Tractor Sizing Need help narrowing Size/model of tractor

[bajarage]

Hello, been lurking on and off for a while, finally got to the point were I need a tractor.

I have ~0.5 acres of lovely California clay.

Property is flat with one exception - rear most section of property is ~ 15 ft lower than the rest. I started making a ramp down when I was borrowing my dads tractor.

Planned projects for the next 10 years (short version):

- Run drainage/ rainwater, underground from one end of property to the other.
- Set up irrigation system
- Replace dilapidated/ non existent fence so I can have a back yard, and maybe some pets again.
- Try and keep the weeds under 6 ft tall this year.
- Use it to lift anything 'heavy'
- Yard maintenance/ gardening
- Build a shed
- Remove some sheds
- Remove a few trees
- What ever I can to keep the Wife happy

Requirements

-power steering, I am, in regards to heavy torque/lifting/etc, functionally one handed.
-Top n Tilt, at least an easy addition for it later
-4wd

-Hydrostatic Transmission, A lot of work is needed close to the house, and if need be, I would like for the wife to be able to hope on and go.

Would Like:
- Something a little bigger than a B7500, at least PTO HP
- Backhoe, at least capable of accepting one without breaking it in half.
- Capable of handling snow, if/when I move out of state(someday...maybe)



I have a Kubota and John Deere dealer local, but have access to a Truck and trailer.

I was looking at the LS XJ2025 while convincing my self the XG3025 would be perfect.
I am hoping for a tractor for life. I would borrow the B7500 but loading and unloading it constantly to ferry between the properties is ridiculous, especially with my schedule and the projects he has coming up. Plus, I have had a few situations where it didn't quite have enough FEL lift.

Any others I should be looking at?

If you need any more information please ask, I will share what I can.

Oh, anyone know how to convince the wife that a I need a tractor?

 

[CobyRupert]

Most people here typically say "Go big" or "Better to have too much than too little" (-well that's what she said).
But wouldn't a XG3025 on ~.5 acres be too much?

 

[TheMadOne]

Most people here typically say "Go big" or "Better to have too much than too little" (-well that's what she said).
But wouldn't a XG3025 on ~.5 acres be too much?

I agree, but I'm thinking maybe there's a digit missing, since having everything described by OP would make for a mighty cluttered 1/2 acre!

 

[bajarage]

The property is around half an acre and the shape of a slice of pizza

I haven't actually played with an XG3025 yet, the closest dealer I can find is about 160 miles away. I was considering it mainly due to the times I have hit the limits of the B7500.

I wouldn't really consider the property cluttered, I am describing it poorly I believe. I lose probably 3000 sqft between the house, driveway, and shed I am keeping ( for now) and that is all on one side of the wide portion of the property. I think I might try and draw something up.

The only time the XG would be too big, for sure, is going between the house and side fence, a B7500 is rather snug through there.

 

[Teachu2]

I suggest the Mahindra subcompacts, with a backhoe. eMax 22S HST | BYO Mahindra

 

[Teachu2]

J.M Equipment Co. - Patterson | Mahindra

 

[TheMadOne]

I'd reccomend the BX25D/23S. Rock solid. Guys get a lot of use out of them. Check out some of Paul Short's YouTube videos to see what you can do with the little machine.

 

[Dave in Indy]

I just went through similar process, and the LS XJ2025h and Massey GC1720 were on my short list. Would have looked at the new BX23S but my dealer couldn't get one unless I ordered - defeated the purpose of butt-in-seat evaluation for me.

The specs on the LS are great, better even than the Massey, which is a step up from the BX. Butt-in-seat evaluation showed the LS looked and felt much bigger - it's got taller rear tires, and the overall length with backhoe -- I paced off 18 feet. The LS has a separate seat attached to the backhoe, which sounded better than flipping a seat up and around in theory. In practice, you must flip the main seat forward, so you can't see dash or easily see/reach throttle. Also, I am 5-8 and my head was closer to touching the bottom of ROPS that I expected when I sat in backhoe position. Maybe the seat adjusts somehow, I didn't ask, but if you're taller than me be sure to sit in one and make sure you fit first. Yeah, you can fold the ROPS in many situations, but if you're in one where you need ROPS, it's nice to fit one's head underneath. I also hate obstructed view concert seats. If anything happened and I jumped up, I thought it would be way too easy to ring my own bell and begin reciting obscenities.

The LS backhoe is attached to a strong, heavy frame that makes it stout, but when dismounted, the frame doubles it's footprint. I also noticed the dealer's guy, when demonstrating removal of the backhoe, had trouble disconnecting a hydro line that was stuck beside and kinda underneath the main operator seat. All those little things took my evaluation down to a like, where I had the LS as the one to beat based only on specs.

I ordered the Massey because it does enough of what I want, without those little annoyances. It was about $2K less than the LS, at my dealers anyway, even when decked out with options like remote hydraulics, SSQA, canopy, block heater, and LED light package.

I did not get a mower deck.

Good luck with your decision - and don't take it too seriously. All these machines are super capable and extremely reliable from everything I read and heard, so it's hard to go wrong no matter what you choose.

 

[bajarage]

I suggest the Mahindra subcompacts, with a backhoe.

I was looking at those after I found a max or emax 28xl with backhoe and just about every other attachment I could possibly think of using on craigslist a few months ago. Unfortunately the price was a little rich for my blood. Will have to look back into them.

I'd reccomend the BX25D/23S

I have glanced at them, unfortunately I don't think the loader or 3pt hitch will have enough lift for me. Having been limited by the lifting capacities of a B7500 in the past, I am trying to prevent hitting that particular limit, or at least give me some more wiggle room.

Also, I am 5-8 and my head was closer to touching the bottom of ROPS that I expected when I sat in backhoe position.

At 6-2 the LS backhoe system sounds like I might end up becoming intimate with ROPS during use, not fun.

I ordered the Massey because it does enough of what I want, without those little annoyances. It was about $2K less than the LS, at my dealers anyway, even when decked out with options like remote hydraulics, SSQA, canopy, block heater, and LED light package.

Thanks for the advice, I have another brand to go diving into. YAY