New tractor questions

Mark

I have about 40 acres in hay cultivation to feed my cows and sell, if the volume is adequate. Plus I have land use and feedlot duties to perform. I also need the ability to unload 5x6 round bales off 18 wheelers.

I have a 4230 Deere (100 pto hp) with cab that I use for my initial plowing and running my 5x6 round baler. Other than that, it's overkill, on diesel, and convenience.

I also have some utility tractors for various jobs around the place and had a loader on a JD 4010 2wd which is about 80 hp and still quite large, cumbersome, and the 2wd is definitely lacking.

In April I decided that I could wiggle the purchase of a new tractor into my budget and started looking. We have all the mentioned new brands (in this thread), plus the old standby's for sale in my area.

After the mess of last spring (monsoon) and getting my loader tractor stuck on a couple of occasions and it's age, I thought a mid sized tractor with cab would be the right thing. Mid size to me is about 60 hp (to get the Cat.2 hookups and all). To make it the right purchase, it would have to have a cab (for my health and convenience), 4wd (so as to have a front end to support a loader and not get stuck in that and other things) and have a loader (why not have a loader on the tractor with the heaviest duty front end with the fattest tires and all).

I shopped and priced all summer and had all but given up when in September I was "rubbernecking" as I was driving down the road and saw a row of really sharp looking red tractors. Never saw this before.

I investigated and found exactly what I wanted and it had a naturally aspired 4 cylinder (not 3 turbocharged) Cummins diesel engine. Hot dog.

I bought it Sept 28 and have used it extensively since then. The quality is impeccable and it is a fuel miser. You have to use it awhile to realize just how convenient the "standard" whistles and bells are, including the "air ride" seat (like in an 18 wheeler) which is standard in the 6530 I bought.

If interested in something different you might just peek at www.bransontractor.com. I got the 6530 and absolutely love it. It is doing the work I used to do with 4 tractors and it's PRETTY! Plus you get a B-B 2 year warranty and a power train 4 year warranty.

Good luck,

Mark

Montana is a much cheaper thing - you get what you pay for. I would _much_ rather have a 5 year old Kubota or NH tractor than a new Montana or other knock-off cheapie. Getting parts, service, resale value will _all_ be difficult, and it will not be as durable. Just a fact of life.

You will pay dearly for not getting the loader now. It is much more useful than anything else you mention, and costs a whole lot more to add on later, than to buy with the tractor. I think it is a mistake to get it add-on years later. I would rather save money an extra year before buying than to buy without a loader. Or get a 5-10 year old compact with loader now, and trade it up to something new if you need new in a few years. Skipping the loader, if it is something you need, is the worst way to go in my opinion.

--->Paul

I would shy away from the kubota as the operator platform and seat are uncomfortable (seat is on a 25 degree angle!!!!). Also, the hood is now plastic (just like anything else now) but not only that, the steering wheel is non-adjustable and held in place with crude plastic pedestal.

THe john deeres are by far the most expensive things ever, unless you get the 790 or the 40 horsepower 970. These are good stick shift tractors, VERY reliable yanmar diesel.

I know nothing about massey and the other you mentioned, but the kubota and yanmar diesels are exceptional engines.