New Tractor for buyer new to tractors

[DenmanBC]

Hello,

I have a 10 acre parcel in coastal BC with about 1/2 the acreage cleared. The 5 cleared acres quickly overgrows with brambles (blackberries), broom, and heavy grass. The land is undulating and gently sloped. There is almost no flat "lawn". My needs are primarily for brush and heavy grass cutting, fence mending, light tree clearing, light to medium landscaping, driveway maintenance, and general property upkeep. I outsource heavy logging or serious excavator work to locals with skills and equipment. Our local tractor dealer is Kubota. Current post Covid prices in Canadian dollars with Canadian taxes are horrifying. I am weighing a BX23S tractor loader backhoe plus brush hog VS a B2601HSD with loader backhoe and brush hog. The bigger machine with the extras listed is over $60,000 Canadian with taxes. The BX23S is a chunk less. Any advice or wisdom considering acreage and stated needs? Other than helping on a farm as a teenager I have no serious tractor maintenance skills (I do know how to use a grease gun)
Thanks

 

[jyoutz]

Hello,

I have a 10 acre parcel in coastal BC with about 1/2 the acreage cleared. The 5 cleared acres quickly overgrows with brambles (blackberries), broom, and heavy grass. The land is undulating and gently sloped. There is almost no flat "lawn". My needs are primarily for brush and heavy grass cutting, fence mending, light tree clearing, light to medium landscaping, driveway maintenance, and general property upkeep. I outsource heavy logging or serious excavator work to locals with skills and equipment. Our local tractor dealer is Kubota. Current post Covid prices in Canadian dollars with Canadian taxes are horrifying. I am weighing a BX23S tractor loader backhoe plus brush hog VS a B2601HSD with loader backhoe and brush hog. The bigger machine with the extras listed is over $60,000 Canadian with taxes. The BX23S is a chunk less. Any advice or wisdom considering acreage and stated needs? Other than helping on a farm as a teenager I have no serious tractor maintenance skills (I do know how to use a grease gun)
Thanks

For your usage I would look a little heavier and consider an L series tractor.

 

[DenmanBC]

Thanks for the advice

 

[airbiscuit]

No snow removal?
Unless you have a compelling need for a backhoe, I would save the $$ and look at an LX.

 

[jyoutz]

Thanks for the advice

Whatever, you get have the rear wheels filled with ballast. But not corrosive calcium chloride.

 

[DenmanBC]

No snow removal?
Unless you have a compelling need for a backhoe, I would save the $$ and look at an LX.

Thanks for the advice

 

[dodge man]

Without a doubt the bigger tractor. Have you evaluated how badly you need a backhoe? It’s an expensive option but if you need it get it. Without a backhoe you could get more tractor.

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[aesanders]

Skip the hoe and get a cab. Newbies always look at too small a machine. A BX will seem tiny on 10 acres. LX or L would be a better size machine.

 

[airbiscuit]

Look into an Kubota LX Special Utility (a little cheaper)

 

[CalG]

I thought BC was all MKS

Shouldn't those acres be hectares?

;-)

eta

Get the B-01, skip the cab, You need the air and sunshine!
Get a box blade, and a scrape blade, and a flail mower. $$$$
oh! don't forget the carry all.

As a self test, write down the four things you NEED to have a back hoe to do.
If the value adds to MORE than the cost, buy one. If less, RENT!

 

[Paystar]

You are right there about the new ridiculous prices.
Anyway, I see you want to stay in a budget, so the B2601 will do everything you need.
I see the usual "go bigger" "get a cab" responses, and yes that is all well and good, but the B will do everything.
Mine has never let me down.

Here's some of my useless advice:
1. Backhoe. Wish I never bought mine, would have been better to put that 10 grand towards a mini-ex. But that was when a mini-ex was still affordable.
My gripe with the backhoe on my B, is the tractor is light and the hoe will easily pull it around. And because of it's short reach, you spend more time repositioning than you do digging.
BUT it beats hand shovelling any day.

2. Definitely get the B over the BX.
Better ground clearance, stronger, easier servicing when it comes to fuel filters and fan belts.

3. The LX has a bit more capacity than the B, but it costs more, has more electronics, and in the case of the LX2620, no way I'd trade my B 2620/2601 for one of those because the whine from that transmission would drive me mental. Only the 35 and 40 horse versions got the improved transmission, but again....way more money and a DPF and regens.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Definitely agree with the 'skip the backhoe' advise either way. You can always get a mini-ex, and even the mid-tier Chinese ones (sacrilege!) will do more and be easier to use and move than the backhoe.

 

[Paystar]

It's hard to explain, but the backhoe comes down to how much do you want to spend? Like I said, I should have bought a mini-ex, and I would probably undertake more projects if I had one. My backhoe sits unused every year. Think I've used it 3 times.
BUT those three times I was sure happy I had it. Didn't have to wait to rent a machine and didn't have to shovel.

But then back to the negative....I could have rented a mini-ex many times with the 10 grand I spent on the backhoe, LOL

 

[Paystar]

And isn't that crazy.....how a B2601 TLB can be $60,000 Canadian now? Just as covid was starting I could have got a Grand L3560 cab with loader and rear snowblower for $50,000. Now it's $86,000 here.
No thanks.

 

[Robin Veerman]

I have an open station tractor, Kioti CK30HST with FEL, and I enjoy the open air over a cab. It's not like I'm a fulltime farmer and need weather protection every time that I use it. Plus it's not affected as much in the woods by low hanging branches. I use it to blow snow, cut grass, push dirt/debris, lift things, carry firewood, cultivate a foodplot, etc.
Store your tractor out of the elements, be diligent with maintenance and fuel storage, and don't EVER lend it out to neighbours unless you come with the package!! 10 years down the road you will get your money back should you need/want to update.
It's nice to have a dealer close by, but don't be limited by that too much.
Keep us posted

 

[masseyrider]

I have an open station tractor, Kioti CK30HST with FEL, and I enjoy the open air over a cab. It's not like I'm a fulltime farmer and need weather protection every time that I use it. Plus it's not affected as much in the woods by low hanging branches. I use it to blow snow, cut grass, push dirt/debris, lift things, carry firewood, cultivate a foodplot, etc.
Store your tractor out of the elements, be diligent with maintenance and fuel storage, and don't EVER lend it out to neighbours unless you come with the package!! 10 years down the road you will get your money back should you need/want to update.
It's nice to have a dealer close by, but don't be limited by that too much.
Keep us posted

ESPECIALLY the neighbour thing!

 

[jeff9366]

A good guide:

BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR​

 

[Oakfield1862]

I was looking at an L (L4802), but the price difference between the MX5400 and the L4802 was negligible after adding a 3rd function and two rear remotes. I really like how the MX has the bigger front tires and axle. Take a look at the MX. I would also recommend a flail mower instead of a bush hog.

 

[ning]