Tractor or quad?

[jrebel]

My backhoe has been a god send.  Water hydrant broke.....dug it up and fixed in a couple hours.   Without the hoe I would still be digging.  Plant a few trees here and there....use the hoe.   Yeah it could sit around a bit, but when you need it....it is invaluable.  To rent one when your 45 min from town is a pain.  Buy once, cry once.

[turkeyfeather]

If you do buy new, don't fall for any offers of extended warranties.  You will never use it.  I have a 30 HP Kubota and after 16 years, other than a very minor tire issue (fixed on my own), nothing has gone wrong with it.  It is a very strong tractor.  I didn't buy the Kubota backhoe because they ran off the PTO at the time.  That is no good (neighbor has had many problems with his).  Mine runs off the hydraulics of the tractor, much more efficient and more powerful.  It was $2K cheaper than the Kubota hoe.  Instead of a warranty, I bartered for a couple extras.

A co-worker suggested getting a brush hog that ran off the PTO. Do you agree?

[Jingles]

Consider the brush hog and a snow blower that both run off the PTO. THE blower will allow you to keep your drive/private road open without needing to have to push back the berms.

[Knocker of rocks]

I didn't buy the Kubota backhoe because they ran off the PTO at the time.  That is no good (neighbor has had many problems with his).  Mine runs off the hydraulics of the tractor, much more efficient and more powerful. 

The ability to run a hoe off the tractor hydraulics is dependent on the machine.  Most modest sized ag based tractors have modest sized hydraulic systems, unlike an otherwise similarly sized TLB's (tractor-loader-backhoes) which has a more robust hydraulic system.

Consider the brush hog and a snow blower that both run off the PTO. THE blower will allow you to keep your drive/private road open without needing to have to push back the berms.

Yes.  And the simpliest snowblowers require that you back up to blow snow.  Fancier ones mount in the front and run off a front or mid mount PTO.   And the fanciest ones mount to the loader and run off a seperate PTO driven hydraulic pump.   

And in the NE part of the state you should probably give thought to a cab if you're doing much snow blowing.  And then you have to think of AC or pulling the cab in summer.

Tractorbynet is a great tractor forum.

[Skyvalhunter]

So is the consensus to go with a Kubota & size?  Should a person go new($) or used? I suppose you could go used if you knew what kind of use or abuse it had. Just thoughts

[trophyhunt]

Kubota is a solid machine, I thing the hydraulic pump is much better than other popular brands, but I haven't tried the brand new ones.  Used is tough because it seems most people leave their machines out side 24/7.  Sounds like the interest rates are pretty good on new, unless you find that perfect jem, then used would be better.

[jrebel]

I wouldn’t say kabota is the only one to look at.   There a quite a few very reputable machines out there now days.  I looked at kabota and thought the price was super high for what hour getting.  I bought a Massey Ferguson with a shuttle shift and saved a ton of money.  Mine was used as a loaner from the dealer with a 100 hours on it.  It was basically new and had been lent to a golf course to mow the rough for a summer while theirs was being built.  Massey’s backhoe attaches to the frame and not the three point hitch like some machines. 

If I were in the market again I would consider Deere, kabota, Massey, new Holland as the top brands to look at.  Reality is most of the knock off brands are very solid and will work very well for most home owner use. 

I found that the used market for compact tractors was strong and pricing wasn’t much better than new.   With that said, I have seen some screaming prices on used since I bought mine and a guy could save a pile of cash, especially when they come with many of the implements.

[Caseyd]

Since you’re not in a hurry you have the luxury of time. Browse used tractors and look for that deal.

[Mark Brenckle]

Any thoughts or experiences with LS brand? I see a ton of ads for them.

[Caseyd]

Any thoughts or experiences with LS brand? I see a ton of ads for them.

New Holland imports them, other then that I don’t know much.

If you went new, dealer location to me would come into play on which brand.

[Buckmark]

So i am going to change what i said before a bit.
It seems you are not ready to purchase a tractor, ie - No place to keep it? Or having to haul it back and forth for only a few times of limited use atleast in the first few years?Leaving it at the property i would not do.
It all boils down to really how much you will be using one and the logostics till you are there alot more in my experience.

I would rent, find a rental place near the property that rents and have a plan of what you want to get done and do it.
I did this for years because it was not cost effective to own one for 3 or 4 times a year when i needed it, i could rent a unit, trailer and implements when needed for at the time around 250 a day.

So i checked and Kubota and Deere only have 0% for 60mths now, Bota has .99 for 72 and 1.99 for 84, Deere has1.90 for 72 and i did not see anything for 84 so there is that
Doing simple math lets use 30k (may be more or less depending on machine etc, but not much), so 30k for the tractor, trailer and tax/financing if you go past 60mnths
So $500 per and 60, $417 at 72 or $358 at 84, plus shelling out for implements as you want them

Me i would buy a quad now and rent a machine to knock out stuff you want done now and buy when you are there more to maintain the place.
And make a tractor "payment" into my tractor down the road account 

[turkeyfeather]

So i am going to change what i said before a bit.
It seems you are not ready to purchase a tractor, ie - No place to keep it? Or having to haul it back and forth for only a few times of limited use atleast in the first few years?Leaving it at the property i would not do.
It all boils down to really how much you will be using one and the logostics till you are there alot more in my experience.

I would rent, find a rental place near the property that rents and have a plan of what you want to get done and do it.
I did this for years because it was not cost effective to own one for 3 or 4 times a year when i needed it, i could rent a unit, trailer and implements when needed for at the time around 250 a day.

So i checked and Kubota and Deere only have 0% for 60mths now, Bota has .99 for 72 and 1.99 for 84, Deere has1.90 for 72 and i did not see anything for 84 so there is that
Doing simple math lets use 30k (may be more or less depending on machine etc, but not much), so 30k for the tractor, trailer and tax/financing if you go past 60mnths
So $500 per and 60, $417 at 72 or $358 at 84, plus shelling out for implements as you want them

Me i would buy a quad now and rent a machine to knock out stuff you want done now and buy when you are there more to maintain the place.
And make a tractor "payment" into my tractor down the road account 

That is really great advice. Thank you

[Knocker of rocks]

If you aren't going to live on the property then storage becomes an issue.  If you are set on buying, a 20 acre parcel that isn't too overgrown can be managed with a smaller tractor and brush hog.  The older John Deere 750, 850, or 950 (apprx 17-21 HP) in all wheel drive with a 70 model loader works great for smaller pieces of land.  Get yourself a smaller single axle equipment tilt load trailer and you can haul it all around behind your pickup no problem. 

If you have bigger brush and timber foliage to handle then start looking at the 30-40 HP models.  Quick attach loader gear and even front mowers are great for briars and bushes.

The 950 is 31 hp. That’s what I have. Being a gear tractor, they are a little pain in the butt for loader work, but they are built to work. Mine likes a brush hog for hours with no touching the brakes the best.

[jrebel]

Massy's are all metal still.....are the newer deere and kabotas's plastic? 

[KFhunter]

I would go geared tractor for ground engaging implements

for loader work and odd jobs - hydro

Not that you can't drag a plow with a hydro, just wears faster and you gotta keep eye on heat.



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