I have owned a NH and a Kubota both new 30 hp.for less than 10 acres.NH out performs the Kubota big time.Kubota does it all but at a slower rate and not as comfortable feeling.4wd and you never get stuck and just the right size.For 5 acres the 25 hp is the answer.
Comparison Buying my first sub compact tractor need help deciding.
- Thread starter Ricanrider
- Start date
Hermio
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2014
- Messages
- 353
- Location
- Clarksville, OH
- Tractor
- Mahindra 5035 HST w/FEL and 4-way bucket; Ford 4110
I used a Kubota B7100HST for years on an 8 acre plot. It was versatile but rather slow at mowing, and it could not get into tight spots. I suggest you try to budget for two machines: a compact tractor and a zero turn mower. My ZTR got the job done in 1/3 of the time, and I did not need to use a push mower for the tight spots.
soler
New member
My opinion, then my advice...
Opinion: I'll bet you won't be happy with the smaller tractor. I have 5 acres and two tractors, a 65hp and a 38hp (both Mahindras). The 65 is for lifting full pallets of landscaping material off of my trailer (so I don't have to break them down) and for moving/grading lots of dirt. But my mahindra 1538 is my go-to for just about everything. The only time I wish I had a smaller tractor is maneuvering around my fruit trees, but that's rare.
Advice: go rent a couple of tractors. You can rent a 25hp from home depot. I think they also have a 3xhp. There's also Sunbelt rentals. And you might have other rental options near you. Get a couple of attachments with them that you think you're going to use. I have done that and that's how I came to the decision to buy the 1538 instead of the 1526.
Opinion: I'll bet you won't be happy with the smaller tractor. I have 5 acres and two tractors, a 65hp and a 38hp (both Mahindras). The 65 is for lifting full pallets of landscaping material off of my trailer (so I don't have to break them down) and for moving/grading lots of dirt. But my mahindra 1538 is my go-to for just about everything. The only time I wish I had a smaller tractor is maneuvering around my fruit trees, but that's rare.
Advice: go rent a couple of tractors. You can rent a 25hp from home depot. I think they also have a 3xhp. There's also Sunbelt rentals. And you might have other rental options near you. Get a couple of attachments with them that you think you're going to use. I have done that and that's how I came to the decision to buy the 1538 instead of the 1526.
OP: in additional to the good advice above, while at the dealer, realize a parking lot test drive is a poor way to simulate field use. sometimes when you bring a new ride home, the tractor will suddenly shrink in size & capability.
powerscol
Veteran Member
You will want at least 35 hp. I have a compact Bobcat CT 235 for my 3 acres. I have the wide GP tires on it. I used it for haying, running a full size Heston inline baler and other hay equipment. Yep it was marginal on power, but got the job done. Its hydro-static. I started out using it for mowing (bush mower), but have since then switched to a new Bobcat ZT3550 zero turn mower (52" deck). Man is it a world of difference and fast. I also got rid of the brush mower and got a ditch bank flail mower. Do you ever plan to do anything with the other acreage? If so consider moving up a class to a 50HP unit Of the ones you listed look at the Kioti is it is almost a clone of the Bobcat. Also check out you dealers service department - look at reviews as a some point in time you will need thier help.
Also consider used, especially if they are pre DEF units. The DEF systems on the current tractors are very expensive to fix and the computers running the units are complex. I.E. you cant do your own maintenance.
Also consider used, especially if they are pre DEF units. The DEF systems on the current tractors are very expensive to fix and the computers running the units are complex. I.E. you cant do your own maintenance.
i would not go with a sub compact with that much land to deal with, you need a lawn mower for around the house (zero turn) and you need the biggest tractor you can afford at least 50 hp that way you can pull a 8 or 6 foot finish mower to mow your acreage, if your talking about plowing snow i would use a snow blower instead, to plow snow takes a lot of power and substantial tractor weight to push snow around if you plow. Look at the used equipment markets, auctions you can find nice machines for half the price of new a tractor. A tractor will last you your lifetime if you take care of it. Bobcat makes a nice hydrostatic drive tractor so does Massey in the 50 hp range and get a CAB and loader after you get older you will be damn glad your not sitting in the cold or in the dust and dirt! I have a 100 hp masssey 2660 60 acres in ND and I use every hp available from baling to blowing snow. Good Luck!
Geunther
Member
I agree with the statement, 'buy your 5th tractor first'. Make sure you have enough power to use your implements properly. For instance a 5 foot finish mower needs 25 hp to power it properly. This is 25 hp at the PTO, not 25 hp in the tractor. I have a 6 foot finish mower, on a 33 HP tractor, 29 at the PTO. It is enough, but I could use another 5 hp when the mowing is thick. A FEL is a must for around the farm landscaping. I would also suggest that you get an extra set of remotes for a third function. You will find that you need it more than you expect. Very helpful if you want a hydraulic top link, or a log splitter. Since you are in upstate NY, you may want to process firewood to assist in the cold weather management.
A friend of mine told me when I was looking that 'almost no one has ever said, my tractor is too big, wish I had bought a smaller one.'
If you are subject to large precipitation, a larger tractor will get stuck far less than a SC. Make sure you get 4wd. Plowing heavy snowfall takes a lot more power and patience than you would expect. Depending an how far upstate, a cab may be something you should really consider. It's not just the heat, it's the ability to keep the wind/ice/sleet from covering you and the controls. Even in KY, I have been plowing snow, only to see my dash board become completely obscured by snow/ice. My control levers became icy, and the engine speed controller froze to the dash, and was impossible to break free. (I had to go back to the shop and break out the heat gun...) I live on 7 fairly flat acres, and 33hp is not really enough. I get by, but if I ever have to replace the 33hp, I will look for one that has more capacity on the FEL, and around 45 hP. I do no logging, no tilling, mostly mowing, snow plow, and FEL work cleaning up after animals, or moving round bales.
Take your time, make sure to sit in several makes and models. Ergonomics will impact you more than you think. Controls that are easy to reach, and ease of getting on and off will be important, especially as you get a bit older.
A friend of mine told me when I was looking that 'almost no one has ever said, my tractor is too big, wish I had bought a smaller one.'
If you are subject to large precipitation, a larger tractor will get stuck far less than a SC. Make sure you get 4wd. Plowing heavy snowfall takes a lot more power and patience than you would expect. Depending an how far upstate, a cab may be something you should really consider. It's not just the heat, it's the ability to keep the wind/ice/sleet from covering you and the controls. Even in KY, I have been plowing snow, only to see my dash board become completely obscured by snow/ice. My control levers became icy, and the engine speed controller froze to the dash, and was impossible to break free. (I had to go back to the shop and break out the heat gun...) I live on 7 fairly flat acres, and 33hp is not really enough. I get by, but if I ever have to replace the 33hp, I will look for one that has more capacity on the FEL, and around 45 hP. I do no logging, no tilling, mostly mowing, snow plow, and FEL work cleaning up after animals, or moving round bales.
Take your time, make sure to sit in several makes and models. Ergonomics will impact you more than you think. Controls that are easy to reach, and ease of getting on and off will be important, especially as you get a bit older.
bearthebruce
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2018
- Messages
- 517
- Location
- Property is in Floyd County VA
- Tractor
- '05 Massey Ferguson 1533; '22 LS MT125, '23 Kubota SVL65-2
I was going to add to this thread and talk about our LS MT125. Then I noticed that the OP has not come back to ask anything after his initial post. My guess is all the good advice here has helped him and he has moved on.
If he wants to know about the LS MT125, I operate one. Its new to us.
The boss likes lil Blue for his color and his back hoe. I prefer red and ride Missy maintaining our 200+ acres with her. I do use Blue... but he is not my go to. Digging, we go to him. Else Missy is the work horse.
In March we (the hunters on the property must give 1 week of service to hunt) were clearing brush in two areas. Both Blue and Missy were each assigned an area. We made short work of things that week having two machines that can lift and push. We loaded the burn piles with debris and moved on.
The one thing I want/need is a grapple! That would make things so much easier for maintaining wooded land. All the cutting and hauling we do manually could be eliminated.
I have said we could use a bigger machine and I am convinced a 55 -70Hp Compact - at the top of the line up - would be good. Just for mowing we could move up to a larger cutter and halve our time to mow. We have 20 acres to mow twice a year. Pretty steep hills...
We do some of our mowing with a zero turn mower we set up for rough mowing. We cut at 6" high to stay out of the rocks and junk. We are not looking for a "finished" lawn cut with it. Mostly just trying to keep the brush from returning where we have cleared it.
It ain't my money so we do the jobs with the machines we have. But I do dream about what could be!
If he wants to know about the LS MT125, I operate one. Its new to us.
The boss likes lil Blue for his color and his back hoe. I prefer red and ride Missy maintaining our 200+ acres with her. I do use Blue... but he is not my go to. Digging, we go to him. Else Missy is the work horse.
In March we (the hunters on the property must give 1 week of service to hunt) were clearing brush in two areas. Both Blue and Missy were each assigned an area. We made short work of things that week having two machines that can lift and push. We loaded the burn piles with debris and moved on.
The one thing I want/need is a grapple! That would make things so much easier for maintaining wooded land. All the cutting and hauling we do manually could be eliminated.
I have said we could use a bigger machine and I am convinced a 55 -70Hp Compact - at the top of the line up - would be good. Just for mowing we could move up to a larger cutter and halve our time to mow. We have 20 acres to mow twice a year. Pretty steep hills...
We do some of our mowing with a zero turn mower we set up for rough mowing. We cut at 6" high to stay out of the rocks and junk. We are not looking for a "finished" lawn cut with it. Mostly just trying to keep the brush from returning where we have cleared it.
It ain't my money so we do the jobs with the machines we have. But I do dream about what could be!
pacosperson
Bronze Member
You can do your mowing tomorrow or the next day, or the day after that. In upstate New York your greatest concern will be snow removal. I suggest the largest rear tires you can afford, a set of tire chains, a power angle plow for less than 5" of snow, and a FRONT drive snow blower for more than 5". And 4WD too.
mx842
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2011
- Messages
- 817
- Location
- Richmond Va
- Tractor
- Kubota L3301, PowerKing 2414, John Deere 316, Gravely ZT HD 52
I won't comment on which brand to buy because there are so many opinions out there on which is better. Most all of the sub and compact tractors out there now are decent machines.
I was in the same boat as you are just a little over a year ago and thought long and hard about which one to buy. I was all set to buy a Kubota 2501 but after discussing my choice on here I went with a 3301 and glad I did. Now looking back, I wish I had bought a little larger tractor than I did mainly because of the lift capacity of the FEL. The tractor has enough power to do most anything I want where I am, but I would like something that could handle at least 1400/1500 lbs. That's something to consider when buying any tractor.
I never dreamed I could find something to do pretty much every day on a small property like the 10 ac I own here in rural VA. I have put 182 hrs. on this tractor in a little less than a year. You will find so many things you will wish you could do with a little larger tractor than what you have now. To move up at that point will cost you money. Think long and hard about what in your wildest dreams you might want to do with this tractor as far as implements go. When you buy something get every implement you ever may think you will want or need because when buying new you can add it all into the financing. I don't know about any other brand, but with Kubota you can take the no money down, no interest for the life of the term of the loan and bundle it all together. I never thought I would need a bush hog or a post hole digger but with a new tractor you will find something just about every day you will wish you could do and to go out and buy them separate is going to cost you. Just about any option you might need later on is going to cost you more than several payments you are making now. When you bundle them in you will get a discount on the implements which brings the total cost down a little.
There is much good advice given in this thread and hopefully it will help you make an informed decision. There is an old saying, not really about tractors but it applies here, "Size does matter".
I was in the same boat as you are just a little over a year ago and thought long and hard about which one to buy. I was all set to buy a Kubota 2501 but after discussing my choice on here I went with a 3301 and glad I did. Now looking back, I wish I had bought a little larger tractor than I did mainly because of the lift capacity of the FEL. The tractor has enough power to do most anything I want where I am, but I would like something that could handle at least 1400/1500 lbs. That's something to consider when buying any tractor.
I never dreamed I could find something to do pretty much every day on a small property like the 10 ac I own here in rural VA. I have put 182 hrs. on this tractor in a little less than a year. You will find so many things you will wish you could do with a little larger tractor than what you have now. To move up at that point will cost you money. Think long and hard about what in your wildest dreams you might want to do with this tractor as far as implements go. When you buy something get every implement you ever may think you will want or need because when buying new you can add it all into the financing. I don't know about any other brand, but with Kubota you can take the no money down, no interest for the life of the term of the loan and bundle it all together. I never thought I would need a bush hog or a post hole digger but with a new tractor you will find something just about every day you will wish you could do and to go out and buy them separate is going to cost you. Just about any option you might need later on is going to cost you more than several payments you are making now. When you bundle them in you will get a discount on the implements which brings the total cost down a little.
There is much good advice given in this thread and hopefully it will help you make an informed decision. There is an old saying, not really about tractors but it applies here, "Size does matter".
