Recommendation for best CUT

[SuperDutyDave]

Hey guys haven稚 been here in a while

Downsized my property from big divorce .

Had to sell my large tractor Deere 5525

Yup big step down in all areas

New smaller house with 5 acres of land 500 of driveway upward sloped 2 acres of grass to mow plus various other tasks for small loader work landscape etc

Any thoughts on what manufacturer and model you might suggest. Deere Kubota etc etc. I have all brands near by.

Need to buy by June 10th

Thanks for help

Dave

 

[jeff9366]

Sufficient tractor weight is more important for most tractor applications than increased tractor horsepower. Bare tractor weight is a tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used.


Some would purchase a <2,000 pound bare tractor weight compact tractor for five acres.

However, after the heavier Deere 5525, 5,000 pounds bare tractor weight, you would feel woefully under-tractored.

I recommend a tractor of 2,700 pounds to 3,600 pounds bare tractor weight.

A 3,600 pound tractor will have a wider rear axle and therefore more stability.

Some power a 60" light-duty Rotary Mower weighing 450 pounds with 25-horsepower. This is OK if you will mow only moderate length grass.

My L3560 has 37-horsepower gross / 35-horsepower net / 28-horsepower PTO. I just came in from operating with a 60", 1,000 pound heavy duty Rotary Cutter, which L3560 powers just fine through thick Florida jungle.

 

[i7win7]

My $.02, I think Deere and Kubota have higher resale value. Get tractor with easily removable FEL. I prefer a FEL with a SSQA on front, sometimes easier to drop bucket than FEL. SSQA attachments are universal (I have no brand loyalty here). Sit on tractor, learn control locations (easy to reach, ect). Most CUT are hydrostat. Some people like Kobota's treadle peddle, others hate it. Is dealer someone who is freindly, takes time to answer questions, knows how equipment is used in your local? If grapples, tree pullers are on your wish list have it spec'ed with 3rd function on FEL.

My biggest mistake when I ordered a B2650 was a single rear remote. Didn't understand how a CUT implement would need 3. Didn't know about top and tilt - may add more remotes this year.

 

[airbiscuit]

I would be looking at something around 35hp.

• Kubota or Deere if money was no object
• Kioti = most bang for the buck
• Yanmar for excellent quality and cool gold wheels
• LS or New Holland as contenders
• Mahindra - meh

 

[fried1765]

I would be looking at something around 35hp.

• Kubota or Deere if money was no object
• Kioti = most bang for the buck
• Yanmar for excellent quality and cool gold wheels
• LS or New Holland as contenders
• Mahindra - meh

That would be my rating system also, except I might also add Branson to the contenders group

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I like your ranking there, but you should add that the difference between "money is no object" and "buying the cheapest new tractor I can find" is usually 10%. This is not the difference between a AMG and a KIA.

 

[nards444]

I would be looking at something around 35hp.

• Kubota or Deere if money was no object
• Kioti = most bang for the buck
• Yanmar for excellent quality and cool gold wheels
• LS or New Holland as contenders
• Mahindra - meh

TBH if I was in that range I would buy something around 25 hp and keeps out of emissions. I have a B2650 and there really isnt much more that the B3350 can do. To me because of emissions and what you are actually getting the 30-35hp tractors are kind of no mans land, assuming you are talking apples to apples and new to new. I would stay at 25hp or get into the 40-50hp if anything.

 

[nards444]

I like your ranking there, but you should add that the difference between "money is no object" and "buying the cheapest new tractor I can find" is usually 10%. This is not the difference between a AMG and a KIA.

I tried everything I could to buy an off brand per say. With that said like tractors with everything added you are right the difference was 10% maybe even less.

 

[jjp8182]

TBH if I was in that range I would buy something around 25 hp and keeps out of emissions. I have a B2650 and there really isnt much more that the B3350 can do. To me because of emissions and what you are actually getting the 30-35hp tractors are kind of no mans land, assuming you are talking apples to apples and new to new. I would stay at 25hp or get into the 40-50hp if anything.

That's really the problem in that 25-45/50 HP range as an apples to apples comparison can become difficult given how widely the frame sizes/weight/capability can vary. For example: a B2650 is almost light enough to be within the rated lifting capacity of an L3560.

Granted I'm of the thought patter that identifying what needs to be done, and how long is acceptable to do the task is a major driver when looking at buying a tractor and then let that and the budget drive the tractor sizing decision.

For me personally at this point I don't think I'd go smaller in either HP or frame size/weight than my current L3560 for my 2.75-ish acres. Almost all of it needs to be finish-mowed (occasionally twice a week), and there are a couple dozen large trees (mostly in the yard) that shed some pretty significant limbs from time to time, then add in the 5,000sq ft. garden... Of course, I'm not sure I'd go that much larger either since the capability increase doesn't seem to cover the price difference for what I needed - or do.

Well, at least not until jumping into full-up utility tractors (which is something I may add at some point).

There's just a whole lot of variability in personal needs and tractor capability when it comes to that HP range -- so it almost ends up being the case there's not really "a best", so much as there's a "best for you"

 

[KennyG]

The real question to be answered here is whether to go with the approx 25 HP machines or go up a size to the 30+ HP. I have a similar property and, in general I'm happy with my 24 HP JD 2320. For mowing and general landscaping work it's fine and gets into all the tight places. The only place it comes up short is real lifting power. I have found times that I would like to have more loader and fork lift capacity. It's marginal to lift a car engine on a pallet and don't even think about pulling any decent size stump.

I would suggest making the decision based on how much lift capacity you really need.