Compact Tractor vs ..... Help please!

[project_X]

Hi all, I am new to the board on journey to purchase a compact tractor. The other day, I stumbled across a brand new JD 2210 with loader and mower for $15500USD list and $13-14k USD street at a mall in Massena, NY, and I liked the size, it would probably fit both my mowing and loader needs. BTW: I have a large 57acre property, but only 1.5 is lawn, 5 pasture and 50+ mized bush. When I began looking at the similar tractors in Canada, (I am in Ottawa, ON), it seems that pricing does not at all track the exchange rate (the JD 2210 package up here is ~$26k list and $19k street). In fact all the compact tractors I found in Canada (Kubota, JD, Case, MF, ....) with similar packages were all the same price ~$19k. The costs got me thinking, that it may be a smarter use of money to purchase (I will use Kubota as an example, but any brand wound be similar) a ZD-21 (zero turn mower) and a B7510DT with a loader. I thought that this would give a superior mower and a superior loader for only a little bit more money. Since this is a compact tractor discussion, can someone explain the cons (besides the little bit more money) to this way of thinking? Please talk me into wanting a compact tractor.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[frank_f15]

1st of all WELCOME TO THE FORUM ! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif 2ND. i won't TRY to talk u into anything , just give you my thoughts. Fro an acerage your size i would defenitly get a decicated lawn mower for your yard( small GT or ZTR depends on your needs and finances) and most certainly at least a good sized compact tractor with FEL , hydro or gear is up to you. YOU will find more to use the tractor on than you will imagine now. if it was me i think i would get a GT for the yard work ( MOWING) AND with $$ you save bypassing the ZTR you might even be able to step up in tractor size. At least this is how i see it.

 

[GregJ]

Project_X,
You asked for opinions..... This is my experience. I have 2.5 acres, about 1/2 lawn and 1/2 forested. I have a JD LX277 lawn mower and a Kubota B7500 FEL/BH. I LOVE having the two seperate machines. The mower is able to get into very tight spaces that my Kubota, or even a smaller BX would not be able to get into. I have a small trailer that I can tow behind my JD and use that to haul landscaping mulch, etc. that I can load with my Kubota. Each has a unique function and I have really enjoyed having both for landscaping and maintenance work. Now the tractor..... with as much land as you have, THAT's a NoBrainer! On my little piece of land, I use mine almost every weekend. Heck.... I'd even try to talk you into a BH..... It's a lot of fun to spend OTHER peoples money. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Greg

 

[GaryE]

Rob,

I had Roper Rally lawn tractor that was too small for my needs. I also had a Kubota B6000 which for it's size was a great little tractor but also a little to small for what I needed to do.

I upgraded to a Sears GT5000 for my lawn work and a Kubota L3710 for the rest. I don't know yet if this was the right route, but both machines should be more than I need. I am from the school. "use the right tool for the job".... I still have my Craftsman 5.5 hp lawn mower too!

I guess what I am trying to say is find the proper tools you need for the jobs you have. Often trying to combine them will only be a compromise and one you may not be happy with.

Hope this is of some help,

Gary

 

[project_X]

Frank, Greg, Gary and all,...

Thanks for the great responses, it was nice to have some reassurance from others in similar situations. It is very interesting, I have read a lot or reviews and accounts on this board, and I can't really find anyone with anything bad to say about the CUT or sub-CUT they purhased, there must be alot of quality machines out there. I'm visiting the local Kubota dealer tomorrow, and I think I will probably leave with a dedicated mower of one sort or another (he has a couple of lightly used units that would fit my bill), and hold out for a big loader (it is certainly a nice to have, not a need to have yet) sometime over the course of the summer.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[wushaw]

I also like having a tractor for tractor work and a lawn mower for cutting the grass.

 

[California]

Just a couple of comments -

Carefully check if Canadian Customs will assess a tarriff, maybe 25 to 50% or more, as you import it across the border.

When I've sold stuff on Ebay and a Canadian won the bid, I have occasionally been screamed at for not informing them of their countries high customs rates.

Also check if Kubota Corp has asked Customs to absolutely prohibit importation. That is the case at US ports of entry, Kubota has some kind of order in force that requires US Customs to prohibit entry.

I don't know the details on these issues, this is simply a heads-up to research issues that might affect your costs.

 

[project_X]

I live close to the border, and I bring many items in to Canada from the US. I have never had to pay anything more than the PST and GST (sales taxes) on the purchase price.

I spoke to Canada Customs, and the paperwork for a canadian is negligible. You need to contact US Customs, to let them know that you are taking a vehicle out of the country. Contact the Registrar in Canada with the VIN to ensure that you are able to bring that model in ( not really a problem for a new tractor). Go to the border with you tractor, pay the applicable duty (6.1% for a japanese built tractor, 0% for a US built tractor) and pay the applicable PST and GST.

Simple as that. I have done a bit of work so far, the savings on a B7510 with mower and loader amounts to over $4500CDN or approx. 25% after everything is paid ( and that includes paying 7.25% to the state of New York during the purchase).

I'm not sure how the Kubota Corp. can block entrance into a country, why would the country have anything to do with that? I will have to look into that. Can you please explain more about the US port prohibiting entry?

Cheers,
Rob

 

[California]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm not sure how the Kubota Corp. can block entrance into a country, why would the country have anything to do with that? I will have to look into that. Can you please explain more about the US port prohibiting entry? )</font>

Kubota.com / products / gray market / leads to the following which explains the legal basis for their request to US Customs:
http://kubota.com/f/products/decision.cfm


For another perspective I put 'Wallace International tractor import' into Google and it brought up this page , among others.

I hope Kubota of Canada is not using the same techniques to protect their turf, and that none of this affects you!

Update - I just discovered your other thread 'Bring US tractors to Canada'. I probably should have discussed this topic over there.

 

[project_X]

When I reviewed the "gray market" section on www.kubota.ca it named only tractors produced for the Japanese market as gray. Gray market has always seemed like a ridiculous concpet to me, if a company produces their product with their name on it should be a quality product, no matter where it is sold. I don't expect Kubota Canada to honour the warranty of a tractor sold for the US market

Anyways, I will see how things unfold.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm not sure how the Kubota Corp. can block entrance into a country, why would the country have anything to do with that? I will have to look into that. Can you please explain more about the US port prohibiting entry? )</font>
I'll try to boil it down to a nutshell.
Kubota Corp. did not want their tractors, made for other markets, to be imported into this country as "gray market" tractors. They were not made for this country, and did not have the required safety features required for this country. Kubota did not want to support these gray market tractors, and did not want the possible liability which they might pose. So, they managed to get a court to ban the importation of said tractors into the United States under various Tariff laws and other means.
The Wallace International, et al. legal proceedings were brought about because that company had formed a co-op of sorts made up of different dealers around the country who wished to import Kubota tractors which were relabled as Zen-Noh (Japanese farmer's cooperative) brand tractors. They were clearly still Kubota tractors, and this was a trademark infringement. Some of the companies did not cease and desist, and were found guilty of violating the C&D order, and were fined large dollar amounts.
No Kubota dealership is supposed to knowingly support any gray market tractor in the US. Some models are very close to the US models, and, when someone knows which model is the closest, he/she may find the parts needed, but it's a hassle. There are still quite a few of these gray models around, but I sure wouldn't want one!
I hope that makes it a little clearer. I was very close to paying the required money to join the Wallace International co-op so that I could import the gray Kubotas before I learned about all the legal hassles that were going on. I even spoke at length with Mr. Wallace in California, however, I learned of the problems in time to save my MONEY!
John

 

[Soundguy]

With a large acerage, but small lawn.. it may make sense to have a small dedicated lawn mower.. perhaps even an economy style liek a murray.. int he 800usd range, then a scut/cut for the rest of the stuff.

perhaps in the 30hp range.. and a rough cutter if you want to tame the brush.

Lotsa choices.. lots of options.. hydro gear, etc.

I recomend you go do some test driving, or at least window shopping at local dealers.

Soundguy

 

[project_X]

I've finally made a decision (while not an economical one : ) ). I looked into a "turf special" B7510 and loader from the US, it was going to save me $5000 from my best Canadian pricing. But I decided that the B7510, while a great machine, was not compatable with my primary lawn mowing (too many trees, and manuevering would be a challenge (or slow : ) ), I found a demo ZG23 zero turn mower that I got at a significant discount and it still qualifies for factory warranty and 0% financing. I will now look for an older loader tractor in the 25+HP range to do other chores around the property.

thanks for everyone's advice,
Rob

 

[don716]

Greg, I'm interested in a BH for my B7500 but I can't seem to make up my mind.What brand do you have and do you have any pics? What are some pros and cons of a BH?? I do have a FEL on mine.
Donny /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif