New Tractor...What do u think????

[cleancut]

I'm thinking about buying a small compact tractor with a front-end loader..Diesel also..Check this one out at http://www.northerntractor.com and let me know what u think...I'm interested in the 20hp diesel..Oh, by the way how do u hilite websites after u type them in???Thanks for the help and advice..CleanCut

[Eric ELM]

I have also thought about that tractor. My only concern is where do you get it repaired when needed. The price is great on them, but I'm sure they have some place that you could take them for repair. If you get this, please let me know more details on it and any info you get on it. I think I would spring for the extra bucks and get the 25 HP engine if you ever plan on using anything like the brush hog.

[Eric ELM]

To answer your other question, is this what you were asking how to do?
Northern Tractor Web Site (http://www.northerntractor.com/)

If so, I'll have to email you the answer so you can see the html code for it.

[SMB]

http://fowlkesmachine.naxs.com They have a good used tractor selection. Get you a Ford 8N! :)

[Runner]

I am considering purchasing a tractor next season myself. I thgink I would be real leary of this one though. Parts availability, service, etc. I have a line up on a '99 New Holland 25 hp diesel, but I am REAL leary about the smal engine. I was always looking at atLEAST a 33 hp. With a 25, it would only be delivering around 20hp out the PTO which I feel just isn't enough to push a brushhog. Anyone have a tractor this size they hog with?

[cleancut]

I already have an 8N..It's great...I've done alot of work with it but I want something a little newer with 4wd..CleanCut

[steveair]

hello,

I've seen the northern tractors and was interested also, especially with the price they have on them.

However, I remembered one thing. You get what you pay for!

When out shopping, the only others out there will be kubota, john deere, and new holland, at least for this category tractor.

For example, take a B21 kubota. By the time you get a loader, a backhoe, and whatever else, your at close to 27K. A big difference between the northern, or any other Chinese tractor.

I will say that these tractors seem too good to be true.

I would personally stay away from any of the chinese imports. Maybe someone has had good success with them, and I would be interested in hearing about it. However, until I can see some real proof, I would have to shell out the big $ on a proven tractor before I would by one.

If you really want a tractor, and say to yourself that "well, I'm not going to use it all that much, and therefore can't see spending that much money", I would think of a used machine instead of one of these imports.

If you really have to have new, then there are some cheaper, quality machines out there, such as the termites or the 'Dig It's'. They have a proven track record in the rental industry, and you get a lot for your buck.

I wouldn't want to be the person first in line for one of these to only find out its a piece of junk.

steveair

[paul]

Ok guys lets look at this a different way, they have 4 service centers, parts warranty for one year, you pay for labor. Don't know about these tractors but the parts arn't the hard part it's the labor rate that makes me nervous, plus you have to be close to a service center! No for me I'll buy the brand names first, they give me a one or two year warranty, plus if something goes wrong they will give me a machine so I'm not stopped from doing my job. Now if I was looking for something to play with then maybe but that is a big MAYBE.

besides I like just a little more HP than 20 or 25 hp (is that at the PTO?) If it's engine HP then a 25 hp is only getting 20 at the PTO

[SMB]

Don't forget about Massey Ferguson!
http://www.agcocorp.com/

[scottb]

I ran a 870 JD for several years 27hp engine 25pto pulled a 5'Bush Hog with no problem. Also pulled a square baler with it several times. Stick with the name brands also Yanmar is a good tractor as they make several for John Deere. But my choices would Massey, New Holland ,JD or Kuboba.

[John DiMartino]

I've been running our Ford 1910 32hp 4x4,for about 11 yrs now.Man this thing is tough,I wouldnt buy anything else after owning the ford.Id buy a used one before a new Chinese import.It has 28.5 PTO HP,I consider this to be the ideal size tractor,It is easy to trailer with 3/4 ton or bigger P/u,handle a 9 ft backhoe,a 5 ft loader,6 ft hog,and will pull an 8 ft finish mower easily.I have a 5 ft brush hog now,and i wouldnt want any less HP than i have,couldnt imagine hogging with only 20 PTO HP it would take all day,it would be Ok for a homeowner,but very unproductive for making money.

[Mr.Ziffel]

I just finished my second year using a Massey 1235 4WD with front end loader that I bought new. I don't remember all of the particulars of my comparison shopping at the time except that I looked at JD, New Holland, Kubota also, but if you've noticed all my questions about my pending purchase of a ZTR, you'll know that I try to research very thoroughly.

First, I have used the MF very hard and had no problems other than a gear shift that wasn't precise, in other words you had to wiggle the shifter lever a bit to get it into the proper gear range. This was an electrical switch problem and swiftly corrected by the dealer.

I use a 72" pull behind grooming mower for my pastures, a gravel rake and scraper and have plenty of power to use them. I've cleared thousands of feet of overgrown blackberry bushes, dragged large stumps and trees out of the brush to be cut up and hauled tons of rock, broken concrete and dirt.

The things I like best about it are its relative beefiness compared to the others--it is built solid and the price was right in line or less than the others. Also the hydro is great when using the loader- you can run it all without taking both hands off the wheel to shift-it's smoother than shuttle shift also. Most important was that the dealer was close and easy to work with--he brought it out and left it for a demo and that's what finally sold me--head to head comparison and confidence in my dealer. I just wish he sold a good ZTR!

My advice is go for the most HP you can [the PTO rating is what counts] and stay away from the unsupported imports. The guys in this area who went with the Rhino tractors have lived to regret the day they ever bought them. No money was saved in the long run.

[A CUT ABOVE]

Stay with a name brand such as Ford, Kubota, John Deere, etc. Most of those Chinese imports are actually reconditioned, then imported to the U.S. and sold as new tractors. As for Runner's comment on the horsepower, the advertised horsepower on these tractors is based on the PTO horsepower 99% of the time. Stick with something with good dealer support such as JD. Pay a little more, save a lot in down time. I know a lot of this stuff, because I used to sell tractors!

[Greenkeepers]

Price is good, just wondering about parts/service. And if the parts are a universal part that you could switch with other brands...

[Indiana]

I thoroughly agree with you guys.

I have a YanMar 4wd 169D. I put a loader on it about 7 years ago. It's a pretty good tractor, but the castings are not heavy enough. I have made money with it, but you definitely get what you pay for.

I have been thinking of a Bobcat 743 lately. I like all the attachments you can rent or buy. Grading would really stink always backing up, though.

My dad has a John Deere 650. It is a much better tractor than my YanMar. I would stay with Massey, Kubota, Jd or Ford.

[thelawnguy]

I believe that tractor is a Belarus (sp?) probably one of the best tractors available (if you are in the Ukraine!) Actually its a German Co. From someone who has one, I have been told they are very dependable, very sturdy, but be sure you have a reliable dealer to get parts from otherwise downtime will be veeerrrryyyyy long.

I would further poke into Northern (by phone) and try to discern what their parts inventory is like.

[Sammy]

Originally posted by A CUT ABOVE
As for Runner's comment on the horsepower, the advertised horsepower on these tractors is based on the PTO horsepower 99% of the time.


Most small tractors are NOT advertised with pto h.p.

Most of the time it is the engine h.p. they want to sell you. Bigger is better, right......

Tractors that are sent for a Nebraska Tractor Test get a pto and drawbar rateing.

[John DiMartino]

Indiana,the JD 650 is a Yanmar,all tractors under 50hp are imported from Japan,at least from JD and new holland.

[paul]

New Holland's Boomer's are made in Georgia

[John DiMartino]

Sorry about that,the10 and 20 series compacts are built in Japan.

[morturf]

In reference to John's comment. All the JD's compacts prior to the new 4000 series (except the x55 series)were made by Yanmar. The current 4000's are made in Augusta GA with parts from all over the world. The engines are still Yanmars. I own a ford 8n, JD955, and JD4400. Also owned a 755. I like these tractors, they are reliable and tough. There is one thing about the chinese models I agree with all the others about, parts and service, all you guys talk about when it comes to mowers is parts and service and to hell with how much the unit costs. The same can be said about the compact tractor, but it cost a hell of a lot more than a ride on mower. I would suggest that you check some other boards for what they say, the best one i have found is http://jplan.com/tractor/home.sht It is a great resource for anybody buying a new or used compact. It is as useful as this site. Try it and you will not be disappointed. Hope it helps, mike

P.S. another will be the http://www.tractorbynet.com/

[Sammy]

morturf, I visit those sites now and then. Good sites.

[John DiMartino]

mortruf-thanks for those sites and the info-I was looking for tractor sites and i never did find the ones you listed-thanks again.

[cleancut]

Hey thanks for all the comments and advice..The Northern dealer for me is about 25 miles away..Not too far..I've also thought about a small cub cadet or kioti..Any thoughts on those...I used my 8N for a long time and made alot of money with it--small bushhogging jobs, yardboxing..I'm trying to open a small nursery and will be selling mulch..So I don't need anything real heavy duty just big enough to load mulch and do some yardboxing...I've given up bushhogging (to hard on equip.)..Thanks again..Clean-Cut

[Indiana]

I know that YanMar makes alot of the components for John Deere. Believe I believed that YanMars and John Deere were the same.

They aren't. The difference is the castings. The transmission, main frame and bellhousing. BIG DIFFERENCES here. My dad's 650 is totally different from my YanMar.

I have had problems with getting parts for my YanMar; my dad has not. Both machines are the same year. They may have the same motor and such, but they are built to much different standards.

[parkwest]

Has anyone demoed or owned a JCB 520 Loadall?

[southside]

Stay away from the Chinese junk,they are nothing but trouble. Also it would pay to stay away from the eastern bloc tractors like Belarus and Zetor. Belarus here has a terrible reputation for quality.They are made in Belarus
also know as White Russia.Plant is in Minsk.
Absolute crap.
Stick with New Holland/Shibaura or Kubota.

[SLC1]

I also have been running a Ford 1910 for six years and I consider it to be one of the best size tractors for Landscaping, it loads all my trucks even my Ford F-800 and it has handled all the attachments that I have put on it. I would not go with anything smaller than 30-35hp because that will limit you to what attachements you can put on it. I would stay away from the one in Northern and look for a good used one a lot of Orchards and Nurserys around here trade their tractors in every two or three years so there is always a supply of slightly used and not abused tractors and the dealer can set you up with financing and payments you pay a little bit more to finance a used tractor than a new one but the cost is about half or a little bit more, and what has been said in this site many times go with the dealer that is going to give you the best service. Ford, John Deere, Kubota, Case are all good names just find the best dealer. Just My two cents

[Turfdoctor]

The work you intend to do with it seems like a big tractor is not the ticket. Have you looked at the Kubota BX-2200. It is super compact and runs about 9,000 at Franklin Kubota. What part of TN you located? Robert Stroud

[CommercialCuts]

Your lookin for problems! Dont let the price sway your think'in cap. If you are going to be using this for your business spend the extra $10,000 and get a tractor you can count on. I have the 4600 JD and love it. If this is for your personal use around the house might be cost effective.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

[cleancut]

Turfdoctor..I'm in the Knoxville area..I've looked at some kubotas, but the price just seems to be jacked up. The kioti looks just like a kubota and has many of the same features with a much lower price..Maybe I'll make my decision before winter is over..Like I said I don't need a big machine..I might even consider a used bobcat..Thanks..Clean-Cut

[paul]

Cleancut if you are going to use it in a nursery then get a real tractor not something that can't take a beating. most guys think that a loader is easy on your tractor but it's not a loader puts alot of strain on the front axle and on the trans. also the loader needs to be heavy enough to take the punsihment of running in to the pile bet it mulch or dirt. Do yourself a favor buy a good tractor or a skid loader.

[Davis TLC]

Cleancut, stick with a tractor made by one of the major tractor manufacturers in the US. Also, check on dealer support, for service and parts availability. If you have to wait months on a part for one of these cheap imports you will have been better off paying more for a domestic tractor. I have a friend who bought a Kubota tractor from a (shady) distributor, unfornuately it was a unit that was not supposed to be sold in the states, he can not get parts for this tractor now. So be careful, that cheap price can come back to haunt you later.

Also, as Paul pointed out a loader is very hard on the tractor. So you want to get a tractor that is strong enough to handle the loader.