going to buy CUT tractor - thoughts on Bobcat?

[wango tango]

Hey all

I've been lurking and reading on this site for a bit now...I love it! This is my first post. I'm so excited. :laughing:

As my title says I'm looking to get a CUT. I recently purchases 44 acres (22 tillable/22 timber) and own 6 acres at my house. My in laws farm is 140 acres too.

Here is what I need out of a CUT -

1. front end loader
2. disk or tiller
3. bushhog and/or finish mower
4. relatively modern and 4wd
5. thinking ~ 35 hp

I've been looking high and low and there basically are no CUT's that have a loader and 30+ hp for under ~12k or so. I stumbled across the Bobcats and they are offering a free loader on a new purchase. So for ~ 17k I could get a brand new tractor vs a 10 yr old used one.

I am not brand loyal and know a bit about most of them, but have no first hand experience with them.

The bobcat i'm looking at (235) seems like it would be a great choice. I understand that the paint and fit/finish may not be up to par with a green or orange tractor. But, the value this tractor provides seems outstanding.

It weighs quite a bit more than the NH/Kubota/JD (which seems a big plus)
The loader has more capacity than the NH/Kubota/JD, although it doesn't go as high as some.

I can also trade in my 2009 Yamaha Grizzly 550, which only has 44 hours.

Any thoughts why I wouldn't go with a Bobcat? I know they have a great reputation in the skid steer market.

 

[Gittyup]

It's a fine tractor. But, then so are others. So, there's no reason not to buy a BC. It'll do what you want. Because they are heavy, they might not be the best finish mower. But, for ground engagement, hard to beat the weight and hydraulics it offers.

 

[Jay4200]

Any thoughts why I wouldn't go with a Bobcat? I know they have a great reputation in the skid steer market.

Bobcat tractors are re-branded Kiotis, and Kioti seems to make a stout tractor. Check the Kioti forum for more details on specific tractors.

JayC

 

[Sand_man]

I am happy with my tractor. I do like the fact that it does weigh more than the others in the same hp range. It feels more stout and durable than others I have looked at and drove when I was shopping for one.

 

[wango tango]

thanks guys. i'm also considering a JD 4410 with a 430 loader. it only has 630 hours on it, but the bucket looks a bit rough (most paint is gone, some dents etc). wondering if it was a rental....

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=6109829&

 

[TripleR]

As mentioned, they are rebranded Kioti tractors which have a good reputation. We have no god local dealers, so I have not given them serious consideration. This may sound nit picky, but I would have to put something on the hood as all the sun bouncing off that white paint would get to me. I have driven a white tractor and it gets old quick, at least for me.

 

[IslandTractor]

thanks guys. i'm also considering a JD 4410 with a 430 loader. it only has 630 hours on it, but the bucket looks a bit rough (most paint is gone, some dents etc). wondering if it was a rental....

2002 JOHN DEERE 4410 Less than 40 HP For Sale At TractorHouse.com

I wouldn't assume it is a rental. Could be it was simply used to muck out barns for 600 plus hours as that would explain the bucket condition.

 

[DK35vince]

thanks guys. i'm also considering a JD 4410 with a 430 loader. it only has 630 hours on it, but the bucket looks a bit rough (most paint is gone, some dents etc). wondering if it was a rental....

2002 JOHN DEERE 4410 Less than 40 HP For Sale At TractorHouse.com

The bucket looks like normal wear for the hours to me.
Just needs some new paint

 

[carhartt56]

Just a thought , consider up a bit to a 40 HP .I own only 10 acers all mowed . Half with finish mower and half with a rotary cutter , both 72" . Yes a 35 hp will handle those mowers and smaller . My thought is the more Hp , the less the tractor has to work , and will last me longer . I own a Kioti Dk40SE SS and love it so far.:thumbsup:

 

[slipshot77]

Bobcat tractors are re-branded Kiotis, and Kioti seems to make a stout tractor. Check the Kioti forum for more details on specific tractors.

JayC

Bobcat made by Kioti made by Daedong. Mind boggling ain't it. I agree that they do make a nice machine though.

 

[bluechip]

Kioti also has free loaders now on thier CK series and even teh DK35SE is included. The new DS3510 might be an option to get you a new tractor closer to the used tractor price. As has been mentioned, going up a notch to teh 41 hp DS4110 or DK40SE will get you a loader with twice the capacity. Looks like you have enough land to justify the bigger tractor, work gets done a lot faster with 6' implments than 5 too.

 

[k0ua]

As others have said, the bucket wear looks normal on that JD. Even a few hours smoothing dirt or gravel by backdragging will remove a lot of paint. The good news is it goes back on pretty quick with a spraycan I would also consider the Bobcat/Kioti, if a dealer was close by.

James K0UA

 

[Dr_Zinj]

I think I saw somewhere recently that Daedong is selling their tractors through McCormick, in addition to Kioti and Bobcat. So that gives you 3 retailers for the same tractors and parts.

 

[Reg]

If you have no brand name loyalty there may not be a problem.
According to how "Dealer dependent" you expect to be you might want to pick whatever has local service - OTOH if you have a Bridgeport mill, Southbend lathe, TIG and MIG welders in the basement/barn/garage it might not matter (-:

I really don't thnk there is any significant difference between them.
Kubota is probably the only one that has it's own engines, just about everything else is "assembled" from common parts; Yanmar, Mitsubishi, etc engines, transmissions and axles are bought in, so is just about everything else.
South Korea is the origin of most tractors under about 85 HP., including some of the "Big Name" originally US companies - they are known as "Contract tractors" and many come from the same plant, same assembly line, different colors, different emblems.

 

[NOTV8]

If you have that size property I would get a bigger size tractor than CT 235. Because you know you will try to do what a big machine can do on your CUT.... Don't ask how I know . Don't get me wrong I love my CT 235. It is more tractor compare to other machine of it's size. And the price is right for me at that time. Maybe start looking on CT 335 and up. Buying a new one if you can afford it is much better and you will peace of mine because you also get warranty if you need it. My next advice is get the one with the dealer back up after purchase. You just don't know when you going to need them again. Good luck on your purchase. And don't forget the rules.... when you get it you have to send pics...

 

[IslandTractor]

Kubota is probably the only one that has it's own engines, just about everything else is "assembled" from common parts; Yanmar, Mitsubishi, etc engines, transmissions and axles are bought in, so is just about everything else.

Kioti (Daedong) makes their own engines too, at least up to about 65hp. Pretty sure they make their own axles and trannys too. Kubota may be the only one that makes their own loaders/BH if they do. I know Kioti outsources those attachments.

 

[wango tango]

thanks for the replies everyone.

i'm worried that having too big of a tractor will be detrimental to my lawn (i plan on mowing with it).

seriously contemplating a 2002 JD 4410. has similar specs to the bobcat 235 but for a used price. seems like a good tractor.

decisions decisions....

 

[mfreund]

I have a 2004 4310 with 800 hrs on it. I use a 72" MMM and think it is a great mower even with the r-4 tires. I use a 430 loader and 72" box blade for snow removal. I have no complaints. PS. My bucket looks worse.