A Little Help

[MarkChambers]

Each of the following is equipped identically. FEL, 60" MMM, 48 or 50" Tiller. The prices are out the door and include tax.

Kubota 2660: $20,400.00
Deere 1026R: $20,320.00
Boomer 25: $21,852.00
Mahindra Max 28XL: $21,890.00 with a free 60" back blade included.

My 35 year old two wheel drive Bolens (Isecki) is dying and I'm going to get one of the above. I have 14 acres but really only maintain 5. The house takes up some of that space and there is a 1/2 acre pond. There is about an acre of hard wood. The other 8 or so is worked by a local farmer. My garden (part of the 5) is about 100 X 50. The rest is grass. It's pretty flat. Drive is about 350 ft and depending on the winter (Mich) we can get a good bit of snow. Will move some dirt around and haul wood that I down, cut and split with the end loader. The two larger tractors above are attractive because--well because they're larger. But I'm leaning toward the Deere because quite simply the conveniences are very hard to pass up and the appearance fit and finish are a cut above the others--at least to my eye. The thing working against the Deere is that the other three all have 60 months @ 0% and the Deere only 48 months and it adds a chunk to the monthly payment.

What do you think?

 

[case245]

i say test drive all four dig some dirt with them all to see which one fits you the best control lay out pedel placement etc dont buy one brand because its a little cheaper then one of the other that fit you better i own a kubota i wouldnt recommed it to you cause it might not be a good fit for you

 

[jenkinsph]

I think they are all good choices and similar in capabilities. I would get the Deere though because it only takes four years to pay for and it's yours.

 

[94BULLITT]

I think they are all good choices and similar in capabilities. I would get the Deere though because it only takes four years to pay for and it's yours.

I would go with the Kubota because no payments to April 1, 2013 and you have 5 years to pay for it so your payment will be smaller. Not really I just had to give you hard time on that one:laughing:

Each of the following is equipped identically. FEL, 60" MMM, 48 or 50" Tiller. The prices are out the door and include tax.

Kubota 2660: $20,400.00
Deere 1026R: $20,320.00
Boomer 25: $21,852.00
Mahindra Max 28XL: $21,890.00 with a free 60" back blade included.

My 35 year old two wheel drive Bolens (Isecki) is dying and I'm going to get one of the above. I have 14 acres but really only maintain 5. The house takes up some of that space and there is a 1/2 acre pond. There is about an acre of hard wood. The other 8 or so is worked by a local farmer. My garden (part of the 5) is about 100 X 50. The rest is grass. It's pretty flat. Drive is about 350 ft and depending on the winter (Mich) we can get a good bit of snow. Will move some dirt around and haul wood that I down, cut and split with the end loader. The two larger tractors above are attractive because--well because they're larger. But I'm leaning toward the Deere because quite simply the conveniences are very hard to pass up and the appearance fit and finish are a cut above the others--at least to my eye. The thing working against the Deere is that the other three all have 60 months @ 0% and the Deere only 48 months and it adds a chunk to the monthly payment.

What do you think?

I would do what case said see what fits you the best. I am kind of partial to Kubota because they make the whole tractor. Some manufacturers buy a engine from one company a hydro from another and maybe the loader too. My second choice out of the tractor you have listed would be the Deere 1026R because I feel they make a good tractor too. The New Holland is actually made by LS. It is hard to judge by acreage on what size tractor to get but I think a larger tractor may be better. Did you look at a Kubota B2620 or a JD 2520? On the other hand if you have been doing just fine with you Bolens a BX or a 1026 will be a major improvement. That price on the BX sounds a little high to me, what kind of tiller came with it?

 

[creekbend]

Have you considered or checked into the reliability of the Dealers and their individual concern in regards to their maintenance and parts departments? What about the distance between the dealers? If it were me, I would add these questions to the equation before making a decision. As others have mentioned, take a test drive with the various models and see which one conforms to your needs such as function ability. You may have more room to move in one model than the others. Best wishes.

 

[MarkChambers]

Not sure on the tiller for the Kubota but I did ask him to price a good one. He handles several different brands. I saw Woods and Rotovator on the floor.

The only one I haven't driven is the Mahindra as the dealer is about 40 miles away. That is probably going to kill that one. On the other hand the Kubota is ten minutes, the Deere 15 and just a bit farther for the NH. All three deliver for free and all three offer free pick up and delivery for service work. In terms of comfort the John Deere wins. I'm 6'2" and there is more room on it--even more than the Boomer because of the placement of that rocker pedal which I do not like. I don't mind a single pedal as the Bolens has one but it is extended out front and it's about the size of the sole of my shoe--easy to rock it back and forth. That big pedal makes the Boomer feel cramped. The Kubota is nice but not as nice as the Deere. Kind of like getting out of a Chevy and getting into a Buick.

I know that Kubota has a great reputation for their engines but then so does Yanmar and Mitsubishi. I don't think engine reliability is a factor. Have you guys had a bad experience with any of them? That's the kind of info I'm looking for. If I was going to buy on feel alone the Deere wins over the Kubota. I'm not real comfortable on the Boomer.

FWIW all my neighbors drive Kubota. A 2660 across the road, a 2630 next door to the left and and a good size L (I think) something or other to the right. There will be a good deal of hooting and hollering if I buy green.

 

[MarkChambers]

Hey creekbend just saw your post. This is an Ag area and all three dealers have excellent reps. They have all been no BS and no pressure.

 

[MarkChambers]

Bullitt,

I did look at the 2620 because there was one on the floor but after a good long conversation with the dealer describing what I would be doing he was pretty insistent that it would be a poor use of money. Suggested I buy something for the tractor instead. Spoke with the Deere dealer after that and got the same story.

 

[94BULLITT]

Bullitt,

I did look at the 2620 because there was one on the floor but after a good long conversation with the dealer describing what I would be doing he was pretty insistent that it would be a poor use of money. Suggested I buy something for the tractor instead. Spoke with the Deere dealer after that and got the same story.

Would there be any need in considering the MAX 28 or the Boomer 25 then?

Also I am 6'1'' and my BX2360 is comfortable for me.

 

[MarkChambers]

Would there be any need in considering the MAX 28 or the Boomer 25 then?

Also I am 6'1'' and my BX2360 is comfortable for me.

I haven't looked at tractors with the intent of buying one in over 30 years. So you talk to people, read here and there, hear good things about this or that and go look at them. I'm fortunate to have a number of brands close enough to make it easy to look. And that is how you narrow things down isn't it? If I knew exactly what was out there and what to consider before hand there really wouldn't be any reason to look would there? Besides part of the fun is looking. I'm glad you like your Kubota. Nice tractor but I don't find it as comfortable as the 1026.

 

[Verticaltrx]

When you mention moving dirt, gathering firewood, and gardening my thoughts tend to shift towards a compact tractor instead of a sub-compact (ground clearance.) Have you priced out the B2320/2620 Kubota and 2320/2520 Deere. In some cases they are cheaper than the similar sized sub-compacts.

 

[jenkinsph]

Mark,
You could get any of these and be in good shape but operator comfort and placement of controls is important enough to help you decide what is the best choice for you. I think the important thing to consider with a new purchase is how easy it is to change attachment configurations. I use a Deere x749 for most of my mowing and small quarters work and will say it really shines at manuevering but the 1026R is much easier to remove or replace the mower deck. I think I would compare the attachment setup on all the candidates as well as the operator controls to determine your choice. I suspect that mowing is what you need to use it for most of the time but you will wan't to be able to remove the deck easily for chores like gathering firewood or moving dirt.

 

[MarkChambers]

Vertical,

The 2620 would put me in the 23K range and that is getting a little rich for me. It's still a tough decision because the 60 months actually puts the payment down below the 48 month payment of the Deere. But I'm 63 and I intend to get this thing paid off ASAP since I'm not going to work much longer. I'd like to stay down around 20K. When I say moving wood I mean tossing cut and split wood in the bucket and hauling it to the house from the back of the property over open ground when the crops are down. Won't really be in the woods with it. Moving dirt is moving the piles of sand or top soil I have delivered or maybe scraping a a few inches off the top around the woods where the soil is rich to dump in the garden. I didn't get price difference from Deere. I will say this though. My one neighbor's year old 2630 is really nice. Too rich for me though.

 

[MarkChambers]

jenkins,

Comfort and convenience is where the Deere shines for me. Two of my Kubota neighbors don't use a tiller and cut with their loaders on and I'm not going to do that. Getting the loader on an off for mowing and getting the mower on and off for tilling is important to me. The easier the better. And the seat and the cockpit on the Deere just seem to fit. John Deere seemed to have some issues when the 1 series was first introduced but reading here and other places those seem to have been addressed. Unless I hear some really negative reports I'm leaning toward green.

The dealer was happy to demonstrate the quick connect on the 7 iron mower and he did it half a dozen times or more with no hiccups. He did say that it might be a problem connecting or disconnecting on slick concrete like a garage floor. He solved that problem in his own pole barn by putting a thin rubber mat down where he parks the mower.

Thanks for the info all. I appreciate it.

BTW that is a really cool looking dog.

 

[Guesseral]

Not sure if these would matter to you but they would be things I would look at.

1. Do they have a quick attack/detach loader or not I get tired of carring it around when not needed.
2. Do they have the quick attack bucket at least, in case you would want different attachments in the future make note that the JD would have their own style QH that only their own equipment works on which cost more.
3. Do you or do you not need the little bit of extra HP that the NH and the Max have. I guess the max is to far away right.
4. Do all of the dealers have a good reputation or is one better.
5. Look into the drive over mower on the JD, I think I remember there being a thread on here about there being some kind of issue I can't remember what it was just something I saw mentioned it may be a complete non issue but it never hurts to ask. (side note I do not have any problem what so ever with JD my uncle has several of them they are good tractors just remember seeing something)
6. Also what color do you like the best, take that any way you want either the manufacturer or simply the color of the tractor because lets face it they are all really good trtactors!

 

[MarkChambers]

Guesseral,

I think if you read the whole thread you'll see most of your questions were addressed. I believe that Deere has their "birthing" issued worked out. But I especially like your question about color. If everything were exactly equal I would buy candy apple red no doubt about it.

I like green and yellow though.

 

[Guesseral]

I did read the thread, those were just somethings that would be important to me that I would be looking at nothing more.

Oh yea I really like red (the color), but I am partial to blue (the MFG) so I just can't make up my mind in any event!:drink:

 

[94BULLITT]

Do you have a massey ferguson dealer close by? You may want to give their SCUT a look.

 

[MarkChambers]

Not sure about the Massey. I'll have to check.

OK there are two. One is 28 miles and one is 50. A good bit farther than the Deere and Kubota where both are under 10 miles. The Kubota is less than 5. But the Massey IS red.

 

[MarkChambers]

Ii checked with the Deere dealer on the difference in price between the 1026r and a 2520. It would be an add in the neighborhood of $3,000.00. Based on what I described I'd be doing is it worth the extra money? I could have a snow blower for that extra money.

What do you think?

The reason I'm asking is because Deere just went to 60 months and--well you know it's easy to start talking myself into something I may not actually need. I could have a snow blower for that 3K or a front blade for half of that. Still the whole bigger is better lure is one I've always had trouble with.