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gobyguy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 5 Southeast Missouri
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2008-07-21          155487


Hello,

I'm in the market for my first tractor. I'm considering JD because the brand runs in my wife's family and our local dealer has a good reputation. However, I am just now beginning my research and welcome all suggestions. With that in mind, I am looking for suggestions on specific JD models to consider for the following needs:

113 acres: 15 pasture/remainder wooded. Moderate slope, from 6-15%

Primary purpose is wilidlife/timber management.

The 15 acres will be managed for bobwhite quail. As such, I will do occasional rotary cutting and some initial herbicide spraying to get rid of the fescue. I will also have to do some light-moderate disking for edge feathering to encourage weedy growth. Disking will be (mostly) in 30 ft wide strips of most 100-200 ft long around the perimeter of the pasture.

We will be doing Timber management in the woods. This will mostly involve thinning trees. Thus, we'll need to haul out wood, either by skidding or cut to firewood length. We need to get back into the woods. We'll also use a rotary mower to maintain existing logging roads.

We'll also use the tractor for general work around the property, such as hauling rock, moving light snow off the driveway, etc. No haying of any sort planned for now or future. We may want to rent a backhoe at some point in the distant future, but not essential. We may also need to put in fence posts for about 1000 ft of fence at some point in the future. Fencing much more likely than backhoe. We will also till a garden, say about 40 ft by 20 ft (that's probably too large but one never knows).

We know we want a heavy-duty FEL suitable to load a pickup, a small disk-harrow (5-6 ft across) for disking, a medium-duty rotary cutter (e.g., MX-5) and probably a small (e.g., 40-42 rotary tiller). Other suggestions welcome.

Based on this information, and any other information you request, I would appreciate your suggestions for specific JD (or other brand) tractors. Ideally, I'd like to get the tractor/loader for under $20,000.

Thank you for your time.

GG




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hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3583 iowa
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2008-07-22          155504


Hello, and welcome to Tractor Point. I can see a Deere tractor about the same size as my 4310 being able to handle your needs. The old 4000 series like mine is now the 3000 twenty series. A mid size 3000 twenty is about 32-35 hp. I don't know if you can get a tractor and heavy losder for 20K or not, but I would stay with the 3000, a 2000 series might do what you want but they are a really small frame tractor with I think a limited cat. one three point hitch and probably not heavy enough for your needs, a 3000 ten series weighs about 3000 lb. I can't remember the series of loaders that fit the 3000 twenty tractors but I know they have a heavy duty model, the heavy duty bucket is not much more and well worth the difference too. I have an MX 5 rotary cutter for the 4310 and it handles it just fine. Far as other impliments I'm pretty much a Landpride fan - Box blade, Rear mount finish mower, Landscape rake, 1558 three point tiller, etc. Don't waste your money on a counterballance weigh box for the loader, get a box blade, it will serve the same purpose and be one of the most usefull implements you have. You may want to add some rear wheel weights for a bit more loader stability, I am not much of a fan of using fluid filled tires for added weight, I've had too many bad experiences with fluid filled tires on farm tractors, a leak is a real BIG mess. Like you have local Deere dealer that has always been fair in their dealings and takes care of any peoblems without any hassle. I've did business with them for a long time and just don't shop anywhere else. In my book Deere and Landpride are as good as it gets in their respective fields, I don't own any stock in either company, but just like their products. They may cost a bit more in the begining, but come trade in time there won't be any him-hawing around by the dealer. Enjoy your new Deere. Frank. ....


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gobyguy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 5 Southeast Missouri
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2008-07-22          155522


Thanks for the feedback, Hardwood. After doing some more internet work and face time with the local dealer, I'm considering a 4105. Not much for bells and whistles but that's not necessary, as I seem to get a bit more hp for my buck. I initially considered the 3000 series (e.g., 3320) decided I wanted more horsepower. By the time I get up to 32 hp at the PTO (40 hp gross for the 4105), the 3520 and 3720 become much more expensive.

I would appreciate any pros and cons from anyone comparing the 4105 to the 3520. I'd really like to go to the 4120 but the price jump is too much.

Hardwood, I've seen several posts by you promoting the Land Pride. What rotary cutter of theirs is comparable to the MX-5? How do the prices compare? Thanks again for your time.

GG ....


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hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3583 iowa
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2008-07-22          155545


GG; When I bought the MX5 cutter the Deere dealer where I do my business had not yet become a Landpride dealer so I never had the two side by side to make any comparisons. I just checked the Landpride website and it looks to me like a model RCR 1860 would be a comparable unit to the MX5. The MX5 has been trouble free and with a little car wax it would be hard to tell from new. My first piece of Landpride was my three blade rear mount finish mower, that purchase impressed me enough that I just don't shop around anymore, when I need a piece of equipment I just go get a Landpride and have never been dissapointed. I've never looked at a 4105, so I don't know anything about them, but surely someone here has so perhaps they can tell you something about them. Frank. ....


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bvinduck
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 25 Duck, NC
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2008-08-08          155936


I have a JD4600. I love this machine. It one size up from 3000 series. I have debated numerous time- if my 4600 needs replaced what size to go with. I think the 43HP is an ideal size: not too big or small. Thus, the problem: JD has a 3000 series machine & 4000 series machine. I believe that the big frame size is helpful for doing heavier tasks and a little bit better traction -if I where going to guess. The ONLY reason I would think about going to the 3000 series there appears to be more attachments designed for it- but with a little reseach you can get the same type of attachments just not JD stuff. ONLY side note- snow blower. I have not found a "front" mount snowblower. I don't know why because the 4000 series can mount a mid mount PTO.....
Finally- I would suggest the 4000's series. Yes- it costs more but I think you would be happier when you start doing your logging. FYI- WR Long has these grapple buckets. I have one - ITS THE BEST ATTACHMENT I OWN! I believe it's 10 times better than a 4 n 1 bucket.

I hope this helps ....


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