The Ingersoll 6018 has an integral loader. It is a gasoline engine, 2wd, cat 0, "garden" tractor. But the loader is designed into the machine and has lift capacities far greater than a BX and other, larger compacts--about 750 lbs at max height and 1350 lbs breakout. It is built like a tank out of cast iron and steel, weighing about 1500 lbs in a garden tractor size. Like all Ingersoll's, it is completely hydraulically driven, everwhere--engine, transmission, steering, and pto's. No belts, pulleys, drive shafts or chains (except for the serpentine blade belt on the mower.) Hydraulically-powered pto attachments include belly mowers (up to 60"), 48" rear hitch mower, 48" brush cutter, wood
chipper, and snow blower. The 6018 lists for about $11,500 and can be found at dealers on sale for $8,500. There is a $5000 third party back hoe available for it. Other Ingersoll models do not have the integral loader, but take a third-party frame-attach loader that has ratings not too much lower than the BX. The prices on these other models are in the $4500 to $7500 list range. I know so much offhand because I have been looking at Ingersolls for 10 years and they remained on my bitter end short list until I finally purchased a tractor this month--a
BX2200. The downside of the Ingersolls is that they lack some modern functional amenties, such as 4wd, diff lock, open operator deck, foot pedal controls, cupholders and a cat 1 hitch. (They look like tractors from Calvin Coolidge's era--a good thing.) Moreover, their dealer network is sparse to nonexistent in some areas of the country, and the tractors and their proprietary hydraulic implements may be difficult to resell or trade. Although I didn't but one in the end, I continue to believe that Ingersolls are underknown and underappreciated diamonds in the rough. In many ways they are functionally superior to any garden tractor available. And the 6018 has a lollapalooza of a loader (but be careful of the lack of 4wd for loader functionality).
