MT125 vs. XJ2025 with SSQA

[BetterLateThanNever]

Hi guys,

I did a little digging, very little, into converting the loader on the MT125 to a Skid Steer Quick Attach system. Mainly I want to be able to put pallet forks on and some sort of snow plow. I don't own a tractor yet, but I can see using forks for everything from unloading my truck to processing firewood. Another use would be to move heavy tools from storage into the garage for use, things like my old cast iron table saw and an even heavier shaper. The other uses for my tractor will be trenching for sprinkler system, electric etc, grading around my small 1/2 acre property, snow removal, maintaining my 150' gravel driveway. Nothing major.

It seems that the cost of converting an MT125 loader to SSQA is at least half the difference in price, maybe more, between the 125 and the XJ2025. Plus I'd have more lift capacity with the SSQA loader than with the standard loader on the MT125 thanks to more robust hydraulics. Seems like maybe the XJ would be better, but I wanted to get advice from you guys regarding the size and the "issues" with the XJ. I want the tractor configured with a backhoe as well.

The tractor is about 6 inches longer and three inches wider. I'm not sure if the backhoe will also add to the difference. How much is this size difference going to hinder the benefit of having a small tractor, namely getting into tight spots? Will the larger tires be harder on lawns? I'd go with industrial tires.

What sees to be a bigger issue for me is some of the stuff I've seen on YouTube. I've spent some time on JIMeRIG's channel and learned about the cracking muffler, the backhoe not staying tightly coupled to the tractor, die dip stick with easy fix, the broken backhoe valve, the lack of boots to protect the backhoe controls, the vibrating air intake wearing through the radiator overflow tube, leaking loader valve fittings etc. It this just normal tractor stuff? Do Kubota people go through this?

Anyone have any thoughts on all of this? I'd appreciate any advice you have, thanks.

 

[tomplum]

My suggestion would be to spend time on each. Then think about the backhoe. The XJ has the full frame backhoe. More to it. More to store too. More capable? I dunno. Stronger? Maybe. People use the MT backhoe and I haven't seen reported problems. Plas62 was a member here with an XJ who just about ran the wheels off it. Pretty amazing stuff and a factor in us getting the XJ. My wife picked out the tractor and at that time there were no MT125s. We did compare to other brands and she liked the separate seat for the hoe rather than a swivel seat that didn't fit her on other brands. I wanted the SSQA and we use it often. At the time Kubota only offered the SSQA on the larger tractors. JD is in their own little world which pizzes me off. Loader capacity? Is there a big difference? Probably not. Bear in mind that the SSQA is in front of the pins where the loader is rated at. I seem to remember that the SSQA is 150 pounds or there about. JiMeRIG I think gives pretty unbiased info in his videos. The water getting into the hoe controls happens to them on the MT too. Water gets past the boots. It is something that you watch and fix so it doesn't happen again. My hoe stayed on the tractor for most of its first year and didn't come loose in ~70 hours. No broken anything. The dipstick I noted out once and I snapped a tiny bungie on it, though my tractor does not vibrate badly. It did however crack the muffler. You see that on other brands too. My dealer got me a new one and it's on the shelf as I had stitched my old one together. My filter doesn't shake and wear through the radiator overflow tube and as tractors aren't a perfect thing, sometimes you need to use some ingenuity and move a hose an inch so it doesn't happen. Lawns aren't an issue for us due to the weight. The XJ is much lighter than the XG and that's why we went that way. The larger tires on the XJ were a plus for me in dealing with the terrain in the creek flats. Should you want a mid mount mower, the XJ is a drive over deck I believe. About all I see on new smaller LS on this board is MT talk. Yet my dealer said they easily sell more XJ yet. True or not. He is a salesman....

 

[BetterLateThanNever]

Thanks for the reply. I've also heard, in the review by Deep South Homestead on YouTube, and I think someone else also mentioned this, that the bucket and backhoe move quick and rough. I wonder if all of the small tractors are like that, or is this a trait of the XJ. I don't think that would put me off of the LS since you get so much for your money.

 

[tomplum]

The BX is almost too slow and the XJ is almost too fast. Either one has a learning curve. For the uses of a small tractor and sometimes my somewhat limited patience, I do well with ours. There are many more BX owners out there and they are a real nice rig. To me the specs can get over hyped. I wanted something physically a little larger myself, but without being 2500 pounds as it has to spend time heading across the lawn. The LS you get more for your money is true. I don't plan on upgrading or selling. I would have to say if you thought that you may upgrade at some point, people love that orange paint a lot and you could figure a possibly higher resale into your cost if you like the BX. The deep south people seem to be good folks. I looked as his last review thought maybe he was frustrated and had some buyers remorse as he should of had a larger machine. Just an opinion.

 

[CMV]

The loader on my XJ was "twitchy". Moved very quickly and if you wanted any kind of finesse, it took some concentration. Worked well, just didn't operate as smoothly as a Kubota. For most things - move a scoop of dirt from A to B and dump it - who really cares for that task... The upside was it moved really fast, so for something like moving a pile a short distance where it's lots of scoop/dump, you're not waiting on the bucket. So while there are much more refined loader controls and better placement, the ones on the XJ are usable - just take a little getting used to.

Depending on what you needed the BH for, it would be hard not to choose the MT125 if the BH was a must-have on my list for a machine that size. Just seems the MT125 w/ BH and FEL is a LOT less $ than same thing on XJ.

 

[BetterLateThanNever]

I wonder if the MT125 has less twitchy controls? Can anyone with a 125 comment on that? Regarding resale, this will be my one and only tractor and like all of my vehicles, I will keep it to either I, or it gives up Having no experience other than a week with a mini skid steer, it's hard to evaluate things. That said, I don't mind modifying things. Can the 2025 be tamed in any way?

Does the MT 125 blow hot air on the operator like Deep South Homestead on YouTube mentioned. I'd be doing a lot of summer work and summer here can get very hot! Maybe I should just go with the 125 and add the SSQA. Maybe I'm wrong, but it looks like the 2025 is about 2K more than the MT125. Does that seem about right?

 

[DaveNJ]

Used to rent a BX tlb or a B tlb when working in tight spaces. I ended up with a XJ2025H when buying as it was the best bang for the buck. Hydraulic controls on the XJ are faster but that's a good thing once you get used to it. The under frame mounting backhoe is heavier duty than the MT125 and the XJ has bigger "sneakers" and better for rough areas. If you want a mid mount mower and a backhoe, go with the MT as the undermount hoe brackets get in the way of a mower on the XJ

 

[tomplum]

I was going to snap a pic of the backhoe w/ the frame so you could see what the difference is. But then I remembered JiMeRig's video or two he did on the hoe removal. Ultimately, you have to get out to the dealer. Be upfront and let them know that you are a first time buyer so that you get some help. Second, use that third eye to catch if you are actually being helped and your needs met or are simply being sold. Spend some time and try to outstay your welcome. If you haven't yet looked up Plas62, here is a thread of his. https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/ls-tractor-owning-operating/367214-new-xj2025h.html He has several other threads and is not active anymore as he sold the tractor and moved. When the MT125s came out there were many posts and few upgrades that people did so there was more traffic on the site. Not lots on either the MT125s or the XJ anymore, so things must be working well on both!

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I wonder if the MT125 has less twitchy controls? Can anyone with a 125 comment on that? Regarding resale, this will be my one and only tractor and like all of my vehicles, I will keep it to either I, or it gives up Having no experience other than a week with a mini skid steer, it's hard to evaluate things. That said, I don't mind modifying things. Can the 2025 be tamed in any way?

Does the MT 125 blow hot air on the operator like Deep South Homestead on YouTube mentioned. I'd be doing a lot of summer work and summer here can get very hot! Maybe I should just go with the 125 and add the SSQA. Maybe I'm wrong, but it looks like the 2025 is about 2K more than the MT125. Does that seem about right?

I now have about 150 hours on my MT125 TLB. The controls are not "twitchy" or too fast for me. I have done a full septic system (about 240' of trenches 5' deep and 2' wide) and about 400' of 12" wide trenches. At first it seemed fast, but you 'learn' the controls. There is plenty of power.

I have moved over 50 tons of stone with the loader, more than enough power. I have also moved equipment and materials with the loader. At first I thought I would need pallet forks, but added hooks to the bucket instead. I just use straps or chains to move stuff.

As for the radiator/ heat issues , the MT has a rear radiator and fan blowing to the front. This pulls air in from the operator area and blows it over the motor out the front. I have never felt any heat, even down by my feet.

I too considered the xj2025 when I was looking at tractors initially. The MT backhoe comes off in under 5 minutes and the 3 point goes on in under 2 minutes. The backhoe subframe stays on the tractor and does not interfere with any other attachments. The mower can actually be used while the BH is on the tractor (don't know why you would want to). There were initially some problems with the install of the 3 point (having to remove a tire to put it on) but there were factory changes made to the late 2017 and later models that no longer require this. I built a wood dolly out of 2x4's that I put the backhoe on and can easily store it in the corner of the garage. I have seen a few videos of the 2025 BH being taken on and off, the subframe stays with the BH. It's another 5-6' in length that has to be taken into consideration.

Both tractors are quite maneuverable, not too drastic in weight difference. I don't think you would go wrong with either one. A big factor for me was the price difference. I was able to get a PHD, heavy box blade, and a grader blade for less than the difference between the two.

Good luck with your decision, keep us posted about your purchase.

 

[BetterLateThanNever]

Thank you all for the information. My local dealer is about an hour and a half away but he does have both tractors on the lot. His price for the MT is about as good as I can find, however his price on the XJ is high. Tony from Tony's Tractor Adventure spoke highly of his dealer, so I gave them a call. Though they are in Tennessee and I'm in New York, they are willing to help arrange shipment through someone they use to deliver to NY. What they are asking for an XJ won't even buy a Kubota BX23S here, and the XJ seems to be more tractor.