Posted: 8/13/2007 8:44:45 AM EDT
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Gents, I am looking to purchase a new (to me) tractor for my farm/home. I have a 10 acres farm outside of Pittsburgh. We raise sheep, some goats, turkeys, geese, chickens. There is a small orachard. I am currently useing my father-in-law's Massey-Furg TO20 (1948) and she's beat. I'm looking at tractors but having a hard time pulling the trigger and I would like imput / experiences. I am looking Diesels in 30 HP and 55 HP 2WD and 4WD I need a loader Hydrolics are a must as I plan to run alot of hydrolic tools (log splitter, etc.) Good three point/ PTO for the implments. I'm looking at used New Holland's. i have a 30 HP and 55 HP for about the same price. the 30 is 4WD and the 55 is 2WD. Thanks |
| I run a JD 1070. It is about 40HP, and has enough power to run most everything I need on my place. I saw an article in one of the homesteading magazines that said that front wheel assist pays for itself by reducing slippage as you pull your implements. Being in PA, plowing snow becomes an issue. I like front wheel assist, it really helps move more snow when you are pushing it with the blade. It doesn't have a hydrostatic transmission, but I don't really use it in a way that requires it (it would be handy for plowing snow). |
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What's the dealer/support situation in your area? I'd pick a color/brand second after parts/support. I like JD iron, but it sure is pricey. Long/Branson/Kioti/Montana all have some nice modern machines, some with 3-4 year warrenties. The interest rates and financing deals are 48 Months 0% sometimes, it certainly doesn't hurt to have a basically free loan. Cruise over to tractorbynet.com and read up. Alot of good info over there. Its the arfcom of tractors. I bought a Farmtrac (Long) 39HP 4x4 TLB package. Its a shuttle shift so loader work is easier than a straight gear. I didn't go for the Hydro tranny based on the work the machine does. Small Hyrdro trannies and working in the woods doesn't float my boat. Too much heat and too many hoses for me. I run 6' implemets without any prolem. The machine weighs in at 3000lbs without loader or backhoe. The hydraulic flow is fine for a tractor and it came standard with two sets of remotes for wood splitters, top N tilt, etc. I'm VERY glad I went with 4x4. The extra traction is great when I'm doing loader work or working in a soggy bottom. The fuel consumption vs work done is excellent. It took about 30 hrs for the Mitsubishi diesel to break in. It used alot more fuel when it was new. Typical of diesel engines. The Farmtrac units are Korean made (LG) and assembled in Tarboro, NC. I used the 48 Months 0% finance and so far everything is fine. All issues have been taken care of by the dealer. Filters and such are available at Napa and parts are easy to get as the factory is within driving distance. FYI, the Montana brand of tractors is the same machines with different badging so for parts I can also go to a Montana dealer. If my dealer doesn't stock the part I need, or he goes under...I have other options. |
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If you are going to do loader work and move snow with it, 4wd will easily double the value of a tractor for you. Moving snow with a loader and 2wd takes easily 3-4 times longer than with 4wd, as you can pack the loader full of snow driving into it. I'm partial to kubota, but the "big three" (New holland, kubota, and JD) all make good products. Try them all and pick the one that has the best ergomics/fit for you and where the dealer gives you a free hat. That said, my local used tractor dealer provides better service than any of the big 3 dealers, and is closer. He sells /resells all of the majior brands, and the discount on a 2-3 year old model is pretty decent. He sells 'century' (re-badged/refitted chinese tractors) and for better or worse, you can be 3 chicom pos for the price of one majior brand tractor. But if you buy one, buying the other two might not be a bad idea, so you will have the spare parts right there...  Remember that you will lose some PTO hp to the drive, and a little more if you go hydrostatic. |
| I bought a Kioti (Korean parts assembled in North Carolina) model DK35, 35 horse diesel, manual trans 4x4. It has a bucket, I bought a backhoe, scraper blade, York rake, Woods 6" chipper and a hydraulic 2-way wood splitter for about $27k as I recall. I use it a lot for all kinds of work. My land is very rocky and the rig gets quite a workout every time I dig. Its pretty rugged and very economical to run. |
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+1 as well on buying the 4WD tractor. When we bought our tractor years ago we thought about getting a 4WD but found a 2WD bought from a forclosed dealer for half the price. Although it was a good deal there has been a quite a few times when the 4WD would have been quite helpful. Also Green Tractors FTW |
TJ, what size Kubota did you end up with? What did you get for implements? hydraulic implements are my new facination. They cut down on the # of small gas engines to feed, and are near bulletproof. I'm currently looking into hydraulic chainsaws to compliment my hydro woodsplitter. Running a chainsaw and woodsplitter off one fuel sipping diesel engine seems like the ticket for my wood lot work. |
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I'm looking at getting a Kubota 3030 primarily for mowing 10-11 acres. Will also get FEL for clearing snow off 700' driveway and general fun. I'm wondering if it is worth an extra $2200 to get the cab with heater and AC. The JD guy in my area was a dick, so no business for him. What kind of wood chipper are you looking at? |
BX2350 We really wanted a front end loader and 60" mowing deck, like five acres to mow. Next adder will be the backhoe. The front end loader is hydraulic and comes on and off amazingly easy. The back has both a class I 3 point hitch and PTO. There's four external hydraulic hookups under the seat. This is a very small tractor but is almost mind boggling how much they crammed into it as far as options and capability. The size was a real factor since it takes up less space to park. Surprising little tractor. Tj |
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I've got a kubota 7100 hst (hydrostat) 4x4 It's only 16 hp, but it does a ton of work. Cat 1 3pt and dual speed pto, I've only got 3 acres and not much farming etc but I'd bet that it'd be sized just fine for ten as well. Equipment: Multi disc harrow 4' push blade 60" mower (main mower) middle buster (great for ditches) box blade rear dirt scoop (hand trigger type) and recently got a 4' bushhog (commercial strength) that loves to eat everything under 3" pine trees You can pick these up used on ebay and the like for $3-5k w/a lot of attachments. I'm going to build a FEL if I don't find a good deal on one by spring, and I've also got plans for a backhoe |
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I got a Kubota L3130 last year. +1 on the 4x4. I would not get one without if you have any hills or wet areas to deal with. As for the HP, think about what you will be doing the most of. If you are working 90% in 40 acre fields, a large tractor is the way to go. If you are brush-hogging around trees that are 8 ft apart, you need something smaller and manuvable. +1 on www.tractorbynet.com |
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I'll chime in also. I have 2 tractors. The little one is a Kubota L2350 with a loader and backhoe attachment. Great tractor. It is small but mighty and does the majority of the "chores" around my farm. The loader will lift 600 pound round hay bales without a complaint all day long. I don't know what the max load is, but I have never found it lacking. Small is a good thing if you need to get between trees/buildings for brushhog work or backhoe work. It also has 4wd which I consider a must. This tractor just keeps running with no problems and is very uncomplicated to repair if something does go wrong. It also easily loads and rides on my 20ft. flatbed trailer behind my F250 if I need to take it somewhere. No way can I put my big tractor on that trailer. My big tractor is a Massey 5455. I has FWA and a loader. FWA is a must have on this tractor also. I use it primarily for cutting/baling hay. It is too big to be a good chore tractor although in a pinch it will work if it can fit into the area it is needed. The biggest downfall from a survivalist standpoint is it is full of electronics and it would be very challenging to fix for anyone other than a real mechanic. Digital dashboards, computers, and electonically actuated valves are not going to be easily fixed in a SHTF situation. If you are looking for a small chore tractor I suggest getting a smaller 4x Kubota with a loader. If you are going to stick with New Holland I would choose the 30HP 4wd model for a 10 acre place. I have owned numerous other brands but have come to the conclusion that the smaller tractor Kubotas are better than JD's offerings. On smaller tractors you may have to buy a PTO powered hydraulic pump if you choose to run a backhoe attachment or other high flow hydraulic implements. That really is not a problem but just something to keep in mind. A log splitter uses very little hydraulic flow. Does the New Holland use the same type of Hydraulic fittings (pioneer?) that your attachments have? Also make sure the 3 point implements you plan on running and already have use the same category hitch your tractor comes with. Good luck! |
| Id say get a New Holland but not if you dont have a new holland dealer close by. Its always important to be able to get parts easy and fast. John Deere Id say ur paying for a name BUT they are good tractors and they have a really really good resale value. Kubota its got a good price but the one we have isnt near as tough as a New Holland or a deere. So I would get some prices and see the difference in distance from your home to JD dealer and home to NH dealer if you get a price thats similar Id decide by distance if there is a BIG distance dont decide over a few miles but if you have to drive and hour to get tractor parts it becomes a hassle. |