I am in the market for a SCUT and was considering Kubota BX's, JD 2305 and MF GC2400. All three are similar sized machines. Then I came across the Bobcat CT122. It appears to be much more machine for less money (thanks to Bobcat's current "Free Loader" program!)
I'll use the machine for finish mowing a couple of acres (my lawn is "farm lawn", not an "estate awn"!), tilling between rows in my market gardens (at least between the rows that are wide enough apart at the time), and for manure clean out in the basement of my barn using the bucket/loader.
I test drove the CT122 on the dealer lot and am impressed. My only concern is it may be too big for my needs. (I also own a JD 870 CUT which I use to do soil preparation in the spring, run a small manure spreader with, and flail mow my fields with.)
The dealer had a 54" mid-mount mower in stock for the CT122. It wasn't attached to the machine at the time but it looked very heavy duty. It also appears like it would be a pain in the butt to take off/put on on a regular basis. (Advantage to the Kubota, JD and MF on that.) But I'm thinking perhaps I would be just as happy with a rear finish mower - it certainly would be quicker to get on and off.
I was also planning on getting a 44-48" rear tiller to use with whatever SCUT I end up purchasing. The Bobcat specs say the CT122 has a minimum width of 46.5" - I'm assuming with ag tires. The CT122 on the dealers lot has turf tires and its over 52" wide - outside tread to outside tread. Does anyone know how wide it is with R4 tires?
This is going to be a tough decision. I'm almost thinking the CT122 is too big for my needs (since I already have another bigger tractor). Plus, the Kubota and JD dealers are located 5 minutes away (and I know/trust them) and the Bobcat dealer is an hour away - and I really know very little about the dealership and their service/reputation.
But I am impressed with their tractor. Heck, if I "trusted" the Bobcat brand more (i.e., their long-term reliability and knowing they'll be in the compact tractor business for the long haul, and parts availabilty down the road) and I trusted/knew the dealership better I might even make an offer on TWO tractors: CT122 and CT440!
I'll use the machine for finish mowing a couple of acres (my lawn is "farm lawn", not an "estate awn"!), tilling between rows in my market gardens (at least between the rows that are wide enough apart at the time), and for manure clean out in the basement of my barn using the bucket/loader.
I test drove the CT122 on the dealer lot and am impressed. My only concern is it may be too big for my needs. (I also own a JD 870 CUT which I use to do soil preparation in the spring, run a small manure spreader with, and flail mow my fields with.)
The dealer had a 54" mid-mount mower in stock for the CT122. It wasn't attached to the machine at the time but it looked very heavy duty. It also appears like it would be a pain in the butt to take off/put on on a regular basis. (Advantage to the Kubota, JD and MF on that.) But I'm thinking perhaps I would be just as happy with a rear finish mower - it certainly would be quicker to get on and off.
I was also planning on getting a 44-48" rear tiller to use with whatever SCUT I end up purchasing. The Bobcat specs say the CT122 has a minimum width of 46.5" - I'm assuming with ag tires. The CT122 on the dealers lot has turf tires and its over 52" wide - outside tread to outside tread. Does anyone know how wide it is with R4 tires?
This is going to be a tough decision. I'm almost thinking the CT122 is too big for my needs (since I already have another bigger tractor). Plus, the Kubota and JD dealers are located 5 minutes away (and I know/trust them) and the Bobcat dealer is an hour away - and I really know very little about the dealership and their service/reputation.
But I am impressed with their tractor. Heck, if I "trusted" the Bobcat brand more (i.e., their long-term reliability and knowing they'll be in the compact tractor business for the long haul, and parts availabilty down the road) and I trusted/knew the dealership better I might even make an offer on TWO tractors: CT122 and CT440!
