Tractor recommendations

[Anne]

As a newbie to tractors, I'm definitely going to need some help. *I will be buying a mini-farm in the next month-ish, and I'm going to need a tractor. *It's come down to two locations. *One is 27 acres and the other 35. *Both have a lot of hilly (not crazy, but just few flat surfaces) pasture. *So there will be a lot of brush hog work that will be done.

I don't have any current need for a front loader or a backhoe, but I could foresee needing either or both in the future.

And of course, I'd like to not spend a fortune. *Used would be great, but I'm no mechanic. *So what do you guys think?

Edit: There will not be any real commercial use for this. Just upkeep of the place.

[WRTN]

A John Deere 790 or 990 in 4WD come to my mind. *These tractors are built for John Deere by Yanmar and are probably one of the most bullet proof, simple design, and most reliable compact tractors on the market. *

Yanmar is known for its top tier diesel engines as well as very well built compact and subcompact tractors. *

Depending upon what size you want to go with and pto hp requirments either would be just the tractor for your needs.

New (if you can find a leftover from previous year) or used, depending upon the financing deals you can get. *Warranty is not such a big deal on these machines as they rarely need warranty work.

The current versions of these tractors sold new is the 3005:

*http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/HO/servlet/com.deere.u90785.cce.productcatalog.view.servlets. ProdCatProduct?pNbr=1450LV&tM=HO&link=enav

and the 4005:

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/HO/servlet/com.deere.u90785.cce.productcatalog.view.servlets. ProdCatProduct?pNbr=1460LV&tM=HO&link=enav

The 5000 series Deere tractors are in the full on Ag tractor range.

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/HO/series/ho_ut_5000_series.html?tm=ho&link=dnav

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/list.aspx?ETID=1&catid=1111&Manu=JOHN+DEERE&Mdltxt =770&mdlx=exact&GUID=5CDC50871AC641ED83A9A5E3FA4AA 594

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/list.aspx?ETID=1&catid=1110&Manu=JOHN+DEERE&Mdltxt =990&mdlx=exact&GUID=5CDC50871AC641ED83A9A5E3FA4AA 594

I am partial toward the 990 4WD myself. *If your property is not too steep and hilly and you are sure you will not eventually get a FEL, a 2WD 790 or 990 would work well also. *The 2WD tractors sell substantially cheaper than the 4WD and dealers are much more likely to make a good deal on them. *

DON'T let a salesman or anyone else talk you into a 2WD compact tractor with a FEL. *You will find the tractor is useless in most applications using the FEL because the rear tires will slip when backing up unless you mount huge amounts of ballast weight on the rear of the tractor to include wheel weights as well as filled tires. *The 4WD tractors will require ballast weight as well but only enough to balance the load. *The front axle will help with traction. *

If you want a power reverser or hydrostatic drive, you will have to move up to one of the more expensive compact tractors. *

I own a John Deere 4410 with eHydro transmission and I like it but if I ever purchased another tractor it WILL be a manual transmission perhaps with a power reverser but definitely manual shift. *Simple is better in my opinion, less stuff to break or go wrong and will last you a lifetime. *

If the green paint is more pricey than you are considering, try a look at the Kioti, Mahindra, Cub Cadet, and some of the older Ford compact tractors. *

[walls0stone]

I don't have an intrest in what you buy, I do have experence in the construction industry and farm equipment sales. My Father buys and sells around the world. So I'll ask the following questions.


List for me the things you wish to do with this tractor other than brush mowing.

This can effect features like PTO Horse power, and other functions.

What kind of mower do you have or want?

Do you know a mencanic, or somone with personal experence in the field of equipment? (I meal real time in the seat, not just changing oil) You will want to take them along to look at any products an help you make a choice. This is very important when looking at used tractors as well as other equiopment.

Disspite the popular names people toss at you, who are the domanat, and most dependable dealers and reps in YOUR area? This is key for getting real help and parts. No one wants to wait for 3 weeks to get a part. the cheepest tractor in the world is of no use if you can't get parts with out a pain in the neck.

Do you think 4WD is a feature you would like/need?

Also, Cab, Heat, Air, Radio...how important are they to you?

what do you want to spend? Got a trade in?

Do you have somone who can teach you in person...sorry, but a forum is NOT the place to learn to drive a tractor.

Hydrostatic is nice...but would you rather have that or a manual transmition?

The first thing you should learn about your first tractor is HOW TO SHUT IT OFF...if nothing is running and you know how to stop it, then nothing can harm you.

[Anne]

Wallostone:

You are speaking Greek. I'm a total newbie and have never had my butt in a tractor. Not that I can recall, and no, I do not have anyone who can teach me. Though I grew up in the country, I was not allowed near a tractor. Shoveling manure was fine. That was not, and family is nowhere nearby.

No idea about the ideal transmission for me, BUT the husband would be better off an automatic. Could care less about a cab, radio, air or heat.

Other than brush hogging, it would be used for things like dragging dead trees, maybe digging a French drain, maybe digging fence posts. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

No trade in, and I want to spend no more than about 15K. Less if possible.

I don't know if I need 4wd. As I said, the land is hilly, but it isn't rocky.

Don't know who the reputable dealers are in the area, as I know zero about tractors and don't live in the area presently. I'm sure I'll be asking that question when I get there.

[walls0stone]

Great answers.

My responces....
You are speaking Greek. I'm a total newbie and have never had my butt in a tractor. Not that I can recall, and no, I do not have anyone who can teach me.

YOu Must have someone to show you the ropes. My first sugestion is to find that person. Ether someone living close by or that reputable salesmen, whom we will get to in a bit. :)



No idea about the ideal transmission for me, BUT the husband would be better off an automatic.

For the Record, a person is not requred to shift on the go with a tractor. you pick a gear and go. hydrostatic is more like auto tranny

Could care less about a cab, radio, air or heat.
Don't think of them as frills, think of such such things as features that may make real work easyer.

Other than brush hogging,

Do you have one? If you don't have any tractor seat time, you will need to learn before you do mowing. It seems that unlike draging a corn field, or other applications, Brush mowing is higher risk. More time in woods, under tree limbs or on uneven ground.

it would be used for things like dragging dead trees, maybe digging a French drain, maybe digging fence posts.

If you wish to dig those things you may wish to just rent implaments. You will spend $6,000-8,000 on a relyable backhoe or auger. Min


That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

No trade in, and I want to spend no more than about 15K. Less if possible.
I don't think you could spend less that than $10,000 that to get what you want.

I don't know if I need 4wd. As I said, the land is hilly, but it isn't rocky.
Snowy? Pulling stuff often is better with 4wd.

Don't know who the reputable dealers are in the area, as I know zero about tractors and don't live in the area presently. I'm sure I'll be asking that question when I get there.

That is YOUR FIRST QUESTION!!!!!!!
ou need a sales rep who is honest...and you need a PARTSMAN who is able to get you things. The old Russian tractors were a great deal years ago, but you could not get simple parts for weeks...who can wait weeks to fix a tractor you need to day.. :)

A reputable salesmen will see you a properly tought the basics or hook you up with the right people. to help you.

YOu also need somone to go with you to help point out the right people...since you have no seat time.

were are you moving to??

[Drawbar]

I use a smaller Kubota in the 25 hp range, 4 x 4 and would not be without either 4 x 4 or a FEL. I do too much with each to be without them.

You can get by just fine without the hydro-tranny. Its a great option, but it can be expensive, and even more expensive to fix. I like the KISS principle. Keep it simple silly. I have a 2 reverse, 8 forward tranny and its just fine.

Definitely have your rear tires loaded, even with them loaded your FEL can make you get squirrley on the back.

The salesman suggested I buy a bigger machine, and I probably should have, but don't feel intimidated. The little machines can do A LOT. I have pounded on my tractor since 1999, and have racked up 1200 hours with not a single issue. Don't feel pressured to buy a huge machine for 30 acres of land. You can get by just fine with a smaller machine.

As for the brand...beware of cheap tractors. Being able to get parts on a machine that will likely last 50 years is a priority. Its not that the less-common brands are bad machines, but I can see some of them getting bought out by the bigger companies in the very near future and parts being hard to find in 10 years. With that being said though, after seeing New Holland tractors going for 5 grand above the same size and model Kubota,I could not justify the price difference and went with Kubota. I am not saying you must get a Kubota, I am just saying that I figured by now Kubota has been around awhile and they have the parts. So does New Holland, John Deere and others.

Wow, not sure what else to say. Information on tractors for a first-timer can, and has filled books. I suggest you head to your library and read up. You can't learn everything from books, but you can learn a lot. I don't want to scare you but tractors are dangerous. We have had a couple of people killed on them this year where I live, and its very sparsely populated here.

Here is a picture for you. It kind of illustrates how much work can be done with a small machine. Note the forks on the bucket and the size of the logs. It easily lifts and moves these logs around, and the small size gets around really well in the woods. I can dart right between trees without having to cut roads and stuff. As I said, you can do a lot with a small tractor.

http://www.railroadmachinist.com/sitebuilder/images/Starting_To_Snow-339x261.jpg

[AlchemyAcres]

For the Record, a person is not requred to shift on the go with a tractor. you pick a gear and go.

Huh?
So with a heavy load (silage or whatever) you stop at the bottom of the hill and put 'er in first or second? Now that would make for a very long day around here....LOL

Anne, as much as I absolutely hate tractors....I've spent thousands of hours on them and would rather pitch sh*t any day.....
If 4-wheel drive isn't required.
I'd recommend a Ford 3000 or John Deere 2020 (deisel in good condition) for your needs.....I prefer a manual transmission for SURE!!!


~Martin

[walls0stone]

NOT at all what I was refering to..

for a novice tractor student, the consept of Manual tranny is relitive to a driver shifting a car... 1st, clutch, shift....2nd...... clutch shift 3rd.... ect

In my experence many people don't understand the diffrance. *

a hobby farmer is not going to aquire the skills to do what you and I do, and it's not wise to make her think that she needs to be able to. She has clearly told me that she's not going to be hauling loads of corn up and down 660 for 14 hours a day...she's not G.W or Burnard C...she's a novice.. *

Another way to illistrate is to say you don't need the clutch to drive a big rig on the highway...but you don't bring up advanced skills to somone who states she's never sat in a tractor. *

I Don't tell somone what they want, I ask them questions. That's the best way to find out what their needs are and help them find the right tractor.

[AlchemyAcres]

Sorry...I've never considered shifting an advanced skill....LOL


~Martin ;)

[AlchemyAcres]

G.W or Burnard C..

Not Gordon Wood or Bernard Courtney?

Thank GOD!!!


LOL


~Martin
;)

[walls0stone]

of corse you don't consiter shifting advanced skill...if you farm all your life you take it for granted.

Carful they are friends of mine...sorry to dissapoint you

[AlchemyAcres]

Heck...lighten up....I was just kidding about Gordon and Bernard!!! LOL


~Martin ;)

[walls0stone]

no offence taken then.... ;D

[flatwater]

I just bought a JD 4x4 25HP Hydro. 3 pto's front middle and back. 5ft bucket & balast box on the back. I took it over to a friends house to help him fill in a long ditch. He has a 40hp JD stick. He was always having to shift gears. Point of story ,I did a third more work with a third less effort.
Flatwater

[Anne]

Wow. I had started writing my response hours ago, and I got logged out. In the meantime, many more posts were added. When it booted me, fortunately, I copied my post and will paste it below.

Wallsostone is correct. I am a total novice, as is the husband, and we will not be using it to move anything 14 hours a day. (Those of you who have known me on this board for the last 5 years may remember that I am a lawyer, and my goal has been a seven year plan to get away from being a big city lawyer to being a country lawyer. Five years is upon us, and I am moving toward that goal.) Assuming we don't lease some of the land out, it will be used as pasture for critters or for me to look at and for family to hunt on, and I will simply be mowing it and keeping it from getting ratty. I would think you would mow big areas like that about 1 time a month during the growing season and then mow close to the house once every week. Husband wants some grapes, because he thinks himself a oneophile. I like to think of it as "wino." Anyway, post is below.

Great information, all. Thanks so much. I'll try to respond in order as much as possible.

WallOStone:

I'm really not thinking of them so much as frills. It's just that I won't be farming for a living. So I doubt I would have much need to use the tractor in Winter (save an occasional clearing the driveway and moving something). I tolerate heat very well and am a big fan of the iPod. So they don't seem like luxuries, but they do seem unnecessary. I do want a roll bar of some sort, though I'm not sure how helpful they really are.

I do not have a brush hog. I have a small push mower AND a reel mower though. ;) I agree on the rental, or at least was thinking I would need the backhoe and auger infrequently enough that renting would make more sense.

As for the tranny (hum, so many meanings), my husband has never bothered to learn to drive a stick. And let me put it to you this way. I used to have a very expensive, fancy German sportscar, and he didn't even bother to learn to drive one then. So I *think* that if I want to get him out there doing some mowing -- something my father says he wants pictures of -- I probably need it to be auto.

On rare occasion that it is used, it will be snowy. However, I do think I will be pulling things quite a bit.

There is a sizable farm across the road, and part of the land is currently leased for hay production. So I suspect I can get good information about reputable dealers, and I hope impose on the dealers and farmers around to show me the ropes.

Drawbar: Great to know that you have used it so much without problems. I think a big ole machine would intimidate me. I've heard good things about Kubota, but I know nothing of farm machinery except John Deere.

Alchemy: :lol re: pitching **** I'm curious. Do you like to drive at all, or is it just a tractor thing? I can drive a car for about 10 hours, and I mostly enjoy it, but we shall see about a tractor.


As for the move, will be moving to central Missouri. Between Columbia and Kansas City and a little to the north of I-70.

[walls0stone]

yes, find a reputable dealer via the farms around you. Make great contacts with all the farming folks around you and they will help you out. ROPS (Roll Over Protection System) AKA RollBar is a good idea. They are effective and if nothing elts, could be the diffrence between death and just beat up bad.

One can learn to use a manual transmition in a tractor far easyer than in a car. The classic, new driver pop the clutch and stall is not as easy on a tractor. Being able to pick gears is very handy.

The other option is a Hydrostatic Transmition, the more you push the throtle, the faster you go.

Not long ago, I was in this same situation with a man who said he'd just bundle up. That lasted until the first snow storm. Snow beat him very bad.
I have one tractor with a shelter cab, it's just plastic and tent fabric around a frame, but when that wind whipps..It's handy. :)

By the way, Brush hog is a company name, just like zerox or bobcat...

Many are out on the markeet.

[Quietgentleman]

If I was going to recommend a tractor for what you are wanting to do it be the John Deere 3020 with a powershift transmission wide front end with a loader. The powerhift will let you go up and down with the gears without the use of the clutch so the clutch will only be needed for stopping and starting out. The wide front end just makes the tractor more stable on hills. As far as the loader is concerned there just so many uses for one its amazing. It comes in either gas or deisel and both have their draw backs and pluses. These tractors were built in the 60's so they do have a lil age on them but they have a great parts support. As far as implements to hang on the back there's bunches. It all around nice sized untility tractor in the 70 hp range.

QGM

[cinok]

Ann.
If its all greek to you you may really want to find a tractor safety class I think some of e the dealers run some geared to new hobby farmers this way you can get a feel and understanding of what is what or you could rent a machine and an operator to show you some of the basics

[Anne]

I will keep all these models and makes in mind. Thanks for the info.

I really like the idea of a class. So I'll see what is available.

[TNDadx4]

I do want a roll bar of some sort, though I'm not sure how helpful they really are.



Definitely check out a tractor safety course of some sort. Once you see what a rollover looks like without a rollbar, it'll help you see the difference. I remember seeing one at a 4H event that taught about silo and tractor safety. Definitely worth looking into. Info on bailer safety, too, is well worth it.