About to buy and need help!

[Trebor]

I have been viewing this forum for months now and have learned a tremendous amount about tractors. However, I’m currently in a quandary about which tractor might fill my need best, so I thought it was time to register and get some direct help from all you knowledgeable people.

I have three properties to landscape all from 1 to 2 acres. The first and most urgent
(1 acre) has lots of steep hills. I have narrowed my selection down to a PT425, BX23, or a GC2310 mostly due to the hills and need for a low center of gravity. (by the way - some of the work is over my septic system so choices were also made with weight in mind). The jobs I need the tractor for are basically ripping and cleaning areas filled with brush and small saplings (1”-11/2” max), removing existing grass, and replacing section of the lawn.

I get the impression (perhaps totally incorrect) that the subcompact BX and Massey couldn’t really dig out the sod with the bucket. (really a loader not a digger) Instead perhaps I would need a box blade to effectively due this with such a light tractor. I know the backhoe would be more than capable to rip out all I need removed.

I have also looked at the PT425 with a 4 in 1 and minihoe with the impression that it is more capable than the other two subcompacts for removing (bucket) the lawn and some of the debris. I know they all all great machines and probably I will be extremely happy with whichever one I choose.

Some advise from you guys with experience would be greatly appreciated.
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

While I'm partial to the PT425, the little Kubota is a very capable machine with a great reputation and tons of power for its size. Give it a test drive and see how it performs. It'll be harder to test drive a PT425, but make every effort to do so, if possible. That's really the only way to compare them.

I'm very happy with my PT425. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif For landscaping chores, it is very hard to beat. Especially with the quick attach. You can change implements in 15 seconds without getting off the tractor. Powered implements take about 15 seconds longer because you have to disconnect the hydraulic hoses. After careful consideration, I chose it over a BX22 and have never regretted the purchase. I'm sure you will find many folks here that have purchased a BX and have never regretted it either. Both are fine machines.

If you are worried about dealer support and don't like to work on machinery, the BX would probably be the way to go. However, if you enjoy working on a machine and making modifications to suit your needs, the PT would be the way to go. It is a great platform to adapt to just about any needs. With all plate steel construction you can weld just about anything on it anywhere. Extra quick attach plates are available to adapt aftermarket implements as well as for building your own, which many of us do. There are also close to 40 different attachments available from Power Trac.

Talk to a few people that own both conventional compact utility tractors and Power Tracs and they'll tell you which machine excells at what tasks. Most will say the PT outworks the other type of machine for most landscaping and homeowner tasks.

As for weight on the septic system, I think I put more pressure on the sod when walking than the PT does, so don't worry about it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Tractors4u]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have also looked at the PT425 with a 4 in 1 and minihoe with the impression that it is more capable than the other two subcompacts for removing (bucket) the lawn and some of the debris. )</font>

If you mean digging up sod like you mentioned earlier in your post, I don't think the PT would have an advantage using the front end loader over the BX or GC. Any of the previously mentioned models would dig sod better with a tooth bar. The thing is, an FEL is really a scooper and not a digger. Yes it will dig, but it excels at scooping. Digging sod is a chore! Even if you had a bigger tractor than the ones you have mentioned getting sod up is still a hassle. The tooth bar would make it easier. Now for picking up debris, the 4 in 1 bucket on the PT would be a awesome. I can pick stuff up with my bucket but I have to chase it around. It would be nice to grab it with the bucket. Good luck in your search!

 

[MossRoad]

The cool thing about the PT when digging up something like sod is if it stops you can turn the wheel from side to side and it will slice the front of the bucket back and forth under the sod by over a foot in each direction, side to side. That is one of the advantages of an articulated tractor. You can move that thing over a foot to either side and never move forward or backwards an inch.

 

[eieio]

Don't rule out the cg massey It is heads up with the BX and is by specs just a touch better. When I compared the 2 the Massey won out by 1300 comparably equipped. The Argo financing is also a little better comming in at 2.5 vs 3.99 % on a 48 mo. loan. It is a good tractor with an Iseki motor and build. Both good japan made machines. I know you didn't mention it but for landscape the Kioti CK20 might have an advantage at about the same price as the Kuota. I am just comparing prices from the dealers I visited you may as others have , find the pricing to be different in your area.

 

[frank_f15]

WELCOME TO THE FORUM: any of the machines u mentiond i don't think would be to heavy for your septic system, i drive over mine all the time with a b2400 , with fel, and usually Rear blade attached. Atoothbar on the loader will most certainly help u dig and help with brush removal.