Buying Advice 6 Acres - What to buy? Rider/ZTR/SCUT? Teach me wise ones!

[LS Tractor Owner]

You will need to go to the dealers and sit on/ see them in person. As you have done your homework, you see the specs are very close (except the kubota). Prices can vary dramatically. In my area, JD, Kubota, and Mahindra were so much higher (to the highest difference being Kubota: $5 grand higher) I traveled 1100 miles round trip to go pick up my LS....I was that impressed with the 'bang for the buck'

I would definately put my BH up against any of them....I have in fact, gone over to a neighbor's place and broke out some dirt (hard caliche / clay) that his Kubota was barely scratching. The LS has a very heavy subframe, as does the Massey, that is just as strong, if not stronger than the " dedicated" model type.

Again, this will be YOUR tractor, you need to 'try it on' to see what fits you.

 

[Jchonline]

With regards to the backhoe, they are probably the most expensive implement you can purchase. They also beat the tractor around pretty good, so the integrated subframes are also designed to help distribute this stress. Have you actually seen the bucket size on these little tractors? What do you have to dig that requires it? For the backhoe I would really ask yourself what tasks you have ahead of you that require it. It doesnt sound like you have money to burn (most of us dont) so I would explore this with a specific lists of tasks you would use the backhoe for that will help recover said cost. As far as cost, most larger brands have 0% financing for 5 years or more if you qualify. Pay it off as you want, but it allows you to get the machine you need. For the farm and tasks you have described, I would skip the backhoe and get a bit bigger machine (ie B2650 or JD 3 series size).

Dont chase the specs too much. As LT MT125 owner mentioned, get out and demo these machines. I am pretty sure you will quickly narrow the field.

 

[jeff9366]

Backhoe is the most expensive implement you can purchase. They also beat the tractor around pretty good, so the integrated subframes are also designed to help distribute this stress.

What do you have to dig that requires a Backhoe? I would explore this with a specific lists of tasks you would use the backhoe for that will help evaluate said cost.

For the farm and tasks you have described, I would skip the backhoe and get a bit bigger machine (ie B2650 or JD 3 series size).

As LT MT125 owner mentioned, get out and demo these machines. I am pretty sure you will quickly narrow the field.

All good points.

I will add:

You have to remove the Backhoe before you can mount Three Point Hitch implements. Not very difficult but many Backhoes remain in place for years regardless. The Three Point Hitch is where tractors are engineered to work. You may tire quickly of swapping Backhoe on/off for your wife to use the tractor.

Backhoes are $3,000 cheaper ordered on a new tractor, relative to ordering later as a stand alone implement. When ordered with the tractor there is no question that all the requisite plumbing is installed. Later there can be uncertainty on non-integrated designs. So if you NEED a Backhoe, suck up and order it as one of your tractor options.

Subcompact tractors are small. (Think Toyota Corolla.) You need to sit on every subcompact that survives your elimination rounds and consider if you will be comfortable operating for four or five hours at a stretch. I am 6' tall, size 11 shoe. Subcompact tractor operating stations are too cramped for me. You may be different.

 

[Diggin It]

I'm over six foot and while it's a bit cramped, it isn't as bad as a riding mower or small car. Main thing is knees possibly hitting the key, but you adapt.

BH on and off is a breeze (two pins, three hoses) after you do it a couple of times. Ten minutes or less off, maybe a bit more on -- main issue is lining up. Some use a wheeled dollie to help there. I've probably had mine on and off six or eight times already. Getting the three point tiller on is a much bigger challenge for me, but I'm working on a plan for that too.


Weight is the main thing I've seen so far that will cause trouble for some. With the lump of lard in the seat, these will top 2,000 pounds in most cases. That does some serious compaction under the tires. But when you consider that most riding mowers run over 500 pounds bare weight, some in the 800 pound + range, you can be close to 1,000 pounds once various implements are added also. Garden tractors are heavier and can't generally do the things SCUTs can.

These mow, but they don't speed mow.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Yes, just to reinforce the "get out and sit on it" aspect, as Jeff stated, they can be tight feeling. I am also 6', 220#, size 12 shoe. My legs felt just a little cramped. I put right around 100 hrs on before I started to 'customize'. I came across someone else here that had a Massey SCUT, and put some seat risers on.

So, for less than $25, I got some 1 3/4" steel square stock, 4 - 2 1/2" bolts, and a can of spray paint. Took me less than 30 minutes to install the seat riser 'blocks'. Take out 4 bolts, Re-install, that easy....Oh my! What a difference! Totally new feel to the tractor...fits me perfectly.

There are many little things that could be uncomfortable for you, but be better for someone else. Placement of loader controls, key switch position (in regards to hitting your knees) etc... Pedals are a BIG DEAL.... I personally HATE the treadle type pedal...hard for me to use and be comfortable. I MUST have the side by side pedal arrangement. This is a big deal to me....I would NEVER buy a tractor with a treadle pedal. Now there are people that SWEAR BY this type of pedal. That's OK, works for them!

The whole point of this is find the one that meets YOUR needs, fits YOU personally, and meets YOUR budget. If money was no issue we would all have the biggest , baddest, best new tractor out there.

Here is a pic of the 'seat riser' mod that I did:

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Oh, also forgot to mention and reinforce what Jeff said about ordering the Backhoe with the tractor....DEFINITELY! After the fact, attachments are way more expensive, you have possible additional labor costs, transport costs, etc... I speak from experience... I could not decide if I wanted the mid mower or not. Dealer said " no problem, it can be added later". Well, only 3 months later I decided to look into getting it.....Yea, I can get it...at almost 3 times the cost! ($1000 initially, $2800 later).

GET THE BIG TICKET ITEMS WITH THE TRACTOR! You'll be glad you did.

 

[dragoneggs]

Indeed the BH is a big ticket item and maybe a bit of a luxury, but I am very glad I did go that way with my BX25D. No regrets... I have landscaping projects that will last me a half lifetime. I have already done many projects with it.

It is the default implement on my rear. It is pretty easy to remove/install. I have a dolly made for it and it takes me 5 minutes. Otherwise I am putting on a back blade, a rake, or now my new to me box blade.

I would think at 6 acres of property, you will have lots of reasons for one, unless it is all pasture. Have used mine for stumps, drain lines, water/power lines, planting, terracing, pulling up some concrete, septic tank maintenance, etc.

 

[rngrrymd]

CrionLord, you specified $15k originally as your budget. That 1st tractor for sale I linked is a great price because it came with the mower deck already.

If you want you can get a backhoe later for Deere, LS, Kioti and Branson. If you go Massey get a GC1710 and Kubota get a BX23S with backhoes already installed. Most units with a backhoe are going to push you way over your budget if you also want a mmm at the same time. Do you have a different budget $$ for getting a tractor with backhoe?

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listin...76009/2016-john-deere-1025r?ST=texas&CTRY=usa <-- 1st John Deere I linked
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listin...17491/2012-john-deere-1026r?ST=texas&CTRY=usa <-- 2012 Deere 1026R
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listin...76209/2014-john-deere-1025r?ST=texas&CTRY=usa <-- 2014 Deere 1025R
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listin...3949/2013-mahindra-max-28xl?ST=texas&CTRY=usa <-- 2013 Mahindra Max28XL less MMM
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listin.../19541307/2017-kioti-ck2510?ST=texas&CTRY=usa <-- 2017 Kiota CK2510 w/mmm (above budget)
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listin...20666109/2010-kubota-bx2660?ST=texas&CTRY=usa <-- 2010 Kubota BX2660 w/mmm (can't get backhoe)
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listin...28932199/2016-kubota-bx2370?ST=texas&CTRY=usa <-- 2016 Kubtoa BX2370 w/mmm (can't get backhoe)
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listin...1&pcid=3039272&crmid=5194245&sfc=0&ssc=0&if=1 <-- LS with bush hog

Here are some other listings using DFW as the center for the search. Budget...budget....budget. HTH.

 

[jeff9366]

Was a bit disappointed to learn that several SCUTs are not compatible with backhoes unless you buy their "special" backhoe model. The BX2680 doesn't even have a backhoe option.

Kubota's INTEGRATED T-L-B with 26-horsepower is the commercial grade B26.

VIDEO: Comparing Kubota TLB series tractors(B26, L47, M62) - YouTube


With increased understanding you will rule out any subcompact T-L-B that is NOT a "special"/integrated backhoe model.

MORE: KUBOTA B26 - YouTube

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Here's a link for an MT 125 TLB w/ mower. Really good price.
https://www.tractorhouse.com/email/view-page/1241147