New Compact / sub Compact Tractor Purchase

[pdub]

In my opinion you should consider what I believe to be the top three in the SubCUT line:

Kubota
Massey
John Deere


Ouch!!! COGNITIVE DISSONANCE.... My rating would be like this:

New Holland
Case IH
John Deere
Kubota
Massey

As far as price, the TZ22DA is priced right in line with the BX2230. The JD2210 should be more than the TZ. Regional differences will not be more than $500. If it is, then your dealer is either giving you a deal or selling the tractor at list price.

 

[44trxfun]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( The massey has the single toggle type peddle and the others have 2 pedals, one for forward one for reverse. Since I won't be able to get a feel for it before I buy does anybody have an opinion?)</font>

Seems on this site, everybody's got an opinion! Ahh, but back to your question, I tried the JD2210 and the MF GC2300. I honestly thought from a safety standpoint, the rocker pedal suited me better. I was concerned that with the forward and reverse pedals so close together on the JD, I could get 'em confused in a hairy situation and end up going the wrong way. For the most part, the treddle pedal suits me fine.

Be aware that like many have commented about the Kub BX, the pedal on the MF may "stick" a little in forward or reverse (i.e. not coming quite all the way back to the center / neutral position when you let off it). My dealer worked on it, and it got better, but the situation still persisted, though to a lesser extent.

That said, there are rare instances when I'm at the threshold of a hill or backing up to mount an implement that I might have to tap the pedal in the opposite direction so I don't overshoot the other way. The other situation where I can find it a bit awkward is when using an implement on the 3PH and working in reverse. Operating the pedal in that scenario can sometimes put my knee right about at the 3PH lever, so my knee sometimes bumps the lever, inadvertantly lifting the implement. These circumstances are rare; besides them, I like the rocker pedal.

 

[LBrown59]

web page Cut without a BH verses a S Cut with a BH
You might find this thread interesting.

 

[LBrown59]

<font color="blue">
2* dropping some trees
3*do you think that the cheaper Kubota 2300 is good enough for what I want to do?
about 10,500 compared to the JD and Massey at 12000.
############### </font>

2*How big are the trees and how many of them? This has a a lot to do with whither you should by bigger or buy smaller for the other jobs and simply hire somebody to take care of the trees .
If you can pay somebody 500 to a 1000 to take care of the trees why pay another 1 to 4 thousand for a bigger tractor?
Another thing buying bigger is not always buying smarter as in some cases the correct combination of 2 tractors could be a more desirable solution rather than 1 bigger tractor.
3*R read my post in the thread link I posted. See what you think then.
Kubota 2300 10,500 compared to the JD and Massey at 12000.
All 3 of these tractors will do the same thing.
Ask yourself if you were going to pay me for doing the task you have in mind would you rather pay me $10500 or $12000 for this same job?
Look at all I accomplished with my BX23 for 15500 now why would in the world would I want to have spent 17000 on doing these task?

 

[MarkStewart]

I wouldn't worry too much about using your tractor on 1/2 acre. That's what I have and I still use my machine alot. Mostly for landscaping projects and Snow removal.
I still use a push mower for lawn.

One thing you want to think about is safety. You can get hurt really quick if you are not paying attention etc.

Reading through the safety forum wouldn't be a bad idea. Here's an article on safety. web page

Good luck

 

[Bricklin]

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone that replied. You have given me plenty to make my decision and also much more to think about with my uses of the tractor.

Thanks Kurt

 

[Jeff7pt62]

I just got my Cub5234D Diesal 4x4 a month ago. So far, no major problems. I have a front loader & rear finish mower on it for balance. The only flaws so far has been the control lever for the front loader is a bit geeked up. Seems like it's bent wrong( I still need to look into it)I have the AG tires and already have had a flat, and lastly the hydraulic lines run too close between the front tire and the loader frame. All minor things. The front loader does not have any hooks on it (that sucks) and the frame has VERY little ground clearence. I use mine on 10 acres for general clearing and work. so far, so good. hope that helps

 

[daTeacha]

Not to cloud the issue for you any more than it is, but there are two machines made in this area that may be of interest. That would be the Steiner and the Ventrac. Both are low ground clearance articulated machines. Both are used extensively in places like college campuses, golf courses, city parks, etc. Both have an extensive line of attachments.
An articulated machine may offer you more maneuverability than a regular tractor. They have their limitations and their advantages, like anything else, but you might want to look into this type of machine.

 

[tracdoc]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( but there are two machines made in this area that may be of interest. That would be the Steiner and the Ventrac.... Both have an extensive line of attachments.... An articulated machine may offer you more maneuverability than a regular tractor...)</font>

Make that THREE in that category. Can't forget the Power Trac /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jmainel1]

Just wondering what you ended up going with, I am interested in the same line of tractors...went to Randall in Latham, Sharon Springs in Brunswick for Kubota (did not dicker at all). Where'd you go for MF, Abele...ps I am in Brunswick...small world!

 

[exNCite]

You should also look at the Simplicity line. Great little machine and loaded with attachments. I understand, for example, in the Kubota line, the BH must be purchased with the tractor. You can't add it later. Not so with Simplicity. I looked at JD, Kubota, MF, NH and settled on the Legacy XL. Extremely happy with it. It certainly pays to shop around.

http://www.simplicitymfg.com/legacy_xl.php

 

[LBrown59]

<font color="red">I believe I will be trying to get a BH and a loader with the tractor I purchase.
Bricklin
</font>
<font color="blue"> 1* I understand, for example, in the Kubota line, the BH must be purchased with the tractor. *You can't add it later.
Not so with Simplicity.
exNCite
</font>
<font color="brown"> =========== </font>
1*While this is correct I found it to be an expensive add on compared to My BX23

$8100 BX23
$2300 FEL
$1300 MMM 60''
Sub total $11700
$3800 Back Hoe
Total $15500

$14500 Simplicity
FEL included in the 14500
MMM 60'' included in the 14500
Sub total $14500
$6000 Back Hoe
Total $20500


*You can't add it later. I don't think that's a factor as Bricklin stated in his post.
I believe I will be trying to get a BH and a loader with the tractor I purchase.

 

[LBrown59]

<font color="blue">
I would just get the K.ubota, but it looks
* like the specs on the loader are beaten easily with the Massey or the JD
Brickln
***** </font>

******************
Looks can be quite deceiving.
Forget specs-get facts.

You shouldn't concentrate on specs alone but focus on which tractor will do the required task at the least cost to get the best bang for the buck.

* Are you looking for the tractor that has the highest specs or are you looking for the one that will easily get the job done at the least cost?

Perhaps percentage of capacity would be a better way to evaluate.

 

[TobaccoRoad]

Hey Kurt,

Check out the Kama line before you purchase. A lot of tractor for the money.

 

[3RRL]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hey Kurt,

Check out the Kama line before you purchase. A lot of tractor for the money. )</font>

Yes, indeed.
I went to my local MF/Kobuta dealer looking to buy a new Kobuta around 40HP to 50HP with FEL and backhoe. It did have an auto trans and was really nice but brand new was very pricey. I forgot the model exactly, but it was around $40,000. Tax and Delivery to my property was extra. That was out of my budget.

I went online and got quotes on the 55HP KAMA. Got a great deal from Triple T Sales in MO. I knew I wouldn't be using their facility for warranty work...too far, but I was willing to buy from them because they do ship parts right away. Had a problem with them about sending out the wrong attachments and bad communications, but they recently made good by delivering the right ones. The deal, however, I thought was a great price. Now I'm very happy again.

I ended up getting all this for about $22,000:
55HP 4 WD KAMA 554 with 2 sets rear remotes.
Koyker 195 FEL, installed, joystick control ...float
Nardi Seagull 220 7-1/2 backhoe.
6' HOWSE brush hog
Leinbach PHD with 12" auger
7' HOWSE boxblade
Delivered to my property
No tax.

My opinion...
That tractor has all kinds of power and done everything I wanted and... I saved tons. If you check the power and other specs on the tractor and implements, you'll see I got "more tractor" for my money. No frills though.. kinda Spartan. The Chinese Tractor forem has been a great help for me because, as I said, I end up doing everything myself for it.

 

[aardvark]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Thanks for all the responses, I believe I will be trying to get a BH and a loader with the tractor I purchase.

...The Kubota's FEL weight capacity seems to be much lower than everybody else or that might be the front runner. I believe I am going to basically go to each of the 5 dealers and let them know whoever gets me below 15K will get my business.)</font>

Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. The brocures I had from JD and NH both both rated the loader capacities at the pins. The Kubota rated the loader capacity X number of inches in front of the pins. If you read all the info, you will find that the loaders on all the SubCUTs are nearly identical in capacity, with possible exception to the new BX24?

You should be able to get either the BX23 or GC2310 for, or for slightly under, $15k. Or at least you can in Florida. The Kubota and the Massey are the only ones with a factory backhoe.

 

[LBrown59]

<font color="blue"> The Kubota and the Massey are the only ones with a factory backhoe.
</font>

== <font color="green"> ====== </font> =====
The Simplicity is the only one that offers an OEM BH after purchasing the tractor.

 

[Bricklin]

Well here is what I have found out as far as the great northeast goes. Kubota has all of the major brands beat in price hands down. Looking at 15,200 with 500 rebate good till Decemeber 31 with the loader and BH. MM at 1400 extra. The Massey is 16000 with the 750 rebate that is good until the end of the month. The only difference I noticed between the massey and the kubota is the flat depth that the loader can go. The massey is 2 inches lower at 6.

I guess that I am suprised that all of these companies sell basically the same machine and the prices are so different. The JD is starting at 17K, New Holland starting at 17.5K. As far as specs go, I do not think after most of my research that there is any significant differences between them. Funny how the dealers do not seem to care either.

Just makes the decidion a little easier I guess.

 

[jjs]

Hello Brickel I hope you have checked all the dealers around your area if you go MF call Heins in Valatia NY or Kubota call Salem Farm Supply Salem NY