Best Small Tractor

[dominoplayer]

I am in the market for a small tractor. I would really love to have a new JD1025 but I'm worried its to small for what I need to do. I have roughly 8 acres of mature timber that I need a tractor that can maneuver through it as needed lots of brush to clear, trails to maintain, even a creek that I hope to be able to knock the banks down and build some sort of crossing for it. I want something dependable, small in size, fel and backhoe capable, and the most horsepower I can find. I will also use it for gardening, and other general chores. Just wondering what anyone could recommend I should look at.....thanks

 

[Trey318]

For what your doing I would look into the john Deere 3000 series

 

[whiz]

Check out the dealers near you that want to sell you a tractor (you'll know what I mean after you shop around a bit, I contacted five dealers and only heard back from two of them). Check out their line and what they can do for you on parts and service on an ongoing basis. Lots of good brands out there with probably more value for your $$ than a Deere. I'm partial to LS, Mahindra and Kioti as value brands that are strong tractors.

 

[94BULLITT]

I'll second the 3000 series Deere, a L series Kubota is the same size. A JD 2032r or a Kubota 3350su would be a little smaller and maybe be what you are looking for. A Sub compact sounds too small for you.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

If you need a backhoe and really want something in a subcompact size, I'd recommend looking at a Kubota BX25D. It comes with a backhoe, and is a very capable little tractor. It's size belies its capability.

If you can afford a step up in cost, the Kubota B26 is even more capable and might be a perfect size for your 8 acres.

 

[dominoplayer]

I was under the impression that the 3000 series are not backhoe compatible. I have looked at them but ruled them out because of that. Im waiting on a quote on a kubota 2920 from an out of state dealer. But I havent seen one yet other than on the internet.

 

[TomSeller]

If you are going to be knocking banks down and since you have a creek, I am guessing some decent slopes to your land. 8 acres is a lot of timber, what size are these trees? With any slope I think you need a decent size tractor. Budget?

 

[dominoplayer]

Unfortunately a lot of the bigger trees were knocked down when a tornado passed through about a half mile north of my property a couple of weeks ago. I plan on cutting them up for firewood to sell and use myself. My house sets on top of a hill that probably slopes 20 degrees or so. The rest of the property is mostly flat

 

[Trey318]

The 3000 series has 2 backhoe options the 485 and 375.

 

[Trey318]

There are 2 backhoe options for the deere

 

[Cherokee140]

I am a little machine guy....read some of my threads and you will get my and the others thoughts on the little machines.

Personally I have been clearing out a long neglected fence row. The trees have grown out from the fence line in some places 10' on each side. I am digging/dragging/ripping them up with a Kubota BX25D. And let me say I am amazed at what the machine can do. I too looked at the larger machines, but with the little Kubota I am banging the loader on trees I want to keep now, I can only imagine if I had something bigger.

I will say only you know what will fit where you want it to go, I will also say that just about everyone on here will tell you that you need a larger machine and you will wear out the little machine in no time, or be wishing you had a bigger machine. I really do think that many see the little machines (1 series/BX/GC) as over grown lawn mowers and will try to talk you out of it "for your own good".

I am really shocked at what the BX can dig up, push over....It has only once made me second think buying it....and oddly enough it was when I was mowing with it.

I started to re dig out my pond with mine, and clean it up....it is drained and if it ever stops raining I will get back to it. I have carried (just this weekend) 4 RR ties with the grapple on the FIL and it was really nothing to the machine...I don't think it would do 5 because the grapple is not big enough...I was amazed again....amazing little machines.

Check out the little tractor areas on this site, read on the people that actually own them and really push it hard (I think I do) you will see that we all love them and that they are hard working machines.

Is it right for you....I am not going to be so presuming to say yes or no....but I can say it was right for me.

 

[MikeInEburg]

In your conditions, ground clearance should be a critical specification. Most sub compacts are just too low to the ground to effective in the woods.

 

[TomSeller]

In your conditions, ground clearance should be a critical specification. Most sub compacts are just too low to the ground to effective in the woods.

Agree.

 

[Baby Grand]

Along with ground clearance, work in a hilly woods environment is going to favor as wide a wheel track width as you can manage. That and ballast, down low, to pull your CG down as far as you can. Stability with these smaller tractors is key to getting work done on slopes without unnecessarily risking you health. For pulling work, which is what a lot of my tree work entails, traction is going to be more of a concern than power. High weight and low gearing will let you move a lot more in the woods than low weight and high power. You want an ox, not a thoroughbred.

 

[dominoplayer]

I really appreciate everyones input on this. You have given me a lot to think about. I am by nature a very slow buyer when it comes to big purchases like this. I want to make sure i get it right. I guess for the most part i just need to get out there and see what all is available and go from there

 

[TripleR]

We have three CUTs, 2 BX's and JD2305; great little tractors with which you can do a lot of work, ground clearance is not good for working in the woods; did it for several years and was overall impressed with the smaller tractors, but eventually got something with more ground clearance.

We kept the SCUTs, but no way would I have one for my only tractor.

 

[Gittyup]

There are some "tweeners" that are a little bigger than the average SCUT yet small enough to fit into tight spaces: LS, Kioti, TYM, Mahindra have nice units, as are the smaller bota B-series. Me, I'd want as much hydraulics and lift that I could get. TYM has the shortest wheelbase. LS is probably the best value. Kiotis have high hydraulic flow and very heavy axles. The Mahindra Max28XL would be the first one I'd considered as best combo of size, lift, and HP. The little SCUTs like the BXs and the JD 1-series would be too small for your needs.

 

[94BULLITT]

I was under the impression that the 3000 series are not backhoe compatible. I have looked at them but ruled them out because of that. Im waiting on a quote on a kubota 2920 from an out of state dealer. But I havent seen one yet other than on the internet.

I don't think a B2920 is big enough for what you want to do.

 

[Cherokee140]

I really appreciate everyones input on this. You have given me a lot to think about. I am by nature a very slow buyer when it comes to big purchases like this. I want to make sure i get it right. I guess for the most part i just need to get out there and see what all is available and go from there

It took me almost 6 months of looking, reading, looking again, reading more, driving further, reading yet again....before I made my choice.

I would say look around your land and see what you need to do, then research things from every angle, I really liked youtube videos of people that are showing off just what their machines are doing. That was the tipping point for me. So many people say I made a bad choice...perhaps I did, perhaps I did not...who knows right now, but one thing I do know without any shadow of doubt is that the machine I bought is doing everything I want it to do and more....except for one thing, and that is getting the darn mower deck on and off easy. It has lifted more then I ever dreamed it would, moved more dirt, pulled crap out of the ground.....I am just amazed. Is doing all this going to kill it as some suggest....I sure hope not, but we will see. I don't know how, It is really an engine driving a pump on wheels....not much more to it then that....I guess I could start to blow seals (I should keep my personal life out of this I know) but if they go into bypass before that is to happen....then how will I hurt it....I am sure there is a way, I will just see if I can find it.

Bottom line, Research, read real world reports, Watch videos on youtube....see what people are doing and using for jobs like yours. Ask them questions....

Have fun in the research....make it fun, that way you will have even more fun when your machine gets to your house, and you will have no second thoughts.

 

[Texasmark]

I think you have to answer your own question as surely we all have different everythings: Usage, environments, experiences, expectations, capabilities, wallets and on and on. I will say this however, better to have too much tractor than too little and wish you bought the larger tractor. Personally I don't find a local dealer an asset if you purchase a quality tractor and have any mechanical dexterity......aka do your own servicing.

Mark