Buying Advice If you could do it all over again....

[Smithrr]

I'm in the market for a Sub Compact Tractor to dig out many stumps, do some light excavation, snow removal and later mowing. I've done quite a bit of research and have determined for the most part it's personal preference and that each have pros and cons.

My question is...if you could purchase a new SCUT, what would you choose?

I'm not experienced with tractors, I don't care about the purchase price as much as I am interested in value and I don't have deadlines to meet on my own property.

I have compared about 10 models and would prefer not to state my opinion until I've seen some others that are experienced with the SCUT's

Thanks for your help!

 

[Fordman1981]

A lot of people are happy with the Bx kubota's we had one if the first Bx models at my company for a while it was a Bx23 I believe. Overall it was a food machine not over powered by no means but strong enough for its size. Depending on how big the stump is you may be there a while. But if your set on a scut and not a cut that will be the same for them all. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Smithrr]

The average stump size is around 14". I have 6 to remove now and have in my front yard about 20 more I'm considering cutting down. The trees are all Oak and I live on a hill with about a 10 to 20 degree slope. To make things worse, I live in Missouri where they Clay is pretty prevalent.

I do have more time than money and not too worried if it takes a weekend digging out one stump.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I am a firm believer in any model tractor is better than no tractor. I had a JD 4115 with loader and hoe and cleared stumps with it but we didn't have an endless supply of time (property is 5 hours from where we live) so we ended up having someone come in to do it. I just bought a 2520 and will put a backhoe on it at some point in the future. Ultimately the only opinion that matters is yours. I am partial to John Deere but can honestly say I believe there are several models of other brands I would have no problem owning.

 

[Smithrr]

I agree about the opinion, but with never owning a tractor it's hard to form one to base a purchase on. So I was hoping for some other opinions, good or bad. Thanks!

 

[MarkV]

I'm in the market for a Sub Compact Tractor to dig out many stumps, do some light excavation, snow removal and later mowing.

At least to me your first phrase indicated that stumps were much of what you see your biggest needs to be. The Sub-compacts are great for the occasional water line or tree planting, not so great for 10-14" stumps, in my opinion. You can rent a mini-excavator for a weekend around here for about $400. It will do much better for stumps. When you price a backhoe option you will see that renting several times is still much cheaper.

MarkV

 

[psj12]

My take on this is not which make but what size. Figure what the largest horsepower unit you will need and then buy the next one larger. You'll rarely hear complaints about too much size or power.

 

[Smithrr]

I only have 5 acres, so after initial stump removal, it will be for general estate care. I've thought about just renting a stump grinder for the stumps if the tractor I get doesn't work out for stump removal. I realize that was a tall order for a SCUT, but I can't see getting a larger tractor for 5 acres. Snow removal will be another use for my drive which is about 150ft long.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I had a BX22, and I took out many rocks, and a number of stumps with it. It does take time, and it is possible to take things out of the ground you can't move once they are on the ground. Be content to start some distance from any stump to break roots, or plan on getting some use with a cordless saw, or axe. Roots support a lot of weight, and wind, and are tough. I do miss the backhoe though. I think spec wise, the Massey GC2410 has the toughest backhoe with the longest reach, but they are also more money around here. Personally, and although it is not what you want to hear, if I were buying a tractor with the intent of having a backhoe today, I would start looking at the Kubota B30-30, B2630, B3200, and B3300SU. I like the Kubotat backhoe mounting much better than the others, and they make a strong backhoe for it's size. I found that not having the 180 Degrees of swing makes positioning more of a problem, and although the BX would work it's heart out, what it could do, and what you should be doing with it are two different things.

 

[BXinNH]

I have been very happy with my BX24. As has been mentioned, it is not the fastest, most powerful digging machine, but it beats a shovel and wheelbarrow any day! If you are willing to grind the biggest stumps I think you would be very happy with a BX for five acres. Good luck with your shopping.

Matt.

 

[Qapla]

I cannot really comment on the SCUT as we use a CUT (the SCUT is just too small).

However, I would seriously think of renting the excavator for digging the stumps. (you probably do NOT want to tell the rental people you are digging stumps, though)

I would rather dig the stumps and deal with the holes then "grind" the stumps and have a spongy depression where each stump was until the ground wood finally rots ... you will still have to deal with the hole.

 

[BethesdaEC]

My JD2520 has been phenomenal, the only thing I could wish for are a retractable seat belt and a 3 speed transmission. I love the position control and the ergonomics are great. If I did it over again it would be a 2520 or maybe a 2720 for the extra 5 HP.

 

[LBrown59]

1*When you price a backhoe option you will see that renting several times is still much cheaper.
MarkV

1* He will also find renting is inconvient and many things won't get done as a result of that.

I only have 5 acres, so after initial stump removal, it will be for general estate care. I've thought about just reHere is my small fleet of subcompacts used to do the task you described .nting a stump grinder for the stumps if the tractor I get doesn't work out for stump removal. I realize that was a tall order for a SCUT, but I can't see getting a larger tractor for 5 acres. Snow removal will be another use for my drive which is about 150ft long.

This is my small fleet of S-ub Cpmpacts.

 

[derek01]

I bought a ford 1520 with Back hoe and loader about 20 years ago and have since bought a Kioti dk40 (i kind of am sorry i did not get the 50) both are hydrostatic with turf tires my observation of size is first if you are doing a lot of finish mowing and are using turf tires purchase adequate HP because that will dictate the implements you buy (my Kioti is 84" wide so is my snow blower, mower and the tiller would be too if I bought 1). Also even with the back hoe I still rent a mini excavator when I am stumping or trying to bury large amounts of rubble. I am in the a little bigger is better than smaller as far as tractors go.

 

[YesDeere]

I vote Deere! My land is just over 5 acres and the 4310 is perfect. Now it's the 3320. Go look at one.

 

[derek01]

By the way I have the machines mentioned my father has ford and deere so I have had opportunity to use and operate all and numerous other prices of equipment from when in the excavating business and will say I am partial to the quality I found in the fords but for the money it is very hard to beat the Kioti.

 

[jakell2010]

I WOULD NOT BUY ANY CUB CADET PRODUCTS,,,,Had a 5264D,,what apiece of junk,,,,now have a B seiries Kubota,,,,it is 3 X the Cub

 

[crazyal]

If you own a truck I would suggest you rent a stump grinder. Around here they are not too pricey to rent and they are the best solution for stumps. If not you should be able who come grind them for you. Some guys charge per stump while others just charge by the hour.

Stumps are just a pain. Even if you dig them out you still have a stump to put somewhere. Plus why would you want to put some hard hours on a machine that you may be keeping for a long time?

 

[D33r3 6r33N]

I bought a jd 2305, there are times when I wish I would have bought the 2320. But there are others when the 2320 would be to big (like mulching around the house, I wouldn't be able to get under the trees and around everything with a bigger one.) I figure it will just give me another excuse to buy another tractor!

 

[PossumHound]

If you own a truck I would suggest you rent a stump grinder. Around here they are not too pricey to rent and they are the best solution for stumps. If not you should be able who come grind them for you. Some guys charge per stump while others just charge by the hour.

Stumps are just a pain. Even if you dig them out you still have a stump to put somewhere. Plus why would you want to put some hard hours on a machine that you may be keeping for a long time?

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