Advice on choosing the right size tractor

[Mark in GA]

Hello all. I am studying tractors and trying to determine what would best meet my needs. The 1810D, 2310D and 2420D from Fredrick's have caught my eye as being worth considering. Planning to use for bush hogging some roadside, cutting trails and small food plots (1/2 to 3/4 acre) at my hunting lease, and a few times a year at a 3 acre field by my house. Largest brush would be under 1.5", really the vast majority would be under 1" and grass/weeds. Would likely get a Koyker loader on any of the three. I am assuming a 4' cutter on the 1810D and a 5' cutter on either 2310D or 2420D.

Also between the three what are the pros and cons? The 1810 is smaller, not sure if that makes it more maneuverable. I know the 2420 is a year or two newer and has the the power shift on the column vs floor like the other two. Which would be better on parts availability? Have heard the 2420 may have wet brakes, but not sure if that's good or bad.

Really trying to decide which delivers the most capability for the cost incurred.

1810D - $6799 plus $3295 for Koyker 80 or $3395 for Koyker 120
2310D - $7599 plus $3395 for Koyker 125
2420D - $7999 plus $3395 for Koyker 125

Thanks,
Mark in GA

PS: I looked at the 2610 and felt like it was too large for some of the places I would go on the hunting club.

 

[2ndhalf]

Don't know much about them but for the small price variance. Run them all and buy the biggest one that you like. Unless you just don't like the 2420 that is the one I woudl buy with only $400 difference in the next one down.

 

[milligjg]

Whatever you think you need, add 10-20 HP! It's kinda like building a shed, if you want a 40' X 60', build a 60' X 80'. :laughing:

 

[winston1]

Yes the 20 series has wet brakes as do the 02 series. I have never read of anyone having trouble with them other than the little boot breaking on the arm going into it. Brakes are very good. BRAKE ROD BOOT_: Yanmar Tractor Parts

If the money is there go for the 2420. :2cents:

 

[YanmarFever]

Yes the 20 series has wet brakes as do the 02 series. I have never read of anyone having trouble with them other than the little boot breaking on the arm going into it. Brakes are very good. BRAKE ROD BOOT_: Yanmar Tractor Parts

If the money is there go for the 2420. :2cents:

That's good advice...

+ the 2420 has a power shift trans on the dashboard.
Also get the skid steer attachment for the Koyker loader, that makes it very versatile.
Im using Virginia right now as a forklift over rocks.

 

[Mark in GA]

So no votes for the smaller 1810 then. Was really considering that size thinking it might be the most maneuverable. If it's not enough smaller to really gain that advantage, then I reckon the power of the 2310 or 2420 would be the better options.

Mark in GA

 

[Neat 1500]

Yeah go the more powerful and heavier tractor, which I am slightly regretting now. If funds allow go the 2420.

 

[Mark in GA]

So the general belief is that the maneuverability between the 1810 and the other two is really roughly equal? If it is, then I think power is what becomes most important then.

Thanks,
Mark in GA

 

[California]

Depends if you need the power. I ran the YM240 several years and very rarely pushed it so hard that it couldn't hold rpm. Then I bought the much smaller YM186D (see sig photo below) specifically to go anywhere in the apple orchard without worrying about overhead clearance. Turns out the YM186D gets used for everything the YM240 did - mowing, rototilling, carrying stuff on a rear platform or front forks. The difference in capability isn't that much. The only advantage to the YM240 is its big enough to lift and carry the backhoe which stays on it permanently now.

The YM240 loader lifts higher and has more weight capacity, so in theory its better for lifting an object out of my trailer. But this task is so rare that I would definitely keep the YM186D if I had to slim down to just one tractor. I can't think of any other difference in favor of the YM240.

In your case it depends if maneuverability is a principal concern. If not, then of course more power is always better.

Another note - if power steering is available on anything that trumps any other difference in capability. PS is a huge improvement on my second YM186D over the prior one or the YM240.

 

[clemsonfor]

YOur needs are very minimal out of a tractor, they all will do well. But when pulling a disk this is where the weight and power will benefit you, get the heaviest one for the small difference in price, it wont be a deal breaker if you get the smaller one it can still do what you want, tons of guys do food plots with a 1500. The difference in maneuverability i'm sure is very small to almost non existent when your talking about a 1/2 acre food plot or a 3 acre field.