SA324 or SA424... need a decision... buying THIS week

[JbirdNC]

Hey guys... so my dream of owning my own tractor is finally coming true. After years of "NO" from the wife and renting tractors here and there, I've been given the green light to buy a new tractor... TLB even! Locally, I have Kubota, JD and Yanmar. The Kubota was several thousand more than JD & Y, and both Kubota and JD dealer shopping experience really made me feel like they could care less if I was a customer or not. With service like that BEFORE the sale, I strongly question the service I would receive AFTER the sale. Yanmar dealer was WONDERFUL. Specs on the Yanmar are awesome too. So I'm looking at the 324 and the 424 against the JD 2025R and the Kubota B2601. I've decided its going to be a Yanmar.

So... here is my dilemma... there is only $900 difference between the two, with the 424's extra large tires being the more expensive option of course. So the $ isn't an issue... its more a concern of tipping a tractor over and any negative impact of being higher off the ground for backhoe work or stability. The dealer is going to load tires on either model, and has also consented to add wheel spacers to either model... so maybe my concerns are irrational, but I'd like to hear from you guys. My property does have some slopes and off-camber situations with rocks and stumps (that I've successfully navigated on stock BX25s and L3300s) but I also plan on using this tractor on other properties as well. Any concerns with stability? Any concerns with BH work or BH stabilizer legs? Or any other 3pt implement for that matter? Has anyone done spacers on their 424 or 324? Can you rotate the wheels to add width?

Is there anything else I should be thinking of here? My main workload is loader work with various materials, root/stump/rock digging and removal, and snow removal. Appreciate your thoughtful response. I will be checking back frequently so if you have other questions or details needed, I'll read and reply quickly. Otherwise, I think I'm pulling the trigger on the 424TLB in a day or two at most.

 

[scoutcub]

Hiven a choice between the 2 & the price difference, I would choose the 424.
Good luck!

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Same here as scoutcub .... I was seriously considering the 424, never even considered a 324 if given a choice. Congrats on the green light to get a tractor... I went through years of heavy work without a tractor until the wifey said YES! Now she realizes how much more gets done with one!

 

[TnAndy]

Go larger for sure. I went 22hp to 33hp to my current 41hp before I hit the "sweet spot" of size.

But really really examine the need for the backhoe unit versus the cost. You may think it sounds great now, but once you've done the digging you currently have in mind, is it really worth having it sit around ? Consider how much work you could have done hiring out backhoe work, or renting a full sized backhoe from time to time just for that purpose.

I ask this because of the 5 grand I spent on an after market unit on my previous tractor, found it not all that useful, and I'm sure never recovered the initial cost.....so please consider that long and hard before getting stars in your eyes over one.

Things like this to consider as well: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/422484-yanmar-backhoe-attachment.html#post5667879

 

[Rutman]

I own a 424. Don’t have a bh thou.
I am very satisfied with my tractor.

 

[JbirdNC]

Hiven a choice between the 2 & the price difference, I would choose the 424.
Good luck!

Same here as scoutcub .... I was seriously considering the 424, never even considered a 324 if given a choice. Congrats on the green light to get a tractor... I went through years of heavy work without a tractor until the wifey said YES! Now she realizes how much more gets done with one!

Go larger for sure. I went 22hp to 33hp to my current 41hp before I hit the "sweet spot" of size.

But really really examine the need for the backhoe unit versus the cost. You may think it sounds great now, but once you've done the digging you currently have in mind, is it really worth having it sit around ? Consider how much work you could have done hiring out backhoe work, or renting a full sized backhoe from time to time just for that purpose.

I ask this because of the 5 grand I spent on an after market unit on my previous tractor, found it not all that useful, and I'm sure never recovered the initial cost.....so please consider that long and hard before getting stars in your eyes over one.

Things like this to consider as well: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/422484-yanmar-backhoe-attachment.html#post5667879

I own a 424. Don’t have a bh thou.
I am very satisfied with my tractor.

Thank you for the responses thus far. Sounds like there aren't concerns with stability. The tires are wider and when loaded, add @ 500lbs of weight. The added height of the rear tires does make me question the impact of the BH short stabilizer legs. The higher you are, the more narrow the legs will be when they hit the ground. That is my concern. Like I said, I will likely be spacing the wheels out also.

Do you guys have any advice on implement size for these units? I was thinking a 60" scrape and a 48" box blade would be ok.

 

[thunderbirl]

When it came time to replace my CC garden tractor, I went with the 424 over the 324 and have been very happy. I've never wished for the smaller machine. My yard tends to roll and pitch. Never a question of stability - even without the weighted tires. Mostly used for "estate maintenance" (aka lawn mowing!).

I don't have the attachments you're looking for, so I can't help there!

 

[Rutman]

Thank you for the responses thus far. Sounds like there aren't concerns with stability. The tires are wider and when loaded, add @ 500lbs of weight. The added height of the rear tires does make me question the impact of the BH short stabilizer legs. The higher you are, the more narrow the legs will be when they hit the ground. That is my concern. Like I said, I will likely be spacing the wheels out also.

Do you guys have any advice on implement size for these units? I was thinking a 60" scrape and a 48" box blade would be ok.

I have a 48” rhino box scrape and it pulls it fine.

 

[TnAndy]

I work mine on pretty good slopes, since flat ground here is an oddity It does fine when you learn what will and won't work. Hint.....just because your wife turns and looks away doesn't make it unsafe.....ahahhaaaa

 

[Tonyinohio]

My 2016 SA424 has 410+ hours. It has a great power to weight ratio. I purchased several implements from a guy that had a 30hp tractor. 6' tiller, 7' back blade, 5' finish mower, (see my profile for the rest). Only time i have bogged the engine with the tiller was when i hit tree roots otherwise 2 passes on virgin turf. Great tractor. Everyone wants a bigger tractor nobody wants a smaller one. The 424 gets it done at our mini-ranch.