Looking for tractor to maintain 8.5 acres in NH

[IslandTractor]

Another vote for 3 range HST.

My first tractor was a Kioti CK20. 21hp. two range HST. very capable machine especially for loader work with something close to 1100lbs lift. It's Achilles heel was the 2 range HST when mowing. Low range was for stump pulling (which it did well...21hp was more than adequate) and high range was for traveling fast on flat ground. Problem for me was that my mowing was up and down hills. I had to drive up the hills in low and then switch to high to drive back down. A nuisance.

I would probably bump up one size range to get the 3 speed hst AND a loader that lifts more than 1000lbs. If you can find an older Kioti CK27 or CK30 those are very capable reliable tractors that cover both the desired hst and loader specs. The new Kioti I would look at is the CK2610 which does have three range hst and a 1250lb lift loader. I haven't priced the CK2610 but I would guess it sells for about the same as the Kubota B2601.

The Kubota B2601 is a nice tractor but really optimized for mowing IMO. It is very light compared to the others you are looking at and has the least powerful loader. It is more likely to be outgrown than "next size up" tractors.

 

[2ndhalf]

Since you are primarily using this as your mower, I would advise a SCUT. Lighter and even taking it out of 4wd will cut up your yard when it is soft from rain. You get anything bigger and especially if any of your yard lays wet, you will be watching parts of your yard get long and shaggy waiting for it to dry out. Much of the larger tractor need would be for the woods. I would also want a quick detach loader bucket so you can take it off while mowing for both lightening the tractor and visibility.

What percentage are you spending in the woods with this tractor? I can tell you that you can manage the acreage you have with a nice SCUT. My 75 year old dad manages his 28 acres with an old 8n and a cheap garden tractor. I think the Mahindra Max, Kubota BX series or Massey GC series SCUTS would do what you want nicely.

I'll tell you I have a SCUT for 5 acres and glad I do.. I can go into my yard without cutting it up even when it is a little soft. Bigger is not always better.

If you are considering a ZTR ... I think an even better use of your $20k would be a $5,000 ZTR and a $15,000 used Compact tractor with only a loader (don't pay for a MMM). Mowing with a tractor isn't ideal but not having a tractor on 8.5 acres with woods isn't good either. You won't feel like you can really do anything with all of that land until you have a tractor.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Since you are primarily using this as your mower, I would advise a SCUT. Lighter and even taking it out of 4wd will cut up your yard when it is soft from rain. You get anything bigger and especially if any of your yard lays wet, you will be watching parts of your yard get long and shaggy waiting for it to dry out. Much of the larger tractor need would be for the woods. I would also want a quick detach loader bucket so you can take it off while mowing for both lightening the tractor and visibility.

What percentage are you spending in the woods with this tractor? I can tell you that you can manage the acreage you have with a nice SCUT. My 75 year old dad manages his 28 acres with an old 8n and a cheap garden tractor. I think the Mahindra Max, Kubota BX series or Massey GC series SCUTS would do what you want nicely.

I'll tell you I have a SCUT for 5 acres and glad I do.. I can go into my yard without cutting it up even when it is a little soft. Bigger is not always better.

If you are considering a ZTR ... I think an even better use of your $20k would be a $5,000 ZTR and a $15,000 used Compact tractor with only a loader (don't pay for a MMM). Mowing with a tractor isn't ideal but not having a tractor on 8.5 acres with woods isn't good either. You won't feel like you can really do anything with all of that land until you have a tractor.

I think this would be the best way to go..

 

[12Bravo]

Just sharing my experience, which is not much, this is my first tractor and so far has worked out for me.

I have 7.2 acres of just about all wooded except .5 acres. I purchased the Kioti CK2610 TLB set-up. Backhoe is well worth the price and very useful in the woods and around the house. It is 25 HP, but for a bit more coin look at the Kioti CK3510. I was in the same shoes as you a few months ago and have only had my tractor for about a month now, 43 hours on it so far.

Look for comfort! I sat on SCUTs and CUTs and found I was way more comfortable on the CUT tractors. They are all about the same, honestly, there will be just a little differences and details. Don't get caught up in the Spec war between brands, look for a dealer and comfortable tractor and go from there. You will spend some time on the machine, no one wants to be uncomfortable or cramped for hours. Your knees and back will thank you later for taking this into consideration over small details.

 

[pedzola]

So I visited my new home today to see progress on the house and take another look at the "grounds."

Still just dirt for now but I'm going to estimate 2.5 acres of flat lawn. The driveway is closer to 700 feet long. Maybe a little more moving of dirt and debris than I originally considered. The loader will get a lot of use.

Leaning towards a 3pt finish mower for the bulk of the lawn. Might not mow as fast or as well as a ZTR, but will get the job done and minimize complexity for me. And it's cheaper. More $$ for the tractor.

So yes I would like something that won't destroy my lawn. Will get turf tires for sure.

I'm going to try to visit Mahindra and LS dealers in the next couple of weeks to see those up close and chat.

The B2601 seems pretty much perfect for my needs except for the low loader capacity.

The XJ2025H doesn't have a 3-range HST but checks all the other boxes. Dimensions about the same as the B2601, loader much better 1277 @ pins, and the least expensive option by far. Here is my spreadsheet so far:




Still surprised at how much I need to learn to make an informed decision here. Would never have expected so many options to consider.

Can't buy til May so I've still got plenty of time to change my mind.

 

[jeff9366]

So yes I would like something that won't destroy my lawn. Will get turf tires for sure.

I run my 5,500 pound tractor-loader with R4/Industrial Tires in 2-WD mode over my St. Augustine lawn several times per week without damage.

Discuss tires with your dealer. Do not mandate Turf Tires unless you are absolutely sure of your choice. Tires are one of the most "local" condition decisions.

I would add the Kubota L2501 to your spreadsheet.

 

[2ndhalf]

IF you have a MF dealer you should sit on one.

Massey Ferguson | GC1700 Series Sub-Compact Tractor

 

[RalphVa]

I've 8.5 acres here in Va and have a JD 2025R. Had a JD 4010 (like the 2025 but earlier model with 18.5 hp without position control on the 3ph) and a 1025R. The 1025R was a lemon and funky FEL and rough, fast idling engine. The 2025R seems a great tractor, like the 4010 but with much more capable FEL. Only have 29 hours on it so far though. Put 660 on the 4010 before its driveshaft flew apart. Had about 130 on the lemony 1025.

I evaluated the Kubota B2301 as well as the 2025R when the 1025R was on its last legs with my patience. I rated the B2301 much higher, but it was just more convenient for me to stay with the much closer JD dealership and go with the 2025R.

The Kubota has a 3 range HST shifter. The 2025's has a "working" range (Low) and a 'cruising" range (Hi). Really could use something in between. However, it will push 6" or more snow in high.

For snow, you must have the dual brakes for steering. Both the 2025R and the B2301 have those, and Kubota finally did the right thing in putting them on the left where they can be used. I severely missed not having these brakes with the 1025.

I agree with the other poster's comments about back blade vs. rear blower. Back blade is good for up to about 6". Beyond that, a rear blower would be A LOT faster than filling and dumping the FEL. My driveway is near as long as your 700' one. The last 6" snowfall was a breeze with the backblade. The previous 30" one was a pain with the FEL. Wished I had my Gravely with its square chute snow blower back for it.

For a lawn, my idea is if it's too big to mow with a walk behind, you've too much lawn. Unless you want to maintain a soccer or ball field, why mow more than 1/2 acre? Anyway, I've definite experience with belly vs. ZTR. A ZTR will cut mowing time by 1/2 vs. a belly mower IF you have much of anything to mow around (like trees). If you don't have much to mow around, the rear finish mower would do fine. Otherwise, it'd be a long whipping thing back there to keep track of where it is. (I've a bush hog on the JD, which is another long whipping thing back there.) If I wanted 2.5 acres of "lawn", I'd keep 2 acres of it as meadow and mow it with a "hog" once a year or once every 2 years. Then just mow the other 0.5 acre walking behind a nice walk behind naked as a jaybird like I do.

Good luck in your search.

Ralph

 

[RalphVa]

Oh, I had turfs on my 4010 and R4s on the 1025 & 2025. The R4s will definitely "aerate" your lawn good this time of year. However, they'll cut it up less with the fronts in turning, simply because the R4s don't have much side resistance. Think the R4s are much better for forward/backward but lousy at turning or avoiding side slippage on slopes.

Ralph

 

[airbiscuit]

Your spreadsheet looks good. I would add:

Transmission Type/Speeds
3pt lift @ 24"
SSQA nice for forks, grapple, etc.
Bucket Width
Foldable ROPS gets it in your garage
Extendable 3pt arms Didn't think they were a big deal until I had them
3pt stabilizer bars Didn't think they were a big deal until I had them
Drawbar Nice to hook a chain onto for heavy pulling (stumps)
Cost to add a Rear Remote? Nice to have if you need it (and you may not know now that you will need it later)
Cost to add Engine Heater
Cost to add Fluid to Rear Tires

You may not want or need some of these things, but could be negotiating assets.