Buying Advice Another what tractor to buy question

[mikeharold]

Hey guys, new member here and just starting to do some real research. We are in escrow on 4.5 acres and am going to need a tractor to maintain things. It will be mostly mowing, but have a driveway to maintain, will be cutting in another driveway to the left off of the main drive for my trailers(not with the new tractor, have an excavator buddy who will grade that out for me), and plan to put in a shop. It's hard to tell from the picture, but it's a bit hilly and the back gets a little steep so I need something that can handle going up and down most of it. I really like the idea of having a backhoe for not only digging(water and electric trenches, plan to plant many trees over time) but also for lifting.

I've been reading on here for the past few days and it really seems that Kubota is the overwhelming choice and suggestion and that's good fine cause we have a good local dealer here. We also have a JD and New Holland dealer all on the same street. I stopped by the Kubota dealer yesterday real quick and talked to a salesman and browsed some of the tractors. His first suggestion was the BX25D. I see this little guy suggested on here a lot as well. My only concern really is the lift capacity, pretty low. So then it looks like the next step would be to a B2630(I think) which just more than doubles the lifting cap but then is a bit expensive with a BH. I really don't want to spend a ton on a tractor but want to get something that will last and serve me well for years to come.

I'm also open to used, but there just isn't much that I see locally and they seem a bit pricey for older used units. Something else to keep in mind is that I'm a general contractor and once I have a piece of equipment will quickly find a bunch more uses off the property for the tractor in short order no doubt. It also looks as though, just noticed from driving by, that a local auction house seems to have stock of new Mahindra tractors. Not positive yet, but they are red, will have to stop in and see as well.

So, sorry for the rambling, but would love to hear some input an suggestions and general thoughts based on my situation. Thanks in advance.

 

[jeff9366]

If you can depreciate your tractor purchase through your business consider a Kubota 'Grand L' series. These are Kubota's heavy frame 35-60 horsepower tractors with all the bells and whistles standard. The heavy frame makes them relatively stable on slopes.

Really too much tractor for five acres, however robust enough for commercial use.

I would not consider a 'B' series if an employee will operate it. Not robust enough.

You can lift a lot with bucket hooks on a Front End Loader (FEL) and lifting chains. You do not need a Backhoe for that.

Nor do you need a Backhoe for planting trees. A $400 bucket attachment called a Bucket Spade will do that.

For trenching with a tractor nothing beats a Backhoe.

 

[GManBart]

I've been reading on here for the past few days and it really seems that Kubota is the overwhelming choice and suggestion and that's good fine cause we have a good local dealer here.

This forum started as a Kubota forum and that is a large part of what you're seeing in the posts. Lots of folks here won't consider Kubota or Deere because you simply get less machine for your dollar compared with other brands. FYI, don't bother with New Holland for sub-compact, or compact tractors. NH has those made for them by LS now, and you can buy the same machine from LS for thousands less.

If you think you might use the machine off your property, and employees would be running it, something a bit larger, more durable might be a good idea, but I'd go even larger than the B series size machines.

For mowing duties, a zero turn will be faster and more agile than a tractor with either a mid-mount mower, or rear 3pt finish mower.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

This forum started as a Kubota forum and that is a large part of what you're seeing in the posts. Lots of folks here won't consider Kubota or Deere because you simply get less machine for your dollar compared with other brands. FYI, don't bother with New Holland for sub-compact, or compact tractors. NH has those made for them by LS now, and you can buy the same machine from LS for thousands less.

Huh... must be the reason Kubota is the #1 compact tractor in the country...Take this advice lightly, A lot of folks around here buy Kubota... Just look at the numbers on the Kubota forums.

 

[ErikVann]

Before this devolves into another chapter of Steppenwolfe defends the honor of his favorite orange Tractor
I would like to share my experience.

I have a very similar situation as you. We have 6 acres, half wooded half pasture. I also maintain another 5-6 acres abutting my prop. I am a general contractor as well. I had a variety of smaller tractors for a couple of years before I bought a full size cut tractor (ford 1920)through the business. I am very glad to have gotten a full size cut. It has payed dividends for work and opened up new avenues for income. I certainly don't need a cut personally, bx or b series type tractor would have served me fine at home but I am not sure what if any roll it could played for my business.
I bought the ford tractor three years ago for $11k. I estimate the tractor made at least that much in saved labor. This spring I sold it for $10k and bought a new Massey. I would definitely go for a bigger frame size than you need personally. You will find ways for it to make money and save time.

 

[mikeharold]

Before this devolves into another chapter of Steppenwolfe defends the honor of his favorite orange Tractor
I would like to share my experience.

I have a very similar situation as you. We have 6 acres, half wooded half pasture. I also maintain another 5-6 acres abutting my prop. I am a general contractor as well. I had a variety of smaller tractors for a couple of years before I bought a full size cut tractor (ford 1920)through the business. I am very glad to have gotten a full size cut. It has payed dividends for work and opened up new avenues for income. I certainly don't need a cut personally, bx or b series type tractor would have served me fine at home but I am not sure what if any roll it could played for my business.
I bought the ford tractor three years ago for $11k. I estimate the tractor made at least that much in saved labor. This spring I sold it for $10k and bought a new Massey. I would definitely go for a bigger frame size than you need personally. You will find ways for it to make money and save time.

Thanks for the input, sounds like pretty much my same situation give or take. Really if I used it on the business side it would be mostly for the loader, pallet forks and a post hole digger. A 4 in 1 would be a HUGE+ too. Starting to think I will look harder for a bigger used tractor and source some used implements to suite my needs. Lots of things to consider...........

 

[AxleHub]

Thanks for the input, sounds like pretty much my same situation give or take. Really if I used it on the business side it would be mostly for the loader, pallet forks and a post hole digger. A 4 in 1 would be a HUGE+ too. Starting to think I will look harder for a bigger used tractor and source some used implements to suite my needs. Lots of things to consider...........

Mikeharold, choices of brands and sizes of tractors gets confusing because most of us look for reasons to have 1 or 2.

To understand opinions you will get its important to consider 3 things.

A. A category size often influences brand. You see lots of Kubota mentioned because in subcompact and small compact tractors .. . they owned the market since late 90s just because nobody else " did it well". But today that is different and there are several great brands in the smaller sized units.

B. Try to avoid the idea that big is better. If a tractor is safer or can be more nimble . . then small but quality can be a better combination. Also . . implements work the same way . . a smaller narrower implement can allow you to do things a bigger one cannot . . especially on hills or in thicker woods.

C. Combining business and personal needs can make things confusing. A business need almost always forces a larger unit that likely the personal need may not beneft from or desire.

My point is . . Sit on lots of seats before deciding . . some are too big some are too small and some are a surprise. I went 9 years thinking I'd get a Kubota . . and I've instead now ordered a Massey because the sizing and competitive improvements justified more choices and benefits for my needs.

 

[KYDan]

For lawn mowing a zero turn is superior to a tractor type mower, faster and better cut. If you are going to use the tractor for working you want AG or R4 tires on the tractor, but for mowing turf tires are better so it doesn't damage your lawn every time that you make a turn. The B series is a better choice than the BX due to weight and size. A good, stable, and close dealer is more important than brand. That said I have had different tractors for over 40 years and my favorites in the CUT and utility size are definitely Kubotas. They have served me faithfully with minimal problems.

 

[AxleHub]

. . . . .
4.5 acres and am going to need a tractor to maintain things. It will be mostly mowing, . . .
. . . . .
It's hard to tell from the picture, but it's a bit hilly and the back gets a little steep so I need something that can handle going up and down most of it. />

Given the conditions described . . I personally would not use a zero turn rider on anything that has a slope of any amount. Either a zero turn tractor or a lower center of gravity sub compact (Kubota bx or Massey gc1700 are examples of subcompacts that have back hoes and low center of gravity).