what should i buy

I am in the market for a compact tractor around the 28-30hp range.I have looked and looked and need feed back from other owners.I have narrowed it down to good dealers in my area.I would like any feed back i get on agco/massey,kioti,and johndeere.I like the kioti but dont know alot about them there's not alot around. I also dont know how well they hold there valu .Right now i looks like i might buy a agco ST33a or ST28a.

Kubota, New Holland and Deere make up a vast majority of the compact tractor market. Its tough to find really good information on the other brands since there is not much out there. Are there particular models you are comparing? 

I would google the names and models of the tractors you are interested in.  You will find out a lot.  Some of it can be entertaining.  A couple of years ago I did that with a certain brand of Chinese tractor.  One of the proud owners had his own site, where he talked of purchasing his second of that brand and listed all of the spare parts he ordered at the same time--such things as alternator, fuel pump, hydraulic pump, water pump, injectors and much more.  He didn't say why he felt he would need all those spares, but he did mention that he had had the first tractor only one year.  Not what I would consider a testimonial to the reliability of that particular brand.

 i am comparing to  J.D.790,New Holland tc30,.kubota L30,kioti CK 30,agco ST28a, and massey ferguson 1528. so far price and quality go to Massey and agco which are both same tractor (just different color).kioti also has nice tractor but I am just not sure about long term stuff on this brand. I am not very impressed with the big 3 at all.Out of them though i think the J.D. 790 is the best but you dont get very many options for the money.N.H. is just out to lunch on their tractor and the price(P.O.S.).kubota just not impressed with quality and fit .

What do you plan on doing exactly? Is there anything in particular thats impressing you about a particular machine?

I plan on using my tractor for snow removal and brushhogging and at times fire wood.Plus i am sure i will find alot of loader work.I live in western New York state where we get lake affect snows that can measure up in feet overnight . I do not want a hydro so am looking at either a 9x3 or 8x8 snycro.I like the fact that the kioti tractor comes standard with a 8x8 snycro.But after talking to a massey dealer he told me that they are coming out with a new tractor that has snycro standard.Again i do like the kioti but i just dont have enough input on them to make me comfortable to buy one. my area that i live in is massey , deere, and kubota country . And there are a FEW kioti's around but not alot.

 

 

 

Syncro transmissions are kinda going the way of the dodo. 95% of whats sold any more is hyrostatic because it is a nicer transmission for loader work and mowing, however choice is good and some people still prefer gears. Kubota is pretty well abandoned Syncro transmissions, but does still offer their 12x8 GST on the L-series machines, CNH offers 8x8's on the TC35-40-45. Massy is a good tractor backed by a descent company. Kinda funny that they are adding syncro models.

Just wondering what you mean (kinda funny that they are adding syncro models).Is there something wrong with that or is that just your opinion.  I am new to the compact world so talk to me. I am use to the old farmalls and big farm tractors where hydrostatic is unknown.It just seams to me that a syncro would be more durable in the long run.I want a tractor thats going to last i am very fussy about how i keep my stuff (its a marine thing)so abuse is not a factor.So what advantage does hydro have over syncro.  

Its funny because hydrostatics are about 90% of whats sold any more. Even of the gear drive transmissions, the straight stick between the legs ends up being more popular than a syncro because its cheap. There just is not much demand for a good gear drive transmission.

There are benifits to every transmission, hydro's are very easy to drive and have the least amount of wear parts - to the point that I'd say a modern hydro is more durable than a gear drive. The drawbacks are less power to the PTO as its not as efficient, and they are not great for applications like tillage where your under a heavy load continuously. However its wonderful for mowing and loader work, which is what most people do.

Gear/Syncc/GST and the like put more power to the PTO and are cheaper. However they require much more skill to drive and don't provide many speeds for mowing and constant RPM work. They are durable, but rely heavily on the clutch which will need replacing at some point in the machines life which is a very expensive job.

Bottom line -- drive each one, price it out, buy what you like. None of these factors should sway you away from buying something other than what you personaly want to operate.

Is the GST better for steep or hilly terrain or would I be better served with a HST?  I am old school so don't mind shifting. I am looking into a +/- 30hp with a 4in1 and a hoe and scraper to accomplish brush clearing and dirt work on my 3 acres.  Most of the terrain is hills and is dry brush (northern California) so i am looking into a L (39 or 40) series. Any suggestions would help i was told that the HST wouldn't be good due to the terrain.

I have the Kubota L39 with the GST at 8450 foot mountain elevation in Wyoming. I really like the GST with multiple gears options available for my use. It gives me the ability to select gears and power to match my needs and terrain conditions. I did not know when I bought the L39 if it would have the power needed at high elevation without a turbo. It has surpassed my expectations so far. I do not believe you can go wrong with the L39 with GST for most conditions and work loads. If you are doing brush work check out the Anbo grapple which is my favorite tool for brush and tree clean up.

Check out these links for more info on my Kubota L39. http://www.nettractortalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121

 

 

 

I'm much in the same boat, looking for a small tractor also.  I guess I've picked the JD 790 FWD  over all others, mainly because of dealership proximity and poor reputation of other local dealers of the competing brands.  Price also was consideration, plus other numerous amenities offered by the JD dealer.  Additionally, the testimonies of several other owners of a 790 indicated to me that the unit is one with minimal mechanical downtime.  My usage will be mostly bush-hogging several small plots that will amount to about 25 acres, and a minimal amount of dirt moving. Some brush pushing after removing dead trees from pine acreage.  As my neighbor said, his front-end loader became his wheel-barrow.  Wife likes it too.  That goes a long way for a successful purchase.  By now, you probably have made your decision and have purchased the tractor of choice.  How about a follow-up report?