Fixing to move from 7 acres with 3/4 acre pond to 36 acres with 10 acre pond. I currently have a Massey 240 that Ive had for about 10 years that Iv'e been very pleased with. Thinking of getting a 4 wheel drive with a front loader to help with the garage/house builing and all future land and pond projects.

Looking for something in the 40 to 60 Horsepower range. Any advice, preferences suggestions, opinions or ideas would be greatly appriciated.

Thanks

I don't really have a suggestion on what to buy. However, my 7 year old, 39 HP John Deere is a workhorse. But, green tractors are more expensive than the rest and I doubt that they are worth the extra $.

I am pretty unimpressed with the fiberglass fenders, hood, cowling, etc. I have had to spend some serious(to me) $$ on repairing splitting fiberglass.

In that size tractor, there are very few bad tractors. I'd just stay away from the Chinese tractors and European tractors. The Chinese tractors, because of quality and parts availability, and the European tractors mainly because of parts availability.

The tractors made in Japan, South Korea, and India (i.e, Mahindra) are all excellent these days. That will cover most of the tractors below about 50 hp, and actually it will cover most up to 60 hp. Except for maybe John Deere, most of the utility tractors are primarily from overseas companies -- but many of them are assembled in this country.

Maybe our friend Todd L., will pop in. He just went through a long search for a new 40 hp 4WD tractor with front-end loader, and bought a Mahindra. But, he looked a lot of tractors and brands over the last year or so. I've had a Mahindra for five years and it has been great. I never even got to use the warranty.

I've been very happy with my Kabota. Had it 4 years, and I have to admit the a/c and automatic transmission is nice.

I've had no issues, other than standard maintenance and keeping filters clean.

just make sure that whatever brand you end up with has a strong dealer base, as well as a dealer relatively close to you.

Thanks for the input. Just read the thread todd posted on his recent Mahindra purchace and sounds pretty good. Was kinda hoping to maybe find a used one at a dealer and possibly trade mine in.

My Kubota has been good also. It's 4 yrs old now and only has 105 hrs on it but with the deal I got, FEL,brush hog, box blade, I couldn't beat the deal. John Deere wouldn't come close or I would've gone with them. I agree with sprkplug, be sure you have an established dealer pretty close.

I have a 2305 (25 HP) John Deere and love it. I have a tiller, blade, sprayer, spreader, and bucket.

It was a bit higher than the Kubota but I like how it operates. I'm not much into the one pedal you use to go forward or backwards.

I just put 150 or so hours on a JD 4720. I like the cab, extra hydraulics for a front grapple bucket, etc. I don't like how the radiator & A/C condenser collects dust. When running in dusty conditions, you need to wash off the condensers and radiator every 6-8 hrs or it'll start to overheat and the A/c will quit.

I've got an old 1952 Ford/Ferguson with a bucket that I have had since 1975 that I depend on, with a scraper blade, bush hog, plow, disk and used to have a vertical hydraulic log splitter when I cut my own wood. Without this little tractor I would have to move into town because I couldn't keep my place up.

I use an old 60 John Deere on my place and it works great. There are a lot of good used tractors out there, you just have to look around a bit to find them. A lot of times, you can get a lot more tractor for a lot less money by buying a quality used tractor over a new one.

Anyone know of some good used Tractor dealers in say Indiana,Kentucky,Ohio or Illinois. Preferably within a 2 to 3 hour drive of Louisville Ky. Thanks for all the input guys.

Hey, R&R, I know you've read my thread on my mew Mahindra, so I'll spare you the thoughts that I've already shared. One point in reading through this thread is Dave's comments make sense about not having fiberglass fenders. One great thing on the Mahindra is that it is all metal - fenders and everything. The only plastic parts are the end caps (at least that's what I call them) on the fenders to prevent sharp edges from being exposed.

Really, all of the tractors I looked at were good tractors and each certainly has its fan base. For me, the final decision really came down the weight of the Mahindra. It is fully 900 pounds heavier than the closest comparable tractor from any others that I looked at, and that was a big selling point for me.

Good luck with your search and keep us posted on how it goes!

Thanks Todd,
Did you search for any used Mahindra's while you were looking?

Have had a 1990 JD 1070 for 22 years. It has a new model number now. No complaints so far, but I expect to keep it another 20 years if I live that long. I'll let you know then if it meets my expectations.

R&R:

Send FRIZ a PM. He knows of a Kubota dealer in KY that has good deals - cheaper than any that he found in Indiana, and they deliver to Indiana on a weekly basis. That's if you're looking for a Kubota. Tell him (FRIZ) that I told you to give him a PM.

I did not, R&R, mainly just because I wanted a new tractor warranty. I suspect if you could get past the warranty as a priority, there would be some pretty nice units available for a good price. The dealership I dealt with is pretty new and so they didn't have much of a stock of used tractors to consider other than a couple of things that I think may have been tractors at one time but now, not so much!

For those who are contemplating a tractor buy and don't have a utility trailer, this is a good way to get one. If you get a JD package deal (3-5 attachments) for example, you will get a heavy duty trailer with it. This then can be used for most any "trailer" use including taking it back to the dealer for whatever. I bought a utility trailer first and then bought a tractor. This cost me more and I can't use this trailer for hauling the tractor. Just FYI.

I also recommend the industrial tires as opposed to the ag tires. Ag tires will tear up any moist ground and mark up gravel roads. Mine leaves almost no tracks at all.

My advice is go with a skidsteer. I had a small utility tractor for moving round bales and small jobs.I decided to sell it and bought a used 2001 Bobcat 773(46hp I think). That thing does everything a tractor can do and more!They even have the brushhog attachments now.Would be great for your building project. Just something to think about.

esshup,
I'll keep FRIZ in mind when I get closer.
sniper and jason
I already have a Trailer and a lot of attachments. I'd love to have a skidsteer but for me the Tractor would probably be the most feasable. All good points though. Thanks

R&R: I saw him today and told him about your search. He might be sending you the information via PM.

Thanks esshup I'll keep an eye out.

The PM is a good idea. Kubota is extremely protective of their individual dealers. They frown on a dealer who infringes on another dealer's territory.

Industrial, or turf tires are more forgiving if you spin them. However, ag tires simply aren't as likely to spin in the first place, so choose your side. If you work the tractor a lot in your yard, such as mowing duties, then a less aggressive tread might prove beneficial. When it comes time for the tractor to truly earn its keep, then ag tires are the way to go. Once the grooves in a turf, or commercial tire fill with mud, it's game over.

You know, Todd, now that you have a tractor, you have to deliver large on Mother's day. A new Mercedes E class would be perfect.

Well, since she's in a nice Volvo XC90 at this point, and doesn't want to go back to a car, I guess I wouldn't mind driving an E class Benz that had a bumper sticker saying "My Other Car is a Mahindra!"

It's funny, but all she wanted was an indoor/outdoor lemon tree we found on a website but it isn't being delivered for another couple of weeks. Maybe a day of pampering and getting the kids to serve her for once would be the ticket in the meantime! Besides, she knows she always welcome to drive the tractor and her next big gift is going to be a pistol (yes, that was her idea and not mine!).

I just snagged a really good deal on a New Holland "Boomer" series tractor. Got the Boomer 40 model.

It has six hours on it after today...

Way to go, Clayton! Congrats - you made a great choice and will realize just how much fun (oh, and utility, too!) you get out of a tractor. I just hit 23 hours on mine yesterday at the two week mark and have actually been working it in addition to the fun riding around with the kids. Be sure to post some pics of the various jobs you do with it!

Beautiful. As I've said in other posts, there are very few less-than-great 4wd diesel tractors these days. Enjoy -- and, above all stay safe.

looks like a really nice tractor Clayton. Also looks like you may have trouble getting someone else off of it.

My favorite color is Blue. NH was in the top three for my pick on tractors.

Dealer finally responded to my inquiry several weeks after the "Orange" tractor was delivered. Close to two months!

Good Tractor, Bad Dealer!

Todd, the Mahindra was a very close second. Had it not been for a superb relationship with the NH dealer, I think a 4035 would have been in the place of my Boomer 40. Your recent acquisition inspired me! (actually my wife's OK was a long time overdue)

Well done, Clayton! I agree that a solid dealer relationship is a huge factor in the decision process. I have always liked NH tractors, but our local dealer was not the sort to create the same feelings you obviously have with your dealer! And, like you, my wife's final okay was the deal sealer for me!

I have purchased a couple new tractors over the years, and always considered NH. But the NH dealerships gave me the feeling they didn't care if they sold a tractor or not. Thought if it was this challenging to buy a tractor I could only imagine getting it serviced.

The "revolving door" of mechanics seemed to be plaguing my local orange tractor dealer. If Mahindra had a close, reputable dealer to me, it would have been a no-brainer. The NH dealer nearby has serviced my mother's tractors well and that was a bi factor for me. It's different in each area as no two dealers are alike, same brand or not. There are numerous green dealers nearby, but they were priced a little out of my league.

That is one nice tractor Clayton, congrats. I would have bought NH if the dealer would have acted different. Always liked the blue tractors!

If I may threadjack just a little bit here since this is a tractor thread, no need to start a new one. What would be considered the minimum HP one would consider their tractor having? My father has a 29 HP Kubota. He mainly uses it with the harrow, plow, and bush hog duties. If one were to add a front end loader to do dirt work, what might the minimum HP you'd need? What would be a comfortable HP to have? I know this is very subjective to personal preference, just wanna get a ball park idea.

Rwsvt
I believe most would say more important than hp would be to get 4 wd if your going to have a FEL. much safer and more utility. 30-50 horse should do whatever job most of us on the forum need

Agree with Gallop on everything. A FEL without 4wd can't accomplish anything re dirt work.

Admittedly, I usually use my FEL to haul rocks, wood, deer, hogs and junk.

Same here - 4wd and then anything in that 30-50 range probably is perfect for most people who don't actually farm. I considered getting a bit crazy and buying a higher hp tractor - 70 or so, but realized it's overkill for anything I'll be doing (and for my wallet). I wouldn't worry about having 50 hp, but really at 40 on my Mahindra, I feel like there's nothing I can't do that I actually want or need to do. Plus, 4wd with a differential lock and it'll go places I probably don't want it to go!

Anyone have any experience with TYM tractors made in S.Korea? Looked at some this past weekend, and was impressed with tractor and pricing.

The problem I have noticed is getting parts and service for the non name brand equipment. I talked to a guy that bought some Belarus tractors. He had gotten a contract to do highway mowing. When problems occurred, he couldn't get parts and the dealership didn't have trained mechanics. He went out of business and lost quite a bit of $.

That's why I like to stay with green, blue, orange and red tractors. Namely JD, NH, Kubota and Case. I personally think that Kubota is the best buy out there. They are cheaper to buy than my JD but JD has the best resale value.

I've spent a lot of money replacing busted fiberglass hood, cowling, etc on my JD. I can't recommend them.

Same here on looking at higher HP. I was dead-set on a 70 HP for the longest time. Now that I see what my 40 HP w/ 4x4 can do, I don't have any reservations.

All of the dealers in this area are Mickey Mouse except for the John Deere dealer. And as for the large ranches and farms in the area (over 2000 acres), you see nothing but JD equipment.

Thanks for the replies and info. I didn't mention that my fathers Kubota is 4WD although he doesn't have a FEL, it does all that he needs it to. I was just wondering about doing dirt work with a 29 HP tractor.

It can be done, but it might take some time, depending on how much dirt you have to move.

Most landscaping contractors around here use a combination of skidsteer loaders (a lot of Bobcats) or Kubota L2800/L3800's for site work. I was blown away by the amount of work moving rock and dirt my landscaper's L3200 4x4 and FEL could do. They're a good fit because you can maneuver them in tight spots and can carry a modest load in the bucket.