Looking for advise from Owners

[kernal]

Just purchased a new home with 1.5 acres of land, and a 150 to 200 foot gravel driveway. I am looking at a SCUT for snow removal and moving mulch, topsoil, spreading gravel, etc in the summer. Still undecieded on if a mower is necessary as the troybuilt I have does a good job. I have done alot of reading on the site and I have looked at each of the following SCUT's with a FEL and front mount blower.

Kubota BX2350 $14000
NH TZ25DA $15000
JD 2305 - Need to go back when the dealer is open.

Just looking for pro's and con's of each. From what I have read and seen, any of the 3 will work for what I need. I don't really think I need anything bigger than the ones listed, but the JD 2320 does look nice. Don't really need a BH, can always rent a mini ex if the need arises.

For background, I have many hours running equipment, dozers, loaders, etc, and would like something bigger but these seem to fit the bill for what I need.

Scott

 

[rpoage]

I'm sure you will find any of those to be more than capable of getting the job done. Personally I would take over the mowing with the SCUT and sell off the Troybuilt. I use a BX2350 to mow with and it is not a problem. The FEL detaches in less than 5 min. so it not in the way when mowing.
IMO the quality of the dealer and maybe their location would be a strong factor in my decision. I think you will find that when you get down to the brass tacks of pricing you will find $14,000.00 for a BX2350 with FEL and MMM is a little strong.

 

[Bird]

Scott, have you tried operating the 3 you listed? I agree that any of them will probably do what you want to do, so it boils down to price, the dealer you like best, and the tractor that "feels" best to you. Sometimes even good machines just don't feel right and if you get one like that, you will not be happy with it for very long.

 

[PA hayseed]

I haven't owned any of those tractors, but they would seem to be more than enough for what you are suggesting - for now. If money isn't the biggest part of your decision making, I would suggest keeping the troybilt. My reason for this is simple, if something happens with the tractor you have something else, and your also not likely going to get as much out of it as you think its worth. If money is an issue, see what the dealer would give you in trade. If he low balls you on the trade in, he may be highballing you on the tractor too.

So that you don't make the smae mistake I did before, consider whether you will be moving or acquiring more land. If so, make sure you get a tractor that fits that scenario as well. I hated not going bigger earlier, but you live and learn.

 

[kernal]

At this time I am not looking for more land, but in the future I could see adding 10 or so acres someplace for hunting etc. Use would probably be limited collecting firewood, maybe a food plot etc. Are these SCUT to small for those tasks? I realize a larger tractor will do the job in less time. A buddy has a 790 that would be available as long as beverages were...

Price is a factor but I am willing to pay for a quality product.

I have not been able to test any of the tractors as I have not had the time to do so, really just started looking last week.

Thanks for your input.

Scott

 

[IslandTractor]

At this time I am not looking for more land, but in the future I could see adding 10 or so acres someplace for hunting etc. Use would probably be limited collecting firewood, maybe a food plot etc. Are these SCUT to small for those tasks?

SCUTs have plenty of power but do suffer from low ground clearance. That might be an issue if you are in the woods trying to clear a food plot or collecting firewood. Check out the Kubota B7510 or equivalent CUT size tractors which cost just about the same amount as the one you quoted but are actually a lot more tractor. No particular benefit compared to the SCUT for your current tasks but almost certainly a worthwhile upgrade for the future tasks you refer to.

 

[MossRoad]

Scott, have you tried operating the 3 you listed? I agree that any of them will probably do what you want to do, so it boils down to price, the dealer you like best, and the tractor that "feels" best to you. Sometimes even good machines just don't feel right and if you get one like that, you will not be happy with it for very long.

As Bird mentions, be sure to test drive all of them. When I was tractor shopping seven years ago, I found that I did not fit well on a lot of machines. That makes a huge difference if you are going to spend any time operating them.

 

[IXLR8]

Any of those will do the jobs you originally mentioned. As others have said, they are a little short of ground clearance if you spend much time in the woods.
- The KEY to your choice- Does the machine AND the dealer fit YOU?
Absolutely the best dealer in my area is the Kubota dealer, he was straight forward, honest, helpful, it almost never took more than an hr to get an email response to a question I had. BUT.. I just don't fit a Kubota, they are not ergonomically correct for me. I had similar issues with the NH and Mahindra machines. JD's fit me great.. the 2 local dealers both left me feeling like I had just left a used car lot.. can you say slick. Presently I am looking at a Kioti, dealers are not the best... not the worse. From the sounds of what you are looking to do, the Kioti may be a bit heavy for your needs. In a similar HP rated machine, they are almost 1000lbs heavier than the ones you listed. The search for a machine is half the fun.

 

[Rara Avis]

As Bird mentions, be sure to test drive all of them. When I was tractor shopping seven years ago, I found that I did not fit well on a lot of machines. That makes a huge difference if you are going to spend any time operating them.

So you went and bought one of those weird Power-Tracs...

 

[MossRoad]

So you went and bought one of those weird Power-Tracs...

Yeah, man!!!

I am 6' tall with size 13 feet. I actually have to move the seat forward a couple notches when operating it for long stints. It is small and compact. I can stand next to it and my nose rests on the top of the canopy.

Here's a link to a bunch of videos of me and my PT in action.