Best tractor for 18.5acre farm?

[Wjason777]

hello
I just brought 18.5acres of fenced in land. I'm looking to starter raising cattle and maybe grow a few crops. I'm a beginner and I've never own a tractor before. I've always herd great things about kubota. I'm looking for something used unless I could find something new that would fit my budget. I will need something with a front end loader, bushhoging, spreading grass seeds/ fertilizer , box blade, and plowing and whatever else comes up. .What would be the best model for what I'm trying to do? I was looking at the L5200 Found one 2 hours from me for $14k but has 3000hrs. I know that's a lot

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/hvd/4768386316.html

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

First off there is a HUGE difference between a L5200 and the L5240!

That being said and just a quick look at the picture, that does not look like a 3639 hour tractor!
I would bet that someone left the key on and racked up hours!

I wouldn't be fearful of buying it at all, just make sure everything works and you should be fine!

 

[olthumpa]

I am with Wolfman 100%. That does not look like a tractor with 3639 hour.

 

[Wjason777]

Will that model be enough ?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Oh yea, I do a lot more than you are going to do with a lot smaller and older tractor!

 

[Wjason777]

Ok Great
For whatever reason, if I can't get ahold of this seller or this turns out to be a Criaglist scam. What are some other recommendations ?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Just about any of the larger L's and any M's.
HST's are the easiest to operate (Pedal operated)
GST's have some good advantages too, (Shift on the move)
You would be better of staying in the 4wd's they just work better all around.

Check these out too:
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/grq/4787307160.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/hvo/4694230617.html

 

[CaveCreekRay]

wjason,

I found my 126 hour L3800 HST with three implements on CraigsList.

Before that, I found a scam tractor and the owner would not respond immediately. That is your first sign. Somebody wanting to sell responds immediately, or at least within a day. If you can arrange to see it and test drive it, you can rest assured. If you start hearing "this tractor was involved in a divorce..." RUN FOR THE HILLS!

I would think anything L3800 or above would be a good size for what you want to do. I am on 5 acres and use my tractor for all kinds of stuff.

One newbie note: Larger Kubota Hydro-Static-Transmissions (HST) tractors are noisy when you run them in high range at high speeds. When I test drove mine on a side street, it sounded like the tranny was about to explode! The HST is basically a big hydraulic pump pushing straight-cut gears. Cars have helical cut gears that are quieter but straight cut gears are stronger -and noisier. I just wear ear muffs with a radio. Kubota HST's are pretty bullet proof. My buddy who went with me and has a smaller JD tractor thought something was wrong too. Its just the way its made for a bigger, higher horsepower tractor. Works GREAT.

Be patient and you'll be rewarded. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Ridger]

I recently purchased a used L3940 from a local Kubota dealer. I was also looking on Craigslist, Tractorhouse, Fastline, etc., for a tractor but I found that unless you can put your hands on the tractor and see for yourself, you are better to leave it alone or at least purchase from a reputable dealer. With that said, you may want to check your area Kubota dealers for year end trades. A lot of people are trading tractors for income tax reasons or they have finished with them around the hunting lease. Good luck and if you find one, post some pics.

 

[Wjason777]

Yea just like k thought that ad was a scam. Guy says the tractor is in a wear house in WY and I could make the payment using amazon payment. I'm flagging the ad.
I'll check the local dealers and see what the have for end of the year deals.

 

[Wjason777]

So anything in the M series would pretty much be overkill for what I'm trying to do?

 

[ShaunRH]

It really depends on how much you plan to plow under. If 10 acres of that is going to farmland then yeah, a M makes more sense. If it's just 2 or 3, then an L is a better fit in my opinion. A higher powered L can do about the same as the lower end M. The Grand L's look pretty comfy...