Compact tractor hunting

If you haven't already, look at tractorhouse.com, fastline.com, and machinefinder.com. Of course, Craigslist is an option but be very wary of scams. I have a Deere 4710 and love it. Work has a 3320 and it's a good machine too. Don't know much about Kubota but hear good things. I do know the new engines with all the emission stuff are an unknown as far as durability at this point.

Tractorbynet is a good forum for tractors.

Good tractors hold their value very well but you can stumble on a great deal once in a while in the used market. Personally I think that getting a new Deere w/ 60 months @ 0% is a hard thing to pass up.

I've been shopping too and narrowed it down to kioti ck3510hst. 35hp 1680lbs lifting capacity 0% for 60 or 1.9% for 72 and free loader and other rebates. It had better lift than Kubota and Mahindra in its class and a couple grand cheaper.

I own a kioti CK30hst tlb.

I looked at all brands except LS and Massey as they arent sold local.

It came down to Kubota and Kioti for me.

JD was too expensive... As it was more pricey for each model in competing classes, but when you got down to it, to comlare actual stats, it lost to all brands. It was lighter, had lower lift capacities, aluminum crankcases, plastic fairings, etc etc....

I put Kubota 2nd over the Kioti for this reason.... The 3pt linkage had to be removed and or put back on everytime you put the backhoe on or off. I use the backhoe a bunch, probably 40-50% of the time, this is not the case with the kioti. As well, the kubota was going to be $3k more, but probably would hold that in its resale value over the Kioti. The kioti again did have a bit more weight and slightly higher lift specs.

Its slightly over 1yr old. I have two warranty issues its going to dealer for this next week, though nothing major.

The gas gauge shows full all the time, so the float is stuck or the gauge is bad. As well the hood latch just broke so i cant pop the hood right this minute. Mechanically it has been perfect for the first 112hrs, though I know thats young in its life.

I've heard that Mahindra has terrible resale value. I'd personally stick with one of the major brands myself. John Deere and Kubota have things figured out, have good dealer networks, great resale values, and are time tested. There's my two cents

I have just started my search too...I have come to the same conclusions as I have with cars. If you really want the super reliable model, like a Kubota, it might make a great deal of sense to purchase new. If the previous owner paid $12k 10 years ago and now are selling it for $9k, I think it makes a TON of sense to buy new. Those were likely 10 trouble free years.

Personally, I think I'm going to buy new, but attachments used as I see good deals and then flip it in 8-10 years for another new one.

High depreciation, buy used. Low depreciation, buy new.

I looked at NH, Massey and Kubota when I was buying a compact. The Massey dealer was a bit distant and the price on the NH was lower than the Kubota. I went NH. At the time my wife said spend the extra for the orange one but I didn't. Over the years I've regretted that decision. Just so many little problems needing attention on the NH. Minor problems but of course always inconvenient. I used it pretty hard doing lawn installs for a few years and never had any major issues. Works fine for small jobs around the house almost twenty years later.

The only problem with the new tractors is the regen filters or def fluid they need to run. I would stay away from any tractor using those. Mahindra doesn't have either. If set on kubota buy a used one. The new diesel emissions are nothing but a pain, constant breakdowns and performance issues. The new diesel motors are all junk because of these emission requirements.

My dad bought a almost new Mahindra probably going on 15 years ago. Was a heck of a deal at the time because it came in on trade at a RV dealer so they were trying to off load it. It really has been reliable. Only broken part has been a small connector piece in the loader control stick. It has had some heavy usage from farm use, to pulling logs, to moving gravel and dirt for sewer install.

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A regen filter is a exaust filter once full you usually hit a button and it kicks the Rpms up to burn out the junk. When this is being done the machine can't be used. Def fluid is a separate tank that you fill up and it sprays this fluid with the exaust fumes, to supposily make the diesel exaust fumes cleaner or with less particulates or something like that. I just know that these make diesel motors nothing but a pain anymore. I have seen these systems on truck motors and it is a shame. I purchased an older diesel truck for this reason. Most smaller tractors before either 2010 or 2011 do not have these systems on them. Mahindra doesn't have either they have a common rail diesel technology that helps them meet emission standards. Look into it I was interested in a tractor and I was looking at them built very tough.

I'm not genius, but I am a mechanical engineer. Sounds easy to bypass. Isn't it just a complicated muffler with a fuel injection port and a few sensors?

I looked at some pics online and it seems pretty straightforward.

I know for truck motors it can be bypassed. So for tractors it probably can to I do know that it voids the warranty if you take that stuff off and then have it worked on. If you do remove it or bypass it keep the parts in case you have it worked on at the dealer.

The tier 4 diesels are designed NOT to be messed with. Everything is tied into the computer and the Fuel system is 100% electronic. The filters are (Air, Fuel & oil) are finer than earlier series motors. Any amount of impurities will plug fuel filters and they just plain run like crap unless you keep them changed, and for 99% of the motors the ONLY place you can find fuel filters is through the dealer.

If your willing to spend extra on a Kubota because of reliability, your a salesmans dream...

And do some research, because kubotas arent anymore reliable, infact, it might be the opposite, as their tier 4 is having some issues...

Again, do research... Tractors should be bought for spec's, as well as flow... Atleast in my eyes.

I would stay away from any tier 4 new emission tractor but that's just my thought. Just to many issues, and problems.

EJP1234 said:

If your willing to spend extra on a Kubota because of reliability, your a salesmans dream...

And do some research, because kubotas arent anymore reliable, infact, it might be the opposite, as their tier 4 is having some issues...

Again, do research... Tractors should be bought for spec's, as well as flow... Atleast in my eyes.

Click to expand...

Which brand is the most reliable across the board?

digg around and see if you can latch on to a pre tier 4 unit ( if going new)- there are a few floating around yet- not much in the way of deals though just because of the tier4. used - that is a real expensive market unless you forgo the fwd assit. Then the pricing is a bit more reasonable. Load limitation is not really what it can lift or break out force ect. but what the front axle can support can't go very far with the front wheels horizontal to the ground. With a heavy load way out front in the bucket or other attachment you will need counter balance in back , better to work a heavy load off the 3 point for transport- Beef is in the back end not the front end. Backhoes are tough on the 3 point so unless there is a full frame support for it things can go south kinda quick. Best advice I can give is "pick the dealer first" as the dealer will make or break your experience. Beyond that ain't much different than buying a vehicle. Oh and a suspension seat is a real nice upgrade. I have a 99 Massey 1230w/1244 loader just so ya know I ain't a key board jockey.

Its hard to say in my opinion which is the most reliable across the board.

The one i would stay away from, TYM... China made...

I was just saying that you shouldnt pay the premium for a Kubota based on reliability, as its been recently proven on the tractor forums, with the new regen cycles etc etc, kubota isnt anymore reliable. They have been having issues with the new exhaust dampening systems.

I have a Kioti... Is it better, more reliable... I cant say. Im happy with it, its done all I have asked of it, and no major issues... Would i buy another, without question.

As others have said... I think its more about buying a dealership than anything tbh... They all have issues, in theory. Its how well and quickly you are treated that would make your satisfaction after the issues develop.

I checked out JD's... Im in big ag country.... Its whats run here, for ag purposes... But in this class i was buying they were well behind in features, specs, and were super expensive... At all the 3 different dealers.

Kubota.. I just didnt like the backhoe, and removing the 3pt linkage to mount and dismount BH. I use the BH a lot. It was also premium priced.

Mahindra - beast... Only reason I didnt buy, i didnt get warm and fuzzy from the dealer.

LS - same dealer as Mahindra.

TYM - internet filled with horrir stories, no interest, didnt even look for a dealer.

Kioti - great specs and price, familiar with dealer, have great relationship... Made a deal.