Help choosing 1st compact tractor/loader

[LBrown59]

Bobcat's are the same as Kiotis, but Kiotis do not have the rebates that Bobcat has right now. The exact same equivalent Kioti tractor that I bought, I was quoted $5,000 more. No mfg. can touch the Bobcat deals at this time. They will not keep this up forever. It's a great time to buy.

Just goes to show how much Kioti is overpriced.

 

[Browns329]

Thanks for the responses. As far as the additional questions on usage...this is my first tractor and I don't know what FEL capacity I should be looking for. The hay will probably just be small square bales for a few donkeys, horses, etc. We don't get a lot of snow in NJ, so I would think that I could plow the driveways with the FEL.

 

[favarcat]

Just goes to show how much Kioti is overpriced.

I don't believe Kioti is overpriced. Bobcat is just very aggressive on pricing to get tractors out there right now. It won't/can't last forever. They have already dropped some models from the bigger rebates.

 

[Charlesaf3]

clearing/grading is heavy work. My m59 does not feel underpowered. My B3030 did.

Match the tractor to the size of the work. I don't know enough, but I'm betting you should be looking more at the 40hp range. Those of us who have done a lot of clearing and grading seem to start at 30, and switch up after a year.

 

[Johndeere3720]

What about a JohnDeere 3120 will that work with R4s? it is hydro only and with a 300cx loader, your ready to go. Im used to the 3720, it is one hard working tractor.

 

[LBrown59]

Thanks for the responses. As far as the additional questions on usage...this is my first tractor and I don't know what FEL capacity I should be looking for. The hay will probably just be small square bales for a few donkeys, horses, etc. We don't get a lot of snow in NJ, so I would think that I could plow the driveways with the FEL.

Fel is not the best
I have a Fel on a BX 23 bus I use a 60 '' front blade on a BX1500.

I don't believe Kioti is overpriced. Bobcat is just very aggressive on pricing to get tractors out there right now. It won't/can't last forever. They have already dropped some models from the bigger rebates.

Then would you say the Bobcat is underpriced.?

 

[favarcat]

Then would you say the Bobcat is underpriced.?

Yes, some of the models with all the rebates and dealer incentives, are underpriced for now. Any other make is not even close to Bobcats prices for a comparable tractor. After these deals are finished, their prices will be inline with the others. I looked at all makes and think they all make a good tractor. I was also thinking about a chinese tractor, Jinma, from a reputable dealer. You need one with them. The Bobcat CT230 was only $1,000 difference from the Jinma, but the options and features were not nearly the same. I've been looking and wanting to buy the last couple years and was going to wait one more year until our son was out of college. (college expenses). But because of the Bobcat prices, I could not see waiting a year and paying an extra $5-6,000 next year. But everyone is in a different situation and have different needs in a tractor. This is what worked out the best for me.

 

[flusher]

Re: Please help choosing 1st compact tractor/loader

I have read through a lot of the posts, and I would like advice on selecting my 1st tractor. Here is my situation


Thank you for any help!!!

Just a couple of thoughts:

Get your dealer to weld chain hooks to your FEL bucket. Here's what they look like on my Mahindra 5525

The hooks came from AW Direct

Towing | Recovery | Repo| Safety| Service Truck Equipment and Supplies - AW Direct

The outer two grab hooks cost about $5. The center slip hook cost about $70. My dealer welded the hooks and the stiffeners free of charge.

Get hydraulic remotes for your tractor. My 5525 has triple remotes on the right rear fender

IMHO, double remotes are a must for a serious tractor user. Triples are an added bonus. My dealer installed the triples for $750.

Be sure to protect your backside when using your brush hog mower. I use a piece of expanded metal attached to the ROPS via hose clamps.

Cheaper than a visit to the ER.

If you intend to do serious digging with your FEL, get a tooth bar. Here's the one on my Kubota B7510HST (4-ft wide bucket).

Mine came from Markham Welding. Cost: about $300

Markham Welding - Home

If you plan to do landscaping, I recommend a middle buster plow and a rototiller. Here's what I used. It's a King Kutter MB from Tractor Supply (~$150)

The rototiller is a 4-ft Yanmar RS-1200 ($300 used from my local grey market tractor dealer).

That rototiller came out of a rice paddy and isn't very strong. So, I plowed first and then finished the job with the rototiller.

 

[rcrcomputing]

Flusher, that was a heck of a helpful post to newbies. Good job!

 

[LD1]

I assume that was a typo on your slip hook costing $70. If Not then I am in the wrong business