we sell kubota and new holland. kubota's don't ever come back for warranty.

 

When I was looking I checked out the classifieds to see what brand had the most for sale. It was JD. Maybe it's because they sell more I don't know but I went with a Kubota 7610 Hydrostat w/loader (24 hp). I have almost 175 hrs on it and absolutely love it. I have abused it, and worked it very hard and have had no problems.

When I was shopping, they were all about the same price and I went with the dealer that I liked. Here's what happened. I had a 24 hp Kubota without a loader and a huge storm blew in and destroyed my place. I went to the Kubota dealer to see about getting a loader put on and he talked me into getting a new tractor set up just like I wanted for just a little more. Anyway I decided to go ahead with the new one and he says "You need this right now don't you?" "You bet I do" I said. He said to just take it on home and we could do the paperwork another day. I couldn't believe it. I did not sign anything at all we just shook on it and I walked out the door with my new tractor. This dealer went above and beyond what was expected and I can't say enough good things about them.

 

Again, the reason that I originally stressed - buy from and for a good dealer!!!

As to the Case/Belarus question a few posts back, may I carefully suggest avoiding both of them? That smaller Case transmission and final drive (an old IH design) is soooooooooo antiquted, I supposed in '85 it may have still had some life left in it's design phase, but last I was aware of they were pushing 90 bhp out through what was orignally designed for 25 bhp. The Belarus - is okay, if you get if for free with another "parts tractor" thrown in also for free. As long as the engine still runs it would make a good power unit for a PTO-driven grain auger...

Back to the original question...one more consideration. Designers these days do at least have some clue that we would like some sort of access to the engine compartment. (imagine that.....) So after years of bolting down any possible hood in the industry and giving the opearator a small door, somewhere on the hood to open for an air-filter swap, they at least now try to give some all-around access. Some designers get the idea...some get too wrapped up in "design." Something to consider...

 

It seems like you are really making the case to buy a good brand. The dealer is important but not as important as the brand. If you buy a lousy tractor you get to visit the great dealer and hope he takes care of you. If you buy a great tractor you get to forget the dealer and play with the tractor. As far as mechanical access goes, the New Holland has a hood that flips up out of the way on struts and you can get to everything very easily, such as battery, air filter, radiator, dip stick, etc. I looked at the Mahindras, and after I found the dipstick, I had to bend a bunch of wiring out of the way and get stabbed by a wire tie to check the oil. No thanks. One day while driving along I spotted some nice looking tractors at a dealer. Can't remember the brand as they were ones I'd never heard of before. I stopped and the guy said "there is no guarantee on those, period", "Once you leave with it, it's yours and you're on your own". Needless to say, I thanked him and left. Another fun conversation to start with some dealers is the concept of "gray market" tractors. This can send some of them into a real tizzy. But you could get a perfectly good Yanmar and pick up parts at the local Case dealer as long as you don't use the word Yanmar. Or you could get a Mahindra (these are not gray market) and get your parts at the local IH dealer. If you buy a well known brand, and you get the appropriate size for your job, you are very unlikely to have problems. Just pick one that has the features you like one whose layout makes sense to you. Some are modern, some are complex, some are simple and old fashioned and there's nothing wrong with any of those sytyles.

John

 

I spent a few hours on www.machinefinder.com looking for tractors for my boss when I worked on the farm...its mostly used tractors and equip. but its pretty good for looking at prices and such

 

Wetspirit - correct, you should by a good brand, a known brand, etc. Used to be Nebraska Tractor Test required all tractors to meet sepcifications as advertised. Tihnk that has gone by the wayside with the recent Chinese tractor invasion, etc.

I did not mean to imply to buy a cheap brand "just to have a good dealer." Where I grew up the New-Holland/Agco dealer sold more vechiles than the Deere and Case - IH dealers (Prior to the CNH merger) due to thier service reputation and willingness to work with customers.

 

Any AGCO dealers around? Same tractor

I know Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, and a lot of the Eastern States are losing their dealers. All Colors, not just Orange and Red A lot of this is due to a competitive market. Dealers just aren't willing to stock machines (and pay for them) without having a good prospect for them.

If anyone has any questions about different brands/models, shoot me a PM I'd be glad to talk to someone about something I "really" know

Chris

 

I have a Branson with a 47 hp cummins 4wd and loader. it's a great tractor and the price is right(30% less than a comparible JD with a better warranty) and it has the little torque monster of a cummins in it. I also have a Kioti DK 45. It is a Korean tractor that in my opinion is the best current value in a compact tractor. It also has a full, unlimited hour 3 yr. warranty. ( there is a lot of info online about both these tractors)
Joe

 

Branson is a hot item here. A-lot of people buying them these days. My dad bought a gray market 2310 Yanmar 6 years ago. It is a great tractor it has a few oil leaks but runs like a champ and has strong hydraulics. He got the tractor front bucket and backho attachment for some where around $13,000. He has put a little over 1200 hours on it. He has had no problems getting parts either (air filters, oil filters, starter and altenator). He is ready for the Branson though he said something about a place to put a cup holder for his beer....... I'll be waitin for the nod to take the yanmar home.
I'm not making any suggestions here I just saw that Branson with the cummins was mentioned. My dad bought the Yanmar because he needed a good tractor and had a budget. I'm sure the Branson will be sittin in the yard soon he's been shoping.
Tim

 

If you don't need the extra hp, I have a 2005 Kubota B7510 4x4 hydrostatic with a front end loader, weight box and R4 tires. This tractor has about 25 hours on it and looks as good as it runs. I have to sell due to a family emergency and not by choice. A freind of mine put my septic in with his wich included removing some stumps. He uses his commercially and beats on his daily with only minor problems such as blown hoses. If you are interested let me know.

 

Try www.tractorbynet You'll get a lot of answers to Your question.
When ,and if You do , try to state what type of work You will be doing , and the size of the property You'll be maintaining . Also , it'll help if You state what type of trans You want . ( Hst, shuttle ,etc )

 

Being a Cummins guy, You wouldn't want the Kubota, as they use an Isuzu diesel

I have an older one (1992 B1950) with the 3 cylinder inline diesel, and now with 4100+ hours on it, I have yet to have an engine related problem. It does need a new hydro pump, as it will not hold the deck or snow blade up. By the way I bought it new in July of 1991. I highly recommend the Kubota for small mowing jobs, (Under 5 acres!) and other small jobs. Mine is a 4x4 with high and low range, 4 wheel drive lock up, (This locks all 4 wheels, not just one front and one back, or 3 wheels as many 4x4`s do!) It is a very nice lawn tractor.

 

Got to be Green.Usually the JD's are in line.My dealer over here is very good on prices or I would'nt have 3 of them!

 

Kubota does NOT use an Isuzu engine. Kubota builds all their parts including engine's in house. That is one of the main reasons I like Kubota. If I wanted a yanmar, I'd buy a yanmar, not a JD with a yanmar engine. I have had two 5000 series Deere's and a 4000 series Deere and and we got rid of both the 5210 and the 5400 because the quality was just not there. The 4600 is on its way out shortly as it is worse than the 5000 series. We have since bought three new Kubota's and have never looked back. Less money upfront, better quality, more reliable. I would buy another Kubota without thinking twice, can't say the same for the Deere's. We had alwasys run Deere's but the quality has just gotten too poor for our liking.

 

well, you guyus are worrying me that I just bought a POS when I got the Belarus, however, I talked to three dealers( two JD and one new Holland) who all said they were good tractors. I saw 7 of them on the trip up to pick mine up, all out in fields working. I have been told the only issue they have is the electrical system is weak, but the tractor mechanics are strong.
I got mine home two days ago, and yesterday put it thru its paces moving dirt and pushed down an 8 inch Elm tree....
I gotta say that so far I am impressed. Its a little oh...cruder? or rougher built than the JD's and such I looked at, but I am happy with it.
Parts availibility was a concern, so before I purchased I searched for a parts dealer, there are 5 in the state of KS, and I can order parts online direct from the factory if I needed to....
Guess i am defending my purchase as well as the tractor, but I am happy with my decision so far....
and for a 60 horsepower with a loader, it was lower priced than any comparable model I found.