BX25D-1 vs XJ2025 vs MAX 24 vs eMAX 25 vs CS2410 vs GC1710

[JFoy]

Fairways: You've mentioned price range several times. Hate to say it but if you haven't owned a tractor before, you don't realize there are tons of little $100 things you'll still end up buying a month later, e.g. trailering hitch, thumb for the backhoe, jacks and stands, other implements, case of grease, gallons of hydraulic fluid, storage location, etc.

After I bought my BX25, I built a shed roof off my shop to store the tractor and implements, 3 pt trailering hitch, all the stuff I mentioned above. Probably spent another $3000 on all that.

My point is, a budget is important but you have to have flexibility factored into it.

 

[FairwaysAndGreens]

Yep. All of that is factored in... My budget is set so I can afford the implements I intend on using.

Fairways: You've mentioned price range several times. Hate to say it but if you haven't owned a tractor before, you don't realize there are tons of little $100 things you'll still end up buying a month later, e.g. trailering hitch, thumb for the backhoe, jacks and stands, other implements, case of grease, gallons of hydraulic fluid, storage location, etc.

After I bought my BX25, I built a shed roof off my shop to store the tractor and implements, 3 pt trailering hitch, all the stuff I mentioned above. Probably spent another $3000 on all that.

My point is, a budget is important but you have to have flexibility factored into it.

 

[nikerret]

I like the spreadsheet. I have a mountain of them, laying around. Your Mahindra prices are no where near what I was quoted. They were as high as John Deere, which was $5K more than Kubota. I got the BX25D-1, and love it. Of course, I've only got 14.4 hours, thus far, but it's comfortable and capable.

When I drove a Kioti CS2410, it sealed the deal, against it. The one I drove had 70 hours on it, and multiple things broken and misaligned. Could have been a terrible first owner, but it still turned me off. It's mower deck sis cut grass very nicely.

I didn't drive the Mahindra's, due to price, they weren't an option.

I was able to sit on a Massey Ferguson (non-backhoe version), but the dealer wasn't cooperative to help me with a price or keys, so that option also faded.

There isn't an LS dealer anywhere close, and I've never seen one, in person.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Hello there. My wife and I are looking to buy a little tractor-loader-backhoe that can do a lot of work, a little bit at a time. We bought a short sale on 5 wooded acres that has been neglected. We have big plans landscaping and cleaning the place up. Also we want to keep up a .15mi driveway and run a tiller a few times a year (dad had a tiller to borrow)

Thanks guys!

F&G, Where you are you have several Kubota dealers within 50 miles. I have dealt with the ones in Silverdale and Puyallup in the Past, bought my BX in Silverdale but do any parts or shop work in Puyallup. Silverdale has the lowest BX 25 price but not much. I have similar uses as you and settled on the BX25 due to first cost and downstream value. 5 years and 1200 hours has convinced me I made the right decision. Send me a personnel and I will discuss why I do not take service/repairs to the closest dealer.

Where you get service, is a lot dependent on your situation such as: Can you haul it yourself (mileage costs for hauling add up fast), how much you are capable of mechanically or time wise, and how long you can wait for shop turn around time. Small dealers with one or two mechanics will not get you in and out fast or get parts quickly w/o charging shipping costs. In choosing a dealer those things are vital check points I did not do and now know their value.

If a Dealer knows they will get all you service work they may be inclined to deal more on first cost. Shops, parts, implements, and accessories are their cash cows, not sales of small tractors. Small tractor owners are like auto owners to the dealer shops as they are not capable of doing their own work, like I do. My tractor has been in a dealer shop once for some major damage covered by insurance work under KTAC, no incentive to do it myself.

Ron

 

[dragoneggs]

F&G, Where you are you have several Kubota dealers within 50 miles. I have dealt with the ones in Silverdale and Puyallup in the Past, bought my BX in Silverdale but do any parts or shop work in Puyallup. Silverdale has the lowest BX 25 price but not much. I have similar uses as you and settled on the BX25 due to first cost and downstream value. 5 years and 1200 hours has convinced me I made the right decision. Send me a personnel and I will discuss why I do not take service/repairs to the closest dealer.

Where you get service, is a lot dependent on your situation such as: Can you haul it yourself (mileage costs for hauling add up fast), how much you are capable of mechanically or time wise, and how long you can wait for shop turn around time. Small dealers with one or two mechanics will not get you in and out fast or get parts quickly w/o charging shipping costs. In choosing a dealer those things are vital check points I did not do and now know their value.

If a Dealer knows they will get all you service work they may be inclined to deal more on first cost. Shops, parts, implements, and accessories are their cash cows, not sales of small tractors. Small tractor owners are like auto owners to the dealer shops as they are not capable of doing their own work, like I do. My tractor has been in a dealer shop once for some major damage covered by insurance work under KTAC, no incentive to do it myself.

Ron

F&G... (thanks Ron for the shortened name) I echo what Ron says. I also bought my BX25D from Kitsap Tractor. Great pricing and lots of stock. Also bought my Zero turn there. I am not hung up on Kubota orange but I am dang happy with mine. I like the fact that there are lots of implements/accessories for it. I like the resale value it holds... however I can't see myself ever selling now that I have one and you might discover that too. It is amazing in tight spaces and is comfortable for my 6ft 2in heavier than I should be body. I too try to do my own work... only once I have brought it in for something I was struggling with. Learn to do your maintenance for sure.

In my case going bigger wasn't ruled out because of cost but because I live on a steep slope and have tight navigating requirements around the property. Going bigger meant higher CG and wider turn radiuses. I was sort of worried about power but that hasn't been much of an issue unless tackling stumps almost as heavy as my tractor. It really comes down to traction. I also didn't want something too heavy to mess up my lawn and gardens. Good luck!

 

[FairwaysAndGreens]

Do we have an ASOIAF fan here?

I plan on doing as much of my own maintenance as possible. I have a 3-axis CNS, TIGand plasma that I plan on fabing some of my own stuff. I too live on a property with slope, which is one of the main reasons I really like the wide base of the MAX24. It's as short as a BX25 but as wide as a BX25 with wheel spacers... I don't know if I could put spacers on a MAX24 to make it even more stable without toasting the wheel bearings. Also, the nice thing about the MAX24 and XJ2025 is the larger back tires that I can fill with beet juice. The $18,000 out the door price on the MAX24 includes beet juice...

Good inputs. Thanks!

Learn to do your maintenance for sure.

In my case going bigger wasn't ruled out because of cost but because I live on a steep slope and have tight navigating requirements around the property. Going bigger meant higher CG and wider turn radiuses. I was sort of worried about power but that hasn't been much of an issue unless tackling stumps almost as heavy as my tractor. It really comes down to traction. I also didn't want something too heavy to mess up my lawn and gardens. Good luck!

 

[AxleHub]

Do we have an ASOIAF fan here?

I plan on doing as much of my own maintenance as possible. I have a 3-axis CNS, TIGand plasma that I plan on fabing some of my own stuff. I too live on a property with slope, which is one of the main reasons I really like the wide base of the MAX24. It's as short as a BX25 but as wide as a BX25 with wheel spacers... I don't know if I could put spacers on a MAX24 to make it even more stable without toasting the wheel bearings. Also, the nice thing about the MAX24 and XJ2025 is the larger back tires that I can fill with beet juice. The $18,000 out the door price on the MAX24 includes beet juice...

Good inputs. Thanks!

I will be adding spacers to my massey gc1700 series unit this spring as both steep slopes and sidehill needs are currently good on the massey but I want them even better. Have you had a chance to field test or demo a massey gc ? I think you'll be surprised at what you find.

Also if you will be working on the unit yourself . . did you notice how you have great access to the engine area without a need to take panels off ?

 

[AxleHub]

I always suggest a priority order:

Priority 1. Brand/model/product you want and can afford.

Priority 2. Then dealer who sells that brand/model/product you can afford

Consideration 3. Proximity to that location.

In other words . . Unless your nearness is so required and needed for your operation to continue as a business . . . the distance is not a priority of the top 2. If you have an ag sized unit that has to work when its needed . . And requires hauling equipment you don't have and can't easily rent . . . Then Proximity is an issue because of many reasons.

But if 100 miles away or 50 miles away or 5 miles away all involves trailering . . . Would you get a poorer product or a poorer dealer just for that convenience? Not me. That doesn't mean 1 dealer in a 250 mile distance is acceptable because anyone can close up. But in a 3 hour drive distance if the dealer who you like and trust sells and supports the product you want at a price you can afford . . then I think that's the choice you take . . . unless you plan on a lot of breakdowns and equipment problens or your business depends on immediate service.

My point is . . I think too many buyers plan to do a fair amount of their own basic service work . . yet they treat proximity as if they need to be at the dealer location every other week. Equipment today is quite reliable. And you can always have backup dealers as last resort. But get the place you want and deal with the distance issue.

 

[whizdbiz2]

Fairways: My wife further convinced me to get a unit with best resale value.

Yes, when she's had enough of your tractor addiction it will be easier to sell in the divorce!

 

[whizdbiz2]

Emax and Max series are way different in the amount of stress they will take. Look at them carefully they are built different. Bought an Max 26xl after my dealer explained that for a lot of heavy work the Emax frame was to light. Bought Mahindra due to dealer. Only dealer who bothered to listen to me about what I wanted the machine for. Took the time to discuss different size machines. Non of the other dealers could be bothered to do that. Including another Mahindra dealer. Loader controls are ok backhoe is jerky takes a light touch.

Indeed, the eMax series was intended to be a smaller frame than the Max series, and less expensive. So, good advice here, buy based on your needs in conjunction with your pocket book.