Buying Advice Non-hydro, Cab Kubota, less than 94 inches tall with turf tires?

[varmint]

Seems like the benefits of HST vs. the hydro whine might be a toss-up. I know that there are cabbed mid-sized Kubotas that at 87" or less, because I considered buying a couple of them at different times. With the HST your PTO can run at a given RPM while you go faster or slower depending on mowing conditions. How much PTO power do you need? Those of us who are retired with too much free time can help you find something!

 

[LittleBear]

Seems like the benefits of HST vs. the hydro whine might be a toss-up. I know that there are cabbed mid-sized Kubotas that at 87" or less, because I considered buying a couple of them at different times. With the HST your PTO can run at a given RPM while you go faster or slower depending on mowing conditions. How much PTO power do you need? Those of us who are retired with too much free time can help you find something!

I need at least 45 pto HP. I saw the narrow (orchard) Kabotas with a cab. But I'm a little worried about stability on a hill with a tractor that narrow. Sill looking at it though.

 

[varmint]

It's fairly easy to spread the rears on some tractors, often by reversing the wheels if they are two piece, or if not, just add some steel spacers- they really help stability. Mine cost about $170 by the time I got all the fasteners. Something with 50Hp or so, and turfs, may be harder to find in the size you need?

 

[jeff9366]

I need at least 45 pto HP. I saw the narrow (orchard) Kabotas with a cab. But I'm a little worried about stability on a hill with a tractor that narrow.

I have been retired from the wine industry for ten years. When I worked for a California winery with hilly vineyards 25 years ago, we used wheeled Deere Vineyard Tractors, about 40-hp, as I recall. They were built low to the ground, lower than a standard tractor, and were not abnormally tippy. Ground clearance is not very important in vineyard rows. Most Vineyard tractors have TRACKS as an option.

Vineyard & Orchard tractors are a relatively low volume category. The prices are a bit high. Some of the Deere Vineyard & Orchard tractors are imported, with Italy being the market share leader.

Things may have changed in 25 years.

 

[LittleBear]

I have been retired from the wine industry for ten years. When I worked for a California winery with hilly vineyards 25 years ago, we used wheeled Deere Vineyard Tractors, about 40-hp, as I recall. They were built low to the ground, lower than a standard tractor, and were not abnormally tippy. Ground clearance is not very important in vineyard rows. Most Vineyard tractors have TRACKS as an option.

Vineyard & Orchard tractors are a relatively low volume category. The prices are a bit high. Some of the Deere Vineyard & Orchard tractors are imported, with Italy being the market share leader.

Things may have changed in 25 years.

Ground clearance is not a problem with me. I will take a closer look at the Kubota narrow series. Thanks.