Need your help in finding the perfect Kubota...

[Tom_H]

Now that all of us have made your decision crystal clear by recommending every 'Bota made /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif (at least we all seem happy with the brand and our own model), you might want to do a little more muddying up your decision by doing some reading here:

The Small Tractor FAQ

It's a non-biased university site (Just think of it: a PhD in TRACTORS and the guy gets to spend all day every day just teachin' people 'bout TRACTORS /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif)

Do we love our "Botas OR WHAT!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif GerardC, go on home. Git! Shoo!! You live on another forum-it's called pseudo-orange. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

P.S. That tractor professor says pseudo means FAKE, you know, kinda' like COUNTERFEIT money!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[GreenMtnBoy]

Thank you all for the welcome...lots of good stuff to consider. As has been pointed out by a couple of you, chosing the wrong tractor can be an expensive (and I'm sure frustrating) experience. To that end, the "mistakes" I'm hearing are along the lines of selecting too small of a tractor, rather than the opposite.

I will give serious consideration to the strategy of forgeting about mowing with this tractor and instead using a dedicated riding mower. The downside to this however, as I see it, are that I'll have one more piece of equipment to maintain and a riding mower won't complete the job as quickly because it's going to have a smaller deck.

What's my priority? Hmm...right now it's moving rocks, ripping up roots and smooting dirt...bigger tractor stuff. Six months from now it will certainly be snow removal. Some day, it will be mowing my lush lawn and having time to look at it/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

ronjhall - I see you have a Curtis snowplow. I'm wondering how much success I might have with a snowplow on my tractor vs. a snowblower? 15"-20" snowfalls are not out of the question here.

To answer Tom H's question, most of the rocks I'm going to want to move will likelybe in the 1'-diameter range. But I certainly have some much bigger... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks again for the input.

GreenMtnBoy

 

[Freds]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The downside to this however, as I see it, are that I'll have one more piece of equipment to maintain and a riding mower won't complete the job as quickly because it's going to have a smaller deck.
)</font>

Not to make arguement, but you'll be splitting time between two machines. That should increase time between maintenance by not loading one up with all the hours. The rider I chose has a 60" deck like the RFM my 7500 pulled plus should be more maneuverable, so I'm hoping my mow time is shortened a little, but I'll guarantee I'm gonna miss backing the RFM under the lilac bushes and pine trees to cut the grass.

Good luck and just a thought... do you have any neighbors with similar property? What are they using?

 

[ronjhall]

GreenMtnBoy

The height of 6 1/2' blade is 24". The deepest snow I have plowed was 17". Did not have any problems. But my drive is only 250 long and very little incline. Look like your drive has been there for a while. How was it cleared in previous winters.
Your choices for snow removal are.
1. Rear blade.
2. FEL mounted blade.
3. FEL bucket.
4. Tractor mounted front blade.
5. Rear Snowblower.
6. Front Snowblower
7. Snow plow on a 4X4 Pickup Truck.

A rear mounted blade or snowblower can be a pain in the neck.
Blowers may require some kind of a cab.

Here is a thread on making the choice for blade or blower.
Click Here

Here is another thread on Front vs. Rear blower.
Click Here

 

[Tom_H]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What's my priority? Hmm...right now it's moving rocks, ripping up roots and smooting dirt...bigger tractor stuff. Six months from now it will certainly be snow removal. Some day, it will be mowing my lush lawn and having time to look at it/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)</font>

Have you thought about renting a small dozer and/or large TLB (Tractor-Loader-Backhoe) to get all the heavy stuff done & over with (or hire an excavating contractor)? Then for your long term, less intensive needs buy your single multi-purpose CUT (Compact Utility Tractor)?

 

[maxtractor]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( .....One thing is for sure you have found the right tractor color.)</font>

What color is KIOTI then /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif? G )</font>

Kioti is the right color too. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I never said there was not more than one good orange tractor.

 

[BotaGuy]

I think the B7610 will be the best suited tractor. It looks like you will need to do more FEL work and heavy snow. I have a BX23, and it is incredible....I also had a B7500...same size as the 7610...a little less power. With the B7500 I maintained my 740 foot very steep gravel drive in the winter. The B7500 worked perfect...and all I used was a rear blade and front weights. In heavy snow, up to 14 inches...I drove up the drive first and then plowed snow on the way down. After that it was a total of about 4 trips to clear the drive. A FEL and rear blade will clear a lot of snow. If you require a backhoe...the BX23 would probably work...just a little slower. BUT, it is more stable on steeper slopes, and it can't be beat as a "ONE Machine" solution for the lowest dollar figure.

 

[GreenMtnBoy]

Considering all I've heard so far, including...

<font color="blue">..."The perfect tractor?? no such thing unless it's for one type of job only"... </font>

<font color="blue"> ..."I agree with MarkV. You may want to consider 2 units that will be more specialized in what they do."... </font>

<font color="blue"> ..."Have you thought about renting a small dozer and/or large TLB (Tractor-Loader-Backhoe) to get all the heavy stuff done & over with (or hire an excavating contractor)?"... </font>

...I just might be asking too much of one machine. In the past, I've contracted out my driveway plowing (4wd pickup w/plow, which is the standard around here). Similarly, I hired an excavator to clear and stump my 2 acres in the photo. Those stumps were huge (3-4' diameter), so it was money well spent. Rather than hiring someone to come in and finish up the work, my thoughts were that I'd take that money and spend it on something I could use for a lot of other purposes...a Kubota! I'm thinking that a york rake and box blade will do a nice job.

I certainly haven't heard a concensus (nor did I expect to), but at least everyone likes their own version of Kubota... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I'll check out some of the links that have been suggested and try to formulate a plan that makes sense for my needs.

I'll let all know what I decide, but please don't stop the comments...I still have some time and I learn something from everyone's perspective.

Thanks again to all,
GreenMtnBoy

 

[DanR67]

GreenMtnBoy,

Being a *relative* newbie to the world of tractoring (38 hrs on my B7610 since end of March) - please take my suggestions with a grain of salt... 'nuff said.

1) Tires
If you're going to be "off-roading" (rocking / clearing etc.) - at least in the beginning - seriously look at R4s instead of Turfs. With *care* (no 4WD / no sharp turns) they really don't mark up the lawn. Sure they'll track up the sod some if it's soggy - but I just read in another thread where somebody mentioned *scuffing* their lawn evn with turfs (tight turn or in 4WD?). I just KNOW I would have been stuck several times if I had been driving on turfs...

2) Rock moving (Bigger is better)
My *primary* task was to replace an aging riding lawn tractor. This *favors* the smaller subCUT (ex BX) sized models - which is what my wife thought was *enough* - let's just say we *conversed at length* over the size (and of course $$).

My *secondary* tasks, however (ex. rock removal / land clearing / grading / moving wood pellet fuel) favored a larger CUT - so I opted for the B7610 - which offers, IMHO, a very powerful FEL (LA352) on a small platform - works great for me.....

>> How big are your rocks on average? Check out the picture of me and a rock that I moved with my 7610 - it's @ twice as wide - you're looking at it *end on* (Probably measures 4' x 2.5' x 2' - weighs @ 1000#??). I don't know if I can lift it (don't have enough rear ballast for sure) - but I was able to push it around without too much diffficulty. Any bigger - and you need larger equipment...

BUT - I don't have to clear a 1/3 mile driveway....

3) Snow removal
I don't know exactly where you're at in VT - but we get plenty of snow here too in northern Mass (NH border) - I believe I would have gone for a even bigger model (B7800 / B2910 or even an L-something) if I had to rely on it for snow removal - on a 1/3 mile driveway.

Since I just got my 7610 this spring - I simply have no snow removal experience. However, from *pushing things around* - I have at least an *inkling* of what I can and cannot do.

My concern with a *smaller* CUT (ex a 7610) - making a "worst case scenario" (which is like the old saying - "Prepare for the worst - hope for the best") - a good old fashioned Nor'easter - which dumps a couple feet of *heavy wet snow*:
a) traction - is there enough weight to *push* the snow effectively?
b) power: does the PTO make enough *oopmf* to power "effectively" through the snow - and *how long* will it take to clear the 1/3 mile drive if you are taking *smaller bites*? (Smaller CUT = smaller snowblower width = more time)

If I were in your position - I would definitely go with a snowblower over a blade - it you are in a very snowy area - once the snowbanks have been built up - there is nowhere else to push the snow to. A snowblower should send it well out of the way.

***************************

Of the three models you listed - I'd have to say the B7800 (or B2910) would be the LEAST tractor you would want - chiefly for the demands of snowblowing a long driveway. Another *step up* might make sense too...

Another possibility: buy a used "plow truck" (& haul firewood too?) for keeping the drive clear - and then get a *smaller* CUT for mowing / landscaping etc. Personally speaking - I'd have to recommend a B7610 over a BX - ground clearance and power being the biggest factors.

Click on this link here

The picture that GregJ attached of a HUGE load of firewood on the 3PH of his B7500 really sold me! You can also scroll to my first post - and see what tasks I defined in my purchasing decision. I also attached a "comparison chart" in my first post of that thread - as to what model I was considering - perhaps this might help you clarify your needs? I know now that a BX (or subCUT - I also looked at a JD 2210) would have not met my needs - simply by the size of the rocks I've moved about.

Hope this helps & happy shopping! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dan

MikePA: Cleaned up long URL. Simply insert a descriptive word or two between the {url=http://whatever}<font color="red">Enter words here</font>{/url} instead of the entire URL. Replace parentheses with brackets.

 

[Freds]

That's a big rock, Dan!

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( once the snowbanks have been built up - there is nowhere else to push the snow to. )</font>

That's what a FEL is for. Here's a pic of our last snowfall this past winter. My drive was bare the day before. This is from a small corner of a parking area. On the other side I pick the snow up and deposit it on the other side of the split rail fence to make room for additional snowfall. It worked all winter and I didn't lose any parking space. I should be able to make higher piles with my new tractor.

I've heard that you can get rid of more snow with less tractor if you use a snowblower. I guess it depends on how often you want to keep up with snow removal, too. If you had a snowblower you could wait a little longer because you aren't actually pushing the snow.
Lots of ways to go.