[benjmatt]

I am pretty new to the forum and have been looking at compact tractors for about half of a year now. My wife and I purchased a house with 6 acres in August 2009. We don't have to mow the entire property but we do because we don't want tall standing grass as it can be a fire hazard. Along with that, uncut tall grass looks crappy in my opinion. We also get a decent amount of snow in the winter. When we purchased the house we were able to get a John Deere X534 lawn tractor in the deal and I purchased a snow blade for it. We are able to do everything with that machine but it takes a lot of time. 6-7 hours to mow and 2 hours every time it snows to clear the driveway.

Since we moved in I have wanted to buy a tractor. Growing up on a row-crop farm I wanted to buy a 4440 John Deere with a front blade and a mower. I would be done moving snow in about 10 minutes and less than one hour to mow. That machine is old and very big.

I started looking at compact tractors which really grew on me. The only thing that angers me is they are about the same price as a 4440 which is super lame. Regardless I have been looking at the 4000 series and the 3000 series tractors.

I don't have a good feel for what I really "need", in all honestly I can get by with nothing else, I would just cut time out of the work.

At first I was really keen on the 990 or 4005, but then found out you can't get a hydro tranny which seems nice. The 17K-20K price tag seems a bit much. Then I started looking at the 4105 and higher models and they are newer at $18K +. I think having a 20K machine is kind of a waste. Then I looked at the 790 but then found out they have a front axle issue and started looking at the 3005. Then with the 3005 you are back up to the 15K+ range. Lastly I found the 3038E and the 3032E. They similar but lower end units but they are new.

My question, what model do you think best fits my scenarios? In a dream world I would have two machines. The smaller unit for landscaping and small tasks and a 4440 or 4030 so I am able to clear snow the .5 miles to the highway down the county road. Instead of waiting for the maintainer.
Realistically I want one machine that will used for everything.

Requirements:
4x4
front end loader
must be John Deere (I know other brands are good, But if I need to sell it chances are I will get all of my money back)

Tasks I want to do:
Mow 6 Acres
Move Snow
Attach an rear mounted auger
Possibly erect a pole shed (will need the attachment to put up the roof trusses.)
Landscaping tasks around my acreage.

Thank you in advance for reading my super long post.

 

[Glad2bHere]

Welcome to the Forum Ben. Wish I knew more to help you, but I am sure the JD guys will pile up the advice real soon. Pictures of your place would be nice, we love pictures of anything here.

 

[benjmatt]

Bing.com has a great picture of my place in the birds eye view of the property. I just don't think it is wise to post my address on here.

On a side note, I am leaning towards the 3032E or 3038E because I think If I find one used, I can get one for around 15K with a front end loader. They are a little smaller than I want but I could use it in my yard for landscaping and it would mow and move snow with ease. With it being smaller I would expect it would take more time to do these tasks as well.

I did call the local dealer for new pricing with a front end loader.
3032E $15800
3038E $17200

However if I was going to buy a new 3038E I would opt for a used 4000 series like the 4105.

I just want some opinions of these machines I am talking about. As much as I probably won't use this machine a 790 with a front loader would probably work fine. I am not that hot on a manual transmission, the hydro seems nice.

 

[Slik pak]

I would say 3038E based on your post. I know you said JD but some Bobcat dealers will sell a CT122 with a FEL for under 12k new.

 

[ancy]

Save $15000+ plant native grasses and save a ton of time! As far as snow I do enjoy the seat time.

 

[benjmatt]

Save $15000+ plant native grasses and save a ton of time! As far as snow I do enjoy the seat time.

I like the part about saving money, but ain't crazy on letting native grasses grow. I think it makes your property look unmaintained. Thank you for your input.

 

[Glad2bHere]

What would native grasses be? And how high will they grow? Will they grow in the shade?

 

[SwiftDeere]

With 6 acres, I think you are on the verge of going too big with a tractor. I have 11.5 acres, mow 6-7 of it and my 2520 with 72" deck fits the bill perfect. Will also be pushing snow with it this winter.

 

[ancy]

What would native grasses be? And how high will they grow? Will they grow in the shade?

I have a few different ones planted some tall some short. I also have a wildflower mix planted with them. They seem to grow good along the creek where they are in some shade. I just don't understand the poeple that buy more than 3 acres and then want to mow it all. I have 8.5 acres, 4 in a buffer program at $180 an acre, 2.5 ares in trees (wind break) with a clover mix, a very large garden about 2 acres, and the rest around the shed I mow. I think it looks better than any mowed grass and it supports the wild life in the area.

 

[benjmatt]

I have a few different ones planted some tall some short. I also have a wildflower mix planted with them. They seem to grow good along the creek where they are in some shade. I just don't understand the poeple that buy more than 3 acres and then want to mow it all. I have 8.5 acres, 4 in a buffer program at $180 an acre, 2.5 ares in trees (wind break) with a clover mix, a very large garden about 2 acres, and the rest around the shed I mow. I think it looks better than any mowed grass and it supports the wild life in the area.

I would have rather had two acres but around Omaha where I live you don't have a lot of options. Our house was built in 2000 and we wanted something newer on an acreage without having to build from scratch. Not to mention, try finding 2 acres without knowing someone in Omaha. If you are within 10-15 miles of Omaha you can't buy 2 acres. You have to find something existing or buy a quarter section or at least 20 acres. And at 10-20K per acre I couldn't afford to buy 20 acres. I just like to live in the country, that is where I grew up, I couldn't care less about wildlife. I want the room to build a large outbuilding/shop, be able to shoot guns and ride ATVs; Most importantly be left alone and have a private life without living on top of our neighbors like so many subdivisions these days. For the time being I will probably make due with the mower (X534) I have and get a 790, 3005 or a 3032E or 3038E. I consider these tractors to be small and I am all about buying things once. As long as I live in this house I will have that tractor, hopefully until I die.

 

[benjmatt]

With 6 acres, I think you are on the verge of going too big with a tractor. I have 11.5 acres, mow 6-7 of it and my 2520 with 72" deck fits the bill perfect. Will also be pushing snow with it this winter.

Thanks for the insight, I was thinking the 3000 series is just too small. Honestly I would rather go a little bigger so the 3000 series is probably what I will do. Thank you for the reply.

 

[SwiftDeere]

Thanks for the insight, I was thinking the 3000 series is just too small. Honestly I would rather go a little bigger so the 3000 series is probably what I will do. Thank you for the reply.

Hey, no problem at all. We're here to help and just wanted to be sure you look at all your options. I too considered the 3000 series, but when I was at the dealer looking, I just could not convince myself that I needed that over the 2520 or the 2720. After reading all the info here on the forum, I decided the 2520 fit the bill. Now will I keep it until I die? Most likely, but I bet by then there is another one or two tractors sitting beside it!

 

[JDFANATIC]

Will you be blowing snow or plowing? If blowing, some of the combos you mention don't have mid-pto options so you would have to go with a 3PH blower. Nothing wrong with that, but my neck likes to look straight forward. Sounds like you have a nice property!

 

[ColonyPark]

I think you will be fine with whatever you decide. I bought 11.5 acres with the homestead 4 years ago. 3 acres of lawn (why?, it looks nice, but we certainly don't use it) and 4 acres of meadow, the rest is woods. I simply don't have time to mow it all, so my brush hog sits unused, and at 4' wide it takes a long time to do the 4 acres and the edges along the woods. So, I could've saved myself some $$$, which I am all about too, and pay someone to cut it once a year, or find a farmer who wants it for hay, etc., and just stick to mowing the lawn once a week. But if you like it all mowed, well, thats another story. Good Luck, just some food for thought and :Welcome1:

 

[benjmatt]

Will you be blowing snow or plowing? If blowing, some of the combos you mention don't have mid-pto options so you would have to go with a 3PH blower. Nothing wrong with that, but my neck likes to look straight forward. Sounds like you have a nice property!

I will be pushing or piling snow with the front bucket. I don't want to do a snowblower, it would be nice but too pricey.

 

[n2deep]

Personally I think you overlooked or may have the wrong impression of the 790, its a great tractor and I have owned mine for several years without a wisper of trouble. I mow approx 2 acres weekly in just over an hour, use it to push snow, move stumps/logs and everything else.. If you check a little deeper I think you will find that they are a great tractor will lots of power and can be bought at a resonable price.. However, they are not a dozer and if the previous owner used it primarily as a loader then I would suspect it may have issues.

Loader work takes a serious tractor and not many, including larger tractors can stand up to the abuse..

Best Regards

Art

 

[JDFANATIC]

Personally I think you overlooked or may have the wrong impression of the 790, its a great tractor and I have owned mine for several years without a wisper of trouble. I mow approx 2 acres weekly in just over an hour, use it to push snow, move stumps/logs and everything else.. If you check a little deeper I think you will find that they are a great tractor will lots of power and can be bought at a resonable price.. However, they are not a dozer and if the previous owner used it primarily as a loader then I would suspect it may have issues.

Loader work takes a serious tractor and not many, including larger tractors can stand up to the abuse..

Best Regards

Art

You know, rereading your first post, this is the first I've heard of a front axle issue. The 790 is really a tried and true machine developed from the 750 and then 770 with few design changes. To me the only issue would be gear vs. hydro and what you want.

 

[JDFANATIC]

I will be pushing or piling snow with the front bucket. I don't want to do a snowblower, it would be nice but too pricey.

A loader for snow removal isn't as productive as you might think. Some posters here use them alone or in conjunction with a rear blade and are happy, but IMHO a blower or front plow is more productive.

 

[UrbanTractor]

With 6 acres, I think you are on the verge of going too big with a tractor. I have 11.5 acres, mow 6-7 of it and my 2520 with 72" deck fits the bill perfect. Will also be pushing snow with it this winter.

Yeah, that sounds correct to me. Heck, if you go on the JD website, they recommend an X700 series as adequate for mowing up to 7 acres. A 2000 series with a larger 72" MMM deck ought to handle 7 acres with ease. Especially if the O.P. is cost-conscious, it would seem like the larger 3000- and 4000- series units are more than he needs.

But, that said, moving up to a 3000-series does get some even larger mower options and the auto-connect feature. I could easily see a 3000 series as a "lifer".

... If you are within 10-15 miles of Omaha you can't buy 2 acres. You have to find something existing or buy a quarter section or at least 20 acres. And at 10-20K per acre I couldn't afford to buy 20 acres. ....

You get a lot of land for your money out there.

It's interesting reading about land values in different parts of the country. In my vicinity, a build-able lot goes for about $700K. That would be anywhere from 5000-10000 square feet of land (roughly 1/8 to 1/4 of an acre). Of course, there would be an old house on that lot that you'd have to tear down first before building. What I'd give for an acre!

I am curious why someone can't buy 2 acres within 10-15 miles of Omaha? Is it because, there are no lots that big, or ????

Good luck with your tractor choice. That JD 3000 series is a nice way to go.

 

[Phoenix125]

A loader for snow removal isn't as productive as you might think. Some posters here use them alone or in conjunction with a rear blade and are happy, but IMHO a blower or front plow is more productive.

:ditto: I have a relatively short driveway for being in the country, but it would take me 1-2 hours to clear my driveway with the FEL and rear blade... Plus if you're driveway is paved, you have to be extra careful not avoid scratching the surface. If I didn't already have a plow for my Trailblazer, I would've purchased a snow blower.

I've used the FEL and plow to move back my snow piles, though... It was very handy for that! I also use my tractor to plow the small-radius turn-about in my neighbor's driveway, because my Trailblazer barely can make the turn.. the tractor does well.

I'd give your FEL and blade a try (once you get them), but be prepared: you may find yourself wanting a snow blower! BTW: buying implements is an addiction!