Buying Advice Questions about potential purchase, not sure where to start

[careyo63]

QA on this JD. which the bucket practically stayed off. Nice option!! Esp. after the grandson took out the pool fence with the bucket mowing with it. Which I was told to take it off after that and put it acres away in a carport! Another reason one of my tractors has a FEL. and the other it doesn't or even needs to be installed on it for that matter.

Attachments

• 
  Picture 011.jpg

  114 KB · Views: 312

 

[California]

Agreed. And I would absolutely never buy a machine with a pinned bucket for dual use as a mower, despite @2manyrocks question about the actual need to switch FEL implements, because she's likely going to find that dropping the bucket before mowing and retrieving it when done is the quickest way to make the machine lighter and more maneuverable.

Dropping the whole loader is much better yet, but even as relatively easy as that is, dicking around with hydraulic hoses for every weekly mowing gets old real fast. Dropping a bucket off a JDQA or SSQA loader is a very fast and easy compromise, and removes a lot of the extended weight that turns your machine into a bucking bronco at mowing speeds.

I leave the bucket on when mowing, it's not a problem. No big deal. Even in my orchard where I need a tight turning radius to avoid trees.

As for carrying downed trees and brush - my photo above shows logs in or across the front bucket, secured by chains, and also debris on a pallet-based platform on rear forks. I carry dead limbs too big to shred after the annual orchard pruning, and occasionally stumps. I doubt she has this much material to move.
I have put on my front clamp-on forks a couple of times for this orchard cleanup but usually don't bother.

Oh - related - my decorative Redwood trees sometimes shed limbs during severe storms. I cut the limbs into lengths I can lift, long and brushy, and carry them in the 4x8 trailer. In some cases I attach the trailer to the trailer ball on the front loader. Then drive backward, so I can lift the trailer to a steep angle to dump it.

 

[ning]

I leave the bucket on when mowing, it's not a problem. No big deal. Even in my orchard where I need a tight turning radius to avoid trees.

As for carrying downed trees and brush - my photo above shows logs in or across the front bucket, secured by chains, and also debris on a pallet-based platform on rear forks. I carry dead limbs too big to shred after the annual orchard pruning, and occasionally stumps. I doubt she has this much material to move.
I have put on my front clamp-on forks a couple of times for this orchard cleanup but usually don't bother.

Oh - related - my decorative Redwood trees sometimes shed limbs during severe storms. I cut the limbs into lengths I can lift, long and brushy, and carry them in the 4x8 trailer. In some cases I attach the trailer to the trailer ball on the front loader. Then drive backward, so I can lift the trailer to a steep angle to dump it.

For years I cleared brush and carried it in a little trailer behind the lawn tractor (the lawn tractor sees more work as a trailer puller around here tbh)

I attached angle iron-like things (uprights from an old rack) in the corners that stick up 4' to help hold the brush, and the brush was cut to 6' lengths.
Real pain in the butt really but way better than carrying it by hand.

These days I cut to about 8', make a pile about 8'x6'x6' and then smash it down with the forks, move the tractor around over it to get the brush really well tied together, and carry it in one chunk to a good drying spot and later to a burn pile. With the forks, I can move about 10 trailer loads at once.

Much of my land is flat and open; a couple acres keep me very busy with nearly constant cleanup - and it's not nearly as wet here as in SW Washington. I don't doubt that op's going to have plenty of use for forks on a little tractor even if she's only got an acre of woods, but the good thing is that you can always get forks "later".

 

[careyo63]

For years I cleared brush and carried it in a little trailer behind the lawn tractor (the lawn tractor sees more work as a trailer puller around here tbh)
View attachment 1583441
I attached angle iron-like things (uprights from an old rack) in the corners that stick up 4' to help hold the brush, and the brush was cut to 6' lengths.
Real pain in the butt really but way better than carrying it by hand.

These days I cut to about 8', make a pile about 8'x6'x6' and then smash it down with the forks, move the tractor around over it to get the brush really well tied together, and carry it in one chunk to a good drying spot and later to a burn pile. With the forks, I can move about 10 trailer loads at once.

Much of my land is flat and open; a couple acres keep me very busy with nearly constant cleanup - and it's not nearly as wet here as in SW Washington. I don't doubt that op's going to have plenty of use for forks on a little tractor even if she's only got an acre of woods, but the good thing is that you can always get forks "later".

What I use on the Yanmar. I believe 4'x6' Which I still use today, Exact thing you stated. Downed tree, limbs etc. used it on a Sears Garden tractor which was my lawn mower and the Yanmar replaced. I'm Using it today to hual wood off the back property. I can get more in it then the FEL..

 

[Little Red Tractor]

If you can tolerate yet one more opinion...
You've had some excellent advice. I'll start by saying SHOP THE DEALER! Check with other tractor owners and see how they have fared with the dealerships you have in mind.
One writer suggested either a Kubota B or L series and I concur. They are about the right size for what you're dealing with. I'd stay clear of the BX for a couple reasons, mainly weight and having but a single brake pedal--the steering brakes on a B and L really help you out in a tight spot. If size is not a limiting factor, go for the L-series for the advantage of greater mass which gives greater traction and stability, the 26 horsepower should be all you'll need.
Another mower option--other than the rotary cutter--would be a flail-type mower. They'll give a cleaner cut on grasses, but don't do such a good job on heavy brush.
I also agree that forks are a less-costly option for moving most things. A grapple is nice, but much more costly and requires additional hydraulic connections.

 

[WinterDeere]

... and if on the Deere side, I'd be looking at the 2R series, such as 2032R. In fact, that's my favorite Deere compact series, since it has better ergonomics and visibility than my larger 3R series. It's also a lot easier getting on/off the 2R, as entry is easy from both sides, versus just one side with the 3R.

Either way, you can't go wrong. Like LRT said, shop the dealer. Kubota and Deere are equally superb on design, quality, parts availability, and resale value.

 

[fattylumpkins]

Thanks @WinterDeere and @Little Red Tractor for the additional insight - I'm still here reading, and rereading, everyone's comments, posts, and advice, so I really appreciate the continued wisdom!

As an update, I'm doing a couple things this weekend (if anyone wants to know lol). Today, going with pops to a TYM / LS dealer nearby since they're not open on weekends to acquaint myself with these options. Looking at their subcompact and compact options and getting an idea of how far my money will get me. Using the list everyone helped me put together, I'm going to be primarily looking at options that offer ease of operation and utilization.

I also talked to the fella that posted the B7510. He confirmed what I suspected - they're downsizing, got it regularly serviced, and even knows the son of the local Kubota dealer. He had positive things to say, I asked a few questions when I could get a word in regarding using it. Overall, without seeing it, my impression is it had light use - he has similar sized property and had similar uses (albeit in a flatter part of town). My concerns about this particular option is the lack of QA. BUT it comes with the implements I most urgently need. Because I don't have a trailer or a way to move it, he suggested having the local Kubota dealer helping move it, so I will look into that if I decide to move forward. How often will I want to remove the FEL? There's mixed response on whether or not you all do, based on what you use it for. It'll be due for the next 40 hour maintenance soon, as well. At what point should I be concerned about its age? Also, he was a talker, basically said he would let it go for $14K - so I'll probably just go full dummy, offer $13K and see what he says - factoring in paying for transport - curious about it.

Tomorrow, I have to go to the JD dealer anyways to get the parts to for my wacker, so I'll take a look while I'm there. Also going to stop by the Kubota dealer, too, to ask them about the trailer / transport, as well as look at what they have available in my budget.

Hopefully on Sunday, I'll be visiting the used tractor with the experience of seeing new tractors to compare against.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

 

[jyoutz]

Thanks @WinterDeere and @Little Red Tractor for the additional insight - I'm still here reading, and rereading, everyone's comments, posts, and advice, so I really appreciate the continued wisdom!

As an update, I'm doing a couple things this weekend (if anyone wants to know lol). Today, going with pops to a TYM / LS dealer nearby since they're not open on weekends to acquaint myself with these options. Looking at their subcompact and compact options and getting an idea of how far my money will get me. Using the list everyone helped me put together, I'm going to be primarily looking at options that offer ease of operation and utilization.

I also talked to the fella that posted the B7510. He confirmed what I suspected - they're downsizing, got it regularly serviced, and even knows the son of the local Kubota dealer. He had positive things to say, I asked a few questions when I could get a word in regarding using it. Overall, without seeing it, my impression is it had light use - he has similar sized property and had similar uses (albeit in a flatter part of town). My concerns about this particular option is the lack of QA. BUT it comes with the implements I most urgently need. Because I don't have a trailer or a way to move it, he suggested having the local Kubota dealer helping move it, so I will look into that if I decide to move forward. How often will I want to remove the FEL? There's mixed response on whether or not you all do, based on what you use it for. It'll be due for the next 40 hour maintenance soon, as well.

Tomorrow, I have to go to the JD dealer anyways to get the parts to for my wacker, so I'll take a look while I'm there. Also going to stop by the Kubota dealer, too, to ask them about the trailer / transport, as well as look at what they have available in my budget.

Hopefully on Sunday, I'll be visiting the used tractor with the experience of seeing new tractors to compare against.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

I never remove my loader, but occasionally remove the bucket when it’s in the way. Everyone’s response will vary on this question.

 

[careyo63]

My Ford has a Wagner FEL. which stays on the tractor. Just the plain cool factor and the age of it was one reasons I purchased it. Old as I am!! And the way it's setup the Whole FEL comes off Intact. Literally a couple small handful of bolts. I had a shop do a split on it and replace the clutch and shifter problems. They mentioned how easy it was to work on it! The Hyd. reservoir is built into the frame also. Not super H.Duty but plenty of lifting power for my needs. Used a JD 5103 with a QA. Bucket for Yrs. and it was a nice option! Esp if you only have one tractor. Which I have a Yanmar. No FEL. @ 24hp.. The front 2wd axle spindles just wasn't made to handle one IMHO.. The sealed wheel bearings went out. The bearings fell out of the front wheels. Wasn't hard to replace them. Org. rice patty tractor from Japan. Which I use a FM. on it 90% of the time. About what it was designed for. A Mud Tiller!!

 

[big bubba]

There's a little bit of zen involved in the decision process.

View attachment 1576325

were that truly the case, no purchase would be made.