Need guidance in selecting Mower vs Yard Tractor

[dnmccoy]

Heres the list with the updated weight.

I may look at Mahindra, the only problem is the closest dealer are 45 and 46 miles away

 

[JK22]

Heres the list with the updated weight.

I may look at Mahindra, the only problem is the closest dealer are 45 and 46 miles away

You may want to include financing and warranty in your spreadsheet. I went with Kubota because of their 0% 84 month promotional financing, $1000 rebate on implements, and 6 year limited powertrain warranty promotion (usually extra cost for extended warranty). After considering the financing options, you might want to throw the BX25D on your list. I wanted the backhoe, because well... I wanted a backhoe. But after a few projects that required it, I can't imagine living without it. (Apologies in advance to your significant other...We fellow tractor owners have a reputation for being bad influences).

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Another thing is insurance, most lenders require you to carry insurance on the tractor just like buying a car. Some companies offer insurance through them like John Deere or Kabota for example I'm not sure exactly what they offer but some don't and you have to go to a third-party insurer to insure your tractor in order to get financing.

Home owners insurance will cover fire and theft but not much more, auto will covet it in tow.

Just another $15-$25 per month to budget, I don't think it's much, I wasn't required so I didn't get it. For the most part my tractor doesn't leave my property and it's mostly all flat yard/pasture so minimal risk.

 

[dnmccoy]

I would eventually like the back hoe and FEL, but would rather buy it later if that's possible.

Am I missing anything else I need to factor in?

 

[dirtgrinder]

Search all of Craigslist, eBay and others nationwide is also a good site to search all of craigslist and ebay

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I would eventually like the back hoe and FEL, but would rather buy it later if that's possible.

Am I missing anything else I need to factor in?

I would buy the FEL with the tractor if your buying new, that's where your gonna get your best deal, buying later your gonna pay out the azz and you can't finance a 6k FEL you will have to pay cash, or whatever they cost, no idea.

The attachments to buy after the fact would be stuff like bush hogs, rear blades, ploughs, disks and tillers stuff you can pick up off CL for cheap or TSC and rural king new. Things to finance that would be model and brand specific is mid mount mowers, FELs and backhoes.

Back hoes are like 8 or 9k and the only good ones are frame mounted, 3pt mounted backhoes aren't as good, my buddy has one on his Mahindra 28XL but personally I would never get one unless I was doing a crazy amount of projects that required it which I'm not so mine would just sit in the barn.

Local deals will also rent attachments, you can go to any dealer and rent bush hogs and various attachments and pay by the day for stuff you might only use a few times a year.

 

[JK22]

I'm not sure if it's possible to add an FEL after the fact. It's possible to add a BH later, but usually considerably more expensive (I believe you have to modify/upgrade the hydraulics) and definitely a more cumbersome configuration (usually has a separate seat, rather than just spinning the seat around). I think the GC and BX models you listed all come standard with the FEL. The 1023E does not appear to have an FEL option. Often the SCUTs are wrongly called glorified lawn mowers... I think the 1023 fits that bill. I'd personally stay away from that model. One more note, Kubota just released their "80 series" of the BX. If you can find the 70 series on a lot, you may be able to negotiate a better deal as those are technically last years models, but not too many changes were made other than aesthetic appearances and a few conveniences.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Other than just test driving the tractors, seems your about as prepared as your gonna be, brand on this one is kinda irrelevant, some have Luck with brands and models and some don't. There's no one brand that stands out as a brand to look out for.

Things to look at when sitting on the tractor is layout of the machine, do you have to by a gymnast to hit the directional pedal and deff lock at the same time?

How comfortable and easy to reach are the FEL controls if your buying a FEL.

How easy are fuel and oil filters to get to if you plan to do maintenance yourself.

For a tractor with duel rear brakes, deff lock and directional HST pedals, John Deere has the ideal layout, some tractors are almost impossible to use without doing 10 months of yoga classes first.

With a 1 or 2 series tractor your not likely to find duel rear breaks.

My dads 445 is break up high on the right side, separate directional pedals for your toes on the right, and deff lock for your toes on the left.

My tractor is seperate directional HST pedals for your right toes, left heal is deff lock, right toes are duel brakes which makes operating duel brakes and the directional HST pedals easy.

My mower is HST forward and reverse on the right fender and brakes on the left foot.

There all a little diff but for example if you have your brakes on your right foot like the JD garden tractors and your trying to lock one rear wheel for a fast turn, you would have to have your right foot on the directional pedal and your left foot on the right side of the tractor operating the duel brakes, puts you in a very awkward position.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

JK22 good point on the seat for the Backhoe, my buddy with the Mahindra 28XL has one of those.

New Mahindra Max 28XL Walkaround - YouTube

4:15 he talks about the seat and how it works. This is just one example.

You can buy the FEL after the fact but it's not cheap, most of the smaller loaders have the controls mounted on the loader, the more premium tractors has the loader arm built in the fender, those usually come standard with a FEL or are cabbed.

 

[JK22]

You can buy the FEL after the fact but it's not cheap, most of the smaller loaders have the controls mounted on the loader, the more premium tractors has the loader arm built in the fender, those usually come standard with a FEL or are cabbed.

Excellent point. Didn't even think about the controls. That Mahindra swivel is really well thought out. I'm going to have to try that method on my BX.... I've always thought I had to get off to swivel. Could be design difference... or operator error.