Buying tractors help

[timberghost72]

I think it is about time to upgrade my tractor (I have a 40 year old Kubota) and was hoping for advice and tips from those who've purchased a new tractor. Looking at the new prices though I may have to buy used but for now I'm looking at new. I have been researching and going to the dealers for a few months now and really like the JD's over the Kubota's but I know the Kubota's are solid machines so I am still on the fence. About 75/25 in favor of the JD's.

So I am looking at either the 1 & 2 series JD's and the BX and B series on the Kubota's. Really like the JD2025. So some questions I have are:

- Do dealers move on price at all aside from factory promotions? Can I negotiate?
- The JD dealer told me that insurance is mandatory on financed tractors even if financed through my bank and not JD. Is this true?
- Is it worth driving to Oregon to save on taxes and maybe price of tractor?
- The quote JD sent me has a charge of adding ballast to the rear tires ($285). Says they do this to all tractors and not an option to op-out. Is this true? I'm not opposed to that but I have a counter weight I currently use.
- Does anyone have experience buying a Kubota from Scholten's Equipment in Mount Vernon or Lynden. They have some tractor trailer packages that seem too good.

Any other things that I should think about?

Thank you.
Tony

[Gobble Doc]

Got a BX23S. Didn’t go to Lynden. I would walk into the service shop next time before getting a tractor. I live in Snohomish and where I got mine was a complete sty. I like mine. Can’t comment good or bad for green as this is my first.


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[jrebel]

Don't have much to add but I just purchased a Massey Ferguson 1700 series (1736) for a great price.  It had 100 hours on it and it came with all the warranties and an upgraded front bucket.  So far it has been a powerhouse.  I would look at other manufacturers just a point of reference.  I started out only considering kabota and am glad I looked at the massey

[Boss .300 winmag]

I just had to put new rims on mine because the calcium ballast corroded out my rims, it has beet juice in them now for 96 gallons x $3 .

I don’t see any reason to have it if your running a hitch ballast and it works for you, I like it since I have a hoe attachment on full time.

Tell them you’re going somewhere else if they won’t leave it out.

[jrebel]

Don't forget you need a dump trailer will any tractor.  Second pic is dark but you get the point.....  

[Gobble Doc]

I want a dump trailer.


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[Magnum_Willys]

Make sure to upgrade to clamshell bucket.  Once you have one you will wonder how you ever got by without it. Doubles what your tractor can do.  Makes you lazy tho - never get off the seat.  Heh.

[Magnum_Willys]

Hauled these old lawn tractors to recycle the other day - with clamshell bucket just cherry picked them up and set on the flatbed. 

[Knocker of rocks]

- The JD dealer told me that insurance is mandatory on financed tractors even if financed through my bank and not JD. Is this true?

Your bank would know better than a dealer.  Seems like it could be optional depending on the cost and the assests of the borrower.

[jrebel]

- The JD dealer told me that insurance is mandatory on financed tractors even if financed through my bank and not JD. Is this true?

Your bank would know better than a dealer.  Seems like it could be optional depending on the cost and the assests of the borrower.

I would imagine any finaned tractor would need insurance to secure the loan.  Most tractors will fall under the homeowners policy which should be sufficient.  We have an umbrella policy so the tractor is covered. 

[Knocker of rocks]

I just meant that if you have $5 million in cash in BoA they're not going to sweat you over little stuff.

[Knocker of rocks]

Actually BoA would.

Resubmit my answer with a reasonable financial institution instead

[baldopepper]

I recently purchased a little Kubota 2380. Shopped and looked at all of them and liked the feel and ease of operation of the Kubota. Everything on the Kubota is made by Kubota and parts are easily purchased after market (might wanna check that out on the JD's). I bought in Oregon as the quote was $1500.00 cheaper than any dealer up here and one other obvious reason. While I was there 4 others were picking up and all were from Washington.  I used their 0% finance program and bought their insurance as it was about the same as I was quoted by our agent. Very happy with it this far.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Yeah if I would have bought new it would have come from Oregon, no registration equals no TAX.👍

[Zardoz]

Wonderful information here. Since I will never be able to afford a new tractor, or a good used one, If anyone has a working free one, keep me in mind.        

[YellowDog]

So if a guy bought some acreage (7) and is going to need a tractor for mowing, plowing snow, moving dirt, landscaping and general hobby farm use and is considering doing his own excavation for a house and shop, what is the minimum class/series that will get the job done. Lot is pretty level, not rocky(was hay field). Im thinking since I will need a tractor eventually anyway is it possible buy a compact tractor to do my own excavation to offset the cost by not hiring the job done.

[BD1]

I bought a Kubota 3301 L Series. I run a Land Pride brush cutter...but it mows like a mower too. Bought a grapple (Titan) off Amazon (PRIME delivery to my house)....it is amazing but had the dealer put on an additional hydro piped to the front with thumb button. As many will say, go bigger than you think or as much as you can afford. I shopped for a long time. Talking with some in Oregon...there is a chance...be it small, that you could get zapped on tax. I may be totally wrong but didn't risk it. Super happy with my purchase. Side note* Kubota is compatible with all Skidsteer attachments which I like and also have friends who run skidsteer stuff that I can use seamlessly. If you have questions PM me...you will wonder why you didn't buy one sooner 

[Magnum_Willys]

My 35hp JD 4400 has been a beast for me making roads out of hillsides, digging stumps, tilling, mowing, etc.    I wouldn't want any larger and could get by with smaller for some work but with a 60" deck 35hp is nice, could handle a 6 ft deck.   

[andersonjk4]

I think it is about time to upgrade my tractor (I have a 40 year old Kubota) and was hoping for advice and tips from those who've purchased a new tractor. Looking at the new prices though I may have to buy used but for now I'm looking at new. I have been researching and going to the dealers for a few months now and really like the JD's over the Kubota's but I know the Kubota's are solid machines so I am still on the fence. About 75/25 in favor of the JD's.

So I am looking at either the 1 & 2 series JD's and the BX and B series on the Kubota's. Really like the JD2025. So some questions I have are:

- Do dealers move on price at all aside from factory promotions? Can I negotiate?
- The JD dealer told me that insurance is mandatory on financed tractors even if financed through my bank and not JD. Is this true?
- Is it worth driving to Oregon to save on taxes and maybe price of tractor?
- The quote JD sent me has a charge of adding ballast to the rear tires ($285). Says they do this to all tractors and not an option to op-out. Is this true? I'm not opposed to that but I have a counter weight I currently use.
- Does anyone have experience buying a Kubota from Scholten's Equipment in Mount Vernon or Lynden. They have some tractor trailer packages that seem too good.

Any other things that I should think about?

Thank you.
Tony

I just bought my first tractor last month, a John Deere 2038R.  I went with JD mostly because I spent a couple summers working for a dealer and still have a best friend that works there.  But also, I feel the premium price you pay for a JD over the other foreign brands does buy you some nicer features.  Especially the new JD 1 and 2 series.  Watch some Youtube vidoes comparing JD's vs the competitors. 

Dealers can apply additional discounts.  Whether they will or not will most likely depend on the salesman and dealer policy.  As with most commissioned sales discounts cut into their commission, so I guess it will depend on your negotiating skills.

If you finance through JD financial you are required to have insurance.  You can get your own insurance or get insurance through JD.  I went with the insurance through JD.  My premium is $469 for the entire life of the loan.  Its too cheap not to go through them. 

I got the bio ballast (beet juice) in my tires.  I didn't ask if it was an option.  They just recommended and I figured it was a fairly cheap way to add weight down low.   

[Gobble Doc]

I bought a Kubota 3301 L Series. I run a Land Pride brush cutter...but it mows like a mower too. Bought a grapple (Titan) off Amazon (PRIME delivery to my house)....it is amazing but had the dealer put on an additional hydro piped to the front with thumb button. As many will say, go bigger than you think or as much as you can afford. I shopped for a long time. Talking with some in Oregon...there is a chance...be it small, that you could get zapped on tax. I may be totally wrong but didn't risk it. Super happy with my purchase. Side note* Kubota is compatible with all Skidsteer attachments which I like and also have friends who run skidsteer stuff that I can use seamlessly. If you have questions PM me...you will wonder why you didn't buy one sooner 

How is that grapple? I have always figured I could really use one on the brush.


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[BD1]

The grapple is amazing. Lots of different configurations and sizes. Amazing on blackberry walls  can hold up a good size limbed tree at easy height to buck up with chainsaw. I absolutely love it. Not as expensive as you would think either.

[Whitpirate]

I'll bite... where did you buy the grapple and how much?  Does it use the tilt for closing or do you need 3 valves?

[jrebel]

So if a guy bought some acreage (7) and is going to need a tractor for mowing, plowing snow, moving dirt, landscaping and general hobby farm use and is considering doing his own excavation for a house and shop, what is the minimum class/series that will get the job done. Lot is pretty level, not rocky(was hay field). Im thinking since I will need a tractor eventually anyway is it possible buy a compact tractor to do my own excavation to offset the cost by not hiring the job done.

Everyone I spoke to about this exact topic told me to buy a minimum 35 horse power tractor.  Anything smaller and you are extremely limited on pto driven attatchents.  You loose hp to the PTO....for example, my Massey is a 36.2 HP but only delivers 27.5 HP to the PTO.  If you go to big it won't travel well unless you have a huge trailer.  As seen the the pictures, mine fits in a 16' dump trailer......but wouldn't fit in a 14 unless I took off the backhoe.  Lots to consider.....but a fun purchase and a necessity if you have property. 

[timberghost72]

Thanks for all the info so far guys    It helps alot. Lots to think about and research more on.

[pup0025]

I bought a 25 horse Mahindra brand new 8 years ago.  I wish I would have got the 30 horse.  That being said I have about 330 hours on it changed oil and filters and that's it.  I'm even still on the original battery!  It has been an amazing life changing machine.  I have a gear tractor. If you want hydrostat you either need level ground or more hp. 

[BD1]

I'll bite... where did you buy the grapple and how much?  Does it use the tilt for closing or do you need 3 valves?

I put in a total sperate hydro for closing the grapple. I will post a pic of it tomorrow. I think the grapple it's self was from Titan via Amazon. It is everything I need but I am a city  boy...now country with 10 acres.So I probably don't know any better. But in my opinion it is a tank with the attachment. I think it was around $400 but will check. It has proven worth much more to me.

[BD1]

Ok...so I checked with the chief...she says it was $1200, in all fairness...she wanted it and ordered it...I just use it...and everyone is happy. Sorry for the too good to be true story. But it is worth every penny. I can send pics to whomever wants to see the hydro set up.
Sorry...but not sorry to have it
BD1

[Romulus1297]

  but it is a tractor

[Buckmark]

Hey T clear your inbox, its full

[timberghost72]

Hey T clear your inbox, its full

Should be good now.

[woodswalker]

Smaller tractors have limitations...but with patience you can get it done.  But if you are moving a LOT of dirt (100s of Cu Yds) you will make 384,711 trips.  With the small ones (Kubota BX23/24) you can get a small backhoe which is great for putting in water lines and power..but bigger holes will try your patience.  The advantage is that once the place is done you still can get around things that a larger machine wont fit near.  I'd get a BIT bigger one, like the HST series, a bit bigger backhoe, front loader bucket and more lift.  But wont fit everywhere.

[Grit dog]

So if a guy bought some acreage (7) and is going to need a tractor for mowing, plowing snow, moving dirt, landscaping and general hobby farm use and is considering doing his own excavation for a house and shop, what is the minimum class/series that will get the job done. Lot is pretty level, not rocky(was hay field). Im thinking since I will need a tractor eventually anyway is it possible buy a compact tractor to do my own excavation to offset the cost by not hiring the job done.

Personally, I would get a tractor for home use on the wet side unless you only planned on using it for less than half the year. Tracks will get you where you need to go. Who wants to wait till summer to do years work just because the ground is wet?
But if you're mowing with it then different story.
For digging the foundation, I'd save the misery and rent an excavator for a day or 2 and be done with the dig.
For mowing, 7ac isn't that much. Tractor do the job if you're just mowing hay field. We have 5 AC and I first used a tow behind deck behing the 4 wheeler. Great bang for the buck. Cost me $300 for 4 years of mowing.
Sold it and bought a good old zero turn. 60" ZT mows about 4.5 AC in 3 hours.
Jist tossing out ideas.

[Knocker of rocks]

What brand is that orange tractor for sale on FB?   Just wondering.

Content with my fully mechanical 1983 950 w/ ~770 hours.