Great another newbie!

[Mark191145]

First post, and yes trying to pick out new tractor. I moved off of farm life style 4 years ago to try a subdivision. Poor experiment and the family is going back to farm life. When I moved I sold off all the toys, Case DX 35, New Holland Skid steer, and Skag turf tiger. I really don't know how I ever afforded all of it. Now the farm will be much smaller at 7 AC vs the old one at 50 AC. I have been surfing the site for a few months as we searched for our new farm. Now with closing rapidly approaching I need to buy. I am hoping to get one CUT or SCUT to replace three items I had. I really want the back hoe as well, I feel if I don't buy it upfront I will never get it. So I want TLB, plus tiller and mower.
My questions are belly or finish mower, I thought belly but many dealers have pushed finish mower as a better choice.

Then of course what brand and model, I have looked at JD 1025, kubota box and 2029' Max 28xl. Because of cost I really want to see a TYM, LS, and Yanmar. I know it's a personal thing and I'm sure they are all good tractors but how do you finally pick one. And what size, when I look at some like the BX series they just look like a riding mower. I know they must do a great job because of the reviews and for the mowing part might be better.

And finally what transmission, HST or gear. My Case was HST, because I thought my wife might drive it, but she never did in 10 years so I don't need it. But is it better for mowing?

I think I've just researched too much and have taken the fun out of shopping. Any help from the experts that are using all these great tractors is very much appreciated. If you could just tell me why you choose your brand and size I think it would really help.

Thanks in advance
M

 

[ferrari99]

My personal opinion on the transmission. For the upkeep of 7ac, mowing, etc... I would get a HST or at least shuttle shift that just my personal opinion but really depends on your preference. For what size I think better too big than too small.
ferrari99

 

[TSO]

I agree, HST is the way to go, especially if you plan to use your loader much. What you're going to find when you start shopping (and you really should try out all the contenders personally) is that there really are no bad choices right now. LS, TYM & Kioti will be your best values right now. Kioti has finally established themselves and has a lot of dealers ... LS is quickly gaining ground as well. TYM looks to be a good product too, but they are lacking in dealer options and support.

I have personally owned both Kioti and LS (my LS currently has about 150hrs) and they are both good tractors.

Kubota, Deere, Massey... all make excellent tractors too, but unless you find a great deal on one, you'll pay a lot more than the newer brands from South Korea (Kioti, LS, TYM).

Unless you have a dealer that wants to deal, you can pretty much avoid New Holland and Case... they are rebranded LS machines and usually sell for many thousands more than buying from an LS dealer. Likewise, TYM makes the "new" Cabella's tractors and some of the Mahindra's.

If you are looking for a true TLB then you will probably have to stick with Kubota for Deere...the other companies will sell you a backhoe attachment, but it is not the same as a true TLB, which will be designed with the backhoe in mind. those machines will also usually run better hydraulics, which is also an advantage they have over just adding a backhoe attachment on to a standard tractor. However, if you decide to go the route of adding a backhoe attachment, you may want to consider which tractor has the best hydraulics available. Massey & Deere usually have the best hydraulics for their standard tractors.

Finally, size: you owned a DX35 so you are familiar with that size. Most people on this forum, including myself, will usually suggest getting one size larger than you think you want or need, because the tractor will shrink almost immediately after you begin using it. As they say, better to have too much and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

Good luck! Tractor shopping is fun!

 

[Baby Grand]

My advice is to get a dedicated lawn mowing machine. You can do this for very little money and upgrade later, once your finances have stabilized. For the price of the big tractor's mowing deck you can buy a disposable lawn tractor and be good for a few years. This takes some of the conflicting requirements off of your "tractoring" tractor, plus you won't have to be putting the deck on and taking it off whenever you need ground clearance for, well, tractoring.

And by the way - that was a great first post - welcome to TBN!

 

[Gary Fowler]

I know lots of folks here claim to do amazing things with their BX and have video to prove it. I just cant think that a tractor that weighs 1389# will do much with a backhoe, it just doesn't have the weight needed to do much digging in hard soil. If you have pure sand then it may be ok. Personally I would look at one of the larger tractors IF you think you really need a backhoe. I looked at the Max28 and the LS R3038 when I was looking for a backhoe and they looked to have much more weight and power than the BX and B 2960 models. I ended up with a used B26 which for the most part is great. I could use a bit more uummfph at times but it does all I want. The downside to a dedicated TLB like the B26 is that the loaders are fixed and cant be removed so no belly mower for these tractors, but because the frame is integral with the tractor, it is much stronger than other add on backhoes with sub-frame and they weight much more (4001#)than a comparable B model.
If getting a backhoe, check out the hydraulic thumb as they make the backhoe much much more versatile. It is almost like having a bionic arm when it comes to picking stuff up. I can pick up rocks as small as a soft ball and as large as the hoe will lift with mine. It is great for stacking stumps onto a burn pile also.
I wouldn't get anything smaller than the Max 28 whether getting a back hoe or not. Just remember a hoe is going to add around $6-7K to the price of a CUT tractor. A dedicated TLB like the Kubota B26 and other larger Kubota models are outrageously priced for their size and will be at least $10K higher than a comparably sized TLB with add on subframe backhoe.
My daughter has a B2630? (I think that is the model) with a belly mower and uses it to mow her 2.5 acre lot (minus house footage) and uses a 5 foot tiller, bedder, middle buster in their garden. It does a good job with all that and so far the belly mower has stayed on when tilling/bedding their sandy soil. I don't know how well it would handle a backhoe though.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Both Kioti and LS have their U.S.A. headquarters in North Carolina, so they should be well-represented by dealers there.

For a single do-it-all machine, I'd look at something larger than a JD 1025 or a Kubota BX. I think the lift capacity on the loader would limit the chores you could accomplish with it. The ground clearance is fairly low on them too. The Kubota BX tractors are more capable than their size would lead you to believe, but the laws of physics can't be changed. I love my BX23 (TLB) but I wouldn't want it to be my only machine.

I would also think about trying to find a gently used tractor and use the savings to pay part of the cost of a quality ZTR like the Scag you used to have. You already know how quickly you can mow with one of those.

 

[Tompet]

My advice is to get a dedicated lawn mowing machine. You can do this for very little money and upgrade later, once your finances have stabilized. For the price of the big tractor's mowing deck you can buy a disposable lawn tractor and be good for a few years. This takes some of the conflicting requirements off of your "tractoring" tractor, plus you won't have to be putting the deck on and taking it off whenever you need ground clearance for, well, tractoring.

And by the way - that was a great first post - welcome to TBN!

Agree with all of this...you had a scag in the past and obviously you know land and equipment...and time/money involved......so I think you also already know of the one piece of machinery that can do it all theory sometimes is not the solution for some properties. Btw, for where you outlined and your history I agree a cut size tractor at minimum which is what you have already concluded. Good luck shopping!

 

[Mark191145]

Thank you so much for the help. I really had not considered a used ZTM for the 2500 to 3000 that a belly mower would cost, or a cheap new ZTR. I have a Gravely 36 inch with walker with the skid in back to ride on that I was going to keep for using around the trees and fencing. I could sell it and put that with the belly mower savings and get a very nice used ZTM or decent new.
On the back hoe, are you saying some will NOT be able to be removed? I will want to remove it to use other items at the three point hitch. I thought they all could be removed.
What does the term Skid Steer bucket mean? Some of the tractors say they have this feature.

Anyone know of a good aggressive LS dealer in NC or SC, or Kioti dealer. I would like to look at them next week.
Thanks again

Mark

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Thank you so much for the help. I really had not considered a used ZTM for the 2500 to 3000 that a belly mower would cost, or a cheap new ZTR. I have a Gravely 36 inch with walker with the skid in back to ride on that I was going to keep for using around the trees and fencing. I could sell it and put that with the belly mower savings and get a very nice used ZTM or decent new.
On the back hoe, are you saying some will NOT be able to be removed? I will want to remove it to use other items at the three point hitch. I thought they all could be removed.
What does the term Skid Steer bucket mean? Some of the tractors say they have this feature. . . .

A "skid steer bucket" means that the front end loader has a skid steer quick attach mounting system that allows you to easily and quickly remove the bucket and add other attachments (such as a grapple) to the loader. I assume your former skid steer had that system. It is worth it's weight in gold to most of us.

 

[kcflhrc]

I think the dedicated ZTR mower is a real good idea. I bought my brand new 50" Toro for $3,299. No sales tax and free shipping shipped to my door. Company is Wise Sales.

Zero-Turn Mower - Toro Lawnmower Accessories | Wise Sales

 

[SSdoxie]

What other uses will there be for the tractor? Is the entire 7 acres all lawn? If only or primarily used for lawn & landscaping a SCUT should be fine. If there going to be loader uses in rougher terrain where ground clearance might be an issue, a belly mower would be a disadvantage having to remove it. This is reason the dealers are leading you towards a rear finish mower, time required to change it out.
If entire acreage is lawn, how many hours a week are you willing to do this. I have yet to see a tractor with same width mower deck be able to keep up with a ZTR in mowing time.

 

[Mark191145]

Thanks, I really like this idea. As you know nothing cuts grass like a ZTM. I have really missed my old SKAG. A ZTR in this price range is the answer I think.
I will check out the link, thanks again.
m

I think the dedicated ZTR mower is a real good idea. I bought my brand new 50" Toro for $3,299. No sales tax and free shipping shipped to my door. Company is Wise Sales.

Zero-Turn Mower - Toro Lawnmower Accessories | Wise Sales

 

[Mark191145]

What other uses will there be for the tractor? Is the entire 7 acres all lawn? If only or primarily used for lawn & landscaping a SCUT should be fine. If there going to be loader uses in rougher terrain where ground clearance might be an issue, a belly mower would be a disadvantage having to remove it. This is reason the dealers are leading you towards a rear finish mower, time required to change it out.
If entire acreage is lawn, how many hours a week are you willing to do this. I have yet to see a tractor with same width mower deck be able to keep up with a ZTR in mowing time.

It is about 3 acres lawn and the rest is wooded and a very nice running creek. I want to use the backhoe for the creek and then lots of planting of new trees and shrubs. I'm leaning to buying a used or new ZTM that would be in the price range + or - of 3500.00 In the long run I think it will work out the best.
Thank you