new hobby farmer looking for a compact tractor with loader and backhoe

[boggen]

www.tractorhouse.com = easy to search site form tractors. it is mostly geared towards "farm machinery" but it lists a lot of tractors used and new.

www.everytingattachments.com = a site that lists a lot of various 3pt hitch equipment for hobby / general owners of tractors. plenty of text and videos in how to setup and use stuff. a good starting place to familiarize yourself of what attachments are out there.

MachineryTrader.com | Backhoes for sale, skid steers, excavators, dozers. = sister site of tractorhouse "loader/backhoe" or TLB (tractor / loader / backhoe) these are normally INDUSTRIAL machines. meaning most likely the backhoe does NOT come off, for access to 3pt hitch. 3pt hitch is very useful. to many things go on it. as such you are more likely going to find stuff listed on tractorhouse and craiglist and maybe ebay for tractors that have backhoes that come off for access to 3pt hitch.

TractorData.com - information on all makes and models of tractors = generic details about make/model of tractor. enough to get rough idea of things. BECAREFUL these are specs for new tractors. being used is a completely different story.

==============
what acres are you looking at?

describe some things you plan to do? gravel driveway? put in / redo ditches, deal with stumps? move stuff off of a trailer / truck? snow blowing? snow pushing? putting in french drains? culverts? putting in landscaping walls?

 

[varmint]

Give the Kubota BX25D a good look. Folks that have them seem to love their capabilities and toughness. I just don't like the aluminum and plastic that the small Deeres seem to be built with.

 

[Wagtail]

I just don't like the aluminum and plastic that the small Deeres seem to be built with.

G'day varmint. I've noticed quite a few members throughout the forum expressing similar dissatisfaction... and, to be fair, not just with the JD product.

What, in your opinion, is the reason (or Big Deal) for this? For example; the upper cowling/bonnet & fenders of both of my rigs are plastic. I'm sure that there are aluminium parts utilised, but not where they count. Everything else is of solid construction.

 

[varmint]

Wagtail, I am referring to the oft-stated complaint about the smaller Deere's using aluminum castngs, in lieu of iron, for the rear end. Many feel like it is less durable, should it be stressed. Now, I don't own a Deere, and it is possible I am just repeating something that shouldn't really be a concern? Still, I would investigate were I in the market. Having had 3 very positive experiences with used Kubotas, I like them.

 

[Wagtail]

Oh... OK. I just couldn't see why having a plastic bonnet/fenders was a big concern. :laughing:

As to the aluminium parts... to be honest, I've never looked. No problems so far (for what I use my rigs for). [cross fingers/touch wood/burn sacrifice to the tractors gods]