SCUT - Blue, Orange, or Green?

[TacoT96]

...The mmm on the kioti would be an all day project to get the BH subframe off and the mower on. A rear mower would seem a better fit....You didn't mention the Massey GC 2300/2310....
If it comes down to price, it's Bota
If it comes down to value, choose bota or kioti
if it comes down to color, ask your wife...

I've used both mmm and rear mower, personal preference is the mmm.

I briefly looked into the Massey, but the dealer treated me like he didn't care to sell anything (he deals Kubota, too, but I've got 2 other options for Kubota), so I hardly considered Massey after that.

Like the last line, lol.

 

[Egon]

Get the job prorities in order and pick a tractor on that basis.

For loading into a P/U a ramp may help get the required height.

 

[MacTractor]

It appears I am in the same boat as you. I am looking at all of the above mentioned. I have driven the BX24 and the GC2310 so far. I am going to look at them all. The crappy part here in Canada is the complete ingorance of the dealer and manufacuturers of the situation of the almost parity of the US and CA dollar. I priced out the BX24 here and they want $20,800 plus tax when I can buy it with a short trip to the US for around $15,000 and only have to pay the GST. I would lose the warranty (Which again, I think is rediculous) but $5800.00 would buy a ton of repairs.

Have you thought about going south?

Cheers,

I've used both mmm and rear mower, personal preference is the mmm.

I briefly looked into the Massey, but the dealer treated me like he didn't care to sell anything (he deals Kubota, too, but I've got 2 other options for Kubota), so I hardly considered Massey after that.

Like the last line, lol.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I was envisioning a conventional tractor, but if there are other options, keep them coming....

For FEL capacity, I need something that has 51"+ dumping clearance (and around 30" of reach @ dumping height), as I need to clear my pickup truck's box side. Lifting capacity (500mm forward) of around 500# would be nice, too.

A diesel engine is pretty much a necessity. Also, future plans (read: dreams) include a box blade, and a backhoe, likely both home-built.

Any recommendations on what make/model of articulated frame tractor/mower would cover this?

I don't own any of them so it's all what I've read. Power-Trac gives you several size options and the option of a backhoe (though it isn't clear to me whether you can run a mower on the models that have a backhoe). I don't think a backhoe is available on Ven-Trac or Steiner models. One of the Steiner models has a 3pt hitch giving you all conventional implements that don't require a PTO shaft input. Box scrapers are available for the PT and VT to front mount, and of course could rear mount on the Steiner with a 3pt. All PT models effectively have a FEL built in and lift height is 5' or more on most of them (including all diesel models); for the other two brands, one model from each has a FEL option, lift height on each one is around 5' I think.

 

[VABlue]

Don't put too much stock in the spec numbers between any of these machines - they are all going to lift a full bucket load of whatever you scoop up. And they will all do it at relatively the same speed. Any spec differences will be virtually unnoticeable when you're driving around the yard. They all mow equally as well, and the MM decks all work pretty much the same. The JD 2305 FEL is 55.5" high when fully raised and dumped, so it will clear your pickup side easily. I suspect the Kubota will do the same?

This is the same decision I had to make (along with countless others). Do yourself a favor and don't get caught up with marketing brochure spec numbers and pictures. Go with the machine that you feel most comfortable driving around (sounds like Kubota fits you best), has the best price, and a good dealer. If you find something that meets all three criteria, stop looking and buy. Otherwise, balance them out and go with the best overall deal. Good luck and let us know what you get...

 

[TacoT96]

Get the job prorities in order and pick a tractor on that basis....

#1 Mowing
#2 - #4 are split: Rotary tilling, FEL jobs, Snow Blowing (3-point blower on conventional tractor not a problem)
#5 & on down to be determined.

Since some of you like to help spend other people's money when buying tractors, I thought I'd pick up on that.

 

[TacoT96]

...with a short trip to the US...and only have to pay the GST. I would lose the warranty (Which again, I think is rediculous) but $5800.00 would buy a ton of repairs.

Have you thought about going south?...

I've given it a little thought, but have not really dug into it.

Some positives... chime in if there are others...
Currency/Price advantage (exchange around par today)
GST only?

What are the negatives?
No warranty?
Freight costs?
Brokerage? Duty (how much, if any)?
Anything else?

 

[TacoT96]

I don't own any of them so it's all what I've read. Power-Trac gives you several size options and the option of a backhoe (though it isn't clear to me whether you can run a mower on the models that have a backhoe). I don't think a backhoe is available on Ven-Trac or Steiner models. One of the Steiner models has a 3pt hitch giving you all conventional implements that don't require a PTO shaft input. Box scrapers are available for the PT and VT to front mount, and of course could rear mount on the Steiner with a 3pt. All PT models effectively have a FEL built in and lift height is 5' or more on most of them (including all diesel models); for the other two brands, one model from each has a FEL option, lift height on each one is around 5' I think.

I'd like to do the rotary tilling without driving over freshly tilled soil. I may not have searched enough, but I have not found a compact articulated tractor with these features.

If I build my BH, I could adapt it to most any style of tractor, so that's not an issue.

I need FEL lift of round 6' (measured to pin) to get dumping clearance of 51"+. Combine this with 500# lift and diesel engine, and it looks like the articulated tractor w/attachments to fit my needs will be considerably higher priced than the SCUTs, and out of my budget... Having said that, if you find any that's comparable, let me know.

Thanks for bringing these tractors to my attention, I like to cover all bases before I purchase.

 

[TacoT96]

Don't put too much stock in the spec numbers between any of these machines - they are all going to lift a full bucket load of whatever you scoop up. And they will all do it at relatively the same speed. Any spec differences will be virtually unnoticeable when you're driving around the yard. They all mow equally as well, and the MM decks all work pretty much the same. The JD 2305 FEL is 55.5" high when fully raised and dumped, so it will clear your pickup side easily. I suspect the Kubota will do the same?

This is the same decision I had to make (along with countless others). Do yourself a favor and don't get caught up with marketing brochure spec numbers and pictures. Go with the machine that you feel most comfortable driving around (sounds like Kubota fits you best), has the best price, and a good dealer. If you find something that meets all three criteria, stop looking and buy. Otherwise, balance them out and go with the best overall deal. Good luck and let us know what you get...

Thanks, I'll work on it...
BTW, what was your deciding factor(s) to go with the tractor you did?

 

[Z-Michigan]

I'd like to do the rotary tilling without driving over freshly tilled soil. I may not have searched enough, but I have not found a compact articulated tractor with these features.

I need FEL lift of round 6' (measured to pin) to get dumping clearance of 51"+. Combine this with 500# lift and diesel engine, and it looks like the articulated tractor w/attachments to fit my needs will be considerably higher priced than the SCUTs, and out of my budget... Having said that, if you find any that's comparable, let me know.

I think you're correct on the price for the FEL height and diesel engine you want. On PT that would get up to $16k minimum to get a diesel. I don't know price ranges for VenTrac or Steiner tractors, but I'm guessing they aren't cheaper than PT for comparable features.

Only comment is that with front-mounted tillers you simply drive in reverse while tilling, so you don't drive over the tilled soil. This is also typical of skidsteer tillers or similar implements.

Sounds like a SCUT is the way to go for you.