Is there any place on the web that rates tractors? I've read most of the old threads about tractors and see people like Kubota very well. My neighbor says a Deere and Massey Ferguson are the cadillacs of tractors,he has the latter. We are looking at a New Holland 3415 that has 47hp. 4cyl., versus a Kubota L3010 32hp. 3cyl. 4wheel drive, for about the same price. The New Holland is much prettier, it's blue!!! The Kubota is ORANGE for why I do not know!!! The New Holland is much larger than the Kubota, does the larger size make up for it being 2 wheel drive?? Thanks in advance for helping, this forum has been a blessing to us. Teresa

-- Teresa (t1noodles@aol.com), April 06, 2001

Answers

I have a JD 755 compact tractor and I'm extremely pleased with it. My local dealer has outstanding service. There were just as pleased to see me after the sale as before. IMNSHO I think that John Deere is the premium in farm equipment of any size.

For ratings, did you try Consumer Reports?

-- Skip Walton (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), April 07, 2001.

Nebraska has been testing tractors for years. All of the tractors tested are tested the same thereby giving quality test results. Horsepower and traction are just two of the things tested. Here is their web site. http://tractortestlab.unl.edu/mission.htm

You asked if a tractor larger in physical size will make up for the lack of the 4 wheel assist option? A lot will depend upon the soils that you will be working in. For snow removal I wouldn't give up my 4wd option. Will you have a front end loader? That will work much better with the assist option. Boils down to what you will be using the tractor for.

What make? Do you have good dealers for each make in your area? While I'm partial to Ford/New Holland since I have one, I did look at dealer availability before making the purchase. If you can't get parts for the tractor it's not worth much setting in the shed. The parts may only be filters, etc, but you still have to have them, and auto parts stores don't always stock them.

Good luck on selecting a brand and a model.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), April 07, 2001.

I agree with Notforprint on dealer availability being a large decision factor. I have a Ford 4000 which does everything I ask it to do. Repair shop is about 1/2 miles away, but then he wants to retire in 2 1/2 years when he hits 85 (yes 85). For repairs after that I'll have to haul it to Dickson, about a 30-mile trip.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), April 07, 2001.

I once worked at a rental place, had a chance to work on (or lack there of) Kubotas- many times i used them, i prefered the 4wd version despite its smaller size than the kubota 2by also rented. Very trouble free, easy to work on and depndable... renters dont take to nicest care of machinery sometimes!

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), April 07, 2001.

I've owned both a 2wd Ford/New Holland and 4wd. Both were very good tractors. My current tractor is a JD 5300 4wd, no complaints here also. It is important to buy a tractor that has a dealer nearby; saves on downtime. Here in the West Virginia hills, the 4wd option makes life a whole lot easier; and safer.

Rob

-- Rob Shipe (RShipe1046@aol.com), April 08, 2001.

I farmed for 30 years, my family as farmers go back to the days of faqrming with horses. I have never owned a 4-wheel drive tractor but there are times when it would be handy, especially if you do a lot of work with a loader. 2 Years ago I bought a new, New Holland-Ford 3010, 52 HP 2-wheel drive W/ loader, it takes care of all my needs, it has a locking differential lock if I get to slipping. When I was shopping for a tractor, ( I was trading in a JD 950) I looked a Kubota, Massey & JD, as well, I felt i was getting the most for my buck with the NH. Keep in mind that Kubota's are made in Japan, some are made here, John Deere's are Japan, Massey's are made in India or Pakistan and New Holland's under 75 HP are made in Mexico, (there engines are designed by Ffiat and made by Iveco. My NH under a load will run about 3-3.5 hours on a gallon of diesel, which I pay $1.00 a gallon for. Over the years I have owned 5 ford tractors, 2 Internationals, 2 Massey's, an Oliver, 3 John Deere's and a Belarus, (Russian). this 3010 is the best tractor I have ever had, it is the second new one I ever bought too, the first was the Belarus.

-- Hendo (OR) (redgate@echoweb.net), April 08, 2001.

Thanks Guys for taking the time to answer my many questions. We are sooo glad to have stumbled on to this forum recently!!!! Your responses have helped us to pretty well decide on the New Holland, for a variety of reasons. We too think it is more bang for our bucks, at least from what we have learned thus far. I greatly value the opinions of the individuals offered thus far!! Consumer reports only had info on garden tractors,but it was a great idea and I checked out a few things while there. The Nebraska tractor site was also great info!!! Thanks again folks,TERESA

-- Teresa (t1noodles@aol.com), April 08, 2001.

Tractors are a personal choice,but what others have said here is important. Look at what makes are in your area. The best tractor in the world is no good if you don't have dealer support. What your neighbors have will indicate that. Remember that with JD and Kubota you are paying a lot for the name. This is from someone that has farmed for 44 years with both JD and IH. Also lower HP tractors of all companies tend to be made foriegn.

-- bill (wah@tnweb.com), April 13, 2001.