Horse Farm - 1st Time Tractor Buyer

[petemurray]

First time tractor buyer here. I'm a complete novice at this process, and have three dealer options that are convenient for me: Kubota, Mahindra and Deere. I've seemed to settle on Kubota based on what I perceive to be good value for a decent price. Although the Mahidra's are tempting based on price. Deere seems expensive.

We have a 30 acre horse farm with a 20 stall barn, indoor riding arena and outdoor riding area. The tractor will be used to mow about 20 acres of field, move manure, maintain the footing in the arena and outside riding area, maintain a gravel driveway and parking lot, and occasional snow removal. We are looking at an L4701 or MX4800 based on conversations with the local dealer. The dealer has limited inventory on site, but happens to have both of those tractors. I'm not sure if he's pushing me in that direction because it's available, or if it truly fits my needs. Anyone else have a small/medium sized horse farm with similar needs?

 

[Poohbear]

I would add to your thoughts, I would get one with a cab since you have horse stuff todo year round.
My late FiL who taught me about tractors allways said you can't get one too big.he could maintain his tomato field with his Ford Select-O-Speed 58 hp tractor then go cut/bale hay after the dew dried

 

[vic gerbasi]

First time tractor buyer here. I'm a complete novice at this process, and have three dealer options that are convenient for me: Kubota, Mahindra and Deere. I've seemed to settle on Kubota based on what I perceive to be good value for a decent price. Although the Mahidra's are tempting based on price. Deere seems expensive.

We have a 30 acre horse farm with a 20 stall barn, indoor riding arena and outdoor riding area. The tractor will be used to mow about 20 acres of field, move manure, maintain the footing in the arena and outside riding area, maintain a gravel driveway and parking lot, and occasional snow removal. We are looking at an L4701 or MX4800 based on conversations with the local dealer. The dealer has limited inventory on site, but happens to have both of those tractors. I'm not sure if he's pushing me in that direction because it's available, or if it truly fits my needs. Anyone else have a small/medium sized horse farm with similar needs?

I too have a small horse concern L3300 Kubota does all that i need doing Home made bale prons attachment can lift and move 800 lb square bales for feedin and stacking all sorts of 3ph attachments Allied snow blower King Kutter tiller etc. and yes a cab would be nice in winter BUT $8000 and up buys a whole lot of snow suits. My tractor has given me only a few headaches, mainly in hydraulic hoses Great little machine and would certainly recommend Kubota around this size or larger L series

 

[mickeyd]

Welcome to the OTT forum Pete. You came to the right place as we love to spend other people's money.

Are you going to be moving hay bales? If so, how big? Big hay bales needs a bigger tractor.

 

[petemurray]

Welcome to the OTT forum Pete. You came to the right place as we love to spend other people's money.

Are you going to be moving hay bales? If so, how big? Big hay bales needs a bigger tractor.

Thanks! And feel free to spend my money, but good luck running it past my wife!

We use small square hay bales (40-60lbs), and they are usually delivered and dropped right where we store them. Most likely not going to move them too often.

 

[Poohbear]

I would add to your thoughts, I would get one with a cab since you have horse stuff todo year round.
My late FiL who taught me about tractors allways said you can't get one too big.he could maintain his tomato field with his Ford Select-O-Speed 58 hp tractor then go cut/bale hay after the dew dried

The reason I say CAB is based on my owning a L3301 . We just have 5 1/2 AC so mowing in the summer when it's a hundred , if I get hot I just quit for the day and our winters almost never snow. My tractor would do me fine even if 20+ AC but I wouldn't want to mow that much in July without an AC and I can't get my head around being on an open tractor when it's ZERO blowing snow. It's just like you snow country guys/gals can't see working when it's 100+

 

[shootem604]

I was at a horse farm that had two tractors - they had the older larger Massey, but it didn't conveniently fit in the barn, so they bought a smaller unit. Then the other unit sat - so measure all of the places you want to get in and out of, or reach, or lift with a tractor, and see what suits your needs best. If you are going to mow or scrape or spread, do you have implements? You might want to think about what capabilities are needed for the implements and if both tractors will suit the need.

My dad has the BX, 26 hp, with FEL. I drove it and liked it, but it didn't reach what I needed to reach, and of course I was on a limited budget, but I knew I needed an L series. It so happened that a first generation L series is what I ended up getting and even though it had 1 less HP, it has better clearance, reach with the FEL, and capability for my use.

 

[Jchonline]

Are you lifting the bales from a high stack? If so consider that reach.

If you want a cab, Grand L or M series. M series is a full farm utility tractor (geared). If no cab, you can look at the Standard L series, or MX.

 

[skeets]

Oh Lord somebody else thats horse poor,,lol
Now this is just MHO,, The mahindra tractor will set you back less than the orange or the green tractor no doubt, problem is parts and service I have know people that bought one and beat the snot out of the mahindra tractor, never a whimper, sold it bought a new one and had problems right from the get go. Service was well lets say subpar, parts were hard to get and expensive and the resale on them will leave you saying... HUH?
The "L" is a super tractor, and if you are just mowing you got it made, pulling a plow and disk would be ok too. Snow removal yep you got that covered as well, and if you decide to move up in size in a few years the resale is there.

I cannot comment on the green tractors because I dont know anything about them but there sure seems to be a lot of them out there so they must be doing something right. Green or Orange its your call but I would, if it was my money, I might stay away from the mahindra. Just MHO

 

[sheepfarmer]

Couple things to think about, one mentioned previously, about measuring the spaces it will have to go, eg down the aisleway in the barn, and where it will be kept. If you can find a relatively dust free ,dry, under cover spot, preferably with a light and electrical outlet, your life will be much easier. The ROPS is pretty tall so overhead clearance is important.

Second, think about who will be running it usually. Most of these tractors are easy to get on and off. A lot of barns have young ladies doing a lot of the chores, and a lot of training might have to go into safe tractor handling. The models you mentioned have dpf filters, and so attention to panel lights and rpm is needed. Leaving the tractor idling for long periods is not a good idea. They are great tractors but you do need to read the directions!

What are you going to do for manure handling and how big are the paddocks you might mow? You might get by with a smaller tractor.

 

[petemurray]

Thank you everyone for your input. Great points that I will really consider when making my purchase. I'm heading to the dealer tomorrow with the wife, since she will be using the tractor as much or more than me (She runs the horse farm, I work a real job to support the farm, lol) I know, pictures are mandatory, so I hope to post some over the next few days. The more research I do, the more likely the tractor will be orange. Thanks again!

 

[Poohbear]

When I was shopping for a new tractor, 40hp down, I really did like the green ones better as I simply fit the seat & peddles way more comfortably but 2 things pushed me away running. 1st was the alominum axle housing because I can destroy a hammer head and 2nd was the FEL QA which only JD implements will hookup. I don't know what size JD quits using the aluminum rear axle.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Couple things to think about, one mentioned previously, about measuring the spaces it will have to go, eg down the aisleway in the barn, and where it will be kept. If you can find a relatively dust free ,dry, under cover spot, preferably with a light and electrical outlet, your life will be much easier. The ROPS is pretty tall so overhead clearance is important.

Second, think about who will be running it usually. Most of these tractors are easy to get on and off. A lot of barns have young ladies doing a lot of the chores, and a lot of training might have to go into safe tractor handling. The models you mentioned have dpf filters, and so attention to panel lights and rpm is needed. Leaving the tractor idling for long periods is not a good idea. They are great tractors but you do need to read the directions!

What are you going to do for manure handling and how big are the paddocks you might mow? You might get by with a smaller tractor.

I use a skid steer in the barn. Much preferred for close quarters work. No tractor ever goes in the cattle barn. My skid steer is NOT a Kubota either.

 

[nickelplated5s]

. If you can find a relatively dust free ,dry, under cover spot, preferably with a light and electrical outlet, your life will be much easier.

A dust free horse barn That aside get the L4701 with HST. There's a boarding stable down the road from me for sale I've been thinking about picking up. That place would need at least my L4740 plus a B is my thinking.

 

[SRG]

When I was shopping for a new tractor, 40hp down, I really did like the green ones better as I simply fit the seat & peddles way more comfortably but 2 things pushed me away running. 1st was the alominum axle housing because I can destroy a hammer head and 2nd was the FEL QA which only JD implements will hookup. I don't know what size JD quits using the aluminum rear axle.

JD just came out with their new 3D series machines(25/35/43HP). They are cast iron axle, gear shift machines, with a synchronized reverser.
I don't know if it's the 4 or 5 series where they go from aluminum to iron

The JDQA system is super simple (no moving parts), robust, and weighs nothing. Plus it keeps the bucket closer to the pins, then the SSQA does. There are tons of attachments available, from quite a few aftermarket companies, for the JDQA system. Now I know not as much as SSQA, I won't argue that, but the assortment and selection of JDQA attachments is pretty good.
I've used both, and have fought SSQA levers alot on skid steers. They can be a huge pain in the arse if they get bent out of shape, and are not maintained/adjusted properly. That literally can not happen with the JDQA, because of it's simplicity.

 

[petemurray]

Spent the day yesterday at three different dealers, and we liked the Kubota L3901. Seems like a machine my wife is comfortable driving, and will get in and out of our arena pretty easily. I was very surprised at the size difference between the 4701 and 3901. The 4701 was a much much bigger machine.

Anyway, we finally got the quote from the dealer earlier today and it's straight list price. Am I wrong to assume this is like buying a car and no one pays sticker price?

 

[Newlyme]

How much grass do you need to mow on your 30 acres?
I have just over 20 acres with about 15 that I mow. When I purchased my M4900, (used), I added a new 7' rear mount mower to the purchase thinking that would be enough. I was wrong. It took 12 hours to cut all of the grass. The next year I picked up a 15' Batwing finish mower. Much better, 8 hours to cut the grass.
I have an 8 stall barn 5 horses and a mule along with a multitude of other critters.
For tractors I have the M4900 and a BX24 and use both. The grass cutting is the toughest chore for the tractors on our farm.