power vs. $ vs. brand

[sodbuster3]

Hi Everyone

I've lurked here for a long time but signed in as I hope to get some info from the wide experience and knowledge that is obviously here.

Situation: southern Ontario, Niagara pennisula, fruit and nut trees, grape vines and an expanding vegetable garden.

Need to:
1) Mow and bag say 5 acres including around trees and some vines on gentle slopes and flat areas.
2) till the fairly tough soil for the garden areas each Spring.
3) a shallow till near the vines and some trees from time to time.
4) possible light use of a rear blade.

Apparent choices;
1) Kubota BX1850, or maybe BX2350 for about $2000 more.
2) 1 year off rental NH TZ25 with 200 hours but with warranty for about the same price as the BX2350.
3) Other suggestons. Also, there are used BX15s and TC30s around.

Both of those dealers appear to be decent people although the Kubota dealer (Berg in Wainfleet) is larger and seems more established.

JD dealers are definitely further away. There is a Kioti dealer not far away but I am not familiar with their machines. CaseIH dealer is closest of all but I get a bad vibe from them. My mind remains open.

Questions:
1) Would the difference in horsepower be that noticeable?
1b) Any meaningful difference in fuel efficiency?
2) Talk seems to be is that Kubota breaks down less often especially when compared to NH. True?
3) Is NH's Sensitrak a significant advantage?
4) Doss anyone have any experience with the dealers in the area?
5) Any other relevant issue not mentioned here.

ANY comment (even a bad joke) is appreciated ! thanks in advance!

 

[mjarrels]

I can't imagin mowing and bagging 5 acres using a BX size tractor! I would at least move up to a B7800 size or B3030.

mark

 

[john_bud]

Sod,

welcome to TBN and congrats on your first post.

The Kubota machines would be good. As long as you have at least a 60" deck, 5 acres is no problem. Expect to use about 1 gal of fuel an hour worst case. Probably will be closer to 1/2 - 2/3 gal an hour in reality. That's for about any 20-30 hp machine cutting with a 60" deck. Diesels are pretty linear that way, fuel goes by the job being done ffor the most part.

I don't think that any of the listed machines will be failure prone. It will matter what you like the best, what seems to have intuitive controls for you and which has the more supportive dealer.

 

[jcaledon]

Sodbuster3,

I was in the same position, although I have less to mow then you do. My fruit trees were a big concern because the rops presented a problem. Have you considered the new Kubota B2320? I am also in Southern Ontario, and recently got a quote for $16,000 (they probably would have come down further) which included the 60" drive over deck, loader, grill guard, ballast box, and loaded rear tires. Stepping up to the B, for about $2,200 more than the BX2350 gives you a bigger, stronger tractor, folding rops, three speed hydro etc. I ended up getting the B2620 to get some extra power as I have some steep hills to mow, but the B2320 should be good for your situation.

I looked really hard at the BX, and if I could have gotten a folding rops, would have gone with the BX2350, and saved myself some money. The uncut turning radius is actually tighter on the B than it is on the BX. For me it made sense to step up to a bigger tractor. I don't plan on ever buying another. And Kubota has recently lowered their pricing in Canada because of the dollar, so that we are essentially getting the US pricing.

Good luck with your search.

 

[DGS]

Hello and Welcome to TBN
I live in your area also and have general idea of where you are
As far as equipment goes I think test drives are thr best way to find out what your needs are
Do this at your location if at all possible,it wiil give you an idea what the different machines will do on your ground
As far as dealers go I deal with Berg's and find them good people to deal with
(3 machines at different times so far)
If the Case-IH dealer is in Binbrook I would pass as they do not to seem to be interested IMO
Do not know about JD since Greenline went out of business 2 years ago
Good luck in your hunt
DGS

 

[sodbuster3]

Thanks so far guys!

Jcaledon,
I followed your recent thread with interest. Most of the same issues are relevant.
Maneuverability, i.e. turning circle is definitely an issue. I am surprised that the B2320 and those larger tires could turn as well but the specs do say 2.1 metres as opposed to 2.2 for the BX1850, so it could warrant at least a test drive after looking at what the dealer might offer on price. Definitely the pricing of Kubotas in Canada is good right now.

 

[toddler]

I'd go check out the Kioti CK25 HST with a MMM.

With its much bigger wheels, I think it will be more comfortable to ride on when mowing that many acres. And, I think it'll till more than the BX size too.

BUT, it's a lot heavier. Are you looking for 5 perfectly groomed acres of grass? Also, is it wet and soft, because if it is, then Kubota makes lighter weight tractors. I think the BX will be uncomfortable to ride on for that long, but a used B series might be ideal if the price of a new one is too high.

Todd

 

[Wesdor]

Not sure what price range you are expecting to pay, but have you considered two machines? One to do the tilling and other tractor work. The second would be a ZTR. Cub Cadet has a rather nice Commercial Grade that I saw at the local Farm and Fleet for about $5,000.

I believe they are rated for about 2 - 2 1/2 acres per hour. I tried an exmark last fall and was amazed at how much time a ZTR saves. If my research is correct, the Cub Cadet is the best price of the heavy duty ZTR's. Perhaps someone else can recommend and even better buy on a different brand.

Sorry if this takes the thread in a direction you aren't ready to head.

 

[sodbuster3]

Todd,

Definitely not looking for perfect grass, just need to keep things under control and use the clippings for compost. By mid May at the latest, the surface is quite solid and dry except near the streams and there won't be any mowing there. I don't know much about Kioti or their pricing but the CK25HST definitely seems to be a step up in size/power from the BXs. It won't hurt to at least see what they are offering.

Wesdor,

Interesting idea and a ZTR would be great moving around the trees but I built a small garage last year to hold just one machine, so it's one for now.

 

[daveinnh]

If you intend to chew up the vine and tree branches from trimming operations, you may wish to evaluate a good quality flair mower, then review the HP needed / width needed.

Having worked on a family operated vineyard operation (Lewiston, NY), you may wish to look at loader / fork capacity too - i.e. lifting fruit boxes onto flatbed trailers.

It sounds like a big compact / small utility tractor may be needed.