Comparison Buying my first sub compact tractor need help deciding.

[kmesr9]

I have about 10 acres but only about 2 of the ten is cleared, the rest is woods. I have what I guess is considered a CUT, a Compact Utility Tractor, not a Sub Compact. The tractor is a 44 year old Yanmar and it has a front end loader (FEL). I would not consider anything less. My neighbor has a new Kioti tractor. It is very nice but has smaller wheels and despite it being 4 wheel drive he has had some trouble with ground clearance and getting stuck. My taller tractor is only 2 wheel drive but it doesn't get stuck because of ground clearance issues. You should for sure get a 4 wheel drive tractor but if I was you I would get a CUT. With a front end loader. The FEL makes a tractor way, way, way more useful.
Eric

Agree with all Eric said and want to add that the FEL can also help you get unstuck.

 

[bigtiller]

Buying bigger than you need is good advise.
I started out with a garden tractor for my 4 ~ acres With many upgrades and 3 decades later I have a 39hp jd 3039r with a cab.

I have noticed that the bigger the tractor that you mow the lawn with, the more friendlier people are when they drive by.

The cars slow down a bit and the people wave at me and they all have a big smile on their face.

Maybe they are laughing at me? That's ok, I'm comfortable and having fun.

Buy big and go home.

 

[johng@imbertconstruction.]

I would buy the machine with the best dealer and I agree, a CUT is far more useful than the glorified lawnmower sub compact.
My first tractor was a ford 1520, purchased in 1990 and still looks like new. (I couldn't afford a FEL and bought it years later. They didn't offer quick attach at that time so I added that later).
Looked at JD in 1990 and in this size range, it was built like agarden tractor with a bent metal frame upon which the engine and trans were bolted. The Ford 1520 was built like a real tractor with the engine and transmission being the frame.
Didnt look at Case/IH as I thought they would go out of business.
Kubota was Japanese and I didn't want Japanese. The dealer said Fod was making tractors since 1910! Turns out the 1520 Was made in Japan... go figure.
Second was a NH/LS 4060Boomer (ford became Ford/New Holland , then new Holland , then LS and maybe now CNH, I think. They changed their names several times, sometimes selling identical machines with different labels,
In any event the machine are flawless , never let me down.
4wd and front loader for sure, rear hydraulics if you can afford it.
Never had anyone tell me they wish they bought a smaller tractor
Good luck..

 

[KennJ]

I have 5 acres and was originally mowing about 3. I considered a sub-compact, but I am SO happy I went with a compact instead! I opted for the Branson 2515 (now TYM 2515) because if you have a tractor and property you are going to want it to do work, and the 2515 has the most lifting capacity on the loader (2,200 lb compared with around 1,000 for others in the category) and the 3 point hitch can let around 3,500 lb. When it comes to moving materials like fencing, building materials etc you can move a ton of weight (literally) at a time with a set of pallet forks! Not to mentions trees, firewood, etc etc.

I've also been pleased with their warranty and service. If you have a TYM dealer remotely close go look at a 2515!

 

[KennyG]

I would really like to know what the OP is doing. Note to new posters: It is nice to provide an update.

 

[FL Cracker Man]

I don't post a lot but I'm a happy owner of a MF GC 1723 EB and maintaining five acres with it. Mind you, we have two acres of grass I cut with a ZT but I bush hog 2.5 more of the wooded area and manage a 60' by 60' food plot. It was the right size for me.

 

[Hodado]

I bought a

How many acres are you leasing? What's the chance you will stop leasing these acres and need a larger tractor?
How long of driveway are you plowing? This might dictate whether you want a cabbed tractor.
When I bought my tractor I remember reading "buy a tractor one size bigger than you think you need". I didn't heed that advice and bought a 33 hp and two years later sold that and bought a 54 hp.

Buy once, cry once.

I bought a older 855 JD and wished I had done more research,finding out that while it’s easy to maneuver its so light that some of my attachments are too heavy for it and there’s no replacement for horsepower but I make it work and didn’t have a lot of money to spend. It shares duty with my 48 JD M.The 4x4 on the 855 is a great feature.If I had it to do over again I’d get at least 30-35 hp

 

[confederatemule]

Welcome to TBN - great place to get a lot of help and information. Most tractors are very good but be sure to buy from a dealer you can trust. Most tractors are only as good as the dealer who supports them.

For sure the dealer makes a big difference in your tractor experience.

 

[can do]

I bought a farm in Upstate NY, I have leased most of the acres to a nearby farmer, so I'm just looking to maintain the 5 acres around our house. The terrian is flat with some hills. I'm looking to use the tractor for mowing and plowing my driveway along with yardwork/ landscaping projects. The subcompact tractors I was considering were the LS MTl25, Kioti 2520, Mahindra 25L HST and the New Holland Workmaster 25s. I would have considered JD and kubota but there aren't dealers in my area and there also out of my budget. I'm also set on getting a new tractor for 0% financing. Does anyone have experience with these models and which do you think would be the best option. I do like the NH wm25s but I heard LS makes the same tractor.

IMHO as well as bias I would go with a M-F 1526 cut with a mid mount pto for mowing, & you can go with a front end snow blower if you wanted or a fel with a rear blade; as well as 4x4. Most come with a fel, 4x4 already. The mid mount pto is optional, But these are usually cheaper than the GC series scuts from M-F. I have a 2018 M-F 1526, It has been totally trouble free to own. Good luck in your search, & welcome TBN.

 

[RB5]

I almost bought a Deere 3 series. I looked at other brands. I have several Deere dealers here and the others brands dealers do not seem that great. The MF dealer had very little inventory most of the times I went there. I had it in my head that I was going to do garden work and mow acreage with my new tractor. I kept looking and the 3 series just seemed small. I had a need to move dirt and round bales, so I looked at the 4 series JD. It was bigger and just seemed like a lot more tractor. I have no regrets on my purchase and am very happy I went up one size instead of being stuck with a smaller tractor that would not do everything I need. ..and it is really nice to move as much compost as I want from the pasture were I feed the cows and to be able to run my disk in circles to get it all mixed in. The smaller tractor would not have been able to do that. I would not buy a tractor without 4wd. You may think you don't need it, but the first time you do you will be glad you have it. After having a 4wd tractor and a 4x4 pick up I would never be without it again. One time I had to leave my old tractor with one wheel spinning in the mud buried in a hole in the field until it was dry enough to drive my 2wd truck out there to pull it out. The ony time I have been stuck with 4wd is when it was wetter than I thought and I didn't have it in 4wd. I was able to pull my truck out with my tractor, and I have pulled my tractor out with my truck as well.