Most affordable CUTs with cab and A/C

[seijirou]

I am having a hard time navigating what the least expensive tractor options are out there that offer a cab with A/C. Interestingly it seems that the smallest is not always the least expensive. For example the Mahindra "1538 HST Cab" lists $34k while the "2538 4WD HST Cab" lists $31k but is actually a little bigger.

I am fortunate that it seems every brand option has a dealer no more than 30 minutes from me.
I'm fairly sure I'm going to want hydrostatic because all my work will involve short trips. I also have no appreciable horsepower needs, 25hp is perfectly fine if such a thing exists.

Here's what I've found so far:

JD 3039R - $36,000 (2015 model used for $26k on machinerypete - also as far as I can tell the 1025cab doesn't have A/C)
Mahindra 2538 4WD HST Cab - $30,870 (used $26k w/ 8 hours on it on tractorhouse but 1k miles away)
LS XR4140HC (LS makes a 3135HC that is less expensive but I don't fit on it) - $29,777
Branson 3520CX - $27,995
Kubota B2650HSDC - $26,980 (2014 model used for $21.5k on tractorhouse)
TYM T354 - $26,500
Kioti CK3510SE HC - $25,975
EDIT: Deleted Cabela's. Google searches pull their page up but they quit selling them.

So right now in new the Kioti seems to be winning the price race, but a used Kubota is attractive even with that stupid treadle pedal. I am a little sketchy on buying used though because of the lien problem. I'm on the fence if that new premium is worth the peace of mind.

If you happen to know of other options I'm all ears. I also know there are some aftermarket cabs for various tractors and I'm fine with that too if they have A/C.

If you saw my other SCUT thread and you're wondering WTF, a SCUT is still on the table. I'm basically torn between the two, but I'm not in a rush so I'm just trying to go through my options. I want to try as best as I'm able to buy my 2nd tractor 1st. Thanks for reading

 

[plowhog]

I'm not in a rush so I'm just to go through my options.

Hope you get really good replies and make a really good decision !!!!

 

[seijirou]

Hope you get really good replies and make a really good decision !!!!

Good lord... "so I'm just to go through my options". Did I write that? Yup I wrote that. Lol

Thank you sir!

 

[countrybumpkin]

What are your intended uses?

 

[s219]

Don't get hung up on the treadle on the Kubota or other brands that use one. I have to alternate among several brands of tractors on a regular basis and got used to all the pedal/treadle arrangements pretty fast -- once you're in the zone doing work, it sort of fades away.

I have seen on here where some folks will complain about the Kubota treadle and it seems like they are doing it wrong. Normally you alternate between having your heel on the floor and toe on the forward peg, or your toe on the floor and heel on the reverse peg. It's a fairly natural motion. For example, here is the forward arrangement:



Some people try to put their whole foot on this style treadle, which is uncomfortable both at rest and when rocking back and forth (our ankles don't work well that way).

There are other Kubota machines (for example Grand L) that have yet a different treadle arrangement, but I don't have experience with that other than a brief test drive. It was different but didn't seem like anything I couldn't adapt to.

If I have a complaint about the Kubota treadle or the Deere twin pedals, it's that after a day of heavy tractor work, I will often get into my truck and attempt to stab a phantom "reverse" treadle or pedal to go in reverse. You kind of get spoiled by the ease of forward/reverse an HST offers.

 

[MoCoHogHunter]

I went through the same exercise in October of 2016. I was pretty set on a 35-45hp tractor and wanted the cab for the AC. I really liked Kioti nx4510 but my local dealer was set on $32k +$1,250 for the third function. Ended up driving to Artrac in Clarksville and got a new LS XR4040HC for $24,500 with the third function installed.

All that to say I love the LS, and saved enough to load up on implements. Fit and finish is very good and it has plenty of power for clearing land and moving logs (my main task for it).

 

[wagne223]

Affordable is subjective.
If your paying cash then looking at the out the door price is one way to gauge affordability.
If financing, then you need to take into account that financing options can make a better more expensive tractor more affordable.

Then there are other variables that play in also.

Details of the warranty.
Ease and quality of local service.
Longevity of the dealer.

Then, not very many people buy a plain tractor.
What options do you want and what is the price with those installed.

Then there are implements and maybe a trailer.

Don't sell yourself short by focusing only on the price of a base tractor with a cab.
Consider all the options.

And finally, most on here would recommend shopping for the dealer then buying what you want from him.

 

[cford36]

I am having a hard time navigating what the least expensive tractor options are out there that offer a cab with A/C. Interestingly it seems that the smallest is not always the least expensive. For example the Mahindra "1538 HST Cab" lists $34k while the "2538 4WD HST Cab" lists $31k but is actually a little bigger.

I am fortunate that it seems every brand option has a dealer no more than 30 minutes from me.
I'm fairly sure I'm going to want hydrostatic because all my work will involve short trips. I also have no appreciable horsepower needs, 25hp is perfectly fine if such a thing exists.

Here's what I've found so far:

JD 3039R - $36,000 (2015 model used for $26k on machinerypete - also as far as I can tell the 1025cab doesn't have A/C)
Mahindra 2538 4WD HST Cab - $30,870 (used $26k w/ 8 hours on it on tractorhouse but 1k miles away)
LS XR4140HC (LS makes a 3135HC that is less expensive but I don't fit on it) - $29,777
Branson 3520CX - $27,995
Kubota B2650HSDC - $26,980 (2014 model used for $21.5k on tractorhouse)
TYM T354 - $26,500
Kioti CK3510SE HC - $25,975
EDIT: Deleted Cabela's. Google searches pull their page up but they quit selling them.

So right now in new the Kioti seems to be winning the price race, but a used Kubota is attractive even with that stupid treadle pedal. I am a little sketchy on buying used though because of the lien problem. I'm on the fence if that new premium is worth the peace of mind.

If you happen to know of other options I'm all ears. I also know there are some aftermarket cabs for various tractors and I'm fine with that too if they have A/C.

If you saw my other SCUT thread and you're wondering WTF, a SCUT is still on the table. I'm basically torn between the two, but I'm not in a rush so I'm just trying to go through my options. I want to try as best as I'm able to buy my 2nd tractor 1st. Thanks for reading

I also went thru this recently and spent a couple of years looking and researching for my second tractor. (First was a JD2210)

IMHO, with JD and Kubota your paying a premium for the name and color. I bought my JD new and had it over 10 years. If you think you get better quality or dealer support from the big names you need to do more research. (For any manufacturer, there are good and bad dealers)

When looking I had the opportunity to go to the Louisville Farm Show and sit on all the different models.

The Mahindra I didn't like the fit and finish in the cab. For a lack of a better work felt "cheap".

The LS typically you get more for your money. I also liked the Kioti.

However, based on your last comment of getting your second tractor first, the LS you priced (for a little more) is the largest tractor on your list. I looked at the Kubota 2650 and it was the small tractor compared to the others.

I'll add that I didn't list out all the specs on all these so I don't know exactly they compare. I would suggest a spread sheet to compare all the models you listed to include weight and dimensions.

 

[Industrial Toys]

If you are looking for "the least expensive" don't you think you might end up with something of cheaper quality? There certainly comes a point when quality and quality control costs more. If that doesn't matter to you, so be it. And then there is the matter of resale value, which also might not be an issue.

I think in this field, you pretty much get what you pay for, generally speaking. JD and Kubota for instance certainly screw things up too.

Good luck.

 

[jeff9366]

I am having a hard time navigating what the least expensive tractor options are out there that offer a cab with A/C.

I want to buy my 2nd tractor 1st.

You are not earning a living with your tractor. Data occasionally referenced here claims residential tractors average 80 engine hours per year, with mowing being the primary task for most.

If the weather is not tractor-friendly one day, do not get on the tractor.

There is always another day, until there is not.