Opinions

[GCLM]

Hello folks! Ive come full circle and looking at getting myself a new small tractor. I have searched but I really didnt know what to search for so please bear with me!

Ive ran a mowing business for some time and ran ZTR's for the last 10+ years. Prior to that I ran a JD X595. I am getting out of the mowing but because I live on an acreage I still need a mower.
I need a mower but I dont need a 60" Industrial Super Z.
I also own a Kubota B1700 tractor but it is also to big, slow and cumbersome for my property. I have a 60" deck and FEL for it. Mowing is an option with it!

My thinking is I need a smaller tractor like a BX or JD 1 series. There are other brands of course like Massey and Kioti etc. Point is, I think the small size with tractor functionality is what I need!

All these tractors carry MMM, FEL, Hydro 4wd but, and this is really the question... What brand or machine in the small size will run a 4 in1 bucket?

My Kubota has a standard FEL but I would really like something that will grab and carry (light) tree trimmings, palm fronds, scrape driveways, level soil/ground etc.

Sorry for the long post but Im really hoping someone will at least point me in the right direction, give me food for thought! Its all about the 4 in 1 bucket!
Thanks in advance!

 

[jenkinsph]

You should be able to add a third circuit to a BX2670-1, 1025R and your B1700, not necessarily factory but good enough to solve the problem. The advantage the B1700 has over the BX is position control but the BX is faster, more powerful and nimble. The 1025R has position control and like the BX offers the other function you want other than the triple hydraulics. I suspect you will find that most of these small machines will require you to fab up the third hydraulic function. The least expensive way out is to modify the B1700 you have. Is the B1700 gear or hydro?

 

[Grandad4]

Hello folks! Ive come full circle and looking at getting myself a new small tractor. I have searched but I really didnt know what to search for so please bear with me!

Ive ran a mowing business for some time and ran ZTR's for the last 10+ years. Prior to that I ran a JD X595. I am getting out of the mowing but because I live on an acreage I still need a mower.
I need a mower but I dont need a 60" Industrial Super Z.
I also own a Kubota B1700 tractor but it is also to big, slow and cumbersome for my property. I have a 60" deck and FEL for it. Mowing is an option with it!

My thinking is I need a smaller tractor like a BX or JD 1 series. There are other brands of course like Massey and Kioti etc. Point is, I think the small size with tractor functionality is what I need!

All these tractors carry MMM, FEL, Hydro 4wd but, and this is really the question... What brand or machine in the small size will run a 4 in1 bucket?

My Kubota has a standard FEL but I would really like something that will grab and carry (light) tree trimmings, palm fronds, scrape driveways, level soil/ground etc.

Sorry for the long post but Im really hoping someone will at least point me in the right direction, give me food for thought! Its all about the 4 in 1 bucket!
Thanks in advance!

Just an opinion, but most of the 4 in 1 setups I've seen weigh quite a bit more than a standard bucket. Since these little tractors don't lift all that much to begin with, you're left with a significantly reduced payload.

For that reason I'd think a better option would be a quick attach loader setup with a grapple. Understand the new BX Kubota's have a neat set of factory loader attachments but other brands can also be rigged up with QA bucket/grapple configurations as well.

Edit by Grandad4: Just had a chance to check the Kubota website. Grapple not one of the BX front quick attach options. Would have to be a 3rd party grapple, but still a better option than 4 in 1, IMHO.

 

[4570Man]

I have a b7200 with only a mmm, and a L3240 that I pull a 72" finish mower with. If you are not happy with your current mower you probably won't he happy with a BX mower. They all mow about equally as "cumbersome".

 

[TJP89]

A new scut is going to be just as big as the old B. Most SCUTs aren't really meant to handle additional hydraulics. If you want one anyway, get a SSQA loader, then get a small grapple, because a 4 in 1 would really sink a SCUT IMO.

 

[Will_C]

My. Rotherham had a 4-1 bucket on a Case 580 backhoe- even on a tractor of that size, he didn't like the decreased loader capacity. He hasn't one on his last 2 backhoes.

 

[GCLM]

Thanks for the replies!
I went out and had a look at a Massey and Kub BX today. I got brochures for both and a Kioti. They all have 4 in 1 loader options. I hear what your saying about weight but the buckets on these things are very small. Maybe half the size of the bucket on my B1700.
That is kind of a worry for moving mulch but I need the 4in1 for a purpose. I wonder if I could get a second normal bucket and fit it as needed specifically for mulch?
But with that said, these smaller machines will be much faster around my property than my current Kub so the difference in bucket size could be made up with the number of trips to the mulch pile, around the property etc.

I have several months before I need to make a decision so no rush on this however I mentioned to an ex customer that I'll be selling my SZ at a price they were talking of buying a much smaller machine. Its a no brainer to buy my SZ but they are the kind that are penny wise, dollar foolish so see how I go!

Keep the ideas or opinions coming though, it is appreciated!

 

[AxleHub]

Thanks for the replies!
I went out and had a look at a Massey and Kub BX today. I got brochures for both and a Kioti. They all have 4 in 1 loader options. I hear what your saying about weight but the buckets on these things are very small. Maybe half the size of the bucket on my B1700.
That is kind of a worry for moving mulch but I need the 4in1 for a purpose. I wonder if I could get a second normal bucket and fit it as needed specifically for mulch?
But with that said, these smaller machines will be much faster around my property than my current Kub so the difference in bucket size could be made up with the number of trips to the mulch pile, around the property etc.

I have several months before I need to make a decision so no rush on this however I mentioned to an ex customer that I'll be selling my SZ at a price they were talking of buying a much smaller machine. Its a no brainer to buy my SZ but they are the kind that are penny wise, dollar foolish so see how I go!

Keep the ideas or opinions coming though, it is appreciated!

GCLM,

You more than most should recognize that lawn work like mowing etc.. succeeds in different degrees depending on the equipment choices . . I.e. cutting deck. While a BX and a Massey GC1700 series have many things in common they do have some noticeable differences too.

Cutting deck . . you say you no longer need the wide 60 inch mowing . . very reasonable. So a BX1870 can have a 48 inch deck. And a Massey GC can have the unique 6 blade 54 inch mulching deck with no side discharge.

Both brands have several other options . . but these 2 specific points above are unique products.

I chosevthe GC1715 and then researched extensively to find the mulch deck. Literally my 54 inch deck requires less space than even a 48 inch deck because there is no side discharge.

I also wanred a bit wider seating layout and a 2 pedal hydro for my knee benefit and . . 2 pumps instead of one to make fel work easier and operable at both low and normal rpm. But thats me.

As for your other needs . . I'd recommend a specific 3rd party provider because the choices are more readily usable on a scut and uniquely sized just for the scut benefits.

Now about the b1700 you already have. My friend has the same thing and has a 3pt. finish mower he cuts with. Its a fine unit . . but certainly very different than a proper scut with a good mower deck. Your fel bucket is larger . . But so is your tractor footprint and height.

I know my friend really likes what I invested in because its more maneuverable . . more versatile . . yet more efficient in time, fuel, and convenience.

 

[bcp]

BX 4-in-1 bucket:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/327867-4-1-bucket-bx.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/329956-bx-4-1-bucket.html

Bruce

 

[GCLM]

GCLM,

You more than most should recognize that lawn work like mowing etc.. succeeds in different degrees depending on the equipment choices . . I.e. cutting deck. While a BX and a Massey GC1700 series have many things in common they do have some noticeable differences too.

Cutting deck . . you say you no longer need the wide 60 inch mowing . . very reasonable. So a BX1870 can have a 48 inch deck. And a Massey GC can have the unique 6 blade 54 inch mulching deck with no side discharge.

Both brands have several other options . . but these 2 specific points above are unique products.

I chosevthe GC1715 and then researched extensively to find the mulch deck. Literally my 54 inch deck requires less space than even a 48 inch deck because there is no side discharge.

I also wanred a bit wider seating layout and a 2 pedal hydro for my knee benefit and . . 2 pumps instead of one to make fel work easier and operable at both low and normal rpm. But thats me.

As for your other needs . . I'd recommend a specific 3rd party provider because the choices are more readily usable on a scut and uniquely sized just for the scut benefits.

Now about the b1700 you already have. My friend has the same thing and has a 3pt. finish mower he cuts with. Its a fine unit . . but certainly very different than a proper scut with a good mower deck. Your fel bucket is larger . . But so is your tractor footprint and height.

I know my friend really likes what I invested in because its more maneuverable . . more versatile . . yet more efficient in time, fuel, and convenience.

Since I can get a 4 in 1 loader for these machines, the question really is, which machine is best? My Kub dealer is closest and the Massey and Kioti are both sold at the same dealer just under and hour away. Thats not a deal breaker by any stretch as its an easy drive.

You mention the Massey has 2 pumps. What are the benefits of that? To be honest, the Massey has always looked a little better to me. "Seemed" to have a lower CoG but that could just be the tires.
The grass I cut can get very long at times, often actually during rainy summers so a side discharge is the go. 60 or 54" will work around this property. There are multiple smallish areas, no big wide open so manoeuvrability is paramount along with the low CoG for turns on say 15' slopes. There is a relatively small in size 25' sloped area that I would have to go up, back down across to mow. This is a pita actually but its tough work with a 21"sp mower. Low CoG!!!!! I wouldnt attempt to mow across!

Thanks again so the question now is, and Im sure Ive missed a few things, which is the better tractor for my needs? Strongest, fastest, best loader lift weight etc. I understand I could cause a bit of drama asking but still, opinions guys! We're all entitled to them! Numbers on brochures dont always tell the hole story! Real life experience is way better! I appreciate the time and replies! This will be a massive investment so need opinions and thoughts from those that use them, you lot!