Comparison The right tractor for snow removal and maintaining property

[AxleHub]

Pakraig,

By the time I read all the post responses to this point, I got feeling a little bad for you. Obviously you've been doing your homework . . you are considering 2 name brands that engineer their own equipment and transmissions and engines. And they have sterling reputations built over several decades.

I nearly bought a yanmar sc2400 but it was at the end of its production cycle and the new model didn't measure up to my needs. I chose Massey and I'm happy I did. But I won't tell you to check Massey . . because I sense you've already done your homework.

A friend of mine owns a Yanmar dealership and has sold Sx and Ex models for quite some time. The EX3200 was one of his favorites because it was easy to work on and very reliable and well designed.

Others are telling you many opinions . . but its hard to imagine it is underweight and under powered when properly outfitted. But more importantly . . your friend the yanmar mechanic . . should be a great opinion because he knows your terrain and needs and the ex3200 abilities far better than any of us can determine.

He may not stay at the dealership as long as you own a tractor . . so that is not my point. But he knows your needs now and if he is a reliable person . . his answers and opinions dhould carry weight to them in addition to your own resesrch.

If posters suggest isdues . . I'd ask his opinion of them based on the EX3200 choice.

TBN should be about viewpoints and input . . but if it creates confusion then you need to uncomplicate the confusion.

Enjoy the process of buying something that will be with you a long time.

I assume like the other brands . . thay Yanmar has some cheapnfinancing options or rebates (or both).

I'm also assuming that if it doesn't have a quick attach option for your bucket . . that other 3rd party vendors will have some options. And filling the tires is an obvious choice. Choosing which tires you'd want is important. Also to as your mechanic friend . . can you reverse the rears to gain any added width instead of spacers.. . . I know the yanmar sc2400 it could be easily done for great added stability at zero cost and no added items.

Some day you'll announce you made a decision . . and attach some pictures . . and everyone will congratulate you. Till then its just our opinions . . but its your choice and yours to live with.

 

[PAKraig]

Pakraig,

Some day you'll announce you made a decision . . and attach some pictures . . and everyone will congratulate you. Till then its just our opinions . . but its your choice and yours to live with.

Thanks for the well-thought out post AxleHub. No need to feel bad, I've been bouncing around online forums for 10 years or so for vehicles, archery, and firearms, so I know how to sort through input and translate it accordingly I appreciate opinions and everyone is entitled to theirs!!

I think the DPF stuff is really weighing on my decision as well, and maybe it shouldn't be, especially since I'm not that mechanically inclined. I'll be doing most of my own maintenance, but if something breaks while under use, I'm pretty likely SOL! Ha ha......which is why it's always good to have friends that know more than me!

ONLY other option is a local-to-me, low hour (226 hours) 2014 Kubota B2650 for just about the same purchase price. I don't care for the treadle/rocker, but the new ones seem to be very easy to use, and I REALLY like the brakes (yes split brakes) on the left. It's still only a 26 horse machine and it still only weighs 1786 pounds without rear tires filled. Quite sure I'd find myself quickly wishing for more tractor, and thus the brand new 32 hp Yanmar would be long gone by the time I changed my mind, and I'd be forced into the DPF world which, again, is a world I'd rather not be in "pay a good bit more now, and a good bit more later" when buying a DPF-equipped tractor....

 

[paulfun9]

Between the two tractors you listed I would definitely go with the Yanmar.

You can add weight to any tractor but you can only add so much. SO adding weight to a smaller tractor wont give the same results as adding weight to a larger tractor which usually can handle having more weight added to it to begin with.
A quick attach bucket is nice and personally I would want one but unlike the weight and HP it can be added very easy just talk to a local welding shop that does fab work. You might be surprised what they can do and many times for less than an expensive kit you find searching online.
Between tier 4 and tier 3 I personally would consider having the tier 3 a definite plus especially if planning to keep it for a long time.
The single HST pedal compared to dual pedals is an other plus IMHO that would not be easy to change after the purchase yet giving the Yanmar an other plus.
SO unless there is something you really don't like about the 3200 that you haven't mentioned I dont understand why you aren't posting pics of your new Yanmar for us to view.

Good luck with your shopping!

 

[PAKraig]

Between the two tractors you listed I would definitely go with the Yanmar.

You can add weight to any tractor but you can only add so much. SO adding weight to a smaller tractor wont give the same results as adding weight to a larger tractor which usually can handle having more weight added to it to begin with.
A quick attach bucket is nice and personally I would want one but unlike the weight and HP it can be added very easy just talk to a local welding shop that does fab work. You might be surprised what they can do and many times for less than an expensive kit you find searching online.
Between tier 4 and tier 3 I personally would consider having the tier 3 a definite plus especially if planning to keep it for a long time.
The single HST pedal compared to dual pedals is an other plus IMHO that would not be easy to change after the purchase yet giving the Yanmar an other plus.
SO unless there is something you really don't like about the 3200 that you haven't mentioned I dont understand why you aren't posting pics of your new Yanmar for us to view.

Good luck with your shopping!

Good point. The things I don't like about the Yanmar.

1.) When Yanmar is mentioned, 4 out of 5 people (at least) say "never heard of em." Kills resale value, if I ever need to sell it.
2.) I don't like the brake pedal above the dual accelerator pedals. I'd get used to it, but I really wish it had split brakes on the left. (can this be changed???)
3.) No quick attach loader for skidsteer attachments.
4.) No armrests on seat. I know, minor, but you asked! haha
5.) It's a little faded from sitting on the lot as a leftover for so long. Ok, ok, now I'm really nitpicking....

Things I don't like about the Kubota B2601

1.) Only 26 horsepower, which is probably all I'd ever need anyway, but "buy as much tractor as you can afford" has been said more times than I can count
2.) I don't really like the treadle/rocker panel, but honestly, Kubota's is the nicest one I tried.
3.) Not thrilled about the orange paint.....:confused3:

 

[PAKraig]

This is the other one I really liked. Only a 24.5 hp diesel, but large-frame tractor strength.

Kioti CK2610 w/ 3 range hydrostatic transmission

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-buying-pricing/352126-have-you-seen-new-ck2610.html

 

[AxleHub]

Good point. The things I don't like about the Yanmar.

1.) When Yanmar is mentioned, 4 out of 5 people (at least) say "never heard of em." Kills resale value, if I ever need to sell it.
2.) I don't like the brake pedal above the dual accelerator pedals. I'd get used to it, but I really wish it had split brakes on the left. (can this be changed???)
3.) No quick attach loader for skidsteer attachments.
4.) No armrests on seat. I know, minor, but you asked! haha
5.) It's a little faded from sitting on the lot as a leftover for so long. Ok, ok, now I'm really nitpicking....

Things I don't like about the Kubota B2601

1.) Only 26 horsepower, which is probably all I'd ever need anyway, but "buy as much tractor as you can afford" has been said more times than I can count.

My personal opinion is name brand Yanmar would sell well on its merits. I know a yanmar dealer who had 4 people wanting his last 2 ex3200 units. There was some normal discounts but nothing special. When you know your equipment's advantages, you can promote your own resale price. That dealer I mentioned wishes he could get more new ones.

As far as the quick attach idea . . I know someone who builds them for the sc2400 units . . . don't know if it would fit or not. I also imagine everything attachments has options as might w r long and several others.

My massey gc1715 has a 25 hp engine and it works great for power . . But that is a scut doing scut work. I would think your needs would justify a 32 hp better than a 26 . . 6 hp is a big difference in modern well built name brand diesel engines. And whatvabout ground clearance?

Also as I previously mentioned . . Can the ex3200 reverse its wheels to add width at no cost ? Thats also a stability benefit.

Kubota is good product . . But the EX3200 is no reason to hang your head. That is quality. And easy maintenance.

 

[AxleHub]

You're talking 18,000 for new and seems like used are not showing any big drops in price.

http://m.tractorhouse.com/Results?i...ame=YANMAR&modelName=EX3200&modelSearchType=4

 

[PAKraig]

Umm, actually $16,500 with rear tires loaded for the EX3200. Shoot, it's not even $18,000 out the door! But, that's not with manufacturer financing. That's using my home equity or a local bank with 4.5% financing for 5 years.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I bought quick attach conversion kit from Titan. The kit plus a qa weld on plate for the bucket was about $400.

I did.my own conversion work to put it on and saved compared to buying a pin on conversion like Everything Attachments sells. But if you had to pay to have it done it might not be much money ahead.

 

[TJP89]

Good point. The things I don't like about the Yanmar.

1.) When Yanmar is mentioned, 4 out of 5 people (at least) say "never heard of em." Kills resale value, if I ever need to sell it.
2.) I don't like the brake pedal above the dual accelerator pedals. I'd get used to it, but I really wish it had split brakes on the left. (can this be changed???)
3.) No quick attach loader for skidsteer attachments.
4.) No armrests on seat. I know, minor, but you asked! haha
5.) It's a little faded from sitting on the lot as a leftover for so long. Ok, ok, now I'm really nitpicking....

Things I don't like about the Kubota B2601

1.) Only 26 horsepower, which is probably all I'd ever need anyway, but "buy as much tractor as you can afford" has been said more times than I can count
2.) I don't really like the treadle/rocker panel, but honestly, Kubota's is the nicest one I tried.
3.) Not thrilled about the orange paint.....:confused3:

You may not need more than 25HP, but you will need more weight and hydro capacity. I have a list longer than both of yours together on things I don't like about my CK. But with any other tractor in the range it would be even longer. Every tractor will have bad sides, as long as you can live with them all, go ahead. BTW, 16500 OTD is a steal. The Sx3200 I looked at new was quoted at about 22K. That dealership was ridiculous on pricing, but still, you are getting a good price. The Kubota, eh, take it or leave it. Also, IMO the Kubota is way to small, don't even consider. The Yanmar is workable. I understand budget, but I think you would be better served by bumping up a few HP and lbs.

To the people who don't know who yanmar is, just tell them they are the company who had made most of JD's compact tractors up until just a few years ago.