Tractor size

[manofaus]

Hello everybody..
I am new to this site and I would like advice about buying my first tractor.
I have 3 acres, mostly very flat, black soil. I am about to build a house and move to this small modest property. It needs slashing, I pay a guy to do it at the moment so its not that bad, but I will need to do it myself in the future. i keep looking at tractors of all different shapes and sizes, mostly kubotas and some isekis, and the odd john deere... The property is going to have my house, a yard for the kids with some nice grass, a paddock or two, and a nice orchard/vinyard and vege patch. Just for me not a market garden. I would like the tractor to mow my yard, slash my paddock, till my earth, move my compost, grade my driveway and maybe a ripper for irrigation. I am going to buy second hand as we know what a house costs to build. My budget...? about 10K or so.
I am thinking a 20hp, HST tractor or shuttle shift, with a 5' finishing moxer 4' tiller, 4' box blade and a 4 in 1 FEL. Turf tyres and 4wd. So what size should i look for?

http://www.machines4u.com.au/view/advert/L3130D/44606/
this tractor might be bit of an overkill but is is damn cheap.
thanks

 

[Kubota_Man]

First Welcome to the site. There are alot of folks on here who can answer most if not all of your questions.

Second Of what you listed as items you want I am only halfway knowledgeable on the 4' box blade. I use mine on my driveway and it does a great job. Mine is a Land Pride BB0548

 

[Hook]

The L3130 is a very nice tractor but I believe it is a 3 cylinder instead of 4 cylinder as the ad states. It is a Grand L and they have some very nice features. It is not over kill if that is what you want. I have 4 acres and have that same size tractor. Many on this forum recommend buying the biggest tractor you can afford (within reason).

 

[manofaus]

so should I also look for a quick disconnect FEL? I read somewhere that that makes it easier when you are using the tiller/mower. Or was that talking about the bigger tractors and the removal of the bucket alone.

 

[Hook]

You should definitely look for the quick disconnect loader. Some of the Grand L models have both loader and bucket quick disconnect. Not sure about the B series.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

You can NEVER have too much of a good thing. Without a doubt get that L3130!

 

[manofaus]

I would love to, but will cross fingers as I don't have the cash for it for another 6 weeks....
Would that tractor have too much ground pressure to be suitable to cut a nice yard for the kids? I suppose I would definately need those turf tyres...?

 

[manofaus]

...gone.....

 

[RDR]

I seem to be different than most. I don't like a fel. I have been using tractors for over 48 years. I would rather have a scoop on the back for moving dirt and compost. A scoop will also dig. A fel won't. A scoop won't tip you over like a fel used improperly. Without the fel you don't need 4wd. This eliminates 2 expensive options that the money can be used for other things.

If you are afraid of putting cleat marks in your lawn get a cheap lawnmower for when it is wet. I don't care if you have 50 hp, with turf tires I consider it a big lawnmower. A tractor has ag tires.

20 hp should do fine for what you need. If you can get bigger cheap, I would.

 

[3cylinder]

i have 2and 1/2 acres to mow and till up about 1/2 acre for the garden my land is up and down gets muddy down at the bottom i have l2550 does just fine i had forddexta i thought it was great untill i got my kubota

 

[helomech]

A scoop will also dig. A fel won't

Yes a FEL will dig, and will dig much better than a scoop.

 

[helomech]

so should I also look for a quick disconnect FEL? I read somewhere that that makes it easier when you are using the tiller/mower. Or was that talking about the bigger tractors and the removal of the bucket alone.

Both of my tractors have had quick disconnect front end loaders and I have never taken them off.

 

[UWAdventurer]

I would think a large BX series or smaller L series would work well for you. The 3130 mentioned above or I have the L3400. I had a L2950 I traded for the L3400, it was a great tractor also.

 

[manofaus]

I was talking to someone about a B21004WD Bi-speed with 5ft mmm. its got 250hrs on it and its 9k. It comes with a dean trailer, wet fertiliser, dry fertiliser attachments. Not interested in the attacments.

 

[skeets]

I might as well toss my thoughts into the mix too,, the L is nice. But, if I may add, a bit big for what you have in mind. If money is not that tight I would look for a BX, I have a 2360 and 5 acres of hills and woods, orchard and plowed up garden, and grass with a 400 foot driveway. She never falters or gives me any trouble doing things that I wonder if it can do.
The BX series I do belive was built for small property owners, like us, yes you can get a FEL for them I think it was like 2500 from my dealer, and you can run most any cat 1 attatchments off the 3 pt as long as it doesnt exceed the limits of the 3 pt.
Bigger isnt always better, I can tell you a story about a broken arm, a ROPS and an apple orchard
Ok Im all done now

 

[manofaus]

well thanks for all your help lads.
I put a deposit on a 2350 with loader and brand new cutting deck today.
Its funny that I made an offer on two mowers exactly the same, they both wanted 17k+. I offered 15k, but no go. A dealer had just listed one for 12.9k http://farmmachinerysales.com.au/bu...t=1&PriceTo=1873&__Nne=15&trecs=123&silo=1701
and would throw in a brand new 60' cutting deck for $1500. Just lucky I guess.
just missing a diff lock I think.

 

[manofaus]

duh, never read the things about the reverse problems and the hydraulic problems.. what to do...

 

[manofaus]

when it rains it pours...
Which would you go for...
a BX2660 with MMM 54' and kubota FEL with 1200hrs or a
BX2350 with MMM 60' and Kubota FEL with 126hrs???
Please consider

 

[Iowan]

I like the power of the 2660 but not the hours or deck size. It would take five to ten years of use for the hours on the 2360 to equal the 2660. And if you have a lot to mow the 60" deck on the 2360 will help keep hrs off your tractor.

Hope this helps

 

[gpreuss]

I would consider a B size, with a bit bigger tires. Other than that, the 2350 should have plenty of power, and fit in nicely with 3 acres. The low hours should cinch the deal.