Suggestions to narrow the hunt - 25hp, 4x4, HST - Branson, Mahindra, Kioti, JD, Ford?

[Gittyup]

Without seeing the property and knowing the layout, I think you can hardly make that assumption. In fact, depending on trees, obstacles, fencing, primary residence size, outbuildings, etc, on only 2.5 acres, actually size and maneuverability ARE a factor to consider.

Clearly "considering tasks at hand" includes considering how much room is needed for access, which may limit what machine(s) are appropriate. A walk behind Dingo may be appropriate for one while a big bull dozer might for another. And lot size (purely) isn't really part of that equation. Lot size has nothing to do with anything except from a mowing perspective or garden plot (if these are primary tractor chores). Of course you have to have access, but access can be restricted even on a 100 acres. Land area has nothing to do with how much lift, reach, power someone might need. Tasks, far more than property size, dictate what machine to get. My lot is tight: dozens of trees and shrubs; some woods, very steep and varied terrain, fences, gates, pergolas, patios, ponds, and more - all on a pie shaped 2.5 acres and there are very few places I cannot get my tractor. I could just about as easily maneuver a 50 hp around too. Anyone picking based on lot size without considering the major tasks planned for the machine is probably buying less than the optimum tractor.

 

[Olympus]

I'll politely disagree.

 

[grm61]

Clearly "considering tasks at hand" includes considering how much room is needed for access, which may limit what machine(s) are appropriate. A walk behind Dingo may be appropriate for one while a big bull dozer might for another. And lot size (purely) isn't really part of that equation. Lot size has nothing to do with anything except from a mowing perspective or garden plot (if these are primary tractor chores). Of course you have to have access, but access can be restricted even on a 100 acres. Land area has nothing to do with how much lift, reach, power someone might need. Tasks, far more than property size, dictate what machine to get. My lot is tight: dozens of trees and shrubs; some woods, very steep and varied terrain, fences, gates, pergolas, patios, ponds, and more - all on a pie shaped 2.5 acres and there are very few places I cannot get my tractor. I could just about as easily maneuver a 50 hp around too. Anyone picking based on lot size without considering the major tasks planned for the machine is probably buying less than the optimum tractor.

You are absolutely spot on:thumbsup:

 

[Pierrepont]

Good Morning,

I'm late to this "party" but I did take note that the OP indicated his wife and a 9 year old child may become operators of the tractor. With that in mind, may I encourage the OP to carefully consider the stance or width of models under consideration. Wider is better. Much less tippy.

For the example, the LS J2023h looks like a nice little rig but it is quite narrow as compared to the Mahindra Max28. (I believe the Mahindra width is about 10" more than the LS). Operate the little LS and then operate the Mahindra and I bet you'll immediately feel the difference. Even on flat land, a narrow tractor with a FEL is something that takes HIGH concentration and care to operate safely.

 

[Olympus]

Good Morning,

I'm late to this "party" but I did take note that the OP indicated his wife and a 9 year old child may become operators of the tractor. With that in mind, may I encourage the OP to carefully consider the stance or width of models under consideration. Wider is better. Much less tippy.

For the example, the LS J2023h looks like a nice little rig but it is quite narrow as compared to the Mahindra Max28. (I believe the Mahindra width is about 10" more than the LS). Operate the little LS and then operate the Mahindra and I bet you'll immediately feel the difference. Even on flat land, a narrow tractor with a FEL is something that takes HIGH concentration and care to operate safely.

Never had a problem with my J2023 and my propery has some pretty steep grades. I can mow sideways on the slopes and slide on the seat when wearing slick pants, but never felt unsafe or like I was going to tip over my machine.

The OP has mentioned tasks of grading 300 yards of driveway, landscaping, and using a post home digger in sandy soil 3-4ft all on 2.5 acres. I know guys that do that and much more all on a SCUT. I'll maintain that bigger is not always better. Unless the OP plans on buying more property or significantly increases his needs, likely a SCUT or small CUT will be more than enough machine.

 

[DavesTractor]

3016 may well be overkill.... It just looked "the right size" for ANYTHING I could dream of doing.

Nobody has ever called me and asked to trade in their 3016 for a smaller tractor. Conversely, we do see people buy the Max size and later step up to the 3016/3616. I'm sure Kubota has B series buyers that later trade for an L series. The progression goes that way normally.

I think the acreage matters, but on 2.5 acres a 62" wide tractor will do just as well getting around as a 54" wide tractor, unless you have narrow gates or something. You probably don't need a 3016, but we all have stuff we probably don't need.

 

[varmint]

Good discussion, and a lot of us are very interested in what the OP finally decides to get. I have more tractor than I need in a L3400, but I wouldn't say it is "too" big, and when I push 2' of snow, I wish I had an even bigger machine. But yes, a SCUT would probably handle most of what was listed, considering it's sandy soil. The heaviest item I have ever had to use the tractor move might have weighed 650 lbs, and most little machines could deal with that, I suppose, but not my snow plow.

 

[Gittyup]

SCUTs are oversized garden tractors with very limited capacities. If you have real chores to do, get a real tractor. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've heard all the hoopla about how good SCUTS are. It's all relative. My tractor is a mere toy compared to a 70 HP too. But, there is a point below which you lose too much and start being a lawn and garden tractor suitable for only light weight duties - and that is what SCUTs are to me. Want a lawn mower that can move a tiny bit of material around, get a SCUT; great for barn mucking too. Got serious weight work to do, get a real tractor that is heavy enough to put the power to the ground and has sufficient hydraulics to lift a truly heavy load. I'm sure the SCUT owners will have a different opinion on this... and I can move a mountain with a tablespoon too.

I routinely lift things weighing well over a 1000 lbs. Wish I could lift more, 3500 lbs would be good. Then I could move pallets of block and stone, and some really big boulders. Maybe I need a bigger tractor? But that would be way too big for my 2.5 acres. Or would it?

 

[Pierrepont]

Never had a problem with my J2023 and my propery has some pretty steep grades. I can mow sideways on the slopes and slide on the seat when wearing slick pants, but never felt unsafe or like I was going to tip over my machine.

The OP has mentioned tasks of grading 300 yards of driveway, landscaping, and using a post home digger in sandy soil 3-4ft all on 2.5 acres. I know guys that do that and much more all on a SCUT. I'll maintain that bigger is not always better. Unless the OP plans on buying more property or significantly increases his needs, likely a SCUT or small CUT will be more than enough machine.

Thanks for your LS testimonial. The J2023H is 44.9" wide I believe. A Mahindra Max28 is the better part of 10" wider. Its simple physics, wider is safer (better).

A careful read of my post will make clear my concern for a 9 year old potential operator as well as the kid's Mom. I got the impression that they may be new to operating a tractor and I think the width / stance detail is significant and worthy of a comment.

In fact if memory serves, one of your earliest posts following your purchase of the J2023H expressed a little concern that it is rather light in the tail. A light tail and narrow stance combined with a strong front end loader could surprise an inexperienced operator quickly and could lead to a tragic outcome.

 

[Olympus]

I filled my rear tires with Rimguard for extra weight. Not because my rear end ever left the ground, only because I was slipping tires. I needed the weight for more traction, not to offset any balance problems. I moved 45 tons of gravel with my tractor while building a new shop. An overflowing bucket of wet gravel and chat wasn't even close to lifting my rear wheels. And doing any kind of heavy loader work with any tractor, a rear ballast is recommended.

As far as the child and female are concerned, I would expect any responsible father and husband would never put an inexperienced operator in a condition where a tip over could possible occur, let alone a 9 year old child. I don't know why there is even a concern with tipping. There's not a single piece of evidence that even remotely suggests that a J Series LS is prone to tipping. So even though wider is more stable, if there's no evidence to show something is NOT stable, is 10" wider really a huge factor? In this case, you're splitting hairs on a spec that, in real world application, is likely pretty low in chance of occurrence.

I'll agree that SCUTs look like garden tractors on steroids, but their capabilities are MUCH greater than they appear. They are not for everyone, but I'd venture to guess their biggest market share is the homeowner with small acreage. In the OPs case, I certainly wouldn't rule one out just because of their smaller size or because some people think they're not "real" tractors. I just don't agree with spending $14-$16k on a SCUT.