Horse farm needs tractor

[Horsetime]

Hello all!

We are currently managing our horse farm with a MF 35. She's a tad temperamental being a 1960s gas model and finding parts is a joy so we are looking at purchasing a newer tractor. We are looking for a tractor to run a 5 foot bush hog, run an arena drag, and manage the manure pile.

I've been looking at the Bobcat CT2025, Kubota L2501, or the Kioti CK2610 which I think are all roughly the same tractor regarding HP. Are these three models similar? Is there one better than the other regarding long lasting or ease to find parts? How about cost? Should I be looking at other models or brands?

 

[bcp]

Welcome to TBN.

Also compare local dealer reputations.

Bruce

 

[scootr]

MF 35 specs vary by model but it is a bigger tractor that the potential replacements you list.

TractorData.com Massey Ferguson 35 tractor information

www.tractordata.com

Looks to me like you should be looking at 40 hp tractors.

 

[sea2summit]

I’m with scootr, a 2501 is rated for a 5’ brush hog but it‘s gonna be really slow….and slower if it’s tall or thick grass, let alone anything bigger around than grass. Probably need to look a little larger. What other jobs? I’m assuming round bales? Seems Like a lot of loader work, have you thought about keeping the MF for mowing and dragging then get a skid steer for the loader work?

As far as brands that‘s up to you. With Messicks you can get parts for kubota super easy and lookup parts on their site, I don’t know of another site that does this. Heck, last time I was at my local dealer they were looking up the parts on Messicks site, go figure. I’m not close to any dealers so being able to order what I need to fix my own tractor is very helpful to me.

 

[jeff9366]

Massey Ferguson 35​

1960 - 1965 Utility tractor

Engine Detail
Continental
gasoline
4-cylinder
liquid-cooled OHV
Displacement	134 ci 2.2 L
Bore/Stroke	3.3125x3.875 inches 84 x 98 mm
Compression	6.6:1
Rated RPM	2200
Idle RPM	450-2250

Dimensions
Wheelbase	72 inches 182 cm
Length	117 inches 297 cm
Width	63.5 inches 161 cm
Height	54 inches 137 cm
Clearance (front axle)	20.5 inches 52 cm
Front tread	48 to 80 inches 121 to 203 cm
Rear tread	48 to 76 inches 121 to 193 cm

Massey Ferguson 35 Weight
Gas Shipping	2,982 lbs 1352 kg

 

[jeff9366]

I've been looking at the Bobcat CT2025, Kubota L2501, or the Kioti CK2610

Bobcat purchases tractors with a Bobcat badge from Kioti. The only difference is that Bobcat tractors have white paint and do not have Kioti produced loaders. Bobcat has been in-and-out of the tractor business over the years.

We are looking for a tractor to run a 5 foot bush hog.
You will be happier with a tractor producing at least 40 horsepower, better 45 horsepower.



Brand? Models to look at or avoid? Buy new or used?

The design of the Three Point Hitch tractor has been marketed in the USA since 1939 -- 83 years in 2022.

The basic design is generic.

Kubota and Deere have most of the market through 6,000 pound bare weight tractors. But this Kubota/Deere predominance is regional.

The up and coming compact tractor brands are Korean: Kioti, LS and Branson. There are other Korean brands. You have to critically assess dealer stability while shopping minor brands.

Korean manufacturing labor is paid 50% of what Deere pays its union work force. Japanese manufacturing labor is paid 70% of what Deere pays its union work force. Labor costs strongly influence tractor prices.



We have the following brands within an hour of us.

• Kubota
• LS
• TYM
• KIOTI
• Massey Ferguson
• John Deere

I know that a lot depends on the dealer and their willingness to help, but should I stay away from any of these brands?

Start with the nearest dealer and work out.

Transporting a tractor for service is expensive and inconvenient, whether you trailer it or the dealer trailers it.


CREDIT: 'FELIXEDO'

"It has been touched on a couple of times, but not directly as a buying factor.

Every major make has a machine that will do the job(s) you want. Check out your nearby dealers, and go with one you have confidence in.

A great machine with no support nearby is a hassle to repair and maintain.

And a good machine can't make a lousy dealer into a good dealer."

 

[Peter 315]

40 hp range sounds right go and test drive different brands. Some people don't like the kubota treadle pedal.....

 

[JimRB]

I have a JD 870 2 wd with manual transmission. 25 PTO horsepower. About 2,500 pounds before the loader was added. Your old tractor was 400 or more pounds heavier. the 870 can run a 5 foot mower, assuming horses keep things eaten down a bit. That said I mowed the neighbor's property which has not seen a horse in 30 years.

I use it to move round bales. Not recommended but keep the bales low and it is ok handling under 1,000 pound bales. Cured bales are easier to move than fresh bales. Never do bale lifting on unlevel surfaces and always with a brush cutter or heavier equipment on the back end.

I move manure 300 feet to the compost pile. An hour or more job once a month. Shifting gears from middle range to high range and back. I wish I had a bigger bucket or a dump trailer to load and dump.

If I had my way, and felt like buying something else, I would get a bigger tractor. It is a compromise once I started using it for round bales. On the other hand it is handy being so small. Easy to load on trailer to mow on rails to trails path, or run the chipper at the same path.

My tractor is already 27 years old. I am sure everyone has the equivalent in a new model. If I was looking orange the L3540HDA looks interesting. Or the L3800D.

 

[scootr]

If you are looking at smaller tractors to stretch your purchase dollar. Consider buying lightly used name brand stuff.
I went to a Kubota dealer to buy a tractor once. I needed smelling salts to recover.

 

[Horsetime]

We really only have the 35 because it was the only thing in our price range with a bucket so it doesn't need to stay a comparable size. We don't currently do round bales but might.

 

[dieselscout80]

How many acres are you having to cut?

How much time do you have t mow the property?

 

[rScotty]

There's a reason why Kubota is so popular. The L2501 will surprise you with what it can do....but mostly you are going to be surpised how comfortable any new tractors are to run compared with their predecessors. Tractors really have become a "low to no maintenance", "grab it and use it" kind of tool.

Sounds like you have reasonable expectations.

If you don't mind a few questions, How do you feel about manual shift? Does it have to be new? Does it bother you that since 2014, anything larger than the 25hp tractors prefer or even require to be run at higer RPM instead of just idling around...? BTW, you are going to love the 4wd & power steering...
Back to the transmission question, most people today like HST transmissions and foot treadle control, but the L2501 you mentioned is manual like the Massey. You may not know that many manufacturers also offer the glideshift/shuttle shift optional transmission that has column shift and fingertip controls instead of so much foot work. Less $$ & saves a few HP over HST, too.

We've had horses a long time and tractors too. If I was doing what you are - and was concerned with budget - I'd take a checkbook down to your favorite local Kubota dealer and tell him you are looking for a recent trade in. It should be an immaculate pre-2014 kubota in the L or M models in the 30 to 48 hp range. Bs are a litte to light for your work. It needs to have a loader and a 60 day warranty and less than 800 hours. You will consider other transmissions than HST. All of these except the transmission are premium features, so he will ask too much...but you'll have the last laugh.

Still at the dealer, ask your wife for a sanity check, and drive it to buy it on the spot. If anything at all bothers you about the deal, pivot to looking at new ones.
There will always be new tractors available, and it appears that other than in California, there will always a solid market for the pre-2014 models as well.
Luck,
rScotty

 

[big bubba]

a 40+hp MX series would be my choice for a horse/estate ranch. don't jump till you're ready to commit on the investment

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

I, also, have a small 'horse property' and the recommendations for a 40+hp tractor are spot-on for what you need now and into the future, especially when it comes to handling (safely) round bales.

Enjoy the site from wherever in the world you are.

 

[BigGG]

We really only have the 35 because it was the only thing in our price range with a bucket so it doesn't need to stay a comparable size. We don't currently do round bales but might.

I think
Any of those will run a 5' cutter for clipping pasture. Maybe not for clearing heavy brush.
None have DPF or DEF emissions eqpt. Check me on this.
None of them will handle big bales.
You definitely want 4WD.
You definitely want independent PTO. This takes you away from the basic L2501, I think. Kubota has updated this model to the L2502HST

 

[scootr]

We need a budget.
Without it I'm suggesting a $50k cabbed super tractor with stereo and air conditioning.
Our little horse ranch has an open cab slightly used late model 52hp Kubota that I can say anybody doing fair weather work would be happy with

 

[Peter 315]

We need a budget.

No just a blank check....

 

[scootr]

No just a blank check....

Nice - He's getting a top of the line tractor with chauffer

 

[arrow]

Had horses for 25 yrs. Had no more than 5 of them at any one time.
Made do with a 19 hp JD 750. After fel and loaded tires, it was lucky to weigh in at 3000lbs.
Only did rectangular bales. It did everything I needed to do and everything you stated you need to do.. It even built a riding ring that required 300 yds of material
Round bales can be trouble for horses as interior temps formulate mold on these bales in storage causing all kinds of colicky conditions, with some leading to death. Fine for cows however.

To be clear, I am not suggesting you find a JD 750 as parts are scarce for these.
What your needs are, are rather easy for a tractor.
Any brand will do and you'll get used to anything you buy whether manual, hydrostatic or shuttle.
As previously noted, weight is more important for a tractor in the "push/pull" category. HP allows larger pto implements the higher the hp thus faster the completion.
Grooming a paddock or ring or cutting a field is puppy poop for a tractor.

At my bil's horse farm in Kentucky, he has a 5000 series 2wd JD with an 8 ft brush hog to cut his fields. A used one of these is a good bet as brand new 15 yrs ago, he paid less than 12K for this tractor. I can cut a 5 acre paddock in about 30-40 minutes with this set up.
He pulls his manure wagon into the stable and throws the stable dressing right into the wagon from the muck bucket..
He has as many as 15 of the beasts at any one time.
As you probably have read between the lines, the size of your tractor is dependent on the size of your operation.

 

[scratchpad]

If all your looking to do is arena drag, mow and manure those 25hp machines are perfect, IMO. Also in & out of tight areas, smaller gates, stalls etc. I wouldnt count out the compact MF or Yanmar. Personally, i wouldnt go with the Korean brands. Based on your list only, Kubota. You could always mow with what you got and get a quad or kubota diesel RTV for the arena drag/manure. We love the hell out of our RTV

I was in similar situation when considering tractors. I am glad i went bigger with a MF 2705E. In the last 3-4 years ive had it, had i went with a 25hp machine, i wouldve beat one of those machines to DEATH already. I am even limited in what i can do with the 2705E. I can comfortably pick 1000lb grain bins off my truck, stack 8-100lb+ bales of alfalfa on the forks to move around, and pick a 1250lb alfalfa cube tote all with considerable counterweight. With a small compact i dont think thats possible. On a 1ton pallet of bagged cubes i have to chuck quite a few bags off before lift off.

Depends on needs and budget. If i could afford it id get a compact track loader in addition to the tractor.