Ducks Ragtag 2019 gardening

I am looking at Utility Tractors tomorrow. A place that sells, rents and repairs is Almost walking distance from DH's office. Spoke to them on the phone yesterday. They carry Mahinhdras. I did a dead reckoning online (put your tractor together) estimate and a New Max series with bucket, pull behind mower and plug in runs about the same price as my DH's car, NEW, a Kia Rio. DH and I would never replace it. My garages are the same size as a house garage, so a taller tractor couldn't be stored, and we Know how storage prolongs the life of any vehicle. They service and deliver.
I have ruled out John Deere. They are like Apple, ONLY John Deere carries any parts, they are the most expensive AND at least 3 people have warned that they are selling on their reputation.
I will also investigate Kabota. A local dealer who sells CaseIH carries Kabota, and I have heard really good things about them. We will see if they deliver, but they advertise service. Both are 30-40 minutes drive from my house.
Should be fun. HOPE to buy outright.

Deere is not made by Deere. They only make the large HP tractors. They will service and you can get parts.

Kubota is also a quality product.

Neither will be cheap. You will get what you pay for in service and parts.

Depending on what you want to do, don’t be afraid of a used old tractor as they were built to be serviced and last forever. Many options there.

I AM afraid of an old tractor. I cannot service any kind of motor AND I don't want my new machine to fail just when I need it. Right now we are using a used John Deer riding mower. The belt often slips and there are stupid problems. We live in the farm belt and are surrounded by farms. NOBODY around here sells their good USED tractors.
They go to family and friends first. I have seen this many times at estate sales.
I also won't buy a refurbished smart phone or refurbished computer.
These things are worn out by the time they make it up for sale.
ALSO, my needs are mower, moving snow, and moving used stall bedding.
ALTHOUGH I have researched the maximum capabilities of these tractors, my needs won't stress one.
I am almost 62yo. Time to buy NEW. I am looking at $20K
A utility tractor would take the pressure off of the riding mower bc we will be able to finish the north and south pastures in 1/2 the time. I have been taking to my friend who owns 6 acres and just bought a utility tractor last year.
I have heard great things about Kabotas and Mahindras, but I am happy to hear anything about them that you would care to share.

Used mowers are mostly shot by the time the owner gets rid of them. Plus the idea of grease and oil changes never crossed their minds.......

Small farm tractors are a completely different story. Plus they don’t depreciate in value-unless you allow it to sit outside and sun kills it.

I understand your apprehensions and value you want new. Just know, new tractors are meant to fall apart after so many hours. Probably not in your life time though. Can you buy a new Kubota with mower, blade for $20,000? I’d be surprised. I know nothing of Mahinhdras. No dealerships in this area-for us parts/service would be zero.

Dunno. Kubotas are sold locally at the CASE IH dealer. I haven't been there, yet. CASE IH advertises their services, so I'm pretty sure that they would.
DH and I have discussed and dismissed buying used. We simply do not have the time to have a refurbished even WITH a warranty sitting and being serviced. Once we buy and get it home we will already have jobs for it.
I appreciate your $concern, but neither of us can do any more than change the oil, and DH's back won't even let him do That.

My problem with using the John Deere service where i bought it when I needed something done on my John Deere riding mower was that it would take a week and often ten calendar days before they would even look at it to see what's wrong. That was not real convenient when the grass was growing. They advertised certified Deere mechanics but come on, train a couple more. Ridiculous. I ordered some parts by mail and fixed some stuff myself, and had a backyard mechanic handle some other stuff.

Ducks, I don't know how long you might have to wait on that Case IH service department. How would you get it serviced? would you have to load it on a trailer and take it to them? Would they come visit you?

I have a Kubota 2320 tractor. It came with a flatbed trailer, front end loader, 4' bush hog, box blade, disc, and forks that clamp on the FEL bucket. It was used, but practically brand new. It had right under 200 hours on it and we paid $13,500. I named her Marigold. I LOVE my tractor! We have had Marigold for 5 years now and just done routine maintenance. I did burn up the wiring harness, that was caused by a bare wire that somebody monkeyed with, I was mowing and the wire touched the frame and shorted out. We have worked Marigold hard, she has been a HUGE help. Our neighbor and dear friend has a key and can use Marigold anytime he needs to.

ETA: we have a quick connect for attachments, it is wonderful! I can do them by myself, except for the bush hog.

I disagree with no one. John Deere mowers are MTD’s painted JD green. Their small HP tractors are built by someone else as well-too lazy to find out....

Kubota build and service Kubota. All Service shops work a week behind. In terms of “when” they will get to a job, it is in the following order. Farmers needs #1. High volume customers #1A. Side implements #2. Trade in’s #3. Loafing time #4. Mowers are #5-meanwhile hoping you will pick it up and take elsewhere-small margins for them.

baymule said:

I have a Kubota 2320 tractor. It came with a flatbed trailer, front end loader, 4' bush hog, box blade, disc, and forks that clamp on the FEL bucket. It was used, but practically brand new. It had right under 200 hours on it and we paid $13,500. I named her Marigold. I LOVE my tractor! We have had Marigold for 5 years now and just done routine maintenance. I did burn up the wiring harness, that was caused by a bare wire that somebody monkeyed with, I was mowing and the wire touched the frame and shorted out. We have worked Marigold hard, she has been a HUGE help. Our neighbor and dear friend has a key and can use Marigold anytime he needs to.

ETA: we have a quick connect for attachments, it is wonderful! I can do them by myself, except for the bush hog.

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As you already know, that was a great buy. Pat yourself on the back. Only thing you could have done differently was to take it to a trained private mechanic (with a great rep) and had him go through it. Might have cost you $100.

We take Marigold to a local diesel repair shop. Our truck is there now..... cracked radiator and blown head gasket.