I had no idea what I was doing when I bought my tractor. 14 acres and a lot of hills and knew we’d be moving a lot of material around the property. Lucked out and bought one that is the right size for moving what we needed to move. A bit oversized for the other stuff and that is absolutely not a problem. After being on the property about a year and a half we got hit with a major snowstorm and the driveway was blocked by a couple of six foot snow drifts. The snowblower couldn’t even get through them but the loader on the tractor had no issues. Would have been trapped in the house for a couple of weeks. Very happy to have lucked into a tractor that was bigger than we thought we’d ever need.
Tell ya what- I STILL have no idea what I'm doing, but I thank my lucky stars every day that we got a tractor that was one size up from what we thought we needed!
Everyone needs to see this video before purchasing a tractor. Luckily I purchased a tractor a bit bigger than I needed, I purchased the Kioti DK 4720 that came with 3 implements and have 4 acres in the mountains of Colorado and the property has a good slope to it with lot's of trees. Thanks for the video, nicely done!
I'm in the process of buying my first tractor, and while I'm no stranger to using them, not buying a big enough machine is my biggest fear. On the surface, it appears I can get by with a small machine, being that I have about an acre in town. The other things I had to consider were that I run a small fabrication shop out of my garage and will need to be able to lift and move some weighty objects occasionally. Another consideration is that my grandparents are all getting older. They have maintenance projects coming up that require a tractor, but they are old enough that buying one doesn't make sense for them. After all of the research and talking to people we know who have tractors, we decided on the LS MT225HE with a backhoe. We have JD, Kubota, NH, Yanmar, LS, TYM, Bad Boy, and MF, all within an hour of home. While price was a factor, dealer support and attitude is what did it for us. Hopefully, I'll be picking up our new machine this week.
I’ve got a 1025R and it seemed to be just about right when I owned 3 acres. Now that I’m on 8 acres and have a cow and goats to tend to plus lots of forestry and grade work to do I’d really enjoy having a heavier machine with around 2,000lb loader capacity. My buddy loaned me a Kubota 3 series for a day with grapple. I used it to move a bunch of large logs from a log deck and my eyes were opened on how capable these machines become when they get a little larger. I’ve put a couple hundred hours on the 1025R moving material, grading with box blade, and running my Tebben Bush hog (bought from your shop). That little machine continues to impress but I do see a larger tractor in our future. Definitely gonna need rear remotes, hydraulic top link, and 3rd function too while I’m at it.
I'm always surprised what a machine like a 1025 WILL do. My neignbor has one that does everything he asks of it and more, but loader work kinda gets a little rough for him some days. In the end, though, any tractor is better than no tractor!
Just like the tools in your shop, it is best to have multiple sizes of wrenches instead of using an adjustable one and I have found multiple tractors is the way to go. I started with a John Deere 43 HP tractor but found that I needed to lift and move big, heavy things so I bought a huge pay loader that can lift 24,000 pounds. Next, I wanted something that could get into tight spaces and plow sidewalks so I bought a John Deere 1025R and this is the tractor I use most. I needed to do some digging but didn't think I was going to do a lot of it so I bought an inexpensive 3-point-hitch backhoe for my 43 HP tractor. This does minor jobs like waterline work but taking out stumps can take all day and I am afraid that the hoe will bend. To solve this problem, I just bought a Caterpillar 50-Ton excavator and this will tear giant stumps out of the ground in one swipe and not break a sweat. As you can see, I love my toys! Did I mention that I have 2 acres? Of course previously I also maintained a 40 acre fairground but now am retired.
This was great information, I am buying my first tractor and I appreciate it. You don't focus on brands and you gave me great insight. I have 10.5 acres and I am getting a 25 HP tractor. Dealer is close by so we shall see.
Thanks for the excellent video! I have been researching a replacement for a recently broken old tractor and this is a great resource. It helped me solidify that I really do need to step up to the DK series or maybe look at the comparable LS. Thanks again!!
Great list of considerations. These are the questions the “right” dealer should be asking out of the gate. You’ll need your dealer for warranty, parts & pro-level service. IMHO, the “right,” local dealer makes all the difference, and is the most important consideration. If your salesman acts like he’s doing you a favor selling you a $60K+ machine, how friendly will that dealer be when you need warranty service or a $70 part? Additionally, while I’ve heard lots of regrets about buying a backhoe for $10K+ (instead of renting a more capable mini ex twice a year for ~$1750 for 2 weeks), I’ve never heard someone regret that they got a cab if they live in a state that has summer & winter.
I really planned to use the tractor for 90% PTO work… so that dictated HP. So, then I realized physical size wasn’t a limitation for me, so I went with the heaviest 48HP I could buy, which was a Branson 4820H.
I bought the MT342HC. Right size but wish it was the 47 or 52. I have a lot of fallen Ash trees and they are a good size so I'm pulling them out of the woods The only other problem is the cost of implements. I wish they weren't so darn expensive. I want a plow, back hoe would be nice and snow removal but can't afford any of that stuff. But I am extremely happy with the MT342HC. It is a work horse.
If your not on a city lot. The bigger the better small tractors bounce around a lot and have a rough ride and even if the sales rep says a t25 will pick up 5×5 round bales it wont. Unless you have micro needs (cleaning stalls) or limmited space buy big or youll be able to say well my first tractor so i bought this
Great video. I have 15 acres. 5 of it is a field I plan on using a finish mower. 8 of it is woods that I plan on cutting trails. I also plan on adding a pond and some light farming. I have some hilly spots. I was thinking a Kioti CK3520SE or maybe the 40HP. Keeps it small enough for woods but still have the PTO HP. Also gonna run a stump grinder. Small part of me says get a DK and the other part says stick with CK for smaller size
What are you thoughts about if I plan to use a tractor with belly mower to mow my yard. Obviously a lawn mower would be best for this but if you were to use a tractor would a compact tractor over sub compact be to heavy on your lawn. I do have a hilly lawn and was concerned about overhead weight of compact vs subcompact. I live on 2.3 acres and will utilize a bucket/box blade for my gravel driveway along with some dirt work as projects arise. I also plan to get a tiller to use on our garden. I prefer a compact tractor but the mowing the lawn portion is the main concern.
You're actually right I agree with you even on what you said about horsepower well that should be a whole different video that you're not going to regret going bigger I agree
I Definitely went with too small a tractor(1025R 16 acres 7-8 of which I have to manage). The dealer said he wanted to sell a bigger one but I didn't take heed, price was a big factor though. The little 1 series can get most done since the property was mostly established but it's not quite large enough to handle some tools I'd like to have and use, sure does take a long time to manage too. Great video wish I would have come across it sooner but I usually end up learning the hard way. I'll probably be looking at a 3039R in the near future and it will be a good match for what I'm dealing with.
I don’t know your situation but JD generally is the worst to buy at this point. They are under powered and over priced in the sub/compact market. But if all you have is JD by you, I guess you got stuck with the green junk.
I'm still trying to decide. I have 80 acres of which 45 acres are leased ag ground. The rest I have 3 small food plot's in the woods and my yard is about 5 acres. I have trails I maintain along with the food plots. I don't burn firewood other than a couple fires a year in the firepit. I'm looking at the MT2 35 OR 40 however really appreciate the MT3 platform. We live in west central Wisconsin and would love to have a cab for the winter for plowing or long driveway. The one thing that scares me with the cab is brush hogging in the woods. Mind you I've been doing all of this with a midsize Polaris Ranger for the past 4 years. I really need a tractor.
I wouldn't go smaller than the MT3. I think you'd really outgrow the MT2 quickly. A cab would be essential as well. It'll be a little speedy up front, but going smaller or going without a cab on such a large property would probably result in a lot of misery!
I bought a new holland boomer 40, used off facebook marketplace. I only have 0.75 acres at the house but I've got to move ibc totes of firewood. It is too big for almost every task here EXCEPT for lifting those IBC totes!
Nice and thorough! A very good break down of considerations. I might add, test drive on a lot if possible, and transmission type is another factor. Often tractors seem big to people, until they drive them a few minutes and get more comfortable. Loaders and lift rating #'s aren't always real world applicable when comparing whats on paper vs customer expectations. Just some thoughts. Is your shop in Monroe? If so, I always had good dealings with your shop when I was on the Wetside. Great videos, and content. Thanks!
This is a most in depth video on this kind of topic I have found . My dealer , gave no impute at all . I mentioned a couple of jobs I would be doing and that was it . Luckily I studied long and hard , and am satisfied with my choice . ( Got lucky ) He appears to be that way with everyone , but loves to chit chat . I'm sure this video will help a lot of people . Not everyone can catch 'dumb luck' when needed , and these machines are to expensive to make a bad choice ! Great video to pass along . P.S. Hot tip of the day : KANSAS CITY !
Thanks! I think sometimes dealers don't want to scare a customer away by suggesting a larger tractor, but I'd rather set a person's expectations- even if acperson can only afford a small machine, at least they're aware of what the machine is capable of!
Thanks for the video. I am a first time tractor owner. I have 8.3 acres, 6 acres are cleared with maybe 20 trees left. The other 2 acres are starting to return to a forest, they were cut 4 years ago. Mainly will be doing mowing, some grading, and want to get into permaculture. Would a JD 2025R or Kub LX2610 be good?
Think about doing work on the side helps make payments, so get a bigger one that you can add equipment and tools Remember no one wants a small little tractor to do work Go big with a cab and resale value will be great later
Remotes?? Not being mean to ya but yeah remote numbers. My advise is buy a tractor that can pick a ton bare assed. I love my 454 tym, or dads mt573 ls. Not trying to poopoo my smaller tractor buying brothern and sistern, I know thats a word mabey not used correctly but anyhow. Good video. Oh and my advise comes from my dad cause I didnt want a tractor as large as that 454 so I dont get to sound smart now...😢
Hello, so i am looking for a compact tractor. I have a ford jubilee as my comparable. I use it for bushhogging and pulling a 2 bottom plow nd a 6' chisel plow l, however agriculture is not my main goal.I have 15 acres, another property has 3 acres thats overgrown. I am planning t get a grapple, forks, stump bucket and i would like it to handle the chores of my ford, plus maybe a tiller, however i do plan to use this for my renovation business, we buy distressed residential properties, could use it o clear brush, do landscaping, material handling would like 1500 to 2klbs on the bucket min. I do need it to be nimble to move in yards but i need it robust enough to work and not break. I was originally thinking of a yanma sa325 or stepping into their 35hp range, or i was looking into tym 2515 or 3515, or possibly into their 40hp line. Nut i am afraid of size. Could you advise ? Thanks i wish u were local brother!
I tell ya what- I'd really recommend that 4 series size machine, as you'd be right at the edge of the capability of the next size down. It'll cost you more money, but it'll pay you back when you consider how much faster you get stuff done! You're talking about a whole lot of really loader-intensive work, so going bigger than your Jubilee would help a ton! The YM3 series or Kioti Dk or LS Mt3 would really be great machines for what you're describing
No worries! In the end, ANY tractor is better than no tractor. You can get real creative if you need to. Having a good dealer is the most important thing. Good luck out there!
Hey LS is coming out with the new LS MT242 cab tractor. How would that line up with the Kioti line? Is that comparable to the CK or DK line? Thanks for the videos! John
@@HomesteadBandwagon thanks so much for the quick reply! Seems like a nice fit for what I need but I will wait and see prices. I have seen some amazing deals on the MT357HC. Have a great week sir!
@FalconLX-nf9uz I'd take a real hard look at a MT3 series if you can get a deal on one. Out here, I've got one that's within a couple thousand of the new MT2 cab.
My backyard is approx 20’x50’…front yard let’s say 50’x50’ with paved driveway and sidewalk access…I’m looking to dig a 9’ deep 10’ wide trench around my compound to fill with spikes and also gasoline. What do you recommend?
You really don't understand finance. 1) FICO started in the 50s. 2) Banks make money on aggregation of groups of loans. 0% allows them to balance risk for higher interest loans. 3) if you have cash, invest it while you use 0%. 4) not everyone will qualify for 0%. 5) Aside from GA, no state requires simple interest. 6) in most states a written contract supercedes the interest limits ...please don't give financial advice without some research.
1) Fico scores did not exist until 1989. 2) 0% does nothing for a bank besides cost them money. There is nothing to protect them from risk of loan default. They are being paid by SOMEONE. 3) sure, but if you're paying a higher up-front cost, it might not make sense to invest the money. 4) yeah. No kidding. 5) Incorrect. 6) Also completely incorrect. If limits on lending exist, no contract would nullify these limits.
