Help with chosing the right one

[nasdaqsam]

Greetings,

I have been a Deere owner for quite some time( 4 total over the years). Currently own a 445 with all the attachments including a bucket. My needs have changed so I am looking a compact tractor.

I just moved to a piece of lake property with a beach.
My basic needs are

-I have a lot of irons in the coals so more than anything this purchase is way more than I need but I have little time to do the things I need to get done. I don't mind spending the money for a tool that will make my life easier.

-Very little mowing (Maybe 1 acre between all three of my properties)all are well manicured lawn but I want to mow them fast.

-I have small rocks (between 4" to 20" around) on the beach that I want to be able to pick. Most are just past the water line so a backhoe would be ideal to pull them in.

-I need to spread sand yearly and rake the beach weekly.

4WD is a must as two wheel will not move sand on the beach.
I want a bucket, backhoe and mower deck to start so I am looking at the JD 2210($18,000), MF($17,500) and Kubota BX23($18,000).

All things being equal which is the best buy? And are these prices with in reason?

Thanks in advance

 

[gippolit]

IF your not going to mow much take a look at the KIOTI ck20hst. You could get TLB for 19,000.00.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I like the 3pt hitch arrangement on the Massey better than on the other 2 brands you mention. The BX23 is probably the most refined of all the brands, as Kubota developed the Sub-CUT category of tractors. Within the Sub-CUTs they have defined the category and continue to lead it. Ergonomics on the Kubota are excellent. But it really all depends on what you want. None of the tasks you mention makes me think that a Sub CUT is too small, all are excellent mowers for the amount that you have to mow. For driving on the beach, I would consider turf tires.

 

[nasdaqsam]

Thanks for the info. the Kioti looks like a pretty nice unit. However my closest dealer would be to far from me to get any kind of descent warrantee so I would basically be giving up the warrantee. While the other three tractors are all local for service.

Thanks again

 

[thcri]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( For driving on the beach, I would consider turf tires.)</font>


I would put a big ditto on the turf's.


murph

 

[nasdaqsam]

Bob,

Thank you for the input. I like the Kubota also and it would be a slam dunk except for two factors that are bothering me.

One, I have always owned Deere and trust the product but I have heard nothing but good things about Kubota. I have no knowledge of the MF longevity so I am a little worried about that.

Two, I know I will eventually put a power bagger on the mower and I like the Deere set-up better than the Kubota as the power head is right off the deck as apposed to being near the bagger itself.

It's a tough decision. I guess I was hoping that one feature or the other on each tractor was a must have or a stay away from thing that would narrow down the choices. I guess there all quite capable tractors.

Also, I agree on the turf tires as Ag tires will just dig in, in sand.

I didn't think this decision would be this hard.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Are you trading the 445? How bad is the hit if you are? Maybe you would be better off going a little bigger, say a 4110 or 4115... Also Deere is likely to have new models out by August in the 2000 series, you could also consider waiting to see what will be there....

 

[nasdaqsam]

Mike,

Thanks for the reply.

I have my 445 sold. I got $10,000 for it with all the attachments. 54" mower deck with power bagger, front end bucket, snowblower, rototiller, 3pt. hitch blade, tire chains, custom 3pt hitch weight rake, 12, 20 lb weights. The tractor runs great but the paint is rough so I think I did pretty good.

I looked at the bigger units but even the size I want is way overkill for what I need. I am in construction so if I need something big I have that kind of equipment available all the time. Most of it is just to big to put on the beach with out making a mess of it. And I still need it to be as small as possbile for the mowing I have to do with it.

As far as waiting. I wish I had that option. My main reason for even thinking about replacing the old one was because of the beach work I have to do. Waiting until the end of summer is really not an option for me right now.

Take Care

 

[johnsonauto]

As i'm not shure of your location, i would recomend a look at the Mahindra 2015 hst. Dealer locater on www.MahindraUSA.com It has a lift capactiy with the loader of 915lbs at the pins, availble with a 7'10" digging depth frame mounted hoe. i think you get alot more machine for about the same price.

 

[nasdaqsam]

Thanks for the input.

I just checked. closest dealer is 50 miles away. Looks like a nice tractor though.

I am from the upstate New York, all the way at the top eastern most border of NY, VT and Canada at the top of Lake Champlain, it's a nice area but limited resources.