Buying Advice New Tractor buyer: BX23s or B2601 or XJ2025H?

[AndyW]

I've dug some stumps in my hard rocky soil, but they'd been cut years earlier and the roots were good and dead.

I'm not sure how it would do on a fresh stump with strong roots.

Thx for the reply and pics. Another point for the bigger tractor, I suppose. While the stumps will be "fresh", many of the trees I have cut were dead standing. Plus it's muddy up here this time of year, which should work in my favor with respect to stumps.

 

[desertdog71]

Not going to bash LS but those XJ2025 have been problematic for many. The XG and MT series seem to be pretty solid though. I'm in the buying process myself right now have done my share of research I guess. If money was not a factor then Kubota to me is hands down a better product at least at first glance. Money is a factor though, and I think you can get some good value and more capabilities buying a lesser brand. Just something to ponder.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Before I would go with the XG2025, look at the new MT225e. It is a compact tractor, equivalent to the Kubota L2501. You should be able to get into one with a BH for about $23-24K. A larger tractor, but equally more capable. You would have to add the cost of the grapple and third function, but I would bet you can still beat the Kubota price and get more tractor.

 

[AndyW]

Not going to bash LS but those XJ2025 have been problematic for many. The XG and MT series seem to be pretty solid though. I'm in the buying process myself right now have done my share of research I guess. If money was not a factor then Kubota to me is hands down a better product at least at first glance. Money is a factor though, and I think you can get some good value and more capabilities buying a lesser brand. Just something to ponder.

Yeah...spent the last hour watching videos on LS issues. Making me much less enthusiastic about them. You have to factor in that people without issues don't make videos but still...searching for Kubota issues seems to result in a lot fewer hits.

 

[AndyW]

Before I would go with the XG2025, look at the new MT225e. It is a compact tractor, equivalent to the Kubota L2501. You should be able to get into one with a BH for about $23-24K. A larger tractor, but equally more capable. You would have to add the cost of the grapple and third function, but I would bet you can still beat the Kubota price and get more tractor.

Thx. I'll look into that.

 

[Racenut]

I toggled between Kubota and LS while shopping too. Didn't really look at much else just because those were the two that had local support. I started out looking at XG3025 and L2501. So once I decided I was willing to pay for an Kubota, I looked at not so much what I could save on an LS, but how much more I could get for about the same money. Because it seems the guys who have been at it a while say to get as much machine as you can afford. And I felt the most machine for my money came in blue.

I found a few of the videos and reported problems and decided in many cases were exacerbated by dealers that just failed. My local dealer so far has been great so far, has techs and has a great reputation. Maybe I'm taking a chance, I dunno. I ease that by telling myself LS is about where Kubota was years ago... the new guy offering more for your money while breaking into an otherwise difficult market. It's certainly a chunk of $, I hope I'm right

 

[nrosario]

Have you checked any of the Kioti?
If possible, check and try the CK2610.
In terms of capabilities at that class and price range is one of the best products.

Wish you the best in your search.

 

[jeff9366]

Thx. My interest in a grapple is the ability to root up the typical bushes up here as well as lift and move larger tree parts. I considered a bush hog or a skid cutter but a friend cleared most of his similar property with a grapple. If others think the other attachments are a better option I am willing to reconsider the grapple requirement. Really am a newbie here! Especially on which attachments are best for each application.

With the light tractors you are considering, you may be disappointed in grapple capacity.

Consider a Ratchet Rake bucket attachment for tearing out brush and consolidating debris into piles. Ratchet Rake is a force multiplier mounted on small tractor buckets. Easy to store when not attached to the bucket.

If you want to tear out roots 10" deep, consider a three shank Field Cultivator/All Purpose Plow. Field Cultivator will also pull debris to a burn pile. Heavy work should be accomplished from the Three Point Hitch. Tractors are designed to PULL.

You can tow tree trunks from the rear of the tractor using chains. Tractors are designed to PULL.

VIDEOS: TRACTOR RATCHET RAKE - YouTube

All Purpose Plow - YouTube

 

[nards444]

for a little bit more I would suggest the B2650 over the 2601.

 

[AndyW]

I toggled between Kubota and LS while shopping too. Didn't really look at much else just because those were the two that had local support. I started out looking at XG3025 and L2501. So once I decided I was willing to pay for an Kubota, I looked at not so much what I could save on an LS, but how much more I could get for about the same money. Because it seems the guys who have been at it a while say to get as much machine as you can afford. And I felt the most machine for my money came in blue.

I found a few of the videos and reported problems and decided in many cases were exacerbated by dealers that just failed. My local dealer so far has been great so far, has techs and has a great reputation. Maybe I'm taking a chance, I dunno. I ease that by telling myself LS is about where Kubota was years ago... the new guy offering more for your money while breaking into an otherwise difficult market. It's certainly a chunk of $, I hope I'm right

Have you checked any of the Kioti?
If possible, check and try the CK2610.
In terms of capabilities at that class and price range is one of the best products.

Wish you the best in your search.

for a little bit more I would suggest the B2650 over the 2601.

Thx for the replies! Everything is helpful. Unfortunately I don't have a Kioti dealer closee by. I will check out the B2650 as well.