Paralysis Through Analysis

[WVUMntneer]

Looking for a bit of intel: desire to purchase tractor with FEL/BH/MMM-60. Fairly certain the JD 1025R is a SCUT, but unsure of the JD 2520 and the Kubota B2620. Issue is attempting to compare price quotes received today from both respective brand dealers; JD25 1025R v. B2620. Compounding the issue, looked at NH Boomer 20 & 25, MF 1526 (liked but no factory BH) a & 1529 as well as Mahindra & Kioti. Tractor mission: support maintenance of 3.5 acres (2.0 acre horse pasture) parcel with routine grooming of horses' sand lot and the #57 stone-based parking/staging area adj to horse barn, transfer the stalls' muck to composting/temporary stockpile area/transfer to shipping container, mulch beds prep/installation, snow removal, maintenance/repair of 1200 Lf of fencing, etc. Special project work: stormwater runoff catch basins/french drains, tree removal and planting, etc. This is not a "working farm" and the JD 318 handles all the grass cutting very well, but looking to put down the 3 point shovel and pitchfork for pushing levers and buttons. Concern: not looking to spend significant cash on tractor, I will end up pushing to limits (and breaking). After today's nearly 200 miles travels and eyeballing all the brands referenced, any input would be most welcomed. Thanks to all, in advance.

 

[whistlepig]

Backhoes are nice but they are a substantial investment. You may want to consider hiring all the backhoe work out or renting a backhoe. That would reduce the initial cost of the tractor. For sure it sounds like you need a QA loader. A B2620 sounds like an ideal size for your farm. The other brands you mention are excellent also. I would test drive and see what you like best.

 

[Don87]

Yes, you are correct, the JD 1025r is a SCUT. The Kubota B2620 is a CUT. The Boomer 20/25 are SCUTS, and the Massey Ferguson 1526/1529 are CUTS.

You are definitely comparing 2 different classes of tractor. I personally think you need a CUT size tractor your farm.

 

[newbury]

Reworked:

Tractor mission: support maintenance of 3.5 acres (2.0 acre horse pasture) parcel with:
routine grooming of horses' sand lot and the #57 stone-based parking/staging area adj to horse barn,
transfer the stalls' muck to composting/temporary stockpile area/transfer to shipping container,
mulch beds prep/installation,
snow removal,
maintenance/repair of 1200 Lf of fencing, etc.

Special project work:
stormwater runoff catch basins/french drains,
tree removal and planting, etc.

Concern: not looking to spend significant cash on tractor, I will end up pushing to limits (and breaking).

3.5 acres is on the small side.

As mentioned a backhoe is an expensive toy. I know, I bought one. I COULD of rented a backhoe-loader or a mini-ex from Sunbelt for 3 MONTHS for what I paid for the Woods BX70 backhoe ALONE. However, where I'm retiring to it would have been a 100 mile drive every time I rented.

You don't mention horse input - Just output.
What do you feed them there horses?
Do you have it delivered to their stalls? Do you feed them hay? Round or square? A 6x6 weighs 1500lbs and up. Neither of the tractors would carry that on the 3pt.
Do you feed them grain? How much does it weigh? The Kubota B2620 loader (Kubota LA364) is good for about 364Kg.

Then speaking of horse output - What are the dimensions in the barn? Are you going to try and maneuver the tractor into the stalls for cleanout? Do you have to go down aisles? Envision yourself trying to do 3 point turns in the barn to move "stuff".

So there are tradeoffs between a tractor that would carry a round bale and one that would maneuver inside a barn. Here bigger isn't always better.

What is this "snow" you speak of? I've lived in Alexandria, Va since about 1978 and only OCCASIONALLY have I even heard of "snow" in Frederick that would require a tractor to move. I came from Burlington Vermont where they do have snow that requires a tractor. I think in Frederick a $3,000 front or rear snowblower would be overkill.

And what is

significant cash

?

A new B2620 (base cost before everything $15K) w/FEL, MMM, and extra remotes runs about $22K list. To me that is significant. Add in a BH and snowblower and it gets around $32K, REAL significant.

What other attachments will you NEED? Rakes? tiller? Boxblade? PHD? Post Pounder? Ballast Box? Pallet forks? Tooth bar? All these implements add up and could surpass the base cost of the tractor.
/edit - PTO generator? Winch? Plow? Chipper? Trailer?

I suggest you determine your max requirements - weights to be lifted, dimensions to get in and out of, other implements required, size of bank account. Come back with a little more info and we can help you better.

And remember used is always an option. Let someone else decide they bought too much or too little tractor new.

 

[oosik]

This is one area where I can relate. For over twenty years I have 2X annually cleaned out my neighbors barn & stalls(cows). For about 18 of those years I had a smaller tractor (Ford 1710) that could get into the barn and with some interior rearranging the stalls also. It was easy to muck out the barn and all material went right on my garden. Comes the new & bigger tractor. I can no longer even get in the barn let alone the stalls. The 2X annual muck out IS NOT so much fun any more. Everything must now be transported to the outside where the tractor can reach it. His elder son doesn't like it so much either - he now has to assist.
Bottom line - size your new purchase carefully & with all tasks in mind. Remember there may not be a single tractor that will do all jobs effectively.

Like many posters before - I always question the purchase of a back hoe. Almost 100% of the time I see this implement sitting over in the corner because its initial use is completed and the thrill of ownership has long passed. This one implement can be one of the most expensive purchases.

 

[Grandad4]

First there were CUTS. Then there were SCUTS. What's the difference? Somebody noticed a need for something that does more than a lawn tractor but is still small enough to fit in a garage, mow the lawn easily, go on a small trailer, and do other things a CUT might be a tad large for. There's a pretty thin line between CUT and SCUT... we're talking nuance here... and some entertaining discussions have ensued when someone declared that their SCUT was bigger/stronger/better than someone else's SCUT, but no one should think for a minute it's really an underachieving CUT.

One of the comforting things about this equipment - all brands and all sizes - is that it's made to do hard work and will last a long time with reasonable use and care. The little ones do it in smaller chunks; the bigger ones do more in less time. Your acreage is small but your chore list seems to say a smaller CUT would be a good fit. I would suggest including a visit to a good Kubota dealership, if only because they have by far the most complete range of SCUT and CUT models to compare. But by all means look at all the brands and find a dealer and a model you are comfortable with.

 

[newbury]

<snip> For about 18 of those years I had a smaller tractor (Ford 1710) that could get into the barn and with some interior rearranging the stalls also. It was easy to muck out the barn and all material went right on my garden. Comes the new & bigger tractor. I can no longer even get in the barn let alone the stalls. The 2X annual muck out IS NOT so much fun any more. Everything must now be transported to the outside where the tractor can reach it. His elder son doesn't like it so much either - he now has to assist.<snip>

First of all -

The 2X annual muck out IS NOT so much fun any more.

Really? How much "fun" was it before?

My first "away from home" job was one spring when my Dad dropped me at a farmers. My first job was to muck out the calf pens, down to the concrete, that had built up all winter. The falmer was the local pick up point for calves and had at least 6 pens. They were ALL at least 3 foot deep of feces, urine, hay, straw and feed. I can't imagine that even with a tractor it would have been "fun"

This is a standard case for 2 tractors, a small one to be a wheel barrow on steroids and a large one for the big jobs, if you have big jobs. I've many places in Mississippi where my B7610 will just fit down the paths and trails, my M4700 will be to big. But I've about 100 acres of trees. My B7610 can't lift a 10' log with the FEL, but my M4700 will put it on my sawmill with ease.

In the OP's case I think he should start with the biggest tractor he can EASILY fit in his barn. Then buy another couple of hundred acres and get a bigger tractor also

Tractors are like chainsaws, not wives, it's always better to have two.

 

[oosik]

Hey Newbury - -
I've been retired a long time, I don't clean barns/stalls by hand and I wager you don't any longer either. And like we have indicated - if he plans on using the tractor to clean out the barn then it will probably be a smaller one. My neighbor came to me - when I had the smaller tractor - because he figured it would fit in the barn and stalls. And you are correct - fun, even on a tractor was relative. However, I'll bet having me muck it out with the tractor was a lot more fun for the neighbor than him doing it by shovel.

 

[WVUMntneer]

Appreciate the responses folks. First, the tractor (of any size) will not enter the stalls; this is a 2 stall barn without aisle. The 2x daily mucking is by hand and presently transferred to a small trailer, which is then hooked up to the JD 318 and wheeled over to the compost pile- about every 2 days. The FEL's use has been delineated, notwithstanding the rare need for snow removal at driveway. The MMM's use is obvious (albeit the JD 318 with 48" presently does yeoman-like and satisfactory work), while the BH's use is less necessity with more about desire and matters of convenience. To clarify, my reference to "signficant cash" is not focal to amount, but more to the point of securing the appropriate tool and not stressing to the breaking point. Anywho, have arrived at the following purchase decision-making: JD or Kubota; but stuck on [1] JD SCUT 1025R TBL with 60"MMM vs. Kubota CUT B2620 TBL with 60"MMM, in possession of both price quotes- Orange ~350 more thanGreen OR [2] check on pricing of JD CUT 2520 TBL with 60"MMM and compare to Orange CUT noted above; albeit the forward/reverse foot pedal on Orange not appealing compared to Green, also if memory is correct- concerned with hydraulic output on K vs. JD, and the deck raising/lifting of K vs JD. Lastly, wrangling with decision of SCUT comparison (shouldn't the Orange BX2370 go up against JD 1025R- in fairness) vs. the CUTS. Anyone have head-head experience with these machines?

 

[jenkinsph]

Since you have the 318 for finish mowing I would recommend looking at the Deere 2520 or similar Kubota B series both of these will have better ground clearance andbe better for ground work than the subcompacts.