Horse farm needs tractor

[2manyrocks]

There's currently a 0 interest deal for 72 months on the L2501HST with loader at $328 month for 72 months for first time buyers--not sure if that means first time Kubota buyers or first time tractor buyer. For point of reference, that amounts to $23,616. KUBOTA L2501 - NEW TRACTOR PURCHASE SPECIAL OFFER

The 48.3 hp TYM T474 HST with loader is advertised here in Middle Tennessee for $27,900. I have no idea what financing they offer.

I own the L2501HST. It's a well made tractor. Am not that familiar with TYM and can't offer any opinion as to their long term durability and parts availability, but just mention that particular machine as a reference to price point.

edit: I'm not totally sure which TYM is the most direct competitor to the L2501, but will also say that the TYM T264 hydrostat with loader is advertised for sale for $16,900 here which is substantially less than the L2501.

 

[big bubba]

i'm with the 40+hp school for the new tractor esp if moving round bales. replacing the MF w/similar or less hp just doesn't make sense to me. in terms of sub compacts, the difference between 25 & 40+hp is substantial. fel capacity, weight, & stability alone would be justification. good luck w/the decision, regards

 

[Quickster2]

I had a Yanmar 336D initially and it was 2 small for our 10 acres and hunting property for baling hay & food plots. Went with a Kioti DK45 in 2005 and never needed nor wanted more for my uses. I agree get a mid 40HP tractor and you'll be set most likely. I prefer non-HST for my uses.

 

[WinterDeere]

Nice - He's getting a top of the line tractor with chauffer

If paying someone else to do it were more fun, then we wouldn't own tractors.

 

[Horsetime]

I am the wife. I am looking at something that does not have 400 unmarked levers and a clutch you need to be a gorilla to move.

Budget needs to stay at 20k or 25k or under. Used is perfect but I would still need to finance. Unfortunately budget is going to dictate horsepower I think. We finally purchased a zero turn and have not used the bush hog since last year due to that. If our hay fields continue to get cut by my famer then we would not use it more than a few times a year. The drag has a PTO so we would still need to use the tractor for that.

 

[rScotty]

I am the wife. I am looking at something that does not have 400 unmarked levers and a clutch you need to be a gorilla to move.

Budget needs to stay at 20k or under. Used is perfect but I would still need to finance. Unfortunately budget is going to dictate horsepower I think. We finally purchased a zero turn and have not used the bush hog since last year due to that. If our hay fields continue to get cut by my famer then we would not use it more than a few times a year. The drag has a PTO so we would still need to use the tractor for that.

Then something like the Kubota L2501 would be perfect. It has plenty of power and even if you get a clutch and gear model - less expensive than HST - it will be ever so much easier than that old Massey.

The L is a proven model that has been around Kubota's stable for a long time now. The loader can lift 1000 lbs, and that is plenty. Power steering will make it easy to move with that load.
A good solid choice.
rScotty

 

[2manyrocks]

When I was shopping for a tractor, I was encouraged to buy a HST by others here. The HST costs more, but excels at any kind of loader work where you go backwards and forward a lot because there is no clutching involved. The steering is easy to turn. It's very much like driving any quality Japanese made car. Problem is the price point is likely to be $23k or a bit more unless you can get a few thousand out of your Massey to make up the budget.

Yanmar is another quality Japanese tractor manufacturer. They have a 23 hp model SA325 with loader 1715 lbs that retails for about $19,000. The L2501 is heavier and Kubota has a much more extensive dealer network in the USA. Kubota also tends to have 0 interest financing although there is the added cost of keeping the tractor insured.

 

[Horsetime]

Is there a notable difference between the Kubota and comparable Kioti/Bobcat regarding performance? We have both dealers.

I think I would prefer the HST for ease of use.

 

[rScotty]

When I was shopping for a tractor, I was encouraged to buy a HST by others here. The HST costs more, but excels at any kind of loader work where you go backwards and forward a lot because there is no clutching involved. The steering is easy to turn. It's very much like driving any quality Japanese made car. Problem is the price point is likely to be $23k or a bit more unless you can get a few thousand out of your Massey to make up the budget.

Yanmar is another quality Japanese tractor manufacturer. They have a 23 hp model SA325 with loader 1715 lbs that retails for about $19,000. The L2501 is heavier and Kubota has a much more extensive dealer network in the USA. Kubota also tends to have 0 interest financing although there is the added cost of keeping the tractor insured.

Kubota accepted our horse property insurance for their financing. They also have a substantial discount for horse owners - although apparently not all dealers or models are part of that Equine Discount program.

I hear you on Yanmar. We had one many years ago and it was excellent. But since that time they have a lot fewer dealers, a different marketing model, and don't seem to have the same sort of committment in the US that Kubota does.
rScotty

 

[rScotty]

Is there a notable difference between the Kubota and comparable Kioti/Bobcat regarding performance? We have both dealers.

I think I would prefer the HST for ease of use.

Not regarding performance. In fact all of the similar size perform much the same. There are differences, but they are small. You may hear of differences in loader capacity, but 1000 lbs is plenty. Anymore, and things start to get unstable. BTW, it is for stability that I kind of favor the industrial tread on small tractors.

On the HST, we have one HST, and it has been flawless for 15 years now. Very convenient and in fact it is our favorite..

One caveat is that at just under 25hp - a nice place to be for several reasons - you are also at a point where HST is available in either 2 speed or 3 speed ranges. You definitely want the 3 speed.

The difference in Kubota versus anyone else is more that they are a more proven model with many manufactured versus a less well-known model. That can cause differences in reliability and in resale.
I'm not implying that one is more reliable than the other - but if a problem does arise it is likely to be during warranty. And Kubota has all the warranty advantages that come with a larger operation.

There is also a differece between brands for resale or trade in value. It is real, and it tends to be larger than a difference in initial price.
rScotty