 2012, 01:01:47 PM
This one has really gotten my attention. $20k if bought this month with good financing options and 50hp! It's a beast!
Price isn't bad, size is HUGE but power to lift a LOT of weight and run any implement I could dream of.
I think you have a winner there.
my tractor is butt ugly, but even with only 1/2 mile of road to maintain,4600 ford, 50 hp is where it's at. Neighbor has a 30 hp New Holland, nice little tractor, but not near big enough to do any real work. Sad part was he had to come borrow mine because his wouldn't pull a decent disc. plus a bigger tractor can pull a much larger bush hog.
(https://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af36/zion-dyi/Just%20stuff/ford.jpg)
Trying to get final details worked out now! :D
Mahindra 5010 50hp 4wd with loader and canopy, box blade and mower!
Hoping to go back to the dealer Friday....I'm pretty stoked! Can't to get mowing, skidding logs, cleaning up the mess and so much more!
Details worked out for the most part -- appt set for Friday....I might not make it to Friday though! I'm too excited! [cool]
Good luck!
Bruce
Having yearned for a small tractor for several years has given me lots of time to explore...and...don't forget that you will need a place to put it when not in use. Winters are not friendly to equipment...hydraulics and all that.
A $3000 water line repair in our home may put this tractor buying on hold :(
Maybe we'll get lucky and the repair will cost less but maybe we won't....either way, unexpected repairs like this suck.
Quote from: OlJarhead on June 28, 2012, 11:35:28 AM
A $3000 water line repair in our home may put this tractor buying on hold :(
Now you have a
excuse need for that backhoe attachment you wanted but couldn't justify buying
Quote from: Rob_O on June 28, 2012, 06:52:53 PM
Now you have a excuse need for that backhoe attachment you wanted but couldn't justify buying
LOL nah, luckily I got a second opinion and with the help of the new guy was able to find the problem and dramatically reduce the cost of repairs!
WhooHoo! I think the tractor might be back on the menu!
WE DID IT!!! WHooHoo!
Congrats! :)