Buying Advice Buying my first SCUT...So many options

[markusj83]

I'm the most impulsive buyer in the world so this has been agonizing for me. There is so much information! Basically, I have 3 dealers within 50 miles of me...Kubota, Deere, Mahindra so I have to keep it in those options.

Purpose:

1) maintain a 1000 feet of gravel driveway
2) light loader work, haul minimal dirt, firewood, etc.
3) put in food plots
4) till an acre garden
5) possibly cut lawn

I currently have a Kubota ZG20 48" to cut the grass and it does just fine but I like the idea of minimal maintenance of 1 machine which has brought me into the SCUT market with a MMM. I've not yet had the opportunity to drive a Mahindra but have been on both the Kubota BX2370 and the Deere 1025r. I prefer the Deere if I'm going to use it for mowing as the switch out was much easier but if I end up just keeping the zero turn, I'm not sure I really care about the ease of implements on and off as the loader will basically stay on all the time and I can get the imatch/quick connect for the 3 point of each. I did like the pedals of the Deere better and the suspension seat was a nice addition. I didn't mind the Kubota but the Deere just felt more "tractor".

That said I was fully ready to buy the Deere until I got the quotes. For a belly 60" belly mower, Loader, and tractor there was over a 2k difference in price between the models with the Deere being the more expensive. I'm debating simply offering deere to price match and if not walk away to the Kubota. Deere does have a better warranty but $2200 more for what I think is a pretty comparable tractor?

That said am I looking at the right tractors for my intended use? recommend to get the belly mower as well and get rid of the zero turn? Is there any reason to look at the Mahindra?

Thanks guys!

Mark

 

[TripleR]

We happen to have a BX2660 as well as JD1025R and for us, a SCUT with FEL and MMM as a one machine does it all worked great for us for many years. The amount of work a SCUT can do really surprised me. My brother and I own tractors jointly and collectively from 22 to 85HP and until last year, my brother never used or had much use for the BX2200 bought new in 2003. Now, it spend a lot of time going between farms; loves it.

Your observations are pretty spot on JD v Kubota. Things I like on the 1025R are the position control 3PH and lack of the vulnerable HST fan. The JD sits higher and doesn't "feel" as stable on hills as our BXs, but we haven't turned any over, so it may be more "feel" than reality, but everyone tht has used them notice it. We prefer the rocker HST more than twin pedals, but not a deal breaker.

As to the MMM, depends on your yard, ours is wide open, no trees or shrubs, just a couple of buildings, so our SCUT cuts as fast as a zero turn. My brother loves his recently acquired zero turn.

We have six or seven tractors with a FEL, so didn't get one on our 1025R, so can't say much about ease of removing deck or FEL, but sure seems nice.

In spite of the advantages of the 1025R, we all prefer the BX, now if we only had one...

I doubt you'll ever get a JD for the same price as a BX, but if the BX had what the JD has, price would be the same, Kubota really needs some upgrades.

Personally, I buy what I want and will be happy with for years to come and don't worry about a few bucks spread out over 10+ years.

 

[brasco426]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4384094

Here's a thread I did on my Mahindra Max 24. Give them a look, I'm glad I did. Good Luck

 

[markusj83]

We happen to have a BX2660 as well as JD1025R and for us, a SCUT with FEL and MMM as a one machine does it all worked great for us for many years. The amount of work a SCUT can do really surprised me. My brother and I own tractors jointly and collectively from 22 to 85HP and until last year, my brother never used or had much use for the BX2200 bought new in 2003. Now, it spend a lot of time going between farms; loves it.

Your observations are pretty spot on JD v Kubota. Things I like on the 1025R are the position control 3PH and lack of the vulnerable HST fan. The JD sits higher and doesn't "feel" as stable on hills as our BXs, but we haven't turned any over, so it may be more "feel" than reality, but everyone tht has used them notice it. We prefer the rocker HST more than twin pedals, but not a deal breaker.

As to the MMM, depends on your yard, ours is wide open, no trees or shrubs, just a couple of buildings, so our SCUT cuts as fast as a zero turn. My brother loves his recently acquired zero turn.

We have six or seven tractors with a FEL, so didn't get one on our 1025R, so can't say much about ease of removing deck or FEL, but sure seems nice.

In spite of the advantages of the 1025R, we all prefer the BX, now if we only had one...

I doubt you'll ever get a JD for the same price as a BX, but if the BX had what the JD has, price would be the same, Kubota really needs some upgrades.

Personally, I buy what I want and will be happy with for years to come and don't worry about a few bucks spread out over 10+ years.

Thanks for the info...is there any other reason other than the life of the peddle and height that points you to the Kubota?

 

[newbury]

<snip>Basically, I have 3 dealers within 50 miles of me...Kubota, Deere, Mahindra so I have to keep it in those options.

Purpose:

1) maintain a 1000 feet of gravel driveway
2) light loader work, haul minimal dirt, firewood, etc.
3) put in food plots
4) till an acre garden
5) possibly cut lawn
<snip>

That said am I looking at the right tractors for my intended use? recommend to get the belly mower as well and get rid of the zero turn? Is there any reason to look at the Mahindra?

Thanks guys!

Mark

Where are these "food plots"?
Do you have 2 acres or two hundred?
What's your terrain like?

For many of us "putting in food plots" first requires clearing trees, which involves going through the woods and carrying trees, which SCUTS do NOT excel at. A little more clearance, a little more lift makes a big difference.

Also if you have to use ground engaging equipment, like a plow or disc more power and weight sure helps.

DEFINITELY look at Mahindra they are a good tractor.
John Deere is known for it's color, green like the extra dollars you spend.
Kubota is known for it's relaibility, it's all made by Kubota.
Mahindra is good but usually a little heavier built than Kubota for the same HP.

 

[markusj83]

Where are these "food plots"?
Do you have 2 acres or two hundred?
What's your terrain like?

For many of us "putting in food plots" first requires clearing trees, which involves going through the woods and carrying trees, which SCUTS do NOT excel at. A little more clearance, a little more lift makes a big difference.

Also if you have to use ground engaging equipment, like a plow or disc more power and weight sure helps.

DEFINITELY look at Mahindra they are a good tractor.
John Deere is known for it's color, green like the extra dollars you spend.
Kubota is known for it's relaibility, it's all made by Kubota.
Mahindra is good but usually a little heavier built than Kubota for the same HP.

food plots are on another property...200 acres is about right but only putting in plots on about 2 or 3 total acres....the areas where the plots are going are pretty much cleared...if additional clearing is needed we have heavier equipment that will do that...just need something post cleared to maintain..

also I live on 5 acres...mow about 2.5, 1 acres wooded another 1.5 acres is still being farmed as part of a larger parcel just so I don't have to maintain it...thought I'd do the neighbor a small solid

I just sat on both the Kubota BX (it was a 2350 traded into the local Mahindra dealer) and it felt kind of like a toy....It felt like the Mahindra was a bit more heavy duty if that makes sense...I keep tinkering with the treadel peddle on the Kubota but it sure doesn't feel that comfortable or natural to me...unfortunately for me the Mahindra is now in the running...dang it another option

 

[DarrellSimpson]

See if you can rent the tractors your considering . My BX2200 is irritating to me to try and do much push and pulling dirt around with the bucket since any mound or irregularity you create interferes with the belly mower . For me the belly mower removal and reinstall is very difficult since I have to deal with bad back and knees . But with that being the negatives , the positives are the belt on the belly mower never slips or gives me troubles , and bearings and pivot points have grease zirks , and lately I have been abusing my mower by cutting brush and it is very impressive , It will pulverize branches and roots up to 3 inches in diameter and when a branch gets stuck in the mower deck between a blade and the housing it will stall the engine without slipping the belt , I understand the BX22 is even heavier duty . I ended up putting tire chains is the back and the tractor is darn near unstoppable . I have poor dealer parts support in my area and for me having 1400 hard hrs. on it from the previous owners it gets to be a headache once in awhile but I have started to really love this BX2200 more and more .

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for the info...is there any other reason other than the life of the peddle and height that points you to the Kubota?

"In spite of the advantages of the 1025R, we all prefer the BX, now if we only had one..."

Since we have other tractors on the farms, the advantages of the JD don't overcome the "feel" of the BX, it handles slopes better, deck raises higher, so I've often been able to leave the MMM on when doing loader work, tiller or box scraper. It doesn't make sense that we all like the BXs better, just one of those intangibles. Actually when the forerunner JD1026R came out I took my wife up to look at it thinking we would trade one of our BXs in on it; no way, she hated it.

We got to this point as several years ago, we needed a SCUT to replace the JD425 our son and grandkids were using so it seemed like a good time to try a JD SCUT as everyone said how much better a JD was and the controls were easy for them to use. We got a 2305 and it was a huge disappointment, spent lots of time in the shop, ran hot and over time had to replace the hydraulic deck lift cylinder and a new motor. Last year a fuel tank fell on it and the dealer traded us a new 1025R for the same money it would take to repair.

If you like the JD, I'd get it as it is a good machine.

 

[brasco426]

So many great options out there, it really is difficult to decide. I'm glad I'm pass that phase, and now just enjoy the SCUT we got lol.

 

[DarrellSimpson]

I have never owned a sub compact or compact tractor before the BX2200 so my knowledge is very limited when regards to other brands .
TripleR just made a point that I had not considered about considering how high the mower deck can lift for those times when your not using it .
I didn't research enough into the capabilities of adding a back hoe , I just assumed you could add one anytime you pleased , But with a BX2200 not having a frame its not recommended even though some people have done it successfully .
The other obstacle with a SCUT is used implements such as a used back hoe , or box blade are far and few between since most of the used items are larger and heavier than what the SCUT can handle or even attach to .
I was told by the used tractor dealer where I purchased my tractor that the bucket lift was over 1200 lbs. I was disappointed that the specs say 700 lbs.
I chose the Kubota because this one in particular was priced much lower than the green one that I wanted .
I was told that the Kubota's engine was superior to the competition in this tractors size and weight but I can not remember now who makes the little engine for mine versus who made the engine for JD .
The single peddle on the Kubota has issues with sticking a little but I have researched the forums on how to repair it .
The Kubota seems to have a good track record for the hydro static drive being long lived with little issues .
I grew up on a large Dairy and we always used the larger JD's and Kubota's , They always worked good with little maintenance , so for me I stayed with familiar brands .
The only things of value I can really pass on to you is to stay away from Chinese built tractors , and if you think you will ever want to own a back hoe , make sure the tractor has a frame and that back hoes are available for that size tractor .
Also consider power beyond capabilities or if you would ever have a need or use for it .
Don't take a dealers opinion , return here to ask these guys on the forums , these guys here have real world experiences and knowledge .
If I had a chance to do it over I would have held out for a BX22 . I have a huge need for a back hoe .