O my, I am comfused

[check]

The other downfall to is you are limited to 1.5 hp on 110 volt at 20 amps. That won't turn much of a hydraulic pump, even the pathetic 6.5 GPM on the BX will put it to shame. I had a 3 hp 220 volt motor on my wood splitter. 220 volt outlets are scarce. My shop was the only place that had one.

Well it certainly is enough for me. Mine is rated at "four tons", and you can get a " "six ton" model that also just plugs into 100 110 V outlet And I only paid $200 and something for mine.

 

[KennyG]

I'll throw in 2 cents on the three point splitter. I think most people are better served by a stand alone, but there are a number of us that find that the 3 point version works better. It has to match the tractor. Since my 2320 is down in the 4 gpm range, I have a PowerHorse 13 ton splitter. I'm not sure if it's available anymore but the 20 ton version would have required 6 or 8 gpm to operate quickly enough. The saving grace in the PowerHorse is that it is a 2 way splitter, not return cycle. I split as much as 5 or 6 cords a year. The splitter doesn't take up much space and requires zero maintenance. It's right there if I decide to spend an hour splitting wood. Might not be right for everyone but it works for me.

 

[gladehound]

With a do everything machine you'll spend more time taking the mowing deck on and off than you would maintaining a second machine. IMHO - better off with a less expensive mower and a larger machine for other chores. SCUTs are overpriced for what you get. I've seen SCUTs priced at the same price that I bought my 45hp tractor with loader. I just don't understand that that.

Are you going to take the loader off when you mow? Sure is easier with it off and takes weight off those small front tires so that they don't destroy your lawn. The last person I know who bought a do everything machine now has a dedicated mower and never uses the mid-mount deck for his small CUT because it's too much of a pain to take on and off and gets hung up in the woods.

 

[tman1020]

I think you're on the right track with a subcompact. Sounds like the perfect size to me for what you want to do. As others have said definitely hydrostatic transmission and definitely four-wheel-drive. As far as tires I would think either would be fine with the turfs or the R4 which ever you like the best. A quick detach bucket on the loader for me would definitely be a must. This comes in handy so you can remove the bucket when mowing if you choose and Not have to remove the entire loader. Also very helpful to switch over to forks or a grapple. Next I would definitely want a differential lock pedal on a small frame tractor like this it will be very helpful. Finally this one may be a bit more difficult but a three speed transmission versus a two speed would be nice.

As far as what brand tractor is best that is the million dollar question. Everyone is going to have their own ideas but That is going to be an opinion only you can decide. All of the larger brands now are making nice machines. My recommendation list from what you have stated would go like this. John Deere one or two family size tractors because the dealer is close to you and I feel you get a lot of bang for your buck in this size of John Deere. Kabota is definitely one to consider they are a class leader in this size. Kioti normally offers a ton of value so definitely check them out. Massey is also a very popular brand and I have heard very little bad about them. I have read A lot of mixed reviews about Mahendra. They do have some very nice size tractors that would fit well with what you are looking at but make your own decision on whether they are right for you. I'm sure there are others that could be a great fit but these are the only ones that I'm familiar with. Again this is nothing more than my opinion. Try out and sit on as many as you can. They are definitely handy to have around and I would not want to have to do without mine.

 

[KennyG]

You definitely should consider time to change configurations. The drive over deck and easy on/off loader were strong factors in my picking the John Deere. Taking the deck or loader off is less than 5 minutes, even if you take your time. If not for the drive over option, I would have gone for a rear finish mower. On the tire options, consider your lawn surface. I'm lucky in that my sand/clay mix doesn't track easily so I don't have a problem with R4s even if it's a little wet. Turf tires have limited capacity and are not recommended for max loader work (which might not be an issue with smaller tractors).

 

[Ooklaa]

Dealers are very funny, still playing all i make is 200 bucks on a machine. I remember them telling me that when i was 16 and I bought my first pontiac 6000

 

[Ooklaa]

IMHO - better off with a less expensive mower and a larger machine for other chores. SCUTs are overpriced for what you get. I've seen SCUTs priced at the same price that I bought my 45hp tractor with loader. I just don't understand that that.

im starting to think these machines are a rip off. love to get a bigger machine but no need for it. but you def get a lot more for your money in the bigger machines.

if it happens it happens, way i look at it they need to sell their inventory, as for me I cant rent something. wont be happy but at the end of the day ill put alot of money in my pocket.

im kinda pissed now. need to take a couple days off before i tell a dealer or 2 off.

 

[TJP89]

Well it certainly is enough for me. Mine is rated at "four tons", and you can get a " "six ton" model that also just plugs into 100 110 V outlet And I only paid $200 and something for mine.

All true, but unless your cutting really small wood, that's not going to do it. Mine is rated at 22 tons, and I wouldn't want anything less. Don't need more but certainly not less. Also, really hard to trail extensions cords 500 yards out into the woods.

To the OP. I'm going to address 3 issues. Log splitter, tractor size and type, and wood cutting in particular.

Log Splitter: First of all, they don't run off the PTO. A stand alone has a gas motor that powers a hydro pump, which powers the splitter. The hydro pump determines size, not HP. On a SCUT, there is not enough GPMs flowing to a remote to really power a decent splitter, so a stand alone is really the only choice. My 35HP tractor is barely big enough for a splitter, so I went with a stand alone. Yes it will sit most of the year, but I split 16 facecords a year, so I need it. If you can't justify a stand alone, consider renting one each year, especially if you only do small time wood.
Splitting the wood is a major chore. I spent a straight week this may (40 hours) splitting my wood. This was after a month or so of cutting and hauling. It made a heck of a mess, a lot of noise, and takes up a lot of room. If you have a small yard, which you want to look good, splitting will ruin it pretty quick. To handle your own wood is a major commitment, easily justified in my opinion, but I have the time and space and lack of zoning to handle it.

On the tractor. I think you're on the right track. SCUT, MMM, loader, turfs (anything else can and will tear the lawn up). HST is the no brainer, There is absolutely no reason to get a manual tranny on a SCUT, and a lot of disadvantages. I assume the wood will come cut to length, otherwise you're going to need a much bigger loader and tractor to handle full sized logs. Also, even with a light SCUT and R3s, there will be times when it will damage the lawn, especially when wet.
Brand- A lot to chose from. Contrary to what some here are trying to tell you, Kubota is not the only quality maker of SCUTs. Definitely consider them, but there are other options. JD, Kioti, MF, TYM, LS, NH, Mahindra, and others are all good too. 15% off MSRP is a good deal. Expect to pay 14 to 18 thousand for a SCUT with FEL and MMM. A stand alone splitter should be between $1000 and $1500.

Hope this helps.

 

[dragoneggs]

im starting to think these machines are a rip off. love to get a bigger machine but no need for it. but you def get a lot more for your money in the bigger machines.

if it happens it happens, way i look at it they need to sell their inventory, as for me I cant rent something. wont be happy but at the end of the day ill put alot of money in my pocket.

im kinda pissed now. need to take a couple days off before i tell a dealer or 2 off.

I see it a little differently... yes the price of the SCUT is relatively high compared to the work you could get out of a CUT but if you are working in tight quarters, tight turning radius and fitting through areas like a gate or... the SCUT gets where the bigger boys can't.
Here is one of my first projects that a bigger machine could never do...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/284568-great-day-bx25d.html?highlight=

This made me real happy I went with the BX.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

im starting to think these machines are a rip off. love to get a bigger machine but no need for it. but you def get a lot more for your money in the bigger machines.

if it happens it happens, way i look at it they need to sell their inventory, as for me I cant rent something. wont be happy but at the end of the day ill put alot of money in my pocket.

im kinda pissed now. need to take a couple days off before i tell a dealer or 2 off.

They are not a ripoff. There are a lot of us who have them, are happy with them and get a lot of work done with them.

I don't know pricing on any of them except Kubotas. Go to the buildmykubota site and build the one you want. Then take about 10% off that price and consider that's about what most other people have paid for a new one. Some will have paid a few dollars less and some will have paid considerably more.

If you're the type that hates the thought of a dealer making a dollar off of you, then I'd encourage you to remember that you want the dealer to be around when you need service. And the only way they will be around is if they turn a profit. Just like a restaurant . . . .

There's no reason to get pissed off. It's just business. You want to pay as little as possible. They want to sell for as much as possible.