Newbie Looking for Advice on Sub Compact & Compact Tractors

[SH78]

Hi All,

New to the forum and to tractors. Looking for some advice and help in what I need before I purchase my first tractor.

Have 8.5 acres which is mostly hilly. I'm looking for a tractor to help with landscaping and a few other jobs around the property. Majority of the work will be carried out on about 2 acres around the house. Some of the jobs I have in mind are;

• Dig out and level area for shed
• Remove tree stumps
• Planting large trees
• Clear overgrown garden
• Move dirt & mulch around
• Grade gravel driveway
• Fill & level sides of driveway
• Erect about 400m of post & rail fencing
• Possible dig out and flatten an area (20m x 8m) for veggie garden/chook run/citrus trees etc

I've been looking at Sub Compact and Compact tractors and have spoken to a few dealers. In my area I have Kubota, New Holland, Kioti, TYM, Branson & East Wind all fairly close by and a Massey dealer about an hour away.

I've come to a crossroad which is the backhoe. I know I would use it to dig out stumps and dig out the area for the veggie garden but not sure it's that vital and not sure if there is another implement that can be used to dig out the area I need to dig.

My budget of about $25k will get a new SCUT with all the gear including the backhoe but to go the next size up to get the same it will cost me an extra $10k. Or I can go the next size up and not get the backhoe but get a few other implements in the backhoes place.

I've been reading the other threads in the forum which have been very helpful and informative but I guess the one thing I'm still not sure on is just how much can the little SCUT do?

Other implements I'm looking at getting are box blade & post hole digger. I don't need the tractor to mow or slash as we have cows for about 6.5 acres and I already have a riding mower for around the house. However, if there is an option for a belly mower on the tractor I might look at selling off the riding mower and just using the tractor.

So far I've looked at Kubota BX25 & L3800. I feel the L3800 might be overkill for what I need. Was going to have a look at maybe a B2630 or B3030 too. Also going to look at the TYM TS25 & T273, Kioti CK3010 and Branson 2900H tomorrow. Not sure I'll bother with the Chinese East Wind as I've had a bad run with Chinese products in the past. Oh would prefer HST trans too so the wife can use it as well.

All this work will be over a few years and I understand the smaller the machine the longer it takes but it beats doing it with a shovel

Any advice or opinions?

Cheers,
Steve

 

[murphy1244]

Do yourself a favor and start shopping the dealer then the tractor, get some seat time.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

I don't have a backhoe but think it would be very nice to have for about four or five jobs. After those are done it will probably just sit in the barn and collect dust. My neighbor has one for his Kubota and that is what his does. I think you will be happier to spend the money you would have spent on the hoe and get a bigger tractor. If you really need a backhoe for a couple specific jobs rent one.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Do you have a place within range from which you could rent a mini-excavator or a stump grinder for the tree stumps. If so, you can probably do better financially to rent. Then you could forego the backhoe and possibly get a cut rather than scut.

Also look at what a hydraulic top and tilt is. It could help with grading issues. It would require 2 remote hydraulic outlets, one for the top link and one for the side link (tilt).

Regarding mmm, how often do you mow? I ask this because you will be dropping the mower and putting it back on if you want to do most other chores. As long as you know this and are willing to do that, that's fine. But look at what the midmount mower costs and consider whether you really want one machine for all tasks. But if you really want a mmm, it is best to buy it with the tractor rather than trying to do it later.

I do have a mmm, but my daughter and son-in-law who live in the duplex with us bought a zero-turn mower so I am free to leave the mower off.

 

[Garycw]

I'm surprised there's no John Deere dealers near you. The 1025R with the auto connect deck & quick connect loader is a workhorse scut and easiest attachment removal / reconnect I've seen.
I'm with others suggestions of renting backhoe/ excavator for occasional use. That's what I'm doing next week to dig a footer. . I may not need a BH again for years.

 

[SH78]

I don't have a backhoe but think it would be very nice to have for about four or five jobs. After those are done it will probably just sit in the barn and collect dust. My neighbor has one for his Kubota and that is what his does. I think you will be happier to spend the money you would have spent on the hoe and get a bigger tractor. If you really need a backhoe for a couple specific jobs rent one.

I'm thinking along the same lines. I know I'll use it for a few jobs but I think after that it will probably just sit there. The few dealers I've been to have said the same as well.

Do you have a place within range from which you could rent a mini-excavator or a stump grinder for the tree stumps. If so, you can probably do better financially to rent. Then you could forego the backhoe and possibly get a cut rather than scut.

Also look at what a hydraulic top and tilt is. It could help with grading issues. It would require 2 remote hydraulic outlets, one for the top link and one for the side link (tilt).

Regarding mmm, how often do you mow? I ask this because you will be dropping the mower and putting it back on if you want to do most other chores. As long as you know this and are willing to do that, that's fine. But look at what the midmount mower costs and consider whether you really want one machine for all tasks. But if you really want a mmm, it is best to buy it with the tractor rather than trying to do it later.

I do have a mmm, but my daughter and son-in-law who live in the duplex with us bought a zero-turn mower so I am free to leave the mower off.

Thanks for the tips. Yep have a local hire shop that I have hired a mini excavator off a few times already. As for the mmm didn't think of that so thanks. Will probably cross that off the list and keep my current ride on mower.

 

[gladehound]

Hi All,

• Dig out and level area for shed
• Remove tree stumps
• Planting large trees
• Clear overgrown garden
• Move dirt & mulch around
• Grade gravel driveway
• Fill & level sides of driveway
• Erect about 400m of post & rail fencing
• Possible dig out and flatten an area (20m x 8m) for veggie garden/chook run/citrus trees etc

Hi Steve. Welcome to the forum! Given the tasks you want to do, I would not get a SCUT for the following reasons.

1. Too light for digging chores (unless you get a back hoe) but do you really want to dig a whole garden with a backhoe? I'm also skeptical about how effective some of these small backhoes really are.
2. Not enough height on the 3pt or power to run a post hole digger optimally. You can do it (I did it for years with 19hp) but there is too much fooling around. Works better with a larger tractor.

For the tasks you list, I would recommend a large frame CUT with a strong loader and no back hoe. For digging stumps or holes for planning trees you can either rent a mini excavator / back hoe or spend a few hundred bucks on a stump bucket.

Note - I would not recommend a stump bucket with anything smaller than a large frame CUT (these are usually 40+ hp) because the loaders (especially the curl cylinders) on mid frame CUTS are too weak to effectively use one. Seems a lot of people here hate stump buckets and a few love them. The ones that love them generally have well designed stump buckets on larger tractors with strong loaders.

For Digging out an area for a shed / veggie garden, a tooth bucket on a large frame CUT will make short work of it unless you have boulders or tons of large diameter roots. A smaller CUT can do it too but will be bothered by smaller obstacles and will be much less enjoyable as you constantly hit the relief valve on your loader. The rest of your tasks any size tractor could do, but I just think you'll be happier spending your money on the biggest size frame / strongest loader you can get rather than something small with a backhoe.

Note: Last year I bought a new 45 hp kioti, an 8 foot hydraulic angle rear blade, and a stump bucket and tooth bar for flat bucket and I am in it for less than $23K. You'll have to look around for a deal but you can get a large frame / loader for the 25K you mentioned.

 

[SH78]

I'm surprised there's no John Deere dealers near you. The 1025R with the auto connect deck & quick connect loader is a workhorse scut and easiest attachment removal / reconnect I've seen.
I'm with others suggestions of renting backhoe/ excavator for occasional use. That's what I'm doing next week to dig a footer. . I may not need a BH again for years.

Just looked at the John Deere site again and the closest dealer is 40min away so will go look at them tomorrow too.

 

[dadster4]

I recently purchased a Kioti 3510HST with FEL, backhoe, and Howse boxblade for just under 24K. I use it for the same projects you are planning to do. The boxblade for driveway maintenance (1/2 mile long) and land leveling, the backhoe for stumps and planting new orchard, and the FEL for almost anything. I'm new to tractors, but the Kioti was the best bang for the buck of all the smaller tractors as far as HP, PTO power, weight, and lifting capacity for what I needed. I like the controls layout, ease of maintenance, and the two rear remotes with the backhoe option. I was very interested in a Kubota or LS until I compared specs and actual out-the-door prices, the 4 year warranty is hard to beat also.

 

[gladehound]

I recently purchased a Kioti 3510HST with FEL, backhoe, and Howse boxblade for just under 24K. I use it for the same projects you are planning to do. The boxblade for driveway maintenance (1/2 mile long) and land leveling, the backhoe for stumps and planting new orchard, and the FEL for almost anything. I'm new to tractors, but the Kioti was the best bang for the buck of all the smaller tractors as far as HP, PTO power, weight, and lifting capacity for what I needed. I like the controls layout, ease of maintenance, and the two rear remotes with the backhoe option. I was very interested in a Kubota or LS until I compared specs and actual out-the-door prices, the 4 year warranty is hard to beat also.

Does seem like a good deal!