Need a <$15k tractor for random work on the 40 acre ranch.

[scootr]

Figure out what the reasonably minimum size tractor is for your use, then get the next size up.
You will quickly outgrow a small tractor if you saddle yourself with small mower behind a bumpy little tractor. The Kubota you showed looks like a good prospect. Helped my buddy find a JD 3039 this spring. HST trans and 4x4 he's real happy with it, but it feels small to me vs the MX5200.
Remember shopping for a cheap deal is a lot more fun than using a small tractor. GL and enjoy the new property.

 

[ericm979]

The DPF is on most tractors over 25.5hp. Its not required, but most manufacturers selected that technology to meet the Tier IV emissions requirements. The requirements for engines under 25.5hp are looser and can be met with engine tuning.

Most tractors with a DPF also have common rail EFI. These are known technologies and for the most part they work well. Some tractors will regen more often than they should. Letting the engine idle a lot makes the anti soot part of the emissions system have to work harder.

Most of the problems with diesel pickups are with the DEF and EGR systems. No tractor under 75hp has DEF and only a few use EGR. Generally the emissions systems on modern tractors under 75hp are pretty reliable.

Manual transmissions on many smaller compact and utility tractors are really primitive. They rarely have synchromesh, so you have to stop to shift gears. This is a pain when you're mowing a field where you can go faster on some parts but not on others. I.e. it's on a hill and you need to shift down for up and down hill and shift up for across the slope. Either you stop and shift over and over, wearing the clutch as you start from a dead stop each time, or you give up and use the lower gear and mow less per hour than you could. My Deere 5105 touts the "synchro reverser" transmission which is synchromesh between low range and reverse. That's it. The regular trans is non synchro as is high range. Which is pretty lame really. Unless this sounds really cool to you for some reason, its better to get an HST machine if you can.

Larger farm tractors, even older ones in your price range, often have more sophisticated gear transmissions.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

The DPF is on most tractors over 25.5hp.

Only after '13 if memory serves me.

 

[redman135]

If you want a backhoe, rent/hire is likely the most cost effective way to go. Backhoes are a fairly pricey peice of gear and you can't use the 3ph. DON'T go to a 3ph backhoe as they have a reputation for breaking tractors in half. They need the subframe mounting to spread the stresses.
A mini excavtor has similar reach and more powerful hydraulics. A midi excavator is a scaled up mini excavator.

How many scv(pairs) does the tractor you are looking at have? Attatchments are trending hydraulic, so spare scv's will help future proof the tractor.
What is hydraulic pump capacity?
Do you have 3rd service on the loader?
Snow blower, front or rear mount(sore neck)? See the snow blowing /plowing threads for info on other members experience.

Some food for thought

Lastly, as you gain experience expect the tractor to shrink as your expectations grow.

Good Luck.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

If you want a backhoe, rent/hire is likely the most cost effective way to go.

That depends on your location. I wouldn't have to rent one many times before it'd be cheaper to buy one.

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[2manyrocks]

Backhoe rental vs buying can depend on location, what's available, what work needs to get done, rental rates, how often used, long many years in use....

Unlikely to be affordable if you need a big excavator for a short, one time job. On the other hand, the $5000-$6000 chinese mini exs have gained popularity for doing a lot of small jobs provided you have the mechanical skills to deal with them. One issue has been not coming with any return filtration on the hydraulic system causing the entire system to fail within maybe 200 hours due to all the metal particles in the system and no filters to remove it. The operator issue is these things can be tippy if you're not careful.

 

[airbiscuit]