Comparison Buying my first sub compact tractor need help deciding.

[paulsharvey]

its not that subcompacts are bad its that the price is so close to a compact that there is very little reason (at least when i was looking), the place where a subcompact shines is if you have some tight spaces to maneuver in, My 5145 is like a bull in the china shop in tight quarters.

They are good for somethings; mowing, landscaping, easy on grass, easy to transport, easy to get on/off. They also aren't bad at other things too; and they have their place, but they do have some hard limitations.

 

[Williy]

Perhaps you can find something here that you want??
they have discounts of up to $3,500 depending on
which tractor you want and a 10 year warranty

Tractors Built to work

YANMAR tractors are engineered to work with a variety of attachments in order to get the job done.

www.yanmartractor.com

willy

 

[tradosaurus]

I bought a farm in Upstate NY, I have leased most of the acres to a nearby farmer, so I'm just looking to maintain the 5 acres around our house. The terrian is flat with some hills. I'm looking to use the tractor for mowing and plowing my driveway along with yardwork/ landscaping projects. The subcompact tractors I was considering were the LS MTl25, Kioti 2520, Mahindra 25L HST and the New Holland Workmaster 25s. I would have considered JD and kubota but there aren't dealers in my area and there also out of my budget. I'm also set on getting a new tractor for 0% financing. Does anyone have experience with these models and which do you think would be the best option. I do like the NH wm25s but I heard LS makes the same tractor.

How many acres are you leasing? What's the chance you will stop leasing these acres and need a larger tractor?
How long of driveway are you plowing? This might dictate whether you want a cabbed tractor.
When I bought my tractor I remember reading "buy a tractor one size bigger than you think you need". I didn't heed that advice and bought a 33 hp and two years later sold that and bought a 54 hp.

Buy once, cry once.

 

[paulsharvey]

The acreage vs tractor size always gets brought up; but what matters a lot more is what your going to do with it. Plenty if people m
keep up with 40 acres with a atv and zero turn; while others need/use 60 hp on a 5 acre piece.

You want to define your uses, your impliments, and your future plans. I dont think a sub compact is the right tool, given the snow issue, and the potential to want/need more ability in the future; But if your plan is 90% yard mowing, moving wife's flower pots, scoop of mulch, ect.

 

[Williy]

IMHO you will be greatly disappointed with a
sub compact

willy

 

[Chris In Gallupville]

Tractors are a little like tattoos - people tend to start small, then get comfortable and later realize they really want / need more. If you’re starting from scratch (as in never had or used a tractor before) you do not appreciate what you’ll be able to do, what the range of attachments is and how much fun you’re going to have. If your lease plans change, you’ll probably outclass a tiny tractor real quick. And more owners try to do more (lift more) than their little guys are good for. Go bigger than you think from the start. You’ll never have too much tractor but plenty of guys I know have too little.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

I'll double down on a couple bits of advice you've already been given, and add a bit from my own history.
Go bigger: moving up from the sub-compact to the compact will save you headaches in the long run
Buy your 5th tractor first--I really like the way he explained that
Shop the dealer--my continual piece of advice. Even if the machine might cost a bit more, good service and parts availability is worth it.

Let us know your choice and have fun with your machine.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Tractors are a little like tattoos - people tend to start small, then get comfortable and later realize they really want / need more. If you’re starting from scratch (as in never had or used a tractor before) you do not appreciate what you’ll be able to do, what the range of attachments is and how much fun you’re going to have. If your lease plans change, you’ll probably outclass a tiny tractor real quick. And more owners try to do more (lift more) than their little guys are good for. Go bigger than you think from the start. You’ll never have too much tractor but plenty of guys I know have too little.

Great analogy, and solid advice.

 

[GeneSimm7]

Figure out how much tractor you need then buy the next larger one.

 

[GS1100GK]

I have a couple of thoughts. I only have 1 acre lot and started with a Kubota BX2370 with FEL, bucket, 60 inch mowing deck and 50" land pride tiller. I used it for mowing, snow removal, and tilling gardens. After 5 years I moved up to the Kubota B2601 with everything listed above plus a grapple. I chose the larger Kubota since it could handle snow better, plus I help my neighbors with tree removal when they need it. I also looked at JD initially but went for Kubota for 2 reasons. First, the JD was over $5K more than the Kubota at the time and JD locked you into JD implements. Just about any implements will bolt onto the Kubota.

It may sound like overkill to get the B2601 with only 1 acre of property, but I am glad I got the bigger tractor. I only wish I bought the B2601 first and saved some cash. As others have recommended, buy our 5th tractor first since they will last many, many years with proper upkeep.

Overkill in size for a tractor is a good thing. You do not want to be wishing you had more power later when you need it.

 

[GS1100GK]

Figure out how much tractor you need then buy the next larger one.

+1

 

[tonys55]

What others have said is spot on. The harsh reality is affordability. I have a 1025r and it is just fine in the setting it is used in. One may point out its shortcomings. I like to say it's still stronger than I am. Having said that, I would avoid anything that is Category 0 or Limited Category 1. You'll be stuck with fewer implement choices, and if you ever move up, stuck with undersized, less capable implements. For instance, a post hole digger is limited to a 36" length by 12" diameter auger.
If you can't stretch your finances to that "fifth tractor", at least get a full sized Category 1 3pt.
Still, get all you can from the start.

 

[Fxfymn413]

I know you said that getting 0% financing is important to you, but have you considered looking for a used machine?

Buying used saves some money and gives you the chance to try out your choice without having to take the depreciation hit of selling a machine you bought new because it isn't what you really need/want.

No matter what you end up doing make sure you really try out the machine before you buy it. My dealer will drop off a machine for a test run for example.

I was set on getting a JD until I operated it and realized that the Kubota was just more comfortable. Went with the Kubota and have been happy with my choice.

 

[KennyG]

First, the JD was over $5K more than the Kubota at the time and JD locked you into JD implements. Just about any implements will bolt onto the Kubota.

Don't be confused by this. Both tractors have identical standard 3 point hitches. Both have proprietary loaders which can be adapted to the skid steer standard, if necessary.

 

[ksbrdmkr]

I have a cs 2410 kioti and keep tire chains on year around. I use it for small animal lots and some road mowing with a 5 foot brush mower. Handy little tractor but if I didn't have other bigger ones it would be too small. Get a 5 or 6 foot zero turn for mowing and a used subcompact or at least a compact size. By the way grew up mowing 80 acres with a 5 foot brush mower behind Allis WD 45

 

[ljjhouser]

Welcome to TBN - great place to get a lot of help and information. Most tractors are very good but be sure to buy from a dealer you can trust. Most tractors are only as good as the dealer who supports them.

 

[confederatemule]

Everyone has given you good advice on tractor size, but that does not answer your question about sub compact brands.
My opinion on front end loaders is that a utility tractor has to have one. Preferably with skid steer quick attach.
I will try to answer your question with my opinion on sub compacts.
I have a Mahindra 5145 (compact utility tractor). I love it. It replaced a Massey Ferguson 255 that I have used since 1994. Both tractors are approximately the same hp and foot print.
I also have a Kioti cs2220 (sub compact tractor). I hate it. I am going to sell it or trade it in to get another sub compact.
I think I want a Mahindra 1126. But they will not be available in the U.S.A. for another 3 to 6 months. I am not sure I can wait. I am not using the Kioti in order to keep the hours down. It has 62 hours.
I use the sub compact tractor to maneuver in and around the farm yard (tight areas).
I use mid mount mowers on sub compacts in order to keep grass cut in and around areas that we work in, on the farm.
My second choice for a sub compact tractor is John Deere 1025r. The reason being that it is much more user friendly and still will do the job.
I have New Holland, Kubota, Massey Ferguson, Mahindra, John Deere, and Kioti dealers within 20 miles of me.
In my opinion the Mahindra or John Deere are the only choices.
BTW, they are all too expensive, in my opinion.

 

[nouveauree]

I bought a farm in Upstate NY, I have leased most of the acres to a nearby farmer, so I'm just looking to maintain the 5 acres around our house. The terrian is flat with some hills. I'm looking to use the tractor for mowing and plowing my driveway along with yardwork/ landscaping projects. The subcompact tractors I was considering were the LS MTl25, Kioti 2520, Mahindra 25L HST and the New Holland Workmaster 25s. I would have considered JD and kubota but there aren't dealers in my area and there also out of my budget. I'm also set on getting a new tractor for 0% financing. Does anyone have experience with these models and which do you think would be the best option. I do like the NH wm25s but I heard LS makes the same tractor.

Good morning. Have you considered the Massey Ferguson GC? I got one 4 years ago after looking at all them. And I have no regrets. It is powerful and doesn’t tear up the yards. I also recommend getting a back hoe as I use it a lot more than I expected. My friends who didn’t get the backhoe regret it. Whatever you get, don’t second guess and have fun with it.

 

[Dingo 1700]

When I purchased my 5 acres in 2001 I bought a Kubota BX2200 (Cost was about $10k. It was a 22 horse 3 cylinder Diesel with a 5' belly mower and a 3 point hitch. I learned it was much too small for plowing and grading my driveway, mowing took longer than I wanted it to as well. The 3 point hitch was a category one, not much use. in 2013 I upgraded to a Mahindra 4035 (40 horse 3 cylinder diesel with FEL cost about $25K. I can use standard implements on it, the Front end loader is great, I don't know how I lived without one for so long, the tractor is plenty heavy enough to grade my driveway with a box blade, back blade or rake. It will turn a 8' finish mower on the 3 point hitch with ease and I got pallet forks in addition to a bucket for the FEL. I would not go with a smaller tractor ever again.

TractorData.com Mahindra 4035 tractor information

www.tractordata.com

TractorData.com Kubota BX2200 tractor information

www.tractordata.com

 

[CoyPatton]

I have about 10 acres but only about 2 of the ten is cleared, the rest is woods. I have what I guess is considered a CUT, a Compact Utility Tractor, not a Sub Compact. The tractor is a 44 year old Yanmar and it has a front end loader (FEL). I would not consider anything less. My neighbor has a new Kioti tractor. It is very nice but has smaller wheels and despite it being 4 wheel drive he has had some trouble with ground clearance and getting stuck. My taller tractor is only 2 wheel drive but it doesn't get stuck because of ground clearance issues. You should for sure get a 4 wheel drive tractor but if I was you I would get a CUT. With a front end loader. The FEL makes a tractor way, way, way more useful.
Eric

I love my 42 year old Yam2002D. When I purchased, I had the need to go through trees on the property that limited my size I could consider. I looked at a YM1500D and quickly decided, I want a larger size.
And I agree a Front End Loader should be included. Also in my opinion tractors make poor lawnmowers, use a Zero Turn Mower for mowing. Use s tractor to cut rough areas not finish areas