Help me not make a rookie mistake

[Lji372]

City boy recently bought ten acres with a pond, approximately 4 of it is wooded.
It already has a low ceiling pole barn (looks more like a garage from the outside) so I’ll have a building for storage. We plan on using it for recreation with the plans to either getting a mobile home (boo) or build a small home on it in the next couple of years (yay).

So for some reason with the weather about to break here I realize I have no way to maintain the property. So I started doing my homework and thought I found the perfect little kubota B7810hst. Then I started talking with friends and one has 9 acres and seems to know more about tractors than anything else. He is advising I go to the L series because over time I’ll end up wanting a little bigger. Not sure if he is just saying bigger is better because it’s a guy thing or if I’ll truly need the L. I did find a L3400 for 16k (250hrs) and the B7810(93hrs) is 9K. No I don’t plan on farming although I’d like to keep the option open to plant something on an acre or two.

I’ve never owned a tractor or driven more than a lawn tractor.
Just look looking for sound advice, thank you in advance.

 

[chim]

Welcome aboard. A more detailed description of the land and what you consider "maintaining" should help get you more useful information. It makes a difference whether you plan on a 5 acre lawn or just bush hogging it twice a year. With 4 acres of woods, it's unlikely you'll need to go full scale into logging. You'll get all sorts of responses regardless. Some will swear there's no need of yours that can't be handled with a BX1800 (because that's what they own. Some will say you can't possibly be adequately "tractored up" unless you have at least 80HP (because that's what they own). Take what we tell you with a grain of salt.

Let me be the first to lead you astray. My property is about 1/3 of yours. Creek, but no pond. All grass except for creek, trees, house, sheds and driveway. The L3200 is a good fit for me, with a 6' rear finish mower and various implements to play with. I can mow it in under 1-1/2 hours and have zero interest in a zero turn. Every now and then there's some dirt one place that I want somewhere else, something heavier than I can physically lift or snow to remove. I had a B7500 for 10 years that came up short of HP and/or weight enough to make me want larger. And for the 10 years prior to buying the B7500, a Ford 1210 (doesn't even have a loader) took care of everything.

I wouldn't be without a cab. Mine is a DIY cab, but if someone would bequeath me a few grand, I'd go for a factory cab with A/C. At 68, I prefer to be comfortable when possible

 

[skeets]

He is telling you true, SNOW removal is something you have to think about in Mi. will the B do it, sure will, but its will take more time once you figure out how to use it on your drive way. Moving dirt and stuff,, cause believe you will always have stuff to move, a little bigger is always better AND safer thats where the L comes in to play. The "L" is a little heaver, wider, more robust and over all more suited to the land you have. Your going to build sooner or later and something a bit larger will be a god send.
When I bought my BX I went in with one thing in mind and that was price! NOW I wish I had found this site BEFORE because I found out that price while is a contributing factor, is not the best way to look at buying a tractor
1 Figure out what you want to do
2 Ask and figure out what attachments you going to need
3 Check how the machine your looking at has been treated ( No they aint bullet proof)
4 Try to figure out your future needs, longer drive way hauling logs to the house for the wood burner ect.
5 Never say your not going to do something with your tractor,, because trust me you will want or your Lady will want a garden
6 How your going to mow the grass once you do get moved in.
7 If you go with a dealer and buy new,,, Get what YOU are most comfortable with,,
Dont look at the bottom line, because really there is none! A dealer, and Im not trying to talk you in to buying new, will most times give you a fair shake with information, and really ( again just my experiences) get the things you need and the cost over the whole deal will only go up a couple bucks each month. Then you have what you need when you need it, and not have to worry about trying to find what you need later.
Just MHO you understand, however to get back to your question. I might go with an "L"

 

[vic gerbasi]

1- make sure you get the always useful loader and bucket
2- the next most useful implement is a box scraper with tines

I have an L3300 and would never go smaller a fieind with a bx model borrowed my unit and his remark " now thats a tractor"

 

[Mainah]

I just decided on a L2501 over a B2650 and I have about 2 acres in Maine, mostly wooded. I need to clear it and landscape it, process and move firewood, and clear snow. We just had 2 back to back March snow storms, one 15” wet and heavy, and the other 22” kinda wet and heavy. The 64” rear snowblower was a godsend.
I chose the L over the B because it’s wider and more stable, about 1k heavier with a lower center of gravity, which makes the lifting power much more usable, and it will handle larger implements.
I’m less interested in creature comforts than capability, and the price between the two is almost the same.
With your acreage I would definitely go with the L series.
Your desired usage should determine the tractor size, more than the size of your land.

 

[Lji372]

Sounds like so far everyone seems to be for bigger.
Well I made the 2 hour trip to see the L3400. Original owner, had a box grader, 60 finish (older), tiller, and brush hog (low end).
Everything functioned as it should (according to the two friends I had with me ), so I started lightening my pocket and we loaded it up. After seeing it in person it just seemed like the size I’m going to need, or wish I had if I had bought the smaller one.

Thank you to all who responded. :bows:

 

[RCW]

Sounds like so far everyone seems to be for bigger.

When you find out it's too big, I can have a roll-back there in 12 hours. I will take it off your hands for $10k....

Seriously, it ain't gonna happen!

I (and my wallet) wanted a BX; I should have gone to a B. I will be fine with my BX, and have loved it for 5 years.

Sounds like you made the right choice on the first go-round.

Enjoy it, and best wishes!

If you don't give us pictures, it didn't happen! We love tractor porn!

 

[David Page]

Congratulations, I don't have an FEL but do like the wide stance and extra weight as we use it for firewood (trees) alot.

 

[Mainah]

Sounds like so far everyone seems to be for bigger.
Well I made the 2 hour trip to see the L3400. Original owner, had a box grader, 60 finish (older), tiller, and brush hog (low end).
Everything functioned as it should (according to the two friends I had with me ), so I started lightening my pocket and we loaded it up. After seeing it in person it just seemed like the size I’m going to need, or wish I had if I had bought the smaller one.

Thank you to all who responded. :bows:

Congratulations on a great purchase. I’m sure you’ll be happier with the L series, and maybe still looking to go bigger eventually lol.
We do love pictures!

 

[Lji372]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[D2Cat]

Nice machine. Nice size. Even has a loader, several implements, and HST.

But the part I like is you did your homework, took some friends with you to inspect and then "...so I started lightening my pocket and we loaded it..."

 

[skeets]

Hey RCW I can make in in about 9,,lol.. Really she looks pretty clean, I dont think you will have a problem wit it being to large. Main thing is ENJOY the seat time,,, did you know,,, or so I have been told,,, the idling of a diesel motor is the same frequency as a purring cat. Maybe thats why I enjoy mine so much, cats not so much Im allergic to them

 

[Mainah]

Very nice! You done good!
Enjoy!

 

[Lji372]

Got it up to my buddy’s place for temporary storage. Until the weather changes and I make a plan. For now it was back to work for 13 hours to help make up for playing hooky yesterday. :dunno:

Time to plan my work until things dry up then work my plan. :2thumbs:

I’m sure I’ll be back asking rookie questions, my apologies in advance.

 

[Missouribound]

Got it up to my buddy’s place for temporary storage. Until the weather change

I’m sure I’ll be back asking rookie questions, my apologies in advance.

There aren't any rookie questions. Everyone here has started out not knowing everything. And nobody here know everything. It's a process...you learn as you go. The thing about Kubota tractors is that they keep their value. If you find you need something different down the road you won't lose your investment. But give it time. That machine should do just fine in your situation. It can handle many implements and take care of every chore you throw at it.
You did well. And asking advice here is not a rookie move, it's a sign of seeking knowledge. A rookie move would be thinking you know it all.

Good luck and keep us apprised of your progress.