Comparison Choices, Choices, Too Many Choices

[Diggin It]

Property
4-5 acres former farm land, mostly mowable grass with several small trees.
Mostly hills and slopes, some flat.
One estimate says steepest area is about 20% grade over about 75 linear feet.
Other areas are lesser grade.
In some areas, the ground is mostly red rock gravel under topsoil.


Tasks
Mowing primarily, including the steep hill.
Breaking some high areas to move dirt/fill to lower/sunken areas.
Moving loads of cut wood, brush and other loose materials.
Removing 50 or more small stumps, approximately 5-6" diameter.
Some trenching.
General ongoing grounds maintenance.

Needs
Garden tractor or sub-compact tractor, prefer 48" total width or less.
Foldable ROPS preferred
Belly/mid-mount mower
Loader bucket
Backhoe
Tiller


Considering

JD 102X
Kubota BX
Massey GC1710 or 20
LS MT122 or 125
TYM T234
Kioti CS2510
New Holland Workmaster 25S

It's all about the money. Less is best. Used would be OK however I'm not much of am mechanic to overhaul and maintain older machines.


I've done a bit of reading here and see that many seem to prefer the Massey or the LS over some of the more common machines.

 

[Fuddy1952]

I would want a Deere 2 family, 2025R probably. Or similar Orange, red, blue.
I think you'll be happier if you'll be using it for years.

 

[jeff9366]

The Kubota 23S is the only subcompact tractor with Backhoe INTEGRATED into the tractor design.

A Backhoe can be added to most tractors as an option but you will be happier with an integrated Backhoe.

VIDEOS (3) : The ONLY BX that gets a backhoe - WHY IS IT ONLY 23 HORSEPOWER? - TMT - YouTube

How to Operate a Kubota BT62 Backhoe & Product Overview | Messick's - YouTube

*NEW* Kubota BX23s BT6�3 Backhoe removal - YouTube

How to REMOVE AND INSTALL KUBOTA BX SERIES mower deck - YouTube

 

[mddorange]

:welcome:
To the TBN forum Diggin It. You came to the right place to get answers.

You do not list in your profile where you are located. It helps to make recommendations when we know your location to get a good idea about your area.

 

[rngrrymd]

If your primary objective is mowing the Deere 1025R has the easiest drive over deck of all the models listed and the tractor itself is 48" wide w/r4 tires. It is not the cheapest of the models. Can u go without the backhoe? In your situation can u rent a mini-ex to knock out the stumps and run a trench? If u are willing to give us your location also that will help as well with giving advice.

 

[newbury]

If your primary objective is mowing the Deere 1025R has the easiest drive over deck of all the models listed and the tractor itself is 48" wide w/r4 tires. It is not the cheapest of the models. Can u go without the backhoe? In your situation can u rent a mini-ex to knock out the stumps and run a trench? If u are willing to give us your location also that will help as well with giving advice.

What rngr wrote about backhoe.
If $$ are a primary limiter and your use of it will be limited that's a lot of $$ for an attachment often better rented.

 

[majorwager]

Hopefully post # 3 is paying attention, as others politely ask the OP general location, certain elements bark and demand the information. Of course location disclosure is completely at the poster's discretion , NO ONE appreciates harsh demands.

Post 4 and 5 set the tone for a polite request. Post 3 was restrained in current offering as there has been significant push back in the immediate past. New members deserve moment to test the waters w/ initial posts.



Agree w/ advice that renting a mini excavator for a short term task, that is preferable. Unless sustained work is anticipated, it becomes a storage item. Mine hasn't been on a tractor in years.

As for tractors, most members have a biased favorite, but also agree that the major brands you mention, will meet the performance challenge. Deere and Kubota are more expensive. Worth it? You will receive differing opinions. I purchase equipment for the long term, so resale isn't a general factor. So if you pay less initially, you will receive less on the back end, logical?


If you reside in an area serviced by RK Tractors, you will find a handy website w/ all tractors, attachments and implements clearly and plainly displayed w/ prices in plain view. It can provide a cost comparison as you shop for your tractor.

It is important to drive models under consideration. Advice I don't follow, bought my current car and tractor, both new. Over the phone, having driven neither, but read reviews extensively.

Some tout a dealer relationship. Can't argue that point. The less popular brands are likely sold by smaller dealers. Integrity can be more important than size, but longevity is worth a look.

There is no shortage of sizing advice. Read some existing threads, buy the size you believe will accomplish your tasks. Note that the brands vying for market share tend to include more features in base models. Deere and kubota tend to regard these items as options.

 

[Diggin It]

Budget won't allow a 2X series or equivalent.

Digging/trenching work would be a number of smaller tasks over time, maybe months. Rental places want $300/day or more and I don't have truck or trailer to move that type of thing. Even a small DitchWitch was $260/day plus delivery/pickup. It wouldn't take too many days of rentals (10 days x $300/day = ??) to offset the price of hoes with these. Plus, I would have the possibility of hiring out to make some of that back. Those would be places nearby that I could drive the machine to along back country roads.

Same with the tiller. Rentals are too high and I could hire out to some neighbors if I had one.

Reading past threads is how I got the feel that Massey and LS may work to the top of my list. I just wish I could find them used. I'll probably be visiting those dealers first.

I have green, blue, red and orange dealers within 100 miles of me, generally within 50. This is primarily an Ag area with some urban towns scattered about. Despite having money, they don't tend to sell their stuff once they get it. If they do, it's more or less worn out. This is mixed country, lots of green, but also lots of other colors. Big Ag places tend to use Case .... BIG Case.

Though used could be priced less, I haven't seen a large markdown from new. The JD dealer had a Kioti 2510 with loader for $11K or so. They also had a BX25 with no hoe in the same range. I have my eye on a BX24 from a Husqy dealer for $14K with loader and hoe, but no mower. Assuming $1500 -$2000 for the mower, I'm back in the $16000 range.

The other big drawback with used is no warranty.

Intention is to retain it, whatever it is, but the option to sell may come along in a few years. I'd like to have some value left in it if and when that time comes.



I have an RK store, but no tractors. There has been some discussion about who services/repairs them too, RK or TYM.

As to the one mention about about hoes designed in, the ones I'm looking at would include a factory supplied hoe as opposed to buying an add-on later. Are those machines not designed for that purpose?

 

[jeff9366]

As to the one mention about about hoes designed in, the ones I'm looking at would include a factory supplied hoe as opposed to buying an add-on later. Are those machines not designed for that purpose?

If you watch the videos your question will be answered in great detail.

There is a considerable difference between integrated Backhoes and add-on Backhoes, whether add-ons purchased with the tractor or later.

Watch the videos in Post #3. It takes more effort for me to locate and post LINKS and VIDEOS for your education than for you to type in a couple sentences.

 

[Ritothebull]

Of course location disclosure is completely at the poster's discretion , NO ONE appreciates harsh demands.


I get the idea that some folks may think that they have to list their address when actually just giving people an idea what part of the world they live in or state would help a lot. I pass over many posts where not having the location just makes the post a waste to even bother with depending on the subject. And I will say that the members on here on TBN are much better at listing their locations than many of the forms I visit, a couple I read are really bad and their international.