Compact sub compact?

[dh206]

Hello, looking to make a used or maybe new purchase of a open cab subcompact tractor, it will be used for mowing a hilly area with belly mower and snow removal, used once a year for wood making, grading reconditioning small driveway on hill.

Kind of interested in the bobcat 1021, due to its small size, Mahindra, ls/ new holland or Kubota sub compacts. Seems all subcompacts are hydrostatic drive these days which I'm not much of a fan of currently anyway. Mind you it's only about three hilly acres up there it will be used on. Currently use a old JD 212 with extra weight and bar tires for mowing and and a 4 wheeler with tire chains, weight box, using either plow, or self contained snow blower for snow removal up there, somewhat easily detachable Loader and belly mower are what I'm looking at. Seems like used subcompacts I've found have one or the other but not both/ deck and small loader.

Somewhat apprehensive buying used envisioning some used subcompacts were initially operated like a d9 lol.

initial new tractor quotes I've currently received were all about the same, I've looked at older threads and posts Not interested in considering or looking at zero turns for up there.

Thanks for insight, Jeff.

I bought a used Kubota BX2350 about 4 years ago and have been very happy with it. I do not mow with it, but I do everything else:
1) it came with a plow attachment (controllable through the bucket knob. I use it (though not a lot of snow in SouthEastern PA anymore) (also the standard bucket)
2) I bought a rear-mount pallet fork attachment (new)
3) I bought an old, used Ford posthole digger for it (2 augers separately). Works great. I put in some split rail fencing for future pasture for some sheep.
4) I bought a used boom lift for it - works great (use it to move super heavy planters like concrete and cast iron)
5) I bought a Kubota tiller attachment for it. I used it to make a 30'x40' area of so-so soil into a proper garden by tilling, then planting a winter pea cover crop, then tilling that all under for organic enrichment.
6) I made a carry-all for it using some old barn cedar and oak and an L shaped 3PH welded base. I use this all the time.
7) I bought a used 3pt chipper/shredder for it (Goosen) that I use a couple of times a year to shred anything from 4" on down.

My land is just about completely flat. The BX is very good at not ripping up the yard but still being powerful enough for my needs on 3 acres.
I got quite a few of these things (not the pallet fork) at auction or on ebay or FB market place or Craigslist (which has been destroyed by FB MP)

 

[Pleease]

Sold my 3ph self contained bh pretty quickly a few years ago (had a pump you hooked up to rear PTO shaft) didn't run off the tractors hydraulic system.

Did that backhoe work well? I have a BX1880 and don’t think I actually need a bh, but it’s something to think about, depending on what comes up now that I’m retired.

 

[Pleease]

What is with you people mowing sidehills? Worst place for a Bobcat. Sounds like you should stick with what you have.

I have a Kubota BX at our lake cabin, which has some steep hills. Side hill cutting is out of the question, but vertically it’s great - will climb about anything in 4wd low… so it works well as long as you work within its limitations. You’re right though… suicidal taking a hill horizontally.

 

[Yander]

Yanmar SA325 is a Lower profile compact with #1200 lift. Like a SCUT CUT cross.

 

[dodge man]

John Deere’s Auto Connect mower decks truly are easy off and on. They do have to be set up correctly.

 

[WinterDeere]

though not a lot of snow in SouthEastern PA anymore

Where were you in 2021? Must have been a record year, at least the worst I can remember since before 1980.

 

[Hodado]

Recently purchased a TYM T25 and no regrets yet.Couldn’t beat the price anywhere for what you get and they gave me Zero financing I put half down and have a small payment.Added 3rd function for a grapple later on.Whatever you decide get the hydro transmission

 

[jjeff]

Did that backhoe work well? I have a BX1880 and don’t think I actually need a bh, but it’s something to think about, depending on what comes up now that I’m retired.

Yes very valuable when I was building up there. Total pain to take off and put on though. If I ever got another one I'd definitely find one with the hydraulic pump running off the PTO instead of plugging into tractors hydraulics but that's me and something's that definitely easier to take off and put on especially if your a one man operation lol.

 

[jjeff]

Hydrostatic drive increases productivity by letting you speed up or slow down while mowing depending on how thick the grass is. When you use a gear drive, you tend to use whatever gear will get you through the thickest stuff, reducing your possible speed through the easy stuff. It is also safter in the woods if you encounter hidden obstacles or run into branches or pop-up saplings that you have mowed down. I would be dead today if I had used a gear tractor in the woods; a sapling popped up and started to impale me in the chest, but I stopped, and just got a bruise. I would never have reached the clutch in time on a gear drive tractor. Today I have a Mahindra 5035 HST, which they call a compact, but at over 10,000 lb operating weight, I am not so sure it should be called a compact.

Im stubborn 5 or 6 yrs ago acquired a beat to a pulp 4150 with a hydraulic shuttle. I can't say enough good things about using that obnoxiously loud occasional smoke bomb hydraulic shuttle if I'm in something I shouldn't be in I bump the shuttle in neutral and brake. Id take a hydraulic shuttle over a hydrostatic tractor any day. But that's me. However In a skid steer, zero turn, or mini x I couldn't see it any other way than hydros controls.

 

[RaydaKub]

Off topic - just curious, is there much of an aftermarket for a backhoe attachment for something like a BX or JD1? I've seen a couple SCUTs for sale with them, and I definitely don't need two backhoes, so being able to sell it eventually would be a bonus..

The JD1 series you can buy the backhoe separately. For the BX series, you may see backhoes for sale, but unless you find a buyer who has great fab skills, the only market for one of the backhoes is someone who should already have one. The 2 digit BX models were/are all sold as TLB’s and the 4 digit models don’t have the subframe or hydraulics to support a backhoe. The loader will be the same, but the model sticker will be 1-off to indicate a TLB (LA343 vs LA344; note that I don’t remember exact numbers, but you get the idea). The TLB’s will not have 3pt arms included, but are available for purchase. All other attachments should fit TLB or tractor.

So if you are looking at a BX and already have a backhoe, I would recommend a 4 digit model, not a 2 digit.