Big lot, little tractor??

[Bob_Skurka]

We don't have any Kiotis around where I am, at least none I've found yet.

As for Deere, I think the visibility is better than on a comparable Kubota, but still not close to a NH. Deere hoods do slope, but they are pretty wide, and many models have large bump out on the side that really limits the view between the side of the engine and the loader arms. Also the Deere loader arms are still the squared off arms, unlike the new curved arms from NH. With the curved NH arms you can see OVER them or you can see between the loader arm and the side of the hood.

 

[KubotaSteve]

I have a B-7800 and love it. I don't see a problem with operating the FEL because of the hood or loader arms. It has great ground clearance and has done everything I have asked of it.
The only issue I see is your $$$$ range. My 7800 with the FEL and 60" belly mower was $16,900. You are wanting the FEL & backhoe which I would think would push it over the $20,000 mark for a new machine. As far as used the 7800 has only been out a few years and I doubt there would be that many used ones for sale. Go new and take advantage of their great financing and warranty.

 

[GregJ]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( But.. something like a B7800 or a TC24 with a FEL and backhoe. Your talking what.. 15k??
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Depending on which model you're looking at, you'll be closer to 20K. A B7500 w/BH will be less than 20K, but a B7800 will put you over that mark by a bit. Prices vary all around the country, so it's hard to say what the prices would be in your area.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Do you use a tractor mount splitter? I would think that removing the backhoe would be a chore you wouldn't want to do often.
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I have a cheap stand alone hydraulic splitter I got at Home Depot. I felt it was more important to keep the tractor free while splitting. That way I can put the pallet forks on with a pallet board and load the wood right from the splitter onto the boards. I raise the pallets so they are at a nice working height. I attached a photo of a pallet of wood on my B7500. (I have posted this photo a few times and my apologies to the folks who have had to look at it several times. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif It just saves me a lot of work and I think is worth sharing. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif)

Taking the BH off and on is really easy after you do it a few times. It takes me less than 5 minutes to drop it and less than 10 to put it back on. I do it all the time.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Could you just RENT a splitter. I don't like the sound of that on the surface.. cause then you HAVE to do all the work at once.
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I totally agree. Time is critical for me, so when I come home from work and want to split wood for an hour, I can do it. Renting a splitter and trying to cram it all into one day really takes the fun out of it. I cost justify it by all the money that I am saving by heating with wood. I figure it has paid for itself in 2 years.

Greg

 

[Bob_Skurka]

KubotaSteve . . . I never realized there was a visibility issue with my B2910 until I got on another brand of tractor. Sometime you get used to a shortcoming and don't even realize it is a shortcoming until you try something else.

Let's face it, if you only had Black & White TV all your life and never saw a Color TV set, you wouldn't know you were missing anything. I love my Kubota, it is a great trouble free smooth running tough machine. But I now know that there is a big difference in visibility because I've been on something that offers much better visibility.

 

[frank_f15]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What.. I spent about 17k in that sentence didn't I.

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think u might have spent a little more than that

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> KubotaSteve . . . I never realized there was a visibility issue with my B2910 until I got on another brand of tractor. Sometime you get used to a shortcoming and don't even realize it is a shortcoming until you try something else. </font>

Bob,

I am not sure "issue" is the right word. I don't think there is a visability issue with my B2910, but I can see how a sloping hood would give better visability, at least of the back of the bucket!

In my case I still like my larger tractor better. Now that could be because the BX2200 is smaller than somethink like the NH TC24...but that is exactly why I bought the BX to begin with, over blue or any other color.

Everything is relative. For a lot of people B2910 Kubota sized tractors are still very much on the small side...

I do agree totally that there is probably a "best size" tractor for each of our needs. I don't know how we zero in on what that is the first time though.

Seems like if we get it right the first time, we wonder if we did. And if we didn't, it takes a couple more tries before we know what "best for us" is... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="green"> Seems like if we get it right the first time, we wonder if we did. And if we didn't, it takes a couple more tries before we know what "best for us" is...
</font>

Henro, I think you might have just explained why the divorce rate in America is s high /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif


I also have to agree with you on the size issue, it is very relative. I never thought much about the size of the B2910 it is a nice size machine. And while I have been bashing the B2910 lately for it having a big flat hood, I really must admit that I had a lot of fun this week with it and it is a great tractor . . . I don't want to have anyone get the impression there is a problem with the Kubota. With it here at my office people have been amazed at how quickly it cleared the field of debris; in fact some people who looked at the tractor assumed that the BIG equipment had cleared the field and the B2910 was just there to clean up around the edges of the lot.

 

[zuiko]

If it was me I would skip the hoe and rent one or hire it out when needed. That would shave a good chunk off your budget. The TC30 might be worth checking out, it is a budget tractor and available with HST. I haven't priced them though.

 

[JP11]

OW OW OW OW

I happened to drag my wife to the dealer after we just went to the movies.

I saw a little 23 horse Massey Ferguson. 13K for tractor and FEL. A 33 horse looks more my size.. and that was 25k!!! for tractor, loader and BH.

Way out of my comfort range for "farting around" on the back 40.

He was going to give me just about all I had put into my Cub Cadet, it's got 11 hours on it.. So nothing special there.

I think I'll keep the cub for the lawn and stuff.

May have to get a older 2wd farm tractor with FEL.

He told me 6 to 10k for something 30 to 40 horse with a FEL. Not pretty, but plenty of power.

Guess the "nice to have" of the BH will be out for a while.

My "buy toys with cash" motto is seriously cramping my tractor shopping.

I like the looks of the pallet forks with the wood. Will remember that idea.

It would be nice to plunk down 30k and get all i WANT.. I barely spent that on my truck though.

JP

 

[KiotiJohn]

I bought a Kioti CK20HST, 21 HP, 1109# 3pt. lift capacity. FEL, BH and Boxblade for $16, 681 + tax. Yes, more than you want to pay, but this tractor will do all the things you want, and the wife could use it easily with the HST. It's a tough little tractor and I have found few instances where I could REALLY use more HP. I pull trees, dig with the loader, haul pallets of bricks and firewood, bushhog, level, plow, disk, and lots more. The sloped hood and curved arm FEL allow pretty good visiblilty, but you'll always have some spots where you may have to stand up to see exactly where you are. Not a big deal to me. Good luck with your search. John