Suggestions to narrow the hunt - 25hp, 4x4, HST - Branson, Mahindra, Kioti, JD, Ford?

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Hey Olympus, I went and test drove a J2023h the other day. I really liked it and was impressed with it.

In my opinion, the J2023h is closer to being a CUT than a SCUT. It seems about the same size as the small Kubota B series tractors. I think you got a lot of tractor for your money.

 

[Olympus]

Glad you liked it. I'd be more likely to recommend the J Series since they are pre-Tier 4.

The J and XJ are true CUT size and category.

 

[Gittyup]

I like tractors to be wide and heavy. Just the opposite of how I prefer my women

 

[Olympus]

Another brand the OP should take a look at is Yanmar. Like LS, they have been producing tractors for a major brand ( JD) and recently started selling them in the US under their own name. The last few years, they were sold as Cub Cadet/Yanmar, but they recently dropped Cub Cadet and they are strictly Yanmar with a new red/black color scheme compared to the yellow/black when they were with Cub Cadet. Yanmar makes a great machine if you can find a dealer in your area.

 

[Pierrepont]

The new 324 and 424 "red" Yanmars seem decent.

A couple of notes:

- Neither model has a differential lock.

- They are a good, safe width at 54.6"

- Plastic rear fenders.

 

[Olympus]

Couple more photos of my LS from today. We got over 12" of snow and I spent the day working on my place, then a couple neighbors places. This was the first time I've used this tractor in the snow and I was very impressed. I could do all the work at about 1/2 throttle.

 

[ChrisintheMojave]

Just checking in... Still looking.

I'm hoping to find a low time used SCUT/CUT. I have one "likely" candidate but it's 9 hours drive from me... I keep looking closer, hoping something will pop up. I've also been watching for "Deals" on the 3016 to see if I could stretch out to one... I'm amazed at the spread for "new" Mahindra 3016 on Craigslist:

New Mahindra 3016 shuttle 4x4 tractor and loader with 5 year warranty

Mahindra 3016 4wd Compact Tractor w/ Loader

3016 Mahindra Tractor

Mahindra 3016 4x4 Diesel Powered Tractor -- Built in Japan!

Mahindra Tractor 3016 4WD Package Deal!!!

Almost 5K spread for the SAME tractor - I understand there are some "extras" with some of them - pretty easy to back them out to get the net cost of the tractor.
Just amazed at the delta!

If I go new I think, I'll go 3016. Might have to give up HST to get there...

 

[DavesTractor]

Chris, the cheap one in Turlock is a rental return with a new loader. It's a bargain for sure as he will probably register it as new for you if the system lets him. He does this every year and all I can say is....go get it! They rent them into an ag market, like pulling grape carts for harvest. So they get some hours, but it is easy use. Technically they are not new of course. But they have low hours and will be in good shape.

So if you kick out the used rental return, and remove the implements from the other package, the gap narrows to about $2k, not $5k.

 

[ChrisintheMojave]

Great info, as always Dave. Thank YOU!

 

[Olympus]

Have you demoed a hydro and a shuttle shift? I think you'll regret not going with a hyrdo tranny, no matter what brand you decide.

I spent a lot of time recently pushing snow. Having previously had a geared tractor and now moving to hydro, i can't imagine now being without a hydro or going back to a geared tranny.