Advice needed: Looking for smallest SCUT or Garden Tractors with a loader

[tommott77]

I was also looking for something like that a while back. I think Kubota's 1880 is the smallest modern scut out there. They're still bigger in size compared to the old Case 400 or 600 series (and their Ingersoll versions).

The Kubota BX1880 is actually where I started my search and was the model I was most familiar with as far as smaller SCUTs go. However it's all actually a big (small) misnomer of a tractor. Unfortunately it's actually the same frame as the rest of the BX lineup just with a smaller engine and tires. Pretty disappointing, and not really sure what Kubota feels is the point of that tractor, as if it were actually a smaller frame I probably would've already signed off on one and I wouldn't be here asking for help. The original, old BX1500 are the only smaller frame Kubota BX SCUTs (52" wheel base) I'm finding. If anybody else is aware of any other smaller frame SCUT Kubotas I'd loved to know about them as the 1500s are getting to be about 20 years old and may be starting to push it as far as reliability I can count on while I'm out of town.

I did get a real quick chance to check out the Mahindra Emax20 yesterday. I got their 10 minutes before they closed so didn't have much time checking out/testing the machine. It's definitely a noticeably smaller frame than EMax 22-25s they had there and my 1025 and 1023 John Deeres I have or had. It looks like a good possibility at the moment. The one I tested out though already creeped forward with my foot off the hydro pedal. I know that's likely a quick adjustment in the linkage but still a little worrisome for a new machine with less than 2 hours to have that issues and/or left the factory like that.

I'm waiting for some quotes but the biggest issue I'm seeing now with the EMAX20 is it appears at the current time that Mahindra is literally offering zero rebates or financing incentives. I don't really follow Mahindra incentives but I have never a seen a point in time where Deere or Kubota didn't have some sort of financial or finance incentives and usually both for their SCUTs. They said they will only finance for a laughable 84 months at 4.5%. That's would be pushing $3000 in interest on the machine. Without any rebates I'm already worried the price of the smaller machine will end up more than what the price for a new JD1025 before even factoring that absurd interest. Is anybody more familiar and/or follows Mahindra's rebates/financing incentives? I'm not sure if I caught them between marketing campaigns or what and/or if a new round of incentives is about to pop-up, but paying more for less of a machine than the bigger class leading SCUTS is a pill I doubt I'd be able to swallow.

 

[GeneV]

Notice the loader on the emax and also kubota's loaders, the loader arms I mean. See how far they stick out ahead of the front of the tractor? Now compare that to the old case tractors: https://www.tractordata.com/industrial-photos/F000/273/273-td4-b01-ext090.jpg

 

[tommott77]

Notice the loader on the emax and also kubota's loaders, the loader arms I mean. See how far they stick out ahead of the front of the tractor? Now compare that to the old case tractors: https://www.tractordata.com/industrial-photos/F000/273/273-td4-b01-ext090.jpg

I have seen and noticed that difference. My John Deere 3025e that I use to work up in the mountains has that same style loader close in to the tractor like the CASE. That really isn't a concern for my application however as the only one who would be using the loader on the home tractor would be myself and I wouldn't have any issues with it and it would only be used for light/infrequent duty. The loader will also be removed when not in use.

 

[Grandad4]

Have been on/ off TBN for more than 20 years and Tom is the first individual I remember who wants LESS capability in a subcompact. Buyers/owners overwhelmingly look for more performance, not less, sometimes to the extreme. I always figured these modern "subcompacts", plus the articulated ones like Ventrac and Steiner, were about as small/light you could get and still expect to do useful work.

 

[5030]

I just purchased a second zero turn mower for her. Mine is joystick steer and she don't like it so I got her a Cub Cadet RZT with a steering wheel. She's happy, I'm happy. Only downside is, it has a Kohler V twin and it likes to consume oil a bit. My Kowalski uses no oil.

 

[tommott77]

Have been on/ off TBN for more than 20 years and Tom is the first individual I remember who wants LESS capability in a subcompact. Buyers/owners overwhelmingly look for more performance, not less, sometimes to the extreme. I always figured these modern "subcompacts", plus the articulated ones like Ventrac and Steiner, were about as small/light you could get and still expect to do useful work.

I’ve had several subcompacts over the years and quickly moved up to larger equipment as I bought more property. I prefer my subcompact to able to be competent mowers above pushing it to its limits when larger tractors/equipment can handle those types of jobs more efficiently and safely.

The impetus of this purchase is actually to consolidate two machines into one, free up some space and funds to buy a dedicated wheel loader for my property in the moutains to improve my capabilities up there

 

[GeneV]

I have seen and noticed that difference. My John Deere 3025e that I use to work up in the mountains has that same style loader close in to the tractor like the CASE. That really isn't a concern for my application however as the only one who would be using the loader on the home tractor would be myself and I wouldn't have any issues with it and it would only be used for light/infrequent duty. The loader will also be removed when not in use.

No what I'm saying is the loader arms sticking out is what gives the appearance of a bigger tractor. That's why those old case tractors look smaller. Like I said, with the loader disconnected, these scuts are actually only slightly bigger than a garden tractor, not by much. I think my massey actually sticks out less, btw. Here, look it:

 

[GeneV]

That's the same manual scoop I had on my craftsman garden tractor, btw.

 

[scaredychicken]

Thinking a bit outside the box ...

I see the dilemna that you are in Tommott77. You have some good equipment already: the tractor and loader at the other property; the JD seems useful and I gather that it also has a loader, but it is a bit too big; the Kubota may be more than you need for right now (given the other machines that you have)

My first thought is that you need a ride-on mower that is comfortable for other family members. I think that they will eventually "grow into" some of those machines that you currently have, but that solves nothing for now. So how about considering one of those Neighbourhood Mowers ? Small, ride-on mowers, mostly for mowing, might pull a small yard trailer from time to time for yard waste. The kind with pedestal steeting column. (eg below, pick your brand)

As far as having a small loader for other yardwork, moving things, I think a yard cart with dumping, would take care of most of the moving. Load by shovel as / when needed. 5 yrs from now you might regret selling current machines

TractorData.com Craftsman R140 CMXGRAM1130040 tractor information

examples

All the best.

 

[MossyDell]

To the OP, it is a shame you cannot bond your family to the 1025R! You have to respect their reticence, however, in the end. I am mostly a Kubota guy but was amazed by Tractor Time with Tim showing how much tighter the 1025R's turning radius was than the smaller BX's. I am not sure about cut quality and being able to raise the deck enough when not in use, but dang—it turned circles around the BX.