Buying Advice - Kioti, LS, TYM Compact Tractors

[jreed1337]

Hi All,

I am wanting to get a compact tractor for some projects around my property, and to have a little fun with. I currently have a 1971 Cub Cadet 128 that's just for fun and a Cub Cadet XT2 for mowing and snowblowing duties.

My main uses for the tractor will be moving soil, rock, and gravel, grading and smoothing the property with a blade, and leveling certain sections of the property for aesthetics. And, well to be honest, to play with and tinker with. I will not be using the tractor for mowing. We have 2.5 acres, but the actual mowable land can easily be handled by the Cub Cadet. I'd also to try and pull down a grove of trees running along my driveway, they are all 6 inches in diameter or less.

I think I have narrowed my choices down to 3 different models.

Kioti CX2510HST
I've been quoted 21,050 at zero %. I like this tractor for the ergonomics of the cockpit and the overall weight of the tractor. Would the weight be a concern at all for the extra strain it will put on the engine over time?

LS MT225S
I've been quoted 19000 at zero %. Lots of things to like about the LS. 3 range, Yanmar engine, good ergonomics.

TYM T264
I've been quoted 16000 at 3.99%. The cheapest in the group, but offers the same features for the most part. Nothing to really not like about the T264.

They all have 6 year warranties, all three dealers are about 45 minutes from my house.

What do you all have to say about these models of tractors? Any model I don't have listed that you would suggest? The 21K mark is just about the top of the price range for me, I can't get too crazy with the spending.

Thanks for your time! Here's a photo of my 1971 128 for the heck of it.

 

[K5lwq]

I would think any of the three you listed would serve you well. I would not be concerned about the Kioti being too heavy for the engine. Weight is a good thing in a tractor.

I would suggest you look closely at the dealers. Talk to people that have used them, check out their service departments, find out how long they have been in business and such. Unless you are really mechanical inclined, you will need them someday and they need to still be there.

I also would not expect to pull up a bunch of trees with any of these tractors. You can drag them after they are cut down with any one of your choices. Good luck!

 

[jreed1337]

I would think any of the three you listed would serve you well. I would not be concerned about the Kioti being too heavy for the engine. Weight is a good thing in a tractor.

I would suggest you look closely at the dealers. Talk to people that have used them, check out their service departments, find out how long they have been in business and such. Unless you are really mechanical inclined, you will need them someday and they need to still be there.

I also would not expect to pull up a bunch of trees with any of these tractors. You can drag them after they are cut down with any one of your choices. Good luck!

Yah, my main interest in the Kioti is the extra weight for the class for tractor, I like how heavy it is for the added tractor and inertia.

Of my interactions thus far, the Kioti dealer is winning, TYM dealer is good, and the LS dealer gives bad vibes and just feels a bit slimy and dishonest.

You don't think a 25HP tractor can pull down a tree huh? That's a bummer, I was hoping it would.

 

[K5lwq]

Yah, my main interest in the Kioti is the extra weight for the class for tractor, I like how heavy it is for the added tractor and inertia.

Of my interactions thus far, the Kioti dealer is winning, TYM dealer is good, and the LS dealer gives bad vibes and just feels a bit slimy and dishonest.

You don't think a 25HP tractor can pull down a tree huh? That's a bummer, I was hoping it would.

It is not that I think a 25hp tractor can’t pull down a tree but they are not designed for that type of work. You can easily hurt the tractor or yourself doing that type of activity. A chainsaw is much better suited for tree removal.

 

[WM75Guy]

I would not tear up my new tractor trying to do something it was not designed to do. Tractors of the size you are looking at are for pulling implements, not pushing them. The FEL is for lifting. I would hire someone with a small dozer to come in and push the trees down. Or rent a mini-x and dig them out. Then use the tractor to clean up afterwards.

 

[edgarrian]

As the other member mentioned weight is your friend. Tractor dealers are like car dealers. they are really hit or miss. Or they could be great the first few times you take it in and then the next time they aren't. I too looked seriously at the LS but the place that was selling them was not really a dealer but more of a we sell all kinds of stuff so I wasn't comfortable with that.

If you are capable as in doing all of your own maintenance then you should be ok. it really just comes down to maintaining the tractor and making sure you dont cause a catastrophic event b/c you didnt know the hydraulic filter was underneath and a tree limb put a hole in it. These things happens which is why you should take a good look at where things are at and what might damage them. Not saying these brands put them there but its something to keep in mind.

As the previous poster stated. You will need to cut down the trees and move them. at least thats what i would do. You can spring the loader by using the bucket to dig up a tree. Bc you would most likely use the one side of the bucket to pry the tree up with. Then could cause it to spring itself. They do make root cutting buckets. my neighbor has one and I used it. It worked well but its not something I would want to do all day that is for sure. IN all honesty I would rent a mini excavator for 350 dollars and make easy work of those trees.

 

[jreed1337]

Thanks for all the replies. I am a mechanic, so standard maintenance won't be an issue. The only things that I would not do is are things that require special tooling or equipment.

As for the trees, my goal was to cut them down to about 6 feet tall and pull them down with a chain. If that won't work or isn't a good idea, chainsaw and stump grinder it is. I was just wanted to use the tractor for the fun of it and to tackle the tree grove project as it's my first main goal in the yard this spring.

Keep the info coming, I appreciate it very much.

 

[J&K]

My 2 cents is Dealer makes a big difference. Two years ago when I went to step up to a bigger tractor I researched many brands and also had to decided rather to move away from JD. Kabota and Kioti had the next closet dealers and had awesome experience with Kioti so that’s the way I went and have been very happy with tractor and dealer.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

If I were in the market for a SCUT in this range, I’d probably look at the TYM2610. It’s like a 264 with extra weight. Or better yet the 2515…

 

[jreed1337]

If I were in the market for a SCUT in this range, I’d probably look at the TYM2610. It’s like a 264 with extra weight. Or better yet the 2515…

I checked out a 2515 while they were offering zero percent on it last month.

A nice tractor for sure, my only realy gripe was the slightly larger footprint than the others I have listed.

My other concern is that it is a rebranded Branson, not an actual TYM. So, what are parts and service item availability going to look like in 10,15,20 years.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Well, it is a TYM. TYM is manufacturing them now. It’s not “rebranded” like say a RK tractor. Yes, it is a legacy Branson model, being built by TYM today and carrying the TYM badge. I see a larger footprint, namely width, as stability. If your ground is flat, then that’s maybe not a concern. It has 50% more HYD flow than the 264, several hundred pounds more weight, and a slightly larger width.

TYM could discontinue the 264 next year. Or the 2610. Or the 2515. Fact is, they own all of those models and manufacture them under the TYM banner today. That said, I bought the 4820 during the merger of Branson and TYM, after driving the 494 and the 4820. I felt the overall fit and finish of the legacy Branson was better overall. It’s a gamble, I suppose, to see what the future of any model is, so I get that. Good luck in yoir search.

 

[jreed1337]

Well, it is a TYM. TYM is manufacturing them now. It’s not “rebranded” like say a RK tractor. Yes, it is a legacy Branson model, being built by TYM today and carrying the TYM badge. I see a larger footprint, namely width, as stability. If your ground is flat, then that’s maybe not a concern. It has 50% more HYD flow than the 264, several hundred pounds more weight, and a slightly larger width.

TYM could discontinue the 264 next year. Or the 2610. Or the 2515. Fact is, they own all of those models and manufacture them under the TYM banner today.

The way the dealer explained it to me (I could have misunderstood) it was a Branson and they put TYM stickers and badges on it. They hadn't started building TYM version of the 2515. Again, I could easily be wrong, just how I understood him.

The footprint is mainly an issue for navigating my property and storage of the tractor.

I'll keep it in mind though, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[arrow]

Since you've narrowed down the frame size you want, I'd simply go to the nearest dealer. All or any of these tractors will serve you.
I don't know how you measure "slime factor" but that could be caused by a myriad of things.
Some hot shot car salesmen who decided they would switch gears and sell tractors instead, , attempt to sell tractors like they did cars.
That never works and if a management head or owner would abide by those kinds of sales techniques, go to the next nearest dealer.
A proper sales experience would be if you were first asked how you were going to use the tractor and not "where do you want to be on a monthly payment".
Forget about pricing at this point. You will need what you need and if you undercut yourself trying to save money, you'll regret it as long as you own a work unsubstantiated machine.

Btw, it's not about horse power. A tractor weighing 10,000 lbs with 25 hp, will outwork a tractor weighing 2500 lbs with 40 hp to kingdom come.
It may even pull down that tree to a limit.

The Cub's a beauty.
The dealership I presently work for used to sell Wheel Horses. I dunno how ppl got on and off those things and yet, owners of these machines will be buried with their tractors they love them that much.

 

[AndyMA]

As the other member mentioned weight is your friend. Tractor dealers are like car dealers. they are really hit or miss. Or they could be great the first few times you take it in and then the next time they aren't. I too looked seriously at the LS but the place that was selling them was not really a dealer but more of a we sell all kinds of stuff so I wasn't comfortable with that.

If you are capable as in doing all of your own maintenance then you should be ok. it really just comes down to maintaining the tractor and making sure you dont cause a catastrophic event b/c you didnt know the hydraulic filter was underneath and a tree limb put a hole in it. These things happens which is why you should take a good look at where things are at and what might damage them. Not saying these brands put them there but its something to keep in mind.

As the previous poster stated. You will need to cut down the trees and move them. at least thats what i would do. You can spring the loader by using the bucket to dig up a tree. Bc you would most likely use the one side of the bucket to pry the tree up with. Then could cause it to spring itself. They do make root cutting buckets. my neighbor has one and I used it. It worked well but its not something I would want to do all day that is for sure. IN all honesty I would rent a mini excavator for 350 dollars and make easy work of those trees.

Consider adding a backhoe to mix. It will let you dig out the stumps. Pulling out 6 inch stumps is hard even for a machine like my MX5200

 

[jreed1337]

Consider adding a backhoe to mix. It will let you dig out the stumps. Pulling out 6 inch stumps is hard even for a machine like my MX5200

Man, I'd love to but the budget does not allow for one.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

The new TYM 2515s, 2510s carry the TYM badges on the grill and steering wheel. The ones built during the Branson days, still have the B on the grill and wheel. Those would be old stock, pre acquisition. TYM has had the one’s built under their manufacture at every equipment show. Surprised the dealer doesn’t know this. They aren’t selling 2024 models that were manufactured in 2022 when Branson last existed. The 2024s are TYM built, even if they are the Branson design.

 

[TractorTYMe]

They are referred to as TYM Legacy models with 4 digits in model number, stout tractors. Have you considered the T25 too perhaps?

 

[jreed1337]

They are referred to as TYM Legacy models with 4 digits in model number, stout tractors. Have you considered the T25 too perhaps?

I did consider the T25 as well. It is a solid tractor and a good candidate. I am not sure with the bump is lift capacity is worth the bump in price based on my needs for the tractor, but definitely another one to keep on the list.

 

[tacticalturnip]

What has you looking more at the T264 over say the T25?

The LS MT225S is a great machine for the size; modern ergonomics, a 3 range transaxle, and the Yanmar engine doesn't hurt at all. I really liked it when I was shopping, but found I didn't quite trust the dealer support. Now on most models there is a New Holland equivalent that can make finding parts a breeze, but not the MT225S. It's an excellent tractor, however, and seems to punch above its weight. There are a number of owners on here, and a quick search brings up a lot of praise. The one issue I've seen has something to do with the SCV controls on early models, but I'd imagine they've fixed this as it's been a while since I've seen it mentioned.

The Kioti CX2510 is an excellent machine in its own right, though a little long in the tooth, tracing it's roots back to the CK20 I believe. Still, this seems to have allowed for a lot of the kinks to have been rolled out. The CX is heavy for the size, and that seems provide a good bit of stability. That said, filled tires and proper ballast are quite important if you intend to make use of that loader capacity. Also, if inclined, the CX can be had with a proper heated and cooled cab. This is the smallest machine in the market to offer a fully optioned OEM cab, to the best of my knowledge.

Now I'll admit, I'm partial to Kioti; I put my money behind the brand, I think they make great products.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I did consider the T25 as well. It is a solid tractor and a good candidate. I am not sure with the bump is lift capacity is worth the bump in price based on my needs for the tractor, but definitely another one to keep on the list.

Operate them side by side; I'd argue the T25 is ergonomically superior to the T264 and would be much more comfortable to operate for any period of time. The T25 is at least a generation ahead of the T264, and it shows.