Dreaming of a toy.....

I am wading into the realm of a new to me but can be used sub compact tractor. I wood like to get all the input you have to offer. I am looking to have 25 to 35 hp, loader on front, 3 point & pto out the back. Planned behind it a 5 foot tiller, maybe a snow blower and scraper blade. Good brands vs bad brands, made in N America vs made on this planet, diesel vs gas, 4wd vs 2wd, any other can't do without features vs paid extra for and don't use, turf vs ag vs industrial tires, what have you broke and thought it would take more or amazed by it is so tough, prices, ect ect ect..........

 

thewoodlands just made a buy like this awhile back and I think I remember quite a bit of discussion on the thread he had up. I don't really have anything to add but that.

 

I think you are getting out of the sub compact arena when you talk 25-35 hp. I'm a Kubota fan-you are looking into a B or a L series. Looking at 5 foot tiller, I would recommend a B 3350 or a L2501, 3301 or a 3901. Most definitely 4wd.

 

Depends on what your needs are, but bigger is better, and I agree with Will above, 4 wheel drive is a big deal and your looking at a compact tractor or bigger. Where I live, in the hills, 4 wheel drive is not an option, but a necessity. I found mine used on Craigslist with low hours. Saved some good money on a great tractor.

Loaded rear tires and 31.5 hp.

 

Same thread going on right now in the gear section.

 

This is our first tractor ever so I won't be much help, we went with the 4540 Mahindra 4wd because it had more lifting power,metal instead of plastic on the fenders and hood compared to another model we looked at. I can't remember the other model Mahindra we looked at but it had the same size motor but less lifting power.
4540 4WD

 

Just a warning....if I get into this once full retirement comes....we can have all these discussions again!!!

 

No fun in that is there? Gotta get my 30-40 pages in too ya know!

 

We did decide to go with the AG tires, were mostly all woods so I wasn't worried about the lawn. I think this was the other model that we looked at.
3540 4WD HST

 

Quick attach bucket
Hydrostatic
4 wheel drive
Quick attach forks
Quick attach snow plow, not a blower
Chains
Diesel
Any major brand
Loaded tires
Counter wait for bucket/forks
I like the r4 tires as a compromise
Bigger isn't always better if you are going into the woods and your trails are tight

 

I really like my Mahindra 24max. I have a 4 foot tiller, 5 foot mid mount mower, post hole digger, and 4 foot bush hog. The tractor is built by Mitsubishi, if I remember right I paid just north of 17k and zero percent financing for 7 years.

 

Diesel, 4WD, Skid-steer style quick attach bucket. I'm a Massey Ferguson fan but any major brand is good. Pick a dealer close to you. I like a gear drive vs. hydrostatic. Pay for extra remote hydraulics! I have two remote sets on the back of mine and I ran a set to the front as well (think grapple). Having a rear remote is handy. I have a hydraulic top link and it allows you to adjust the pitch of your rear mounted implement to suit the conditions/what you are trying to accomplish quickly and easily. The only implement I use a mechanically adjusted top link for is my skidder winch because I never really have to adjust it and I eliminate the risk of accidentally tipping it too close to the tractor where I can smash my rear window off the hinges when I lift it up and my saw is in the scabbard. Y'know...theoretically speaking...not that I've ever done that before....

 

I have to be honest and say I was kinda leaning to Massey but for no particular reason other than my affinity for old traditional names that are still around must mean they are doing something right. What is your draw to them?

 

PS. I dont know what the differentiation from class to class is as I have never been in this small of equipment unless you count 70+ year old M International tractors. The most recent time behind the wheel was a 500 hp 4wd Steiger pulling a 40 foot wide piece of deep banding implement with a double hopper air tank and anhydrous tank behind that.

 

Massey Ferguson used to be made by iskei company. We have a 4wd 75hp white made by the same company. We use it as a skidder and farm tractor with almost 8k hours on it we replaced the clutch and starter they are awesome tractors.