iDRY Vacuum Kilns

Sponsors:

Buying a tractor

Started by Mesquite cutter, July 06, 2021, 06:28:26 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Mesquite cutter

I am undecided on which tractor to buy.  John Deere, Case, Kubota or TYM.  I am looking for a tractor with a 45 to 50 horsepower range.  I am not looking to buy a skid steer or a bobcat.  I am looking for a tractor so I can move some logs and still be able to do some landscaping if I needed to.  Please give me your input on your experiences on any one of these brands.  Thanks in advance for your opinions.  
Backyard woodworker. 
DIY sawmill
Youtube:  Retired DIY Guy

Nebraska

Comes down to the dealership and their service.  Maybe who is closest of the four you mentioned.  All are good choices and you will be able  to do a lot with that size tractor.  Get  a front wheel assist model I won't be with out it.  

Yukon60

I agree dealer support is key. Also, pay attention to capabilities, like the FEL capacity, I paid a few dollars more and got a bigger tractor that will lift a lot more. I do a lot of loader work so I opted for the Hydrostatic trans on my MX5200. Kubota has a treddle peddle vs a peddle for fwd and reverse. you get used to that. 
Yukon 60

dogone

    I bought a new JD 5055. 55 hp, no front wheel assist. Had it for 13 years and works fine. BUT : definitely get front wheel assist. You will never regret it. I move a lot of logs and all sorts of farm work. More horses never hurt but fwa is a game  changer.

thecfarm

Dealer support is it. But saying that, you should not need them  much.
Well unless JD is still so big headed that they still have their own equipment that can only be mounted on their so called quick detachment.
Than their Kubota, in my area both dealers would have me waiting 2 weeks for parts.  ::)  :o  :(  >:(
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

samandothers

Shop dealer as much as brand   I have a 42 HP Kubota  and it is very good.  I have not been impressed with the dealer I purchased from.  Another Kubota dealer I've been getting parts from has been great.  If I was buying today I'd look at Kubota, Mihandra and Kiota. 

711ac

I'm with the "good dealer" thing, but I'll add good manufacturers that support older models  (parts).
FWIW I've gotten parts, from starters to misc stuff like key switches in 2-3 days for a 30+ year old Kubota.
You'll need to be careful in the woods, today's tractors are very "tender" down under and a determined small stick can take out a filter or hydraulic line before you realize it and you've run something dry ruining it.

47sawdust

I would suggest a used Kubota M6800.They are old enough to not be plastic and not computerized.They have large loader capacity,adequate 3pt. hitch lift and best of all hydraulic shuttle shift for quick f/r shifting.

A couple are owned by forum members.
Mick
1997 WM Lt30 1999 WM twin blade edger Kubota L3750 Tajfun winchGood Health Work is my hobby.

PoginyHill

I looked primarily at JD and Kubota. I choose a Kubota (M7060) because: better protection of front driveshaft, tighter turning radius, and universal front-end loader attachments. As thecfarm noted, JD requires their attachments or the extra weight of a coupler adapter. I also prefer a geared transmission with shuttle shift, not hydrostatic drive. For pulling power, a HST drive will stall long before the engine has reached max HP. My only complaint of the Kubota is hydraulic gpm is light compared to other tractors - can make use of the FEL bucket a little frustrating at times.
Kubota M7060 & B2401, Metavic log trailer, Cat E70B, Cat D5C, 750 Grizzly ATV, Wallenstein FX110, 84" Landpride rotary hog, Classic Edge 750, Stihl 170, 261, 462

teakwood

what's front wheel assist? 4wd? 
National Stihl Timbersports Champion Costa Rica 2018

Nebraska


Gere Flewelling

Several years ago I purchased a used JD 5300 tractor with 4wd.  I remember the guy I bought it from in northern VT. said he was going right out to purchase a NH tractor.  Apparently NH has good dealership representation in VT.  I live in NH and have found New Holland has next to no dealership representation in this area.  I have always been partial to the green tractors and where I work we have a JD 5410 tractor with 4wd that is absolutely the best all around tractor for loader work, mowing, and light dirt work I have ever come across.  I purchased the 5300 as it has most all of the features that the 5410 had.  I use it to skid out fire wood and saw logs in my woods, to move logs onto my mill with a hydraulic grapple on the loader, to plow snow, and grade my driveway and woods roads.  It is not as powerful as the 5410 but will do anything lumber related that I need it to do.  It does not have a shuttle shift, but does have a synchronized transmission which is what I prefer.  I have a Curtis cab on it with canvas doors and curtains making it work pretty well for snow plowing.
My brother-in-law is a full time farmer who lives next door.  He is partial to the blue machines and has a wide variety of them.  They work great when they are running, but when broken seem to be near impossible to purchase parts for around here.  He buys most of his parts from big NH dealers in Pennsylvania and does most of his own service.  In New Hampshire there are several JD dealers and I can get parts overnight in most cases.  Kubota's are popular he as well.  In my experience the dealers are quite a challenge.
Old 🚒 Fireman and Snow Cat Repairman (retired)
Matthew 6:3-4

Southside

FWIW in the sub compact world today Case, New Holland, and LS are all built at the same facility in Korea, just different paint and stickers.  I have my share of JD equipment, but it's all older, I won't touch their late model stuff.  They think way too much of it, far too many propriety systems and parts, and now with their strong opposition of "right to repair" they claim you can't fix your own equipment.  

As the others said - dealer support is huge, and not just a fancy showroom, but folks who can work on and repair equipment.   
Franklin buncher and skidder
JD Processor
Woodmizer LT Super 70 and LT35 sawmill, KD250 kiln, BMS 250 sharpener and setter
Riehl Edger
Woodmaster 725 and 4000 planner and moulder
Enough cows to ensure there is no spare time.
White Oak Meadows

zippski

I know this brand was not on your original list but I am a big Mahindra booster on this board  as some of you already know.  I think that Mahindra right now is where Kubota was in the late '80's in NA: newish and "forrin'", but really good and ready to expand in the marketplace through aggressive pricing. 

If you are shopping price at all, I don't know any quality brand that can compete with the 4500 series from Mahindra right now.  The 48HP 4550 is currently priced at less than US$26K and you can usually see dealer specials for less than that as it is a slightly older tech and likely due to be replaced by the 4600 series soon.  Plus, 7-year warranty which is quite frankly amazing. I think they are going all out to reassure the market they are high quality and here for the long haul.

I have a Mahindra 9125P and am looking at a 3600 series for a smaller 2nd unit but those are a brand new premium line series and those are much harder to get a deal on.  

Mahindra USA link is here for the 4550:

  Mahindra 4550 4WD Tractors - Mahindra Agriculture North America: Mahindra Tractors, Farming Equipment and Utility Vehicles (mahindrausa.com)

Leigh
zippski
Leigh
zippski

Skeans1

Quote from: Southside on July 07, 2021, 08:39:44 AM
FWIW in the sub compact world today Case, New Holland, and LS are all built at the same facility in Korea, just different paint and stickers.  I have my share of JD equipment, but it's all older, I won't touch their late model stuff.  They think way too much of it, far too many propriety systems and parts, and now with their strong opposition of "right to repair" they claim you can't fix your own equipment.  

As the others said - dealer support is huge, and not just a fancy showroom, but folks who can work on and repair equipment.  
They are all like that, it has more to do with EPA then anything. Having newer Deere stuff I can still work on it heck I can even buy the software without issues where the problem lies is in EPA new requirements.

Southside

Maybe it's different in AG vs their forestry division. A neighbor has tried to buy the software and they won't sell it to him. 
Franklin buncher and skidder
JD Processor
Woodmizer LT Super 70 and LT35 sawmill, KD250 kiln, BMS 250 sharpener and setter
Riehl Edger
Woodmaster 725 and 4000 planner and moulder
Enough cows to ensure there is no spare time.
White Oak Meadows

Skeans1

Quote from: Southside on July 07, 2021, 09:00:01 AM
Maybe it's different in AG vs their forestry division. A neighbor has tried to buy the software and they won't sell it to him.
I can buy the AG software as well, one of the big differences is EPA requires the software to now go to a licensed tech.

mike_belben

I hauled new tractors a few times. One memorable dealer i BSd with for a spell was in the tricities area and was obviously a lifetime farmer and tractor user before he became a dealer, was up there in years.  Said hed peddled many brands and the kiotis were the best machine he could sell for the money.  however farming was dead and transplant homeowners were the new market.  60hp or less.


The closer to NC or texas the cheaper a kioti should be due to freight.  Kubota assembly is down to the east of atlanta.  Flat rates are near all time highs and you can only get 2 on a truck so the haul bill is substantial and dealer is passing it on to you.
Praise The Lord

Nebraska

I have an 03 53 hp Farmtrac which morphed into LS,  built  in South Korea. It has been the best money I have spent.  I knew about them  building New Holland, but not Case IH. 
I have bigger Farmtrac built  in Poland by Escort its a decent loader tractor, good for handling logs, round bales  and snow removal.  PTO stinks never been right..  May send it down the road but would really  like to avoid all the new EPA stuff.

711ac

I'm not bashing mahindra, but my experience is (by others) is that a lot of the dealers are very, very small and were used car lots a few years ago. Its not that the dealer had poor intentions, he just couldn't handle the emissions/computer problems and every little step was "guided" by the regional factory rep after phone tag for a few days. From what I've observed is it seems to be a 50/50 chance to get a good one. I've also seen 3 or 4 larger (estimate 80+ hp) mahindra's at an auction. All low hour machine, they turned out to be from a (highway) mowing contractor and all had transmission problems. 
I'd 2nd kioti for an economical but well proven tractor, but then we're back to the dealership. 

wisconsitom

I sure like my Bobcat.  It's a re-badged Kioti, although as far as I can tell, there is no Kioti that is identical to my CT 2025 Bobcat.  Mine is a lighter machine than you're after, but I believe the quality would hold thru the full range.  Good stuff.....I had a deal all drawn up for an equivalent Kubota, but when I checked out the Bobcat, it was quickly apparent that I would be getting every bit as much tractor, but for right around $4000 less.
Ask me about hybrid larch!

Southside

Quote from: Skeans1 on July 07, 2021, 09:43:24 AM
Quote from: Southside on July 07, 2021, 09:00:01 AM
Maybe it's different in AG vs their forestry division. A neighbor has tried to buy the software and they won't sell it to him.
I can buy the AG software as well, one of the big differences is EPA requires the software to now go to a licensed tech.
Ahh... Now I get it
Franklin buncher and skidder
JD Processor
Woodmizer LT Super 70 and LT35 sawmill, KD250 kiln, BMS 250 sharpener and setter
Riehl Edger
Woodmaster 725 and 4000 planner and moulder
Enough cows to ensure there is no spare time.
White Oak Meadows

Tin Horse

As mentioned dealership backup is a big part of  any equipment purchase. Back in 2017 I trade two older tractors ( White 1370 and Ford 7710) on a Kioti 7320. Both of those old machine were great but reluctantly it was time. I had good local support for both Kubota (which I know and like) and Kioti. Long story short the Kioti won out with features, warranty and price. Jump to today I am still very happy with this purchase. About 650 hrs in and zero issues. Also have two friends with the same machine. One farms and is over 1000 hrs. Nope they aren't built like the old ones and the emission stuff is a nuisance but you get used to it.
Bell 1000 Wood Processor. Enercraft 30HTL, Case 580SL. Kioti 7320.

sawguy21

Our long time and well respected Case dealer retired, outside interests purchased the store and now handle Mahindra. These people don't seem to be experienced or customer oriented and are not earning a good reputation. We have an established New Holland outlet, I understand some of their product is Kioti which is not well known here. Kioti also has a small operation 10 miles away but don't look to have the space to handle larger equipment. John Deere is 60 miles away so not practical for local farmers. Farming is key here, mainly forage crops with some grain along with dairy cattle and hogs.
Kubota is gaining traction, I had the use of one for three years and the dealer treated us well. It was a stout machine although a little small for fel work, I had some minor issues I was able to address once I figured out what was causing them.
old age and treachery will always overcome youth and enthusiasm

Danmcc

I bought a Kioti 5010 in February, so far I've liked it. Good lifting capacity, though I've maxed it several times with big logs. 

Thank You Sponsors!