Comparison New Compact Tractor Purchase

[kcflhrc]

I'm sure the subject has been beaten to death but here goes anyway. We are looking for a Compact Tractor. My wife and I just bought a place with 10 acres. The house sits on about 4 acres with highway frontage and the rest is fenced pasture with a couple of out buildings and a small dried up livestock pond. I have a 50" Zero Turn Toro for mowing. Part of the highway frontage and all the pasture has been put up in hay by the neighbor for years and I will probably continue to have that done by him. So my tractor requirements are primarily a toy. I would want a front end loader, brush hog, and a blade. I have been considering the Mahindra MAX 28HST and the Kioti CK2510. Wasn't sure what Kubota model to look at. I can get the Mahindra with loader for $16,500 and the Kioti for $15,200. I do realize their is 3 HP difference in the 2 machines. I have Mahindra and Kubota dealers close by, Kioti dealer is a ways away. Any recommendations? Please be kind, I'm a tractor virgin. :laughing:

 

[/pine]

I would go to the k_ubota dealer and see what he has to offer that is comparable to the two models you cited...then I would test drive all three (or more) and see which one is the most comfortable and ergonomic for your uses...

first advice for loader work is "keep it low and slow"....for rear blade (etc. i.e., grading of any kind) work on anything but flat level surfaces...do yourself a favor and get Top & Tilt hydraulics for the 3PH...

Good Luck...

 

[kcflhrc]

Thanks Pine, keeping my options open. Not in a big hurry. I was just quoted $19,699 for a Kioti CK35 HST with loader, 60" brush hog and 60" blade. That seems like a screaming deal but I'm still going to look around.

 

[murphy1244]

Try a BX-25D What a toy or tool it is.

 

[nybirdman]

Seeing that you have a zero turn for mowing........I would look at the "B" series Kubota

 

[Thomas]

Have to tractor come to you..be comfortable.
What are the dealerships track records..pros & cons you heard.
All 3 tractor makes are fine,when it comes to it go w/your gut feeling.

 

[Mike476]

Mahindra, Kioti and Kubota the only dealerships near you? What about Massey Ferguson, New Holland, LS.

If you're not in a hurry take your time and try them all. Took me over a year to trial everything I was interested in, some a few times. Once the decision was made though no regrets.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I am possibly the worst guy to give advice since I have 11 acres and own a 70 HP LS tractor and a B26 Kubota TLB + 2 zero turn lawnmowers but I do help my brother in law managed the other 31 acres of our adjoining property. Having said that, with only 4 acres of actual land to maintain (you said the rest was hayed by neighbor) then likely all you need for a toy is a BX series Kubota or similar sized tractor by just about any brand other than Chinese made. I still have little faith in them. Maybe a SCUT with a backhoe for doing a little digging when needed. I wouldn't think you would need anything bigger. I have done quite a bit of tree clearing and dirt moving with my LS but mostly now it is just a little disking each fall in the pasture for winter seeding as mostly I use the Kubota B26 for everything else. Surprisingly I have over 300 hours on the B26 compared to 100 on the LS and I have had the LS a year longer. The little backhoe gets worked out for removing rocks (they grow every winter here), digging trees and stumps, clearing out thickets of unwanted trees and brush, clearing grown up fence lines, putting in water lines, sprinklers and even planting yard plants and trees for the wife. I cant see how I got by without it and with each passing year of age, it becomes more valuable to me. My shovels are rusty and my wheelbarrow hasn't been moved in 3 years.

 

[Guesseral]

My shovels are rusty and my wheelbarrow hasn't been moved in 3 years.

Wheelbarrow hasn't moved, keck that's because you have a FEL (x2)! Isn't that the proper replacement for a wheelbarrow!

 

[kcflhrc]

Thanks for the info guys, I will definitely do my home work. Seems all 3 manufacturers I mentioned are pretty good machines, the Kubota getting most of the praise. However, it all comes down to value. Never been brand loyal when it comes to anything, be it mowers, motorcycles, cars, trucks or what. I buy what I like and is a good value. This whole tractor quest is new territory for me though. After moving 8 yards of dirt this fall with shovels and wheel barrows I definitely see a tractor in my future. Anyone want to buy a slightly used 2011 Harley Road King Classic? I find my priorities have shifted after the move from Yuppyville to the country. Any thoughts on the CK35 HST with loader, brush hog and blade for $19,699???

 

[HillStreet]

Guess I can chime in now about my Kubota B2320. If the salesman told me my tractor could do the stuff I have done with it I would have told him he exaggerates. I live on 5 acres that were ROUGH when I built my house, and I turned it into a real nice lawn and yard. Hauled and dug dirt and rocks, stumps, graded dirt, plowed and blowed snow, pulled logs, and planted trees.

Most people on here have done the same with their machines, and many of us have had questions/issues/close calls. Kubota is my first and only tractor, and I would make the same purchase today if I had to buy another.

Take your time and shop around--- sit in the seat and really understand the utility and operation of it. Best of luck.

 

[GManBart]

I don't like quoted prices when dealers include implements....they all tend to be at the very high end when it comes to implement prices. For what you'd be doing, the CK would be a nice size, and an excellent machine.

I'd compare similar sized machines from Kubota and Deere where you'll usually find the highest price for a set size/performance, then Massey Ferguson, Yanmar, and Mahindra (middle ground) then take a look at an LS (similar price range to Kioti). I'd skip New Holland, and Case/International, because you can buy the same machine from LS for thousands less. I don't have all the brand sizes memorized, but the comparable LS would be a G3033 or G3038 (33 and 38hp)...right around $16k, and a loader that lifts around 400lbs more.

 

[chim]

Get something big enough. I bought 4 tractors and finally have one that is. It is a whole lot more enjoyable.

 

[graborn]

Get something big enough. I bought 4 tractors and finally have one that is. It is a whole lot more enjoyable.

Definitely agree with this. I bought a larger tractor than I thought I needed and for not much more money.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Don't discount the SCUTS like the BX25. I have one that I have put 1000 HRs on in 3 years. Probably will do everything the larger tractors will do except, speed of operations, plowing, and lifting over 500# with the FEL and you get the BH. I use the FEL and BH for things they were never designed to do. I handle a 50 GL tank of diesel with my FEL with no problem since I increased the HYD pressure to 2K PSI. There is another thread active right now on the same subject so check out the kubota section and see more detail I have posted there.

Ron

 

[TSO]

I agree on the size ... always get a tractor 1 size larger than you think you'll need, they shrink within the first week of ownership!

I owned a Kioti CK20 and loved it. Was very capable for the size, and had a stronger loader than comparable Kubotas. Had a couple small warranty repairs but otherwise a very good tractor. I'd skip the CK35, only because the loader is weak compared to other tractors in that class. If you really like the CK35 size, the LS G3033/38 or R3039 will offer stronger loaders for less money.

If you're content with the Mahindra MAX size, also checkout the LS J2030 or J2023 ... cheaper & as good or better specs.

Most all of the competing tractors from any of the brands will be good (and closely spec'd for the most part), so it'll come down to how you personally feel about each tractor, the dealer, price, etc. You can't really go wrong with any of them, just that some may be slightly better in certain areas than others.

1 final recommendation, if you're choosing a hydrostat trans (which I HIGHLY recommend) get one with 3 ranges (L,M,H). My CK20 was only a 2 range (L,H) and I now find myself in M range 90% of the time, as do most HST users.

 

[sd455dan]

Definitely agree with this. I bought a larger tractor than I thought I needed and for not much more money.

that's 3 of us -
being a new property to you ,the jobs that a tractor can be used for seem to multiply.
With experience tractors seem to shrink because of new larger jobs that seem to come up.
Since you already have a capable mower, a larger machine may be a better bet if the budget will allow..

 

[George the Beagle]

Anyone want to buy a slightly used 2011 Harley Road King Classic?

I've been an avid rider for over 40 years, but I've only put about 1500 miles on my Gold Wing since I got my Kubota about three years ago.

 

[stanrav]

I'll ring in from Green / yellow land for a moment. Just purchased a 32HP HST AWD JD 2032R with 72" mmm, H130 fel, and front snow / dirt blade for $23,600. I've only had it for a month and have 11 hours on it, but so far I love it. I have a 10 acre home site with 5 acres that I finish mow and 5 acres of woods. I also have a JD 777 72" zero turn that I will be selling in the spring, plus a JD 318 with several attachments, plus a IH 560, all going up for sale in the spring. I got the 2032 to replace all of these and thus far I think my plan is working. I have always had good luck with Deere. A little more money at purchase time, but a lot more money if you want to sell it later on down the road. The 2032 has awesome power and versatility and the big attachments go on and off in a few minutes with no tools required. I will be purchasing a Cyclone material collection system in the spring, as I liked it's features and capacity over the JD offering. Good luck with whatever you end up buying.