Looking to purchase my first SCUT need advice

[TigerDMD]

Hoping to get some recommendations from you guys. I read through lots of post on TBN and there was even one on these specific 2 models, but it was a little while back. I just closed on 17.5 acres that we will eventually build our house on. It will be a mix of lawn, fields and wooded (we have about 8 acres that are planted pines). Anyway, I'm looking at the Kubota BX25D-1 and the JD 1025R with factory FIL and BH. I was quoted 18850 for the Kubota and 22050 for the JD 1025R both with MMM. In person, the JD seems like a tractor vs. the kubota seems like a big riding mower. I should mention that my primary function is going to be mowing the lawn and other landscaping duties, etc. Major grading, clearing , etc will be done by the builder, etc. The only other factor is the JD dealer is about 15 mins away, the kubota is about 40 miles (no big deal though). My previous experience was my JD x320, so I'm familiar with JD somewhat, but not sure its worth 4K than the kubota.
Thanks for any input you can offer.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I don't know that much about the JD1025R, but I can tell you that the BX25 is NOT an overgrown lawnmower. It is a real tractor - a small one but a real tractor nonetheless - and you would be amazed at the work people do with them. The price quote you got seems pretty good to me on the BX25. I can't do a direct comparison between the two, but somebody would have to do some really fast talking to convince me to spend $4k more for the JD.

Also, the aftermarket is huge for the BX25. There are all sorts of useful farkles you can buy for it. That $4k difference would buy a lot of farkles and implements, such as a tiller, box blade, ratchet rake, etc.

 

[davesl708]

I have both a JD for mowing and a BX for the heavy work. I am selling the JD.
BX is no slouch to work. Moves trees, brush and rocks without issues. Clears snow from 200ft of drive. Mows better than the JD so keeping the BX.

The BX is 12yrs old no and 1300+hrs without issues.

 

[newbury]

Hoping to get some recommendations from you guys. I read through lots of post on TBN and there was even one on these specific 2 models, but it was a little while back. I just closed on 17.5 acres that we will eventually build our house on. It will be a mix of lawn, fields and wooded (we have about 8 acres that are planted pines). Anyway, I'm looking at the Kubota BX25D-1 and the JD 1025R with factory FIL and BH.

Well the Kubota comes with a FEL and BH doesn't it? And didn't you mean a Front End Loader (FEL) with the JD not a Father-In-Law?

I was quoted 18850 for the Kubota and 22050 for the JD 1025R both with MMM. In person, the JD seems like a tractor vs. the kubota seems like a big riding mower. I should mention that my primary function is going to be mowing the lawn and other landscaping duties, etc. Major grading, clearing , etc will be done by the builder, etc. The only other factor is the JD dealer is about 15 mins away, the kubota is about 40 miles (no big deal though). My previous experience was my JD x320, so I'm familiar with JD somewhat, but not sure its worth 4K than the kubota.
Thanks for any input you can offer.

To me both seem like lawnmowers on steroids. That's why I started with a B7610.
If you've got 17.5 acre and 8 acres are pine plantation are you going to mow the other 9.5? For mowing a ZTR wins hands down, for going in the woods a B series Kubota (or equivalent in other brands) is better, with more clearance and capacity.

Seriously think of what you are going to be doing with the other 9.5 acres, that size is usually better served by a 30hp tractor with more ground clearance. And don't ignore other brands.

 

[jeff9366]

Before you buy a Kubota 'BX', 'B' or Deere equivalents take time to consider diameter of the front axle. It is spindly. All subcompacts have spindly front axles.

I would consider something in the Kubota 'L' series, such as the new L2501, which is free of all the Tier IV emissions complications, or Deere equivalents.

Common cost to have a tractor trailered for service is $1.50 per mile. So for Kubota service your TRANSPORTATION COST would be $1.50 X 40 X 4 = $240. Dealer proximity and dealer rapport are important.

 

[TripleR]

We own a BX2200, 2660 and John Deere 2305. We loved the 1025 on paper and it has some nice features, but after looking at one, we prefer the BX even with its limitations.

A SCUT is in my opinion going to be a compromise due to poor ground clearance, but if mowing is your primary focus, it will be fine. If your work is pretty evenly divided, you might want to go up to a CUT. Read some old threads by bp fick and JOHNTHOMAS who have owned BX and B.

 

[sdef]

If you really think a SCUT is all you will EVER need, I would seriously consider one of these also as a compromise:

J2030H « LS Tractor USA

Mahindra Max This also has a comparison chart that compares your first choices, it looks like.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Kubota, all the way. Can't ignore the re sale price when you are ready to move on.

 

[paulfun9]

I would highly recommend you look at some other machines like the LS, Mahindra and Kioti before finalizing your decision. Many good brands out there and there are many reasons why one machine might fit you and your needs better than the next.

Don't be fooled by the resale story a machine like this will hold its value just as well from almost any brand. Think of it like this if it cost 3000 more to get in the first place having a 2000 dollar higher resale value means nothing later on, its just more money you cant do anything with now while you own the machine.

Also think if the other brands are offering more value for the dollar by offering more ability with more options now when new, the actual resale value of the said major 2 brands will hurt later on when folks realize that buying something else for less is going to be more cost effective later on also.
In simple words IF I chose a Mahindra over a JD now when new, what makes one think someone will not choose the Mahindra over the JD later on when they are used assuming they are both kept in good shape and have similar hours of usage.

 

[Olympus]

Highly recommend the LS. It will have significantly better specs and capabilities for less money than a SCUT.

 

[newbury]

Kubota, all the way. Can't ignore the re sale price when you are ready to move on.

It's very easy to ignore resale price if when you "move on" (get a bigger tractor) you keep the original Kubota because it will still be in good running condition.

 

[tman1020]

I would strongly consider a compact instead is a sub compact with that size of property. You will be surprised at how many things you will use your tractor for other than mowing.

 

[sdef]

I would strongly consider a compact instead is a sub compact with that size of property. You will be surprised at how many things you will use your tractor for other than mowing.

Absolutely. I think a zero turn mower for the grass and a CUT with FEL for everything else. My CUT is used for so many things around the house from a primary tool for processing firewood I cut on my property and need the full 2750# lift capacity of, to maintaining the driveway and any general heavy lifting. No clue what I did without it previously and nothing smaller would have done the jobs it was tasked with.

On the other hand, I would ALSO like to have a SCUT for the small jobs in confined areas my current CUT would not work well with. But, I only had the money for one fully equipped tractor with a bunch of high quality implements and a CUT was the obvious choice for my needs.

Many on TBN will echo the comment that in general it is far easier to get a tractor too small for the long-term tasks at hand than it is to get one too large to be useful.

 

[jeff9366]

It is far easier to get a tractor too small for the long-term tasks at hand than it is to get one too large to be useful.

Yes, often stated but particularly clearly in this instance.

 

[TigerDMD]

I'm certainly not opposed to a larger CUT, but I worry that the size will be prohibitive to what my primary function will be: maintaining the lawn (good grass near the house). And I really would prefer to only have 1 machine for now. I'm just not familiar enough with LS or mahindra. I did find some dealers close enough that I'll reach out to this week to inquire about the respective SCUT models they sell.

 

[KYDan]

I am a diehard Kubota fan and have had several over the years, their resale value is really excellent. If you are operating on a budget and can really only afford one machine at present the BX is an excellent choice although it is small for the acreage that you have. Bearing that in mind if you decide you need a larger tractor later on as well as a zero turn or another dedicated mower you can sell or trade the BX for a larger machine and/or a dedicated mower. Good luck and enjoy the search, sit on different machines and ask for a demonstration. It doesn't hurt to shop different brands. Talk to people in your area about the dealers. Service after the sale is critical unless you are a dedicated do it yourselfer and have the time and tools to repair machinery. Determine how long the dealer(s) have been in business. Be an informed consumer.

 

[davesl708]

As others have mentioned. There are several good choices. As to 5-10yrs down the road you can only guess. Get on several tractors. Fit and feel will be very important as you will be spending a lot of time in the seat. Having a tractor that is comfortable and the controls where you can get to them easily makes the seat time more enjoyable. Operating a tractor should not be work.

Good luck.
I still love my BX.

 

[sdef]

As others have mentioned. There are several good choices. As to 5-10yrs down the road you can only guess. Get on several tractors. Fit and feel will be very important as you will be spending a lot of time in the seat. Having a tractor that is comfortable and the controls where you can get to them easily makes the seat time more enjoyable. Operating a tractor should not be work.

Good luck.
I still love my BX.

+1. The Mahindra in my tractor size fit me perfectly but was out of my price range, as was Kubota and Deere. I was then torn between a comparable LS and Kioti. The dealers were four hours apart and I test drove and investigated over several months. It was a very hard decision for me but finally went with the Kioti as the operator's station just felt more logical to how I do things- just fit me better. Not to mention the extreme convenience of the 3PH operation by a separate control at the rear, accessible from the ground when hooking up attachments.

My dealer is three + hours away, but that is not a concern for me as I purchased a quality piece of equipment and perform my own maintenance work anyway. There is a different Kioti dealer 1/2 this distance from me, but I prefer mine.

I had an initial service call with the dealer over the phone troubleshooting to narrow my issue down to a hydraulic quick disconnect (QD) fitting that apparently was not seated completely. My excellent dealer was to the point of sending a truck down to pickup my tractor at his expense, and then we found the errant QD fitting that was causing erratic grapple operation. Since then. all has been very smooth and reliable and my tractor has been used to its maximum capabilities every time it has been running.

 

[Olympus]

LS is a very established and reputable tractor. They have been making the Boomer series tractor for New Holland for many years. New Holland wouldn't have used LS tractors if they were not high quality. With LS, you will get more machine and more capabilities for your your dollar when compared with other brands.

Kioti was my second choice when I was looking to buy.

 

[Creamer]

My first question is WHY a SCUT? My 1710 came with the house and it is great. The only thing I would change about it would that it have a little more power. I have 18 acres, 12 of which are under water, but I would not want anything smaller - possibly a few more horses but the size and weight is perfect. You will be sorry you didn't. The SCUTS are for the 1-5 acre parcels - you are way past that.

Also - get a ZTR. Driving over the grass with any tractor tire prior to cutting it will not leave a nice smooth cut and once you get some trees in you will really appreciate the maneuverability of a ZTR.

You have received a lot of brand advice - most of it good. There are a lot of reliable brands out there - you won't be working it hard so none of them should be a problem. It is always better to have a few more horses than you think you will need.