Help me buy a compact tractor - information overload...

[NYCheese]

Thank you for this - sometimes finding the specs can be challenging (or they are a little incomplete.) And also talking about the standard features as well assume niceties - much appreciated! Checking it out.

Got the quote from the Kubota dealer and think he may be thinking that he has a live one on the hook.... Let's just say the discounting was not particularly aggressive. I negotiate for a living - if I had more time this could be fun.

ETA - the Kioti site is the one that doesn't let you BUILD YOUR TRACTOR - drives me nuts. Honestly - it's a turn off because I have to go to the dealer. But - since you gave me actual prices paid that's super helpful, esp since one was equipped pretty much like we'd want. Maybe we will go there tomorrow.

I was one of those posters that just recently bought a ck3510se. If you have any questions, I can try to answer them. I've only put 30hrs on it so far, but not a single complaint yet.

I did shop around all the major brands except for Branson and RK. I was leaning heavily towards the Yanmar YT235 originally, but ultimately decided it had a couple flaws I didn't like. One thing that swung me to the Kioti was the style of backhoe mounting. You definitely lose some ground clearance with the Kioti BH, but...you don't have to take your 3pt arms off to put it on (just the top link). If you plan on switching between BH and other implements frequently, I'd definitely have a look at it. I got the Kioti a good bit cheaper than the Yanmar too.

 

[DieselBound]

Always fun spending someone else's money!:laughing:

Regarding that septic field you have to mow, you do NOT want to compact it running "heavy" equipment on it" I'm quoting the word heavy to differentiate from "heavy equipment," which, of course, would be REALLY bad. I have about the same situation here and I have a lawn "tractor" for cutting this grass (even though I have a pretty lite tractor in my B7800).

I have 40 acres, comprised of just about everything except hills. I have a small tractor -Kubota B7800- and a larger one -Kioti NX5510. I STILL rent heavy equipment such as excavators. If you really have to get big work done fast there is NO question that dedicated machines (to the given function) cannot be beat. My philosophy is to buy what can do 80% of your work and to rent for the other 20% (which can be a lot of variable type of work, so different machines- I also rented a skid steer to augur post holes for fencing [also for posts for my woodshed).

My B7800 has been nearly indestructible. I paid about $13k for it nearly eight years ago (putting on close to 1,100 hours now). It's 30hp, which gives me some oomph, yet it is VERY nimble. As machines go, smaller CAN do work, just usually slower than larger machines (except when it comes down to operating in tight quarters, where sometimes ONLY a smaller machine is able to tread).

Eventually one will settle more into the maintenance mode. Attachment selection is a big thing here. I know that some day I'll want to switch from running bush hogs to running flails: close to this for the B7800 as it's getting to be more relegated to use around the home site; further out I'm still attacking brush, and the larger machine with the larger bush hog is far more up to this task.

Looking back through my adventures I'd have to say that I probably wouldn't have changed anything, except getting the rear tires on my B7800 ballasted right from the start, that and having a tooth bar. Much of my property was a big mystery, I couldn't really see or understand the topography. Having a smaller tractor allowed me to probe here and there (after I was in the brush swinging a machete!) locating possible hazards that would have seen larger equipment horrendously stuck. I'm fortunate to be able to have two tractors; the B7800 has been pulled into service while my NX5510 has been at the dealers for repairs; had I let got of it I'd been up a creek w/o a paddle.

Allow a fair amount of money for implements that you will, invariably, find, later on, that you need.

 

[ViperDriver]

all good points. Our septic is going in this week (well - the tanks at least) and then the lines next if these torrential downpours ever stop... so our installer is there for questions. The sandy soil in the filed drains amazingly well - not sure if that's better or worse for determining what you can mow it with -but it's a fair question - I wold certainly never never want to turn in the drain field, and maybe turf tired are a better choice. Anyway - I'll talk to my installer.

NYCheese - thanks I am following your thread with interest as our needs seem similar, as did our list of candidates.

Ultimately - the more I learn, the more questions I have and the more I question WHAT exactly we need. (I guess that's how this education thing is supposed to work, though...)

 

[DieselBound]

It's what's cool about the Internet, being able to bring up questions!

I'd love to hear back on what the installer says about compaction. I've never talked to one about this, just going by hearsay: I'd even read from folks with chickens that it wasn't a good idea to run chickens on a drainfield as that can also cause problems. Ah, the joys of being your own wastewater manager!

 

[Guidshir]

This is a great thread. I hope that you start another thread for some of the tasks you end up doing. I will be in your position in a few years (lord willing and the creek don't rise). I bought a tractor to begin doing work on land in preparation for a house.... sort of a long term goal to work up to.

 

[ViperDriver]

Guidshir - based on the amount of time this build has taken - you may be done before we are. ;-) You are VERY smart to start grooming your land. Get it cleared, understand how much topsoil you have, any underlying rock conditions, remove stumps, do any grading, etc. Having a well prepped site will save you lots and reduce any budget surprised. (Ask me how I know)

Will report back findings on septic mowing.

We also let our septic installer take umpteen loads of dirt from our site, so he owes us. Our septic quote was old and there have been price increases, so we're negotiating having him leave a loader or excavator around for a couple weeks if he has an "idle" one so we can put a dent in "dirt mountain" behind the cisterns. Of course, then we'll be ruined for anything smaller than some giant tracked thing.

Last item - what the heck is it with tractor store hours M-F 8-5, and Saturday 9-12. Would it kill someone to stay open an evening or 2? at least in the summer?

 

[DieselBound]

Ha ha! I am always so relieved when I jump back on my wheeled tractors after being on a tracked machine! But, there's a clear distinction between the quality of a true industrial machine and our CUTs. That's something that was made really apparent to me after renting a Takeuchi TB285 (love this machine): and the sturdiness of a simple Bobcat skidsteer is really apparent. Such machines, however, have to be worked and worked and worked as they carry a hefty price tag (and parts and maintenance costs are also hefty).

My Kioti dealer is closed on Saturdays but open on Sundays. Kind of odd. Just like most other folks, folks at dealerships also have busy lives during summer hours. Perhaps the best shopping time is off-peak: I bought both my tractors in the early Fall.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

We also let our septic installer take umpteen loads of dirt from our site, so he owes us. Our septic quote was old and there have been price increases, so we're negotiating having him leave a loader or excavator around for a couple weeks if he has an "idle" one so we can put a dent in "dirt mountain" behind the cisterns. Of course, then we'll be ruined for anything smaller than some giant tracked thing.

You'll be glad to have your wheeled tractor to regrade everything the tracked thing tore up.

 

[JFoy]

I'll toss my 2cents into the ring. When I bought my Kubota BX25, I knew at the time I would be mowing with it 90% of the time so I couldn't justify a bigger machine. I was totally wrong. The moment I had the tractor, I started finding all kinds of things to do with it. In hindsight, I should have gotten a B series.

I should also say that the backhoe on the BX25 really appealed to me as I fabricated all kinds of uses for it in my mind. In the end, that was crap. The $7K extra for the backhoe was mostly wasted money as I've used it three to four times. You should also know that most of the tractors with a detachable backhoe have a swivel seat instead of a dedicated seat for each direction. The significance of the statement is in spot digging versus trench digging.

If you're spot digging, a swivel seat is fine. If you're trench digging, it really becomes a pain to use the backhoe as you dig, lift the outriggers, either swivel the seat or stand between the seat and the steering wheel to move the tractor forward, lower the outriggers, get back in the seat, dig a few more feet, and then repeat the whole sequence again. If you want to dig a trench, rent a mini-ex and be done with it. Another point about the backhoe is there is a bit of science to using it unless all you want is a hole, ex. digging a flat bottom trench takes skill and practice.

I'm not so hung up on brands as I am on dealers. A good dealer supports you after the sale. A good dealer has a decent repair facility and techs. I really wanted to buy from the Kioti dealer initially but after a 5 minute conversation with their one and only tech, I walked. He was nice young kid and didn't know things I thought he should know. A good dealer is not necessarily the cheapest in the short term but the best deal in having less aggravation over the long term. I did buy a Kubota based on two factors - I liked the dealer and I thought the Kubota brand would resell better if it didn't work out for me.

As to the amount of work I get done with my little BX25, I can do most things unless it is a large rock. Where it lacks is getting it done faster given I have 48in implements and my FEL only lifts 400lbs.

Right now, I'm building an apartment that my wife and I plan to move into and then sell our current home. The land slopes towards the building and I'm having to remove dirt and reshape the land. Box blade, discs, and the FEL have all been employed. It has taken me days to do it and I'm finally nearing completion. BTW, I'm south of Winston-Salem and I'm sure you know about all the flash flooding we're getting right now so it was a good thing I started on this a while ago. Point is, had I gotten a bigger tractor, I would be done by now instead of "nearly" done.

My advice is a B series Kubota or equivalent if other brand. Forget the backhoe unless you honestly think it would cost more to rent a mini-ex for your projects. Also, if you're open to used implements, there are many more 5ft and 6ft implements on the used market than there are for 4ft implements. To use the bigger implements, you need weight and HP. Plus, with a B series, you can get a MMM - mid mount mower just like a riding mower.

Best to you,
JFoy

 

[bfloyd4445]

Viper Driver. jeffy always pushes the weight aspect, it is excessive/ compulsive. The mantra could easily be labeled

"BUY TOO MUCH TRACTOR"

I own both large and smaller tractors and a 2000 lb 25 gross hp tractor will perform a lot of tasks.

Take a look at RK Tractors made by TYM. Even if you do not select them, their pricing is very favorable. A You Tube channel, Outdoors with the Morgan's is very informative. Mike is currently testing three RK tractors beginning with video # 124. Worth a look, he puts these tractors through their paces while explaining the operation at each step..

RK Tractors Pricing and tractor sizes in easy viewing on website. Note: None of the compacts are built on US Soil. Some are assembled in the US.

outdoors with the morgans youtube - Bing

There is also a thread concerning tractor purchasing wherein a number of folks expressed satisfaction w/ very capable smaller tractors. The thread is long but worth the time investment

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...uide-shopping-sizing-tractor-development.html

YOU TUBE Video 124 for the YOU TUBE MORGAN'S CHANNEL, my ERROR ###### ##### # ## #

RK Tractor Store
Morganton
Call 828-317-1895
1227 Burkemont Ave.
Morganton, NC 28655
Full Line Tractor Store
RK Tractors Available Now

JD claims their 1025r is built here except for yanmar engine