Advice on Tractor (second)

[jcmseven]

Fellow Posters:

I am asking the group for some advice regarding the purchase of a smaller tractor for my property. Here is my situation: I have about five acres of heavily wooded, hilly land; my parents have about two acres at their primary residence and another two at a mountain cabin they just completed. My parents are both in their 70's and although reasonably healthy, they do rely on me some to help at their place. I just bought (four months ago) a JD 3720 which I really like and would like to keep as my primary machine. Currently I only have a FEL and BB for this tractor, and may add other attachments in the future. I have a Gator UTV which I might sell, as I do not use it much except for driving around. I use my 3720 mainly for loader work and grading around my property and some for the neighborhood association as well. It is clear a mid frame compact such as the 3720 is good for many of the tasks I need and I feel in many instances I could not go smaller. I have several areas on my property where my 3000 series simply will not fit and could use a reasonably priced smaller machine to use in those places but I am not sure which way to go, as it would be a second machine. I would want something with which I could do some light grading and perhaps loader work, some snow removal in tight places in winter, some mowing for my parents and that would be stable on some of the hills that perhaps a larger machine would not handle as well. Some of these areas are quite tight and the ground is soft and at times, not even close to flat. I also would like for any machine I get to be easy to transport on a utility trailer. I have looked at smaller JD's, Steiners, and the PowerTrac ad's. I am partial to green, but do not have to have a JD. Since it would be a second machine for more specialized use, I would like to keep the cost down, and used would not be out of the question. Cost is variable so a number may not be applicable. I am interested to hear thoughts about which direction I should look for the most versatile small machine I can consider and why. Thanks in advance for all the help.

John M

 

[coasterez]

I would suggest looking at used 4xx series Deeres. Light enough for towing and mowing, but heavy for its size, good hydraulics, and many implements available for it too. They also come in 4 wheel steer - great option for mowing, snow plowing in tight spaces, and stability (but greatly reduces ground clearance).

Also, you might consider a Simplicity Legacy or BX series Kubota. Or if you want bigger, the TYM T233 or Kioti CK20 are also very nice machines. New Holland and MF offer similar sized tractors as well. My choice of all of these (if money was no object) would be the TYM.

 

[neverenough]

I was in the same position as you 2 years ago. I have a wide range of tractors, but needed something small and manageable for my 10 acre home while I'm getting ready to sell it. I would look at a JD 585 if any dealers have them, or a new 7XX series, I have a 585 w/HDAP tires. You can get a huge list of attachments for it including loader, front, mid, or rear blade, snowblower, tiller, spreaders, and on and on... The reason I say the garden tractor instead of say the 2210 is becouse they are made in the good old U.S.A. where the sub compacts are Yanmar. The garden tractors are a little more $$$, and the 3pt is limited cat1 (if you think you even need to add 3pt and PTO), but they work good. I prefered the gas motor over diesel for the type of work the tractor was going to do. I have the front blade with the angling kit. I can't tilt it like a rear blade, but I love the hydraulic angling and the fact I can lift the front end off the ground and dig with it. Nice for patching ruts and small area's without disturbing the whole area. It also works good for plowing snow too. If you opt to snowblow vs. plowing, 4wd and a front mount snowthrower/blower is the only way to go. I live in MN, I don't use chains or weights with my 585 w/HDAP tires, and haven't been stuck yet. Part of the driveway at the farm is quite steep. Unless you have large lawns to mow, the 54" deck would work fine vs. going to the 62". Sometimes I wish I still had a 54" deck, but I get my 3 acres of lawn mowed so much faster with the 62", it makes up for the lack of manuverability. I mow my ditches on my 10 acre home, I had a 425 before the 585 and locking the 585 in 4wd sure makes the tractor more stable sidehilling than the 425 was. If you order, or get a choce in used, get the HDAP tires over the bar or turf. I have had a few garden tractors over the years and those HDAP tires are the best I have ever seen/used. JMHO, good luck.

 

[aesanders]

I'd get a Power Trac 425 if I were you. I strongly considered one myself before I struck a deal on the JD 2320 earlier this week. However, I will admit the Power trac has several advantages over my new machine and most compact tractors. They are extremly manuverable. They are great at loader work having quite a bit more lift for a comparable size compact tractor. No balast needed either as the engine is in the rear. With it's articulated frame, it can get into tighter spots than most anything else. With their low profile Power Tracsdesign, they are very good on slopes as well. Steiners and Ventrac's are nice as well. They are better mowers from what I have read than Power Tracs, but not nearly as good as a loader and not as versatile as the Power Tracs.

Power Tracs are not that expensive to begin with either. A PT 425 starts at 10k. And you just need to add the quick attach implement of your choice. So a PT with a loader bucket is $10450. You can add a grapple bucket for $1700. A post Hole Digger with down pressure can be had for $1100. A mini hoe can be added for arounf $1400. For the same price as the Deere I just bought i could have had a Power Trac fully loaded. It's just not a Deere though, so you already have that covered with your 3720.

I still would like to get one myself someday and will keep my eye out for a good low hour used PT 425.

 

[daTeacha]

Another consideration might be a Ventrac, made here in Ohio. They are primarily aimed at the commercial/industrial/governmental market, but are a very tough multipurpose machine.

 

[Soundguy]

I'd look at an SCUT in the high teens to low 20's hp.. 4wd, power steering.

Anything from a kubota BX series.. tot he NH TZ/ small TC series.. even the SCUT that MF has, as well as the economy brand chinese tractors.. they have some super cheap scut at 20 hp with 4wd... etc.

soundguy

Fellow Poster

I am asking the group for some advice regarding the purchase of a smaller tractor for my property. Here is my situation: I have about five acres of heavily wooded, hilly land; my parents have about two acres at their primary residence and another two at a mountain cabin they just completed. My parents are both in their 70's and although reasonably healthy, they do rely on me some to help at their place. I just bought (four months ago) a JD 3720 which I really like and would like to keep as my primary machine. Currently I only have a FEL and BB for this tractor, and may add other attachments in the future. I have a Gator UTV which I might sell, as I do not use it much except for driving around. I use my 3720 mainly for loader work and grading around my property and some for the neighborhood association as well. It is clear a mid frame compact such as the 3720 is good for many of the tasks I need and I feel in many instances I could not go smaller. I have several areas on my property where my 3000 series simply will not fit and could use a reasonably priced smaller machine to use in those places but I am not sure which way to go, as it would be a second machine. I would want something with which I could do some light grading and perhaps loader work, some snow removal in tight places in winter, some mowing for my parents and that would be stable on some of the hills that perhaps a larger machine would not handle as well. Some of these areas are quite tight and the ground is soft and at times, not even close to flat. I also would like for any machine I get to be easy to transport on a utility trailer. I have looked at smaller JD's, Steiners, and the PowerTrac ad's. I am partial to green, but do not have to have a JD. Since it would be a second machine for more specialized use, I would like to keep the cost down, and used would not be out of the question. Cost is variable so a number may not be applicable. I am interested to hear thoughts about which direction I should look for the most versatile small machine I can consider and why. Thanks in advance for all the help.

John M

 

[jcmseven]

I appreciate the comments to this point. I think all the points and suggestions made to this point have been excellent. As I mentioned, I really do not have a firm budget, but I just do not wish to spend too much on a second machine. Our hospital has a Steiner which it just bought, and I assume the Ventrac is similar, and it seems nice. Unfortunately a new one of those machines is close to 20K with the attachments I need and that is not TOO much less expensive than the JD I have. The PowerTrac's have intrigued me, and I like them. I am just a little concerned about the lack of dealer network, but if I were to go that way, would a 422 or 425 be better for my use? Finally, I think a SCUT would be the trick and I am familiar with the JD 2305, but what are some going prices on a Kubota BX or NH tractor, for comparison? In fact such a small machine would probably do all I need to do regularly, but once one goes to a bigger machine, it is hard to go back to something small exclusively, so this is one reason I would keep the larger tractor as well. Decisions, decisions. Thanks again and any thoughts or further info is always appreciated.

John M

 

[gordon21]

Go look at a JD 790. Old technology and therefore very affordable. No HST or modern electronics and it has moderate hydraulics. Easy to haul on a 16' trailer. Plus, it is only about 60" wide and will essentially go almost anyplace your gator will. You can probably use some of the Cat 1 attachments you already own.

 

[aesanders]

If interested in a Power Trac, I would spend some time down at the Power Trac forum. Look up some of the long time members post such as Moss Roads and you will be amazed at what these machines can do. Most members down their seem to like the PT 425 as it is not to big or small.

Also, I'm not sure where you live in Western NC, but the Power Tracs are made in Tazewell Va. (South West Virginia) kind of near Blacksburg. Might not be to far to go. You can save 5% by visiting the factory. Everything on the PT is hydraulic and from what I've read they are very simple to maintain.

Well enough of my selling, I'm sure you will pick something appropriate.

 

[FamilyFarm]

I can understand the need for two tractors. I just bought the large and decided to keep the small. There are just so many things the SCUT tractor will do and places it is easy to use. It is also a great mower. The added bonus is I get to keep a backhoe that, although small, does all I ever need a backhoe to do.
I am partial to Kubota and I'm pretty sure the BX would fit what you are looking for as would many of the tractors already mentioned.
Enjoy the adventure of shopping for the right tractor!
Terry

 

[knute_m]

One more opinion . . .

A while back I decided it was time to replace a tractor that needs to do a little bit of everything around our 25 acres. Over a half-mile of driveway, snow removal, light loader work, post holes, bushogging about 5 acres, light logging, etc.

For six months I kept going back and looking at the Kubota L-Series and the B-Series. Nothing else really said "buy me!"

I kept putting off looking at the Mahindras, mainly because they were a name I wasn't familiar with. However, they were being sold by a good local dealer, from whom I'd made other major purchases. Within ten minutes of walking on the lot, I knew I wanted one, and I knew exactly which one. I decided on the very smallest of the 15-Series. -- the 20 hp 2015 4WD.

I really really like my little Mahindra 2015. The 15-Series are built by Mitsubishi, and it is very obvious that they are designed by a company that has been building these size tractors for a long time. As soon as I sat down on it, I felt comfortable, and everything seemed to be right where its should be. After about an hour on it, my old tractor seemed really strange and awkward.

It doesn't know it is a small tractor. With the loader, filled rear tires, and the industrial tires -- it is heavy, it is stable, and its got serious traction, yet it is relatively small. Its a little bigger than the SCUTs, so it takes all standard Cat 1 implements without any problem. I can pull a 5-foot box blade pretty full of gravel, up my rather steep driveway without spinning. Its also got lots of leg room which makes it seem like a much bigger tractor.

Delivered to my driveway at $12,000 even, with the loader, loaded tires, and a grill guard -- plus 0% financing for three years, it was a hard deal to beat.

Good luck in your search,

Knute

 

[Soundguy]

Not a bad deal on a 4wd w/ loader tractor.. especially being in a good proven 2nd brand.

My local CNH dealer also sells mahindra. This dealer is very picky about what he sells. When i see them on his lot.. it tells me they are really decent. The old case dealer in our town also sells them. Lots of areas for service.

Soundguy

 

[KentT]

Fellow Posters:

Some of these areas are quite tight and the ground is soft and at times, not even close to flat. I also would like for any machine I get to be easy to transport on a utility trailer. I have looked at smaller JD's, Steiners, and the PowerTrac ad's. I am partial to green, but do not have to have a JD. Since it would be a second machine for more specialized use, I would like to keep the cost down, and used would not be out of the question. Cost is variable so a number may not be applicable. I am interested to hear thoughts about which direction I should look for the most versatile small machine I can consider and why. Thanks in advance for all the help.

John M

I second the recommendation to look at a Power Trac, due to its versatility, maneuverability, and slope-working capacity. Don't let the lack of a dealership network scare you away, if you're willing to do your own routine maintenace -- oil changes, etc. They're very simple machines, and the engine is supported by their manufacturer's network, so that only leaves the chassis to concern yourself with -- which, is all-hydraulic, with no transmission, no differentials or axles, no mechanical PTO, etc.

I tried a small Kubota 4WD with FEL on the slopes of my property in the foothills of the Smokies in East Tennessee and quickly turned around and sold it to buy a Power Trac PT-425. There is simply no comparison in the stability, slope-hugging capacity, and maneuverability for working in the woods and on the slopes.

I, too, would suggest you spend some time looking at the PT forum, and perhaps take a visit to Tazewell... Until you've spent some time in the seat of a PT, you can't really appreciate one. They compare to a traditional CUT/SCUT much like a ZTR compares to a traditional lawn tractor -- much more nimble and much quicker to do the same job -- while also just as hard to describe... you have to try it out for yourself to understand.

PS -- you can also use the link in my profile to see how/where I've been using mine.

 

[proudestmonkey]

I appreciate the comments to this point. Finally, I think a SCUT would be the trick and I am familiar with the JD 2305, but what are some going prices on a Kubota BX or NH tractor, for comparison?
John M

I was going to suggest you look at the JD 2305 for your stated needs, since you are partial to green. Kubota's comparable machine is the BX 2350 if you don't need a backhoe, or a BX 24 if you do. I was able to get my BX 2230 (last year's version of the 2350) for about $2,000 less than what I was looking to pay for a JD 2350. I paid a little over $12,000 for the BX 2230 w/ 60" MMM, FEL, Engine heater, ballast box, R4 tires, and liquid filled rear tires. All of that would have cost me between $14K and $15K for the JD. I also like the fact that the BX 2230 sits lower to the ground--without the MMM, I get plenty of ground clearance on my hills and in my woods (5 acres), with low center-of-gravity for avoiding tipping on the hills. So far, I am very satisfied with my BX (I had a JD last year and am happy I made the switch).