Buying Advice On the Hunt

[fried1765]

Howdy folks, new member here from NH.

I have been researching a new FEL tractor for a while, lurking here on the forums, trying to come to a reasonably informed decision about brand/model/implements.

I can get super-wordy with forum posts, I’ll try to keep it concise....sort of.

I have property that I’m constantly working on. Grading lawn & dirt driveway, moving/removing plants, removing trees, moving heavy things (on pallets), moving/shuttling trailers around, clearing/stacking snow. Having considered that level of work (hobby for sure, not making money with it), as well as wanting to be able to move it on a car trailer myself, I was looking at a 25-30HP machine.

So, I started out looking at every brand I could find on the net. Culled the super cheapies (I’ve never been a fan of buying the cheapest thing when it comes to a machine), culled the most expensive (disappointing, I have a green tractor dealership only 2 miles away), had many-o-evening of thought about the remaining options. As of now, I have picked the Kubota L2501 MST w/quick attach loader bucket, box blade, forks. I’d like to have a back hoe w/thumb and a grapple too, but trying to keep the package reasonable.

I am calling my local Kubota dealer about putting a package together and pricing things out today...I’ll happily share those numbers here when I get them.

FYI, I’m not hung up on the Kubota if someone has solid information/input about another brand. Wide open to input/ideas!

Looking forward to the input from all you experienced folks!

I have never bought from Chappell Tractor (Kubota), but they are big in your area (NH), and have a excellent reputation.
As I am sure you know, they sell Kubota. New Holland, and Mahindra.
I have much larger 14 year old Kubota.
If I were you, I would put my money on the Kubota.......for a lotta reasons!

 

[BigNuge]

I have never bought from Chappell Tractor (Kubota), but they are big in your area (NH), and have a excellent reputation.
As I am sure you know, they sell Kubota. New Holland, and Mahindra.
I have much larger 14 year old Kubota.
If I were you, I would put my money on the Kubota.......for a lotta reasons!

My FIL has had them do repair work on his old Ford Jubilee, expensive. They were the ones that have me the Mahindra quote, and the crazy high price on the grapple.

I like the Kubota for reputation and build, but they are the highest price so far (haven’t got the JD price yet though).

Honestly, I like that Bobcat more and more as I read about it (I’m learning it’s basically a Kioti).

 

[buck12]

My FIL has had them do repair work on his old Ford Jubilee, expensive. They were the ones that have me the Mahindra quote, and the crazy high price on the grapple.

I like the Kubota for reputation and build, but they are the highest price so far (haven’t got the JD price yet though).

Honestly, I like that Bobcat more and more as I read about it (I’m learning it’s basically a Kioti).

You can buy good grapples at reasonable prices online. I had a Wild Kat 48” grapple on a Mahindra for years and never had any problems with heavy use. I bought a new Kubota this past August and bought a 60” MTL for a third of what the dealer wanted for a Land Pride and have had no problems to date.

 

[Jstpssng]

I'm rather partial to Kubota when looking for new tractors, but if you have an LS dealer nearby it would be worth talking to them. Right now they're the new kid on the block and trying to build up market shares. However they make some nice looking, robust tractors and I predict that over the next few years as they grow you will see the prices go up.

I just ordered an MTL grapple for half what most are going for. I had it delivered to a local business to save money

and will be picking it up tomorrow. A relative has one which he really likes and several members have them so it should be a worthwhile investment.​

 

[ACfixer]

Sorry for the newbie filler post here guys, enjoying the thread and there's info pertinent to my needs... needed a few posts to add pics to my own thread. Carry on!

 

[BigNuge]

Well, I’m going to throw a post up on the Kioti forum and see what folks are thinking about them. The Kioti dealer around here is completely out of the model I’d consider, says they can’t keep them on the lot. The Bobcat looks to be a rebadged Kioti, and I like the looks and function of it. Kind of zeroing in on it, but still open to info/input about all the brands!

I am also going to call the local LS dealer today (really small dealer).

 

[tcbc]

Newbie here as well interested in the outcome. Shopping the same models with firm quotes on LS MT225H and Deere 3025E. Roughly the same price with more bang and options on the LS. I feel like the dealer is offering the Deere for a fair price and resale would be better. The Yanmar SA 424 has my attention but none to be had locally at this time.

Haven't physically driven LS or Kioti. Watching with anticipation

 

[BigNuge]

Guys, I meant to ask about tires earlier in the thread. I was going to go with R4’s until I spoke with the Kubota dealer. He said that if I plan on doing snow removal work with the machine then R4’s were not the way to go. He said turn tires were best for a machine that will see snow work, and will be plenty capable in the dirt for what I’m doing.

Any fellow snow belt folks care to comment on tire selection?

 

[Jstpssng]

If you plan to move much snow the best investment you can make is a set of tire chains. I have the simple modified ladder type, similar to what's used on trucks except the cross chains are connected to keep them out of the lugs. Many of the members here recommend the Euro style,https://www.ebay.com/i/164241263124...1291&msclkid=422335da68241cadf9476b31038b503a citing superior traction. Mine came with my tractor and I haven't come up with the $600+ asking price to upgrade.

Turf tires are good on turf because they won't tear up your lawn. For many of the other things you say you will be doing, I would want something with a tread.

 

[BigNuge]

If you plan to move much snow the best investment you can make is a set of tire chains. I have the simple modified ladder type, similar to what's used on trucks except the cross chains are connected to keep them out of the lugs. Many of the members here recommend the Euro style,https://www.ebay.com/i/164241263124...1291&msclkid=422335da68241cadf9476b31038b503a citing superior traction. Mine came with my tractor and I haven't come up with the $600+ asking price to upgrade.

Turf tires are good on turf because they won't tear up your lawn. For many of the other things you say you will be doing, I would want something with a tread.

See, that is what I thought too. But the sales manager at my local Kubota dealership said that turf tires were going to be a "must have" for snow. And honestly, snow work is only sporadic, I plow my driveway with my pickup.

I think I'm going to stick with the R4's, add chains down the road if needed.