Buying Advice Some comparisons.....

[coldstream]

I got some what I call "budgetary estimates" over the phone this week, all of these are new from dealers and all are with loader only:
Bobcat 225 - $15,500
0% for 60 month or cash with a $2k discount.
Kubota B2320HST - $14,900
0% for 42 mos, 3.99% for 60mos with 3% down
Kubota B2320DT (gear) - $13,850
I'm seriously considering going gear drive and have been enjoying the post in the forums about folks who've gone back to gear. And I know it only saves me a grand but a grand is a grand and is significant in my budget. I may be one of those old fashioned folks who thinks a tractor should have gears and a mower should have a hydro. And, please, this is just my opinion, I disparage no one else for their choices, just sharing mine! I know that loader operation will be more difficult and slow, etc. Also, the B2320DT does not have a live PTO which may be pretty big negative, yours opinions on this are welcome.....
Well, these forums are for sharing info and for fun so I thought I'd share. Lay it on me......!!

 

[Loren49]

Seems that the tractors you priced are not too similar in physical size - one less than 1500lbs and the other over 3000lbs. So it depends on what your application will be - at times smaller is better.
A little information on your plans for the tractor and the acreage you have may help to get some opinions.

Good luck,
Loren

 

[TripleR]

A live PTO is a must in my "opinion". As to the gear vs HST, I have a bad left leg and much prefer an HST, but do run geared tractors with a FEL by sitting sideways. I grew up farming with geared units and before I got hurt, geared tractors were not an issue. For someone new to tractors HST may certainly be the way to go, but for an experienced operator I believe the issue is often overblown; just my opinion. Good luck in your decision.

 

[coldstream]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen! I have 5 acres and plan on bush hogging 3 acres, maintaining a driveway, moving gravel and dirt and other odd jobs. I've mowed my folks 5 acres for several years with an 8N so I'm used to not having a live PTO. But, I'll just have to decide if I want to spend the extra money to have it or save some money and go without it. Still looking at several models and haven't decided yet so you'll probably see me back here with more questions.

I've gotten no comments on the quotes I recieved (see my OP)........

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen! I have 5 acres and plan on bush hogging 3 acres, maintaining a driveway, moving gravel and dirt and other odd jobs. I've mowed my folks 5 acres for several years with an 8N so I'm used to not having a live PTO. But, I'll just have to decide if I want to spend the extra money to have it or save some money and go without it. Still looking at several models and haven't decided yet so you'll probably see me back here with more questions.

I've gotten no comments on the quotes I recieved (see my OP)........

I don't know about the Bobcat, but the ones on the Kubotas are in line with the prices in my area. Prices change on these things from one shipment to the next sometimes, so sometimes it is hard to tell how good a deal you are getting as you don't know if it is old or new stock. When I got mine, it was the next to last in stock and someone else was buying the llast one that afternoon, the price was going up with the next shipment.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Kubota finance programs changed two days ago. They've gotten better than what you where told.

 

[forester2]

I can't imagine buying something w/o a pto and 3 point hitch. If you ever go to resell it you're sunk!

 

[flusher]

I got some what I call "budgetary estimates" over the phone this week, all of these are new from dealers and all are with loader only:
Bobcat 225 - $15,500
0% for 60 month or cash with a $2k discount.
Kubota B2320HST - $14,900
0% for 42 mos, 3.99% for 60mos with 3% down
Kubota B2320DT (gear) - $13,850
I'm seriously considering going gear drive and have been enjoying the post in the forums about folks who've gone back to gear. And I know it only saves me a grand but a grand is a grand and is significant in my budget. I may be one of those old fashioned folks who thinks a tractor should have gears and a mower should have a hydro. And, please, this is just my opinion, I disparage no one else for their choices, just sharing mine! I know that loader operation will be more difficult and slow, etc. Also, the B2320DT does not have a live PTO which may be pretty big negative, yours opinions on this are welcome.....
Well, these forums are for sharing info and for fun so I thought I'd share. Lay it on me......!!

I looked on the Kubota website at the 2320DT but couldn't find much info on the gear tranny except 9F/3R. You need to be sure that the gears are fully synchronized so FEL work is not a PITA. There are several kinds of shuttle-shift type trannies, so be sure you know what you're buying.
BTW: my first tractor was a new 2005 Kubota B7510HST (21 hp engine, 17 hp pto, 4WD, hydrostatic tranny) with the LA302 FEL.
I traded that in for a 2008 Mahindra 5525 (54 hp engine, 45 hp pto, 2WD, gear tranny).

 

[miramadar]

If there is a Kioti dealer in your area I'd definitely put the CK27 on this list. The Kioti CK27 is the exact same machine, I believe, as the Bobcat CT225. They are both made by Daedong at the same factory in South Korea. I don't know what prices are like this year, but I bought my CK27 gear with FEL last April for $13k plus tax. And thus far, after about 150 hours on the machine, I'm perfectly happy with it and its done everything I've asked it to do.

 

[Gittyup]

I think the Bobcat is the better tractor of the three you listed because of weight and hydraulic flow, among other things. Price sounds about right.

Rumour has it that Kioti is about to start the free loader program once again. You might want to hold off a few weeks and see. It could save you a little bit more.

I'd also give Mahindra a look. Didn't like the MF's? They have some pretty nice tractors.