Buying a new subcompact tractor

[tiktock]

Made the deal on the Kubota BX2380. Should have it soon. Ordered the 60" drive over mower, quick connect bucket with bolt on cutting edge, ballast box, and some extra lights. Looking forward to trying it out on my property.
Thanks everyone for the advice and assistance.

I've been following this and will be interested to see how you like it. I just got a BX1880 and got it without the MMM because my little JD Home depot special seems to do the job and I have some slopes. I'm liking the BX so much that if i can prove to myself I can mow the whole property with it, I'll dump the JD lawn tractor and use the sale to buy the MMM.

 

[TheMan419]

A zero turn is a better mower than a tractor is, and a skid steer and excavator are Superior dirt movers.

A compact or subcompact tractor is, at best , a compromise machine, best suited for three point work or snow blower use. When I bought my compact tractor the dealer recommended a ztr over a mid mount mower, and a different dealer recommended a separate lawn tractor to a friend over buying a mid mount for his subcompact tractor.

I think they were correct.

I think the separate mower vs a MMM is pretty accurate. However if you have space for storage considerations you might go MMM. Also there is some convenience in maintaining ONE engine not two.

The SCUT is, in my mind, not a compromise machine. I need to move some dirt, do some 3 point work, do some snow removal etc. None of those are sufficient for a dedicated machine and leaving the rest out. So the SCUT is the perfect machine for that situation.

If I were moving nothing but dirt all day every day of course I would want a skid steer.

 

[4570Man]

I think the separate mower vs a MMM is pretty accurate. However if you have space for storage considerations you might go MMM. Also there is some convenience in maintaining ONE engine not two.
.

How much does it cost to full service a HST tractor vs a ZTR lawnmower? My ZTR mower holds 2 gallons of hydraulic oil and has one filter and says change every 1000 hours. That’s less than $100 a change using a OEM filter and Kubota SUD2 fluid. An engine oil and filter change cost me about $30 and that’s buying 2 gallons of oil. This maintenance argument is stupid as far as I’m concerned. It’s mostly use based so the more you use a machine the more often it needs serviced. There’s no free lunch involved and you spend more time using a multipurpose machine.

 

[Milo]

While some services are hour based others are based on time so having two machines requires more. Batteries for example, also coolant changes, and sometimes engine and transmission oil are all spec'd to be changed annually regardless of hours. Then there's the additional storage space required for two machines.

On the other hand having a dedicated mower and tractor (rather than a tractor that has to do the mowing too) saves hours on the tractor and saves buying either a mmm or finish mower.... though you do have to buy the ZTR, lawn mower,......

 

[dodge man]

Good choice, you are going to like it. Ignore all the arguments on a dedicated mower or ZTR. The BX makes a pretty good mower.