Tractor Buying Help

[raver]

Ok, I've not been on this forum in forever, real life got me.

Anyway, I'm here today, hat in hand, to seek some advise.

I'm looking to buy a tractor/loader for some work that needs done on my land. 9.5 acres, mostly woods with a gravel driveway. Problem is, I've never owned one, and haven't driven one since my dad's Farmall Cub. I was 8 or 9.

I need to:

Fix the driveway(gravel) and maintain it long term

Demo the remains of two outbuildings and fill in their basements.

Clear, level, gravel top, and eventually concrete a new parking area.

Snow removal.

I don't need this to mow with, I have an Exmark zero turn.

I contacted a local dealer and asked what he had available in(or slightly above) my budget.

He's found two prospects:

A 2011 Mahindra 2516 with FEL and HST. Right around 200 hours and 20 PTO HP. It's what I think would be the "right" size for the work I intend to do. The dealer isn't a Mahindra dealer, they took this one in on trade. There is a Mahindra dealer within 15 miles of me.

A 2005 Kubota L39 missing the backhoe. Slightly less than 2K hours and 30 PTO HP. Seems really big for what I want to do, but wouldn't be unmanageable. The dealer is a Kubota dealer.

Both tractors have R4 tires. The Mahindra has 90% remaining, the Kubota has 40%.

Obviously, if the prices were identical, I'd be buying the one with 30 PTO HP(the L39). But it's half again as much money.

My question is, is that extra HP worth the extra money, age, and wear on the machine? It has literally ten times the hours on it.

 

[427mach1]

I put in 2000 hours every year at my job and don't consider myself worn-out yet!

I don't know much about the Mahindra but believe the Kubota's to be fairly good tractors. I think I would go for the Kubota or keep looking for another smaller Kubota before I would purchase the Mahindra.

 

[Scottly]

I sold Mahindra tractors in 2006. They had then a 5 year warranty, the best in the industry. Assembled in Georgia then, in Texas now I think.
I would pay a visit to the local dealer and see what is available.
Know this on small tractors most have a Toyo engine.
Until you step up to 35 or 40hp. Then they have Perkins or something more desirable.
I personally would want a minimum of 40 hp. Front wheel assist is very important to me also.
You will want a grader box aka box scraper to maintain that gravel drive. Do your research, check reviews. TractorHouse.com is a good place to price check used models. Good luck.

 

[6518John]

I promise you will never regret having the extra HP when out working with a tractor. You need to find out the maintainance records/history on the Kubota. If it's been well taken care of, I would go that route. Although the Mahindra's are gaining a toe-hold in the US and are well-like by everyone I know who uses them.

 

[snafu177]

I would look close at the Loaders. I would guess the kubota will have the Better one.Mine is quick connect and will attach to any skid steer attachment.
Consider the heavier Tractor also.
Compact Tractors tip easy.

 

[Big Cholla]

I have a little different take on your situation. My first career was in construction as an engineer and manager. IMHO, you have two different jobs in front of you. Demolition of some small buildings, back filling some holes and building a gravel driveway; and snow plowing, grass cutting and other miscellaneous small jobs. The two sets of jobs require very different tractors and implements. If I were you, I would rent the bigger rig (or contract for the big jobs to be done) and then buy the smaller rig for the maintenance of your home spread. IMHO, The expenses of repair and maintenance on the bigger rig is not justified over the long run to keep it and use it on the smaller stuff.

But circumstances vary. I once lived next door to a young man that bought a clapped out Caterpillar No. 12 Motor Patrol just because it was dirt cheap and spent a winter rebuilding it. He then played with it for a couple of years doing snow plowing and road maintenance just because he could. I thought it was over-kill, but he enjoyed owning and operating it very much. ........

 

[Faulkner]

I promise you will never regret having the extra HP when out working with a tractor. . .

^^ Good advise ^^

It's kind of like buying a gun vault, you don't hear many people complain about buying one too large, but it sucks when you buy one too small.

I bought my first Kubota new and ran it for 10 years and sold it for what I paid for it. Only reason I sold it was because I found the 18HP PTO to be too light for my needs. I'm twelve years into my second Kubota, 27HP B2710 and I love it. A little too big is much better than a little too small when it comes to tractors.

 

[Waltswood]

Buying a tractor

Raver,
I have about 25 acres of alfalfa from which I make hay, and another 50 acres that needs mowing in the summer. I have bought several tractors over the years, and always wish I had bought the larger one. Even though it has more hours, I would go
with the Kubota. I think the Mahindra is a pretty fair tractor, but I have noticed that the dealers that sell them, and provide parts, do not stay in business very long. Often you might have to drive a long way for parts.
I am a John Deere man, so I cannot speak to Kubota quality on a personal basis, but the people I know who have them seem to have faily good luck with them.
With that many hours, I would budget for at least new injectors, and maybe more.
Good luck

 

[SweetMK]

I am a tractor-holic,,, my wife wants me in the 12 step program,,,

We originally purchased 9.5 acres in 1982,, and my wife LOVES to tell the story of how check #0001 was written for a tractor,,,

Exactly 20 years ago come July,, I bought this tractor,,,

I had to buy it,, because the first tractor was parked outside,, water got in the transmission,, I could never get the old tractor hydraulics to work right,,,

So,, now I have to suffer owning the 584 IH,,, (!!LOL!!)

My recommendation is to own NO tractor unless you can store it inside.

My daughter moved next door last summer,,, they bought 13 acres,, 3.5 acre lawn,,,

As a house warming gift,, I bought them a JD 855.

The 855 is so efficient with the hydrostatic two pedal transmission,, I think it can outwork the IH 584 in most situations other than brute power.

Run a JD two pedal hydrostatic transmission equipped tractor before you make a final decision.

I am not a JD fan,,, but,, WOW,, that 855 is impressive.

It 584 IH would be useless for mowing grass,, the 855 mows my daughters 3.5 acre lawn in a little over 2 hours.

I mow about 2 acres,,, I use a Gravely 24G with a 6 foot belly mower,,,

The Gravely is pretty useless for tasks other than mowing,, BUT it REALLY mows!!

Sometimes the Gravely visits the grandchildren,,,

 

[TTSH]

My question is, is that extra HP worth the extra money, age, and wear on the machine? It has literally ten times the hours on it.

I think you need to expand your shopping a little... and your budget too. You've got the right idea (age/hours-wise) with the Mahindra and the right idea (size/power-wise) with the Kubota... but an L39 backhoe machine without its backhoe is kind of an odd duck and I fear the little Mahindra, while very capable, is unlikely to meet all of your needs for a 10 acre property.

 

[dusty3030]

I'd say keep looking and drive some of them first.
The Kubota you list would be great if it had the hoe, no hoe, no go. Also keep in mind that is a heavier construction machine which is good, but few consumers buy them so it likely came off a rental yard or contractor so it was probably used like a bulldozer which is bad.

Some things you'd want for your uses -

HST transmission. Some use one treadle pedal, some use two. Try some and see what is comfortable for you. DO NOT get talked into anything but an HST for your uses. If you are moving snow you will wear out quick clutching.

Horsepower is useless if you are spinning tires. So lets say you had 30 hp in the smallest frame offered (Kubota B series) versus 30 hp in one frame size ups (L Series) - the heavier one will be more able to put the horses to the ground due to traction. You also would want to consider having your tires loaded with fluid at the dealer for even more traction.

The loader needs to have skid steer quick attach. If you don't down the road you'll wish you should have.

Hydraulics - how are you going to move snow? Blower, then you'll want aux. hydraulics to run chute. You say you're going to do some demo, if you ever use a grapple on your loader you'll be spoiled forever. You would need an least a 3rd function to run that, or at least a diverter. A hydraulic top cylinder on your3 point is priceless too in grading driveways, you can instantly change the angle on your blade on the go.

Cab? If your blowing a lot of snow it is something to consider.

 

[oldiegoldie]

Kubota is very high quality. Cannot speak for Mahindra...never owned one. I'm a John Deere guy [farmer/rancher 50+ years] but the green paint is just too expensive]. If I were in your shoes I would give Kubota a good look. wishing you good luck in your search.

 

[dusty3030]

My tractors are a 2012 build year John Deere 4120 4wd with HST transmission. I also have all 5 available hydraulics - 2 for the loader, the electro hydraulic thumb switch on the loader handle runs the 3rd valve which is plumbed to the loader for grapple, and the 4th and 5th are manual levers - one of which stays hooked to the hydraulic top cylinder on the 3 point.
I have the loader with quick attach and really like this tractor, even though it was the biggest of the compacts frame wise it still fits on small acreage and has the "heft" to get some traction down; however, I still had to load tires to be able to keep from spinning, also helps for safety with loader.
Speaking of loader your loader has more power to lift than the tractor has weight so you can tip them easily. I have loaded tires plus a counterweight on the 3pt which is a 55 gallon barrel full of old brake drums then filled with concrete.

You will want pallet forks too. Skid steer attach ones are cheap and they are invaluable, you will use them more than any other attachment.

I also have a 2000 or so year built New Holland TC35 4wd which is a gear machine same physical size as my JD but not turbo and made by Shibaru in Japan. It is a no frills but handy tractor as well. I would hate to use it moving snow or grading but I like it for mowing as you are making long runs at constant speed gear is ok for that.

FWIW I live on 10 acres and use the tractors mostly there. I also have 70 acres of mostly timber I use them on for food plots and roads.

 

[gregintenn]

I've not used a Mahindra, but have a 40hp Kubota. This thing i bulletproof!

In my opinion, 40hp is a good, light duty tractor. I wouldn't want one with much less.

Here's some things I'd want in a tractor:

Either a shuttle shift or hydrostatic transmission
4WD
Power steering
Diesel engine


Personally, I'd keep an eye out for a name brand tractor, aka, Kubota, Ford, John Deere, Massey Ferguson, etc. You'll spend a bit of extra money upfront, but parts will be easily attainable, and resale value will be much better.

 

[tops]

There is no such thing as buying a tractor too big. Always buy at least one size bigger than what you think you will need. You will remember this later on when the loader won't pick up the load or you are trying to pull something and all the tires are spinning. Larry

 

[dusty3030]

I could take tractors all day, but on brands do your research AND more important than brand is a dealer. Ask around your neighbors or others who have had experience with a dealer.
Last new tractor I bought was a Deere, but if nothing changes the next will be a Kubota. Why? My Deere dealer sold out to a bigger dealer and he went back into business as Kubota dealer down the road. I will follow him to Kubota because I have trouble with the new Deere dealership since they are big and I have no relationship with them so the service isn't as good as it was.

Also, lets take Mahindra for example. They are reputable and are from India, but not all their tractors are made in India. Some are outsourced from Mitsubishi and are fully made in Japan, some are made in China and so forth.

Deere, same way, some are made by Deere. The 855 referenced above is an awesome little tractor 100% made by Yanmar in Japan. Some Deere utility tractors are made in India. Some of the older ones were made in Germany.

New Holland, same way.

Only ones 100% I know of are Kubota and Yanmar, but there are fewer Yanmar dealers that is something they struggle with. Also there are a TON of grey market Yammers which you will see all over used but are not supported at all by the Yanmar company because they are rebuilt old tractors that were imported by other people.

 

[raver]

Ok, thanks for all the advise, but now I'm gonna ignore most of it.

I went and looked at the L39, which is at the dealer's lot locally. It was already a bit above my budget, and it needs a good bit of TLC before it can be put to work. The front tires are bald, and the back ones aren't far from it. The whole thing is rough. And it's missing the top link for the 3pt.(Where did it go, the same place as the backhoe?) So some back of the envelope math figures about 1500-2000 to make it operational, on top of the already to-high price. I'm having him bring the Mahindra up from one of the other stores.

Those of you who said to buy the dealer, not the machine? I couldn't agree more. Which is why I went to the dealer I did. Hoobers. Not a fly by night. They just celebrated their 75th anniversary. I think they have 9 stores?

 

[Old Seabee]

Tractor

Sounds from your story you need a Bobcat , You can rent needed demolition equip for it till your done , then buy the bucket / blade you need .

 

[Frank46]

Owned a John Deere tractor with the belly mower. Went through 3 batteries in the time I owned it. Overheated and dealer checked it out and couldn't find anything wrong. Spent close to 2K in repairs. Sold that and bought a Kubota L3800 with front end loader and bushog. Coming up on 3 years and no problems. The L3800 is an older model that isn't made anymore. The newer ones have to be run at a certain engine speed to meet the new fuel emission standards. Dealer is very friendly and always helps when I have questions. While it is your decision regarding what brand you will buy I would still suggest Kubota. Frank

 

[twodog max]

I have spend thousands of hours on tractors and they were mostly John Deere. As said before they are a little more expensive but at least around here your can get parts, there are aftermarket parts for them but mostly I find the controls easier to use than some makes. Kubota's in particular the ones I have worked the control seemed in awkward places. Front wheel assist is almost a must have. Drive some different makes and see what you like and be sure and check on parts availability in your area.
The toughest tractor work I have ever seen was power and gas line ROW mowing and around here when there was still a dealer all the contractors used Massey Ferguson. There had to be a reason for that.