Subcompact Kubota search

[psk125]

My 54 year-old Simplicity Sovereign is getting balky so I am looking for a sturdy replacement. My brother has had good results with Kubotas so I am looking for a used subcompact for mowing and snowplowing. The snow we get is wet and heavy, so snowblowers are often problematic. The land is flat, so no need for mega HP; 15 or 18 seem sufficient. It looks see like the different Kubota B and more recent BX tractors can do what I need, but I have some questions. The Sovereign has met my needs for more than twenty years, so am not familiar with the marketplace or the tractors themselves. First, do the BX models have features or updates that make them better for what I need? Or will a B model work just fine for twenty years, even though it's older? (And cost less to buy, though I've read that if something breaks parts can be hard to find.) Secondly, does it make sense to pay more for a tractor that is a year or more newer than another? Or do the number of hours on the meter and steady routine maintenance matter more? (If the meter can be trusted I may have answered that myself.) Thirdly, am I overthinking this and should be looking at other options?
Thanks.

 

[chim]

As far as I know, the B models are still available as new tractors. Not sure what you mean by "older". I had a B7500 from new in 2002 till I sold it in 2012. Had I not wanted to do more , the B7500 would have been able to serve many more years.

I was looking at BX's when I bought the B7500. I wasn't convinced they'd be as capable as the B series, and when trying to operate one it just felt too small for comfort.

 

[Yander]

If you have a dealer nearby, look at these... You will over pay buying a Kubota or JD. But you can't go wrong with Kubota if money isn't a factor. Kubota BX would probably serve you well.

SA Series | YANMAR Tractor

Explore YANMAR tractor models in the versatile SA Series. Popular for 2 to 25 acres.

www.yanmartractor.com

 

[psk125]

As far as I know, the B models are still available as new tractors. Not sure what you mean by "older". I had a B7500 from new in 2002 till I sold it in 2012. Had I not wanted to do more , the B7500 would have been able to serve many more years.

I was looking at BX's when I bought the B7500. I wasn't convinced they'd be as capable as the B series, and when trying to operate one it just felt too small for comfort.

Shows how well I know what's what. I thought the BX replaced the B series, but you are obviously right. The B's I'm seeing for sale in my price range are older, and the BX models are newer simply because they came out more recently.

 

[Ricn]

Have you ever pushed wet snow with a sub-compact tractor?

 

[stevem5215]

Yes I have. With my Steiner 420. The AWD system used is the best I have ever seen on a machine of this size.
Here's my example of that action. Pretty impressive IMO. Traction is good due to the low pressure bar tires it has I believe.

 

[Ricn]

Impressive. keep it.

 

[CalG]

Yes I have. With my Steiner 420. The AWD system used is the best I have ever seen on a machine of this size.
Here's my example of that action. Pretty impressive IMO. Traction is good due to the low pressure bar tires it has I believe.

Looks like fun, But loader use is not "pushing wet snow".

A 7 foot blade will make steering a 3 ton tractor difficult in rain soaked snow.

 

[Panik]

So I wish I could say I have experience with subcompacts and snow.... However, I'm a southern boy with a 23hp BX. What I can say is that the BX has, within reason, done everything I've ever asked of it...just slower and with smaller "bites".... including pretty heavy dirt work in heavy clay soils. Using that as a point of discussion relevant to your needs I would suggest:

- Take a hard look at the FEL and 3pt characteristics (breakout, lifting weight, height, etc) between the various B models and the BX. I suspect you might be tempted with a B model that has more capability in that regard since your dealing with wet, heavy snow.

- Like the Steiner you showed the BX doesn't have a lot of ground clearance, some of the B models will provide more capability in that regard.

- It has been a very long time since I did comparisons, but I want to say within the B range of tractors there are some budget models (lacking convenience/comfort features) that provide all the capability and more without the premium carried by Bx223XX or other B models. Might be worth getting a spreadsheet together for feature and price comparison.

Final thought... when I purchased my BX I was entirely new to tractors and part of my willingness to pay a Kubota premium was twofold:

- Perceived brand reliability and corporation longevity
- The existence of two well established dealers within an hour of my house.

From on-going research/casual reading & having much more experience with operating and repairing a tractor if I had to do it over again I would be much more likely to consider brand such as Kioti.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Looks like fun, But loader use is not "pushing wet snow".

A 7 foot blade will make steering a 3 ton tractor difficult in rain soaked snow.

Maybe use a 6 foot blade? Or 5.5?

I used to clear snow with a subcompact, and moving from a garden tractor it was a big step up.

Yeah, the Kioti CK I have now obviously does a better job, but a payloader would do even better. That's a sliding scale for sure.

 

[psk125]

Have you ever pushed wet snow with a sub-compact tractor?

Have been doing it with Simplicity Sovereigns for about 30 years, and Gravely walk-behinds before that. Have you ever had a snowblower clog ten times in fifteen minutes of running time? (That doesn't include the ten minutes it takes to stop, clear each clog, and restart, or the wet, frozen gloves and fingers.) Plows work better here.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Have you ever had a snowblower clog ten times in fifteen minutes of running time? (That doesn't include the ten minutes it takes to stop, clear each clog, and restart, or the wet, frozen gloves and fingers.) Plows work better here.

Never had that many or frequent clogs, but sure had to stop several times before I got the hang of what speeds worked for what snow.

 

[dodge man]

I had a BX for 10 years and now a John Deere 2025r. The 2025r is similar to a small B sized Kubota. There is no way around it the slightly larger B sized tractor is just more capable, bigger end loader, bigger tires, it’s just more tractor. That said a BX is a great little tractor.

 

[CliffordK]

If you are on the West Coast, I may be able to find an older Simplicity that needs rehomed.

I looked at it a couple of years ago and the carburetor was pretty well corroded. So I got that cleaned and reassembled and had it running. But, it clearly needed some more work.

 

[psk125]

Thank you all for your advice. I found and bought a KubotaTG1860 diesel with less than 600 hours on it that came with a snowblower and 54" deck. A BX or B would have been more versatile, but about five times what I paid. I know Yanmar is reliable from the engine in our 1981 boat, but there aren't many in the used market around here, and new is too pricey. Getting parts for Simplicity tractors was getting to be nearly impossible, and then they stopped making them entirely. Now the mission is to find a snowplow for the TG1860 ...

 

[check 6]

For what it is worth, I started 20+ years ago then moved up to a B and finally to a cabbed Grand L. Great tractor but made for large open areas. Last year I downsized to the highest highest hp BX and it does everything I want it to do, maybe a little slower but it can get into places the Grand L never could and that is a work saver .
I have a loader, grapple, fork lifts, a box blade and an aerator which covers everything I need to do great little tractor.

 

[Ricn]

I understand the sizing down and while my L series Kubota works for most things, I'd like having a sub compact at times but finding one ued in my area is about imposible, but not giving up the L series anytime soon. Subs have gotten rediculous in price, like everything else these days.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Subs have gotten rediculous in price, like everything else these days.

No kidding.

If selling the BX25D when getting the Kioti CK2620, I could've got several thousands more than we paid for it. Even with nearly 200 hours on it.