Dreaming of a toy.....

Pretty much the same as you. That and the fact that there was (or used to be anyway) a local dealer. They treated me right. The first one I bought from them was a 1433 (33 HP). After building my house I realized I needed something bigger. I had it for 6 years and when I upgraded they gave me almost what I had originally paid for it as a trade. MF was having a 6 year 0% finance deal at the time. It became a no-brainer at that point...

 

Why do you like a gear tractor?

 

Massey is actually owned by a big corporation called agco they own several tractor brands. Pretty much the only tractor manufacturer that is still independent is John Deere.

 

In my looking around reference is made of grey tractors or grey market tractors. What is this reference to???? I have found Yanmar tractors on a couple dealers sites and never heard of these. Anything good or bad about them?

 

I believe that Yanmar has built quite a few John Deer Models and a lot of the JD's have yanmar engines. Their engines seem to quite good. Cub cadets were Yanmar for a while, now Yanmar has their lable on them. I've been told by tractor mechanics that my New Holland T1520 is just about bullet proof, unless you put a backhoe on it and go crazy. Then you have a 2 piece tractor

 

Yanmar and Kioti (sp) both get pretty good reviews.

Gary

 

I went through this last year. It can be really complicated or it can be really simple, depending on how much time and effort and money you want to put into it. As has been mentioned above, there are really only a few companies that make tractors/parts and these are scattered around the world. Mostly USA, Korea, Japan, India. Every country can and does make a spectrum of tractor and parts from first-class (expensive) to less expensive and value-oriented. JD and Kubota are mostly USA/Japan. They are expensive up front and hold their value better. Most everything else is some sort of combination from everywhere, just different combos of parts and colors of paint and mostly much better value for $.

Mahindra is kind of in between JD/Kubota and the value brands. Their tractors are massive (as in they weigh alot, a very good thin) and have very good performance. They used to be cheaper than JD/Kubota, but recently, their prices are getting pretty close. In their compact/subcompact lines, they have some Mitsubishi's with their eCRD engines that are really nice tractors with great fit and finish such as their 1533 and they have some others that are based on Korean LS frames with their eCRD engines that are heavier and with bigger capacities at the expense of fit and finish. These are real BEAST MODE tractors, in a very good way. If you have a local, reliable Mahindra dealer definitely take a look.

Be very careful of the JD's. Their "E" series are at a very favorable price point, but at the expense of "solid" build. Their "R" series are great, but the price is "bigly."

Tier IV engines. They are nice for the environment and the operator's lungs, but are more expensive for the same performance. Also, more and expensive parts to repair down the road. Try to get a use pre-Tier IV if possible.

Features you want or should avoid. You absolutely want 4wd and almost certainly want hydrostatic transmission for a "woods tractor." I would say go with Ag or Turf tires depending on how much you want to drive on lawn. R4 Industrials are a compromise, which means they suck at both (they are designed for industrial work sites with asphalt and/or gravel surfaces) and will tear up turf and they loose traction in the woods without chains. Turf tires are not terrible in the woods if you need to run on turf. If not, definitely go with Ag's. I've got Ag's and they destroy wet/soft turf, but 95% of my use is in the woods. You definitely want filled tires to get your weight up and center of gravity down.

Attachments: Try to get a skid steer quick attach (SSQA) on the FEL for sure (they can be retrofitted but ~$500-1000). Pallet forks are VERY handy. Many people like a grapple for the FEL. Aux hydraulics are always nice, but can be added later as needed. After that, the sky is the limit for accessories for the FEL and the 3pt. You can get anything and everything your heart desires, based on your own individual needs. If you are going to be any logging, a decent logging winch would TREMENDOUS attachment. It would be totally useful for logging and would provide a perfect counterbalance for FEL work. If that is too expensive, I've gotten great use from a DR brand log hitch (Log Hitch) I can't wait 'til I have some extra $ to pick up a real logging hitch. One underappreciated accessory is a "tooth bar" for the FEL. My used tractor came with one and it is amazingly useful and apparently not very expensive.

Good luck with your shopping. Don't rush. Get what you want up front. Better to cry once.

 

Things I wish my tractor had are power port for charging phone etc. Tool or storage space. ROPS lighting as the front light are bright but if the bucket is down to go on the road it blocks a lot of the light.

Gary

 

I cannot find a convenient spot on my tractor for a tool box.

 

Gray market equipment is made overseas and for lack of a better term smuggled into the country. They can be decent equipment but parts can sometimes be hard to get and quality can be sub par. Most times the equipment resembles domestic models with slight differences.

mike bayerl said it very well and has just been through it as he said. Everyone has given good advice and listed their experiences but when it comes down to it only you can decide. Go to dealers, friends, neighbors and try different brands for yourself.

 

They make some with brackets that bolt to your ROPS. I think it is the same company that makes the Piranha tooth bar. Might be BXexpanded?

Gary

 

Here's a little light reading on the Zen-Noh - Kubota grey market tractor story. Somehow Yanmar is supposed to/might fit into this somehow. Enjoy.


ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 1: A Partnership | OrangeTractorTalks

 

Sure you can find gray market tractors on AliBaba
Gary

 

Yanmar powers alot of Deere and other equipment. They are excellent engines. I don't have experience with there tractors but I imagine the are good.

 

Yep found some on AliBaba says 2000-4500.00 30 horse. Probably a leader price it probably really is 4700.00

Gary

 

Sweet loader, dude. Is that one of them there fancy clam shell buckets?

 

I agree with everything mike bayerl said except tires I got r4 use in woods and on lawn with 4wd.. basically I do not get stuck and they do not tear up lawn.. only time time had problem was in swamp basically buried 5 foot tire in 4 foot mud winch pulled me out..and couple hours with pressure washer all good.. I am Kubota fan pretty tier 4 also you want posi lock on back tire to engage when needed and limited slip rest of time!
took over financing on mine 18 months old still worth more than I paid for it!

 

I've heard the same thing. I guess they have a new company building them.