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 | Eric
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2000-02-05 12544
I have just purchased some land and am still researching the tractor I need. I have seen many brands of implements mentioned on the board (Bush Hog, Woods, King Cutter as well as the tractor brands like NH, JD and Kubota). Is it generally a better deal to buy the tractor with the implements or go to the aftermarket brands? Are there any brands of implements that are considered light-duty and won't last as long as others? I am mainly looking at rotary mowers and loaders.
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| Bird Senter
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 962 
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2000-02-06 12550
Eric, I have a Kubota tractor and loader (my second one), so I have no experience with aftermarket loaders, but I do with my other implements. Right now I have a tiller and a finish mower that are Bush Hog brand (don't think you can beat them for quality and ruggedness, but the price is pretty steep) and I got them from the Kubota dealer. I used to have a 4' Bush Hog rotary cutter, and now have a 5' Howse. When I was shopping for a 5' rotary cutter, I found prices from $495 to $1,495 for that size. Prices (and quality and ruggedness) vary greatly. I also have a couple of plows from Tractor Supply Co. (don't know who makes them for Tractor Supply). Their prices are usually lower around here (Central Texas), but you can look at the equipment and see why. The cheaper plows serve my purpose. I also bought a 5' box blade from Tractor Supply, which they replaced with a second one. I broke welds on both of them in less than 2 hours use (with a 17hp tractor), so they refunded my money and I bought a 4' Tufline (from my Kubota dealer). It cost $100 more, but doubt I could find a way to break one of those. However, when I traded to a larger tractor and wanted a 5' box blade, I traded the Tufline for a Howse; doesn't appear to be quite the strenth and quality of the Tufline, but I think it's plenty strong for a 27 hp tractor. In other words, you need to do a lot of shopping and comparing, and of course, it helps if you know just how you intend to use it, i.e., for a rotary cutter, are you going to just cut grass and weeds, brush up to 1" diameter, 2" diameter, etc. to determine just how strong an implement you need. ....
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| Frank R Taylor
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2000-02-11 12698
I couldn't agree more with Bird Senter. Sometimes it makes sense to pay for the extra quality and sometimes it just wastes money. It's important that you identify just what you will be doing with the equipment (and what you will possibly ever do with it) and make the decision based on that. I don't have any experience with aftermarket FEL's, mine came with the Kubota, but all my other stuff is aftermarket and to date I have been very pleased. My shredder is pretty light duty (and cheap) but I mow 10 acres of grass and weeds with it 3/4 times a year and I have no 2" saplings to cut. I have access to ag equipment for that if it becomes necessary. My boxblade is heavy duty because when I do use it, it gets worked pretty hard. My 5' rear grooming mower is a Befco and for cutting the 2-1/2 acre lawn it does a great job, again no complaints. It's the same with tractors. We all like the bells and whistles but if you never use a feature on the machine then you have wasted money that you could have spent on buying more or better implements. In short, there is nothing wrong with after market equipment, it's sometimes a lot better, if it matches your needs. I know it's tough making these decisions but we've all been there. Spend the time and do your research and have a ball. Compact tractors are the most fun you can legally have with your clothes on and a lot more fun than motorbikes or sports cars. Been there too. ....
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| gerard
Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 36 kentucky
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2000-02-15 12826
I agree with the last two posts. I have a Kubota 27hp w/Kubota loader and am shopping for implements. I found that most brands make heavy and light duty models and the price varies accordingly. Makes no sense to pay for a heavy duty rotory cutter if you have no heavy stuff on your land. For example I can get a 5ft light duty for $500 from the local Central Tractor. A heavy duty is $1000+. I doubt I will ever go through two of the light duty to one of the heavy duty. The only consideration is a large package deal your dealer may cut you a little slack but you need to break down the price on each implement and know the going rate for it as prices vary a lot. You should also try some farm/equipment auctions. Some things like back blades can be gotten fairly cheaply. ....
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| Andy
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2000-03-17 13838
gerard, sounds to me like you have 2710 like our friend Bird Senter there. The 2710 is a "potential" on my shopping list. How long ya had it?? How much and what kind of work have you done with it? Is it your first and only tractor? Are you as happy with yours as he appears to be with his?? ....
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| gerard
Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 36 kentucky
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2000-03-17 13855
No I have a 2500DT 4wd which is still the 27hp but the L series instead of the B series. Have only had it for a few months but like it a lot so far. (First tractor). Only thing I would change second time around is i would probably spring for the hydro and would go with R4's instead of the ags. (Just thought $14000 was enough to spend and didn't want to go another 2K. ....
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| Scott Stewart
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2000-03-17 13860
I have read on this message board that OEM loader and tractor combos bring more at trade-in time. I don't know if this is true, but I have read it several times.
I have a Landpride 5' rotary cutter and it appears to be very well made. I assume the Bushhogs are similar or better. My dealer quoted the RZ and SQ (medium and heavy-duty respectively) for $600 & $700. I have seen a few Howse (sp?) cutters and they do not appear to be as well built, but may be adequate for your needs. I have a Tuff-line box blade and am very happy with it.
All that aside, we bought our NH 1725 used and all of this came with it. I didn't have to shop. I will add one piece of advice I have been told many times, "Always buy the best, you will never be disappointed" i.e. Avoid false economy. I believe this is especially applicable to tools. If it breaks, consider the time you spent fixing it as time lost working with it. Money is replaceable, time is gone forever.
Good luck,
Scott ....
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