I bought my first tractor a JD 1025r in 2016. I love this tractor. It's done a lot for me and I have beat the hell out of it. Recently bought a 2038r, that I am trading my 1025r in for. ( Being delivered Friday I hope)
As someone who has spent the last 3 months driving tractors around here is my take. 1st, buy one that the operator station is comfortable. Spending 8 or 10 hours in a seat can get uncomfortable. 2 buy what you want now, it's better to buy once, cry once. 3) determine the use of the tractor and buy one that will meet these goals. 4). If your buying it to just mow grass, buy a zero turn. I destroyed my 54 inch deck in less than 4 years. But my yard eats mowers.
Personally, I like the subcompact Deere over Kubota . I don't like the small tires on the subcompacts anymore. I would look at a 2025r or a
b2601. I almost bought a lx3520 recently, but the deck was flexing hard when my fat ass stepped on it. Besides that, I liked the machine. My wife has a bx18 something for her business. Fun to drive but a garbage performance tractor.
Why did I go with bigger this round? Simply because I wanted more lift for my pallet forks. I looked at a tym2515 and I actually liked it. But it was to big for my property. I liked the kiotis also, but the hydraulics were jerky. But I have been using a Deere for 8 years. Kubota hydraulics are the best, but their loaders kinda suck lift wise.
Good luck in whatever you get