Need guidance in selecting Mower vs Yard Tractor

airbiscuit · Apr 11, 2017

dnmccoy said:
It's probably going to be between kubota and JD

Which models and how did you decide that?

airbiscuit · Apr 11, 2017

dnmccoy said:
I think if I buy new it's going to have to be a scut, budgetwise. The local dealer has a deal where you can get a 1023,mower,fel and trailer for $199/month

Ready to Roll Packages 123E with 23 HP diesel engine for sale | London (614) 879-662

That's a pretty easy way to get started. I want one and I don't even need one!

dnmccoy · Apr 11, 2017

Those are the 2 closest dealers that also provide parts and service. I'm wondering on the jd 1023 or 1025 vs bx1870 or 2370

cford36 · Apr 11, 2017

One thing to ask the John Deere dealer is about greasing the front and rear u-joints on the drive shaft. I haven't kept up on changes since my 2210 but the rear one on the 2210 and other models was impossible to get to. Finally had to drill a 1" hole on the floor, then it just a nightmare. They were also not even noted anywhere in the manual. They were typically failing at about 400 hours which required a tear off of the entire top half of the tractor. Last time I was quoted $1600.
Hopefully that design was changed but I know I have read something about this on the JD forum on newer models.

cford36 · Apr 11, 2017

dnmccoy said:
I think if I buy new it's going to have to be a scut, budgetwise. The local dealer has a deal where you can get a 1023,mower,fel and trailer for $199/month

Ready to Roll Packages 123E with 23 HP diesel engine for sale | London (614) 879-662

If you go with this deal be sure they include a ballast box for the 3pt. Would will not be able to do much with the loader without it.

piercedtiger · Apr 11, 2017

I would go with the 1025 or 2370 if you can. Just having more power is helpful in so many ways. Run a larger mower and lift more with the loader, both breakout force and lift capacity when you're moving dirt or anything else. Most of us weld chain hooks to the loader top edge so chains can be used to lift and carry things. Once you realize you can lift and carry anything that you would struggle with manually or get help carrying you'll want all the power you can get. Heck, I bumped the PRV up a couple hundred PSI on mine for a bit more lift capacity. As long as the Kubota has the SSQA I would lean more toward that one, just to set yourself up for future upgrades at a lower cost. You could probably convert the JD, but that would be an added expense plus added weight from adapters.

BrokeFarmerJohn · Apr 11, 2017

piercedtiger said:
I would go with the 1025 or 2370 if you can. Just having more power is helpful in so many ways. Run a larger mower and lift more with the loader, both breakout force and lift capacity when you're moving dirt or anything else. Most of us weld chain hooks to the loader top edge so chains can be used to lift and carry things. Once you realize you can lift and carry anything that you would struggle with manually or get help carrying you'll want all the power you can get. Heck, I bumped the PRV up a couple hundred PSI on mine for a bit more lift capacity. As long as the Kubota has the SSQA I would lean more toward that one, just to set yourself up for future upgrades at a lower cost. You could probably convert the JD, but that would be an added expense plus added weight from adapters.

All E series, 1 series tractors lift the same, lifting is not related to HP it's hydraulics, that only increases with a larger tractor like the R series or 2 series.

BrokeFarmerJohn · Apr 12, 2017

dnmccoy said:
I think if I buy new it's going to have to be a scut, budgetwise. The local dealer has a deal where you can get a 1023,mower,fel and trailer for $199/month

Ready to Roll Packages 123E with 23 HP diesel engine for sale | London (614) 879-662

Looks like a very attractive deal but I would walk, what you see is not what you get.

For one it's an E series, I looked at the 3038E and did not like it at all, it was beyond cheap but we will get back to that.

This tractor has 22.5hp, that would be enough for mowing and garden tractor type work (light ground engagement ext) basically the FEL would be a powered wheel barrel and not much more, 500lb lifting capacity, will save your back for a lot of jobs but you, like many do will outgrow that loader.

Now this deal most likely includes the D120 loader (570lb lift) it does not have the JD quick disconnect bucket, its bolted so that's pretty much all you can have on the loader is a bucket, the H120 loader (512lb lift) will let you.

For mowing it's better to take the loader off and with the E series, that's not easy to do, with the D120 loader almost impossible, the H120 loader looks like a quick attack loader.

The trailer is prob one you can buy at TSC for under $1000 so no big saving there, on CL $500-$800.

Update: after looking deeper in this deal it is the D120 loader, the $250 per month with the 2025R has the quick attach loader and bucket.

Also that's for there 0% for 72 financing, if you don't qualify for that it's 3.99% which would raise that payment.

trucker1978 · Apr 12, 2017

I use a jd 1023e with a 54 inch belly mower. I have 6 acres of all yard. I bought a 4 ft Bush hog for 400 cash and 6 ft finishing mower for 200 cash. My payments is just under 200 a month on the tractor. It gives me the varsity I was looking for. I'm thinking of putting in a garden next year and 4 ft tiller I'm buying will help. Lol.