Thinking of buying a sub compact

[TractorTom90]

Hi all,
I’m sure this horse has been beaten but here it is.

I’m in the market for a sub compact tractor, but I might be getting ahead of myself.
Im on just shy of .5 acre, but plan to get a larger lot in the future (~5-6yrs). Currently I have a lot of yard work to do this coming year, and probably into next year.

Immediate duties would include:
Moving 35+ yards of dirt/sand/gravel
Putting in a French drain around the house
utting up a shed.

Once I get the big yard work done I worry I’ll just have an overpriced mower sitting around.
I’m considering a Kioti cs2220 or a Kubota BX2380.

What are your thoughts, is it worth it?

 

[tibadoe]

A biggie for me is dealership convenience. Do you have both of those dealers close by for any future parts or service needs?

You may be surprised to see that a tractor and FEL comes in handy no matter what size property. I only have 3 acres and my SC has really come in handy. I jumped right in and got the FEL, BH, & 60" mower deck just to start with. Boxblade and landscape rake coming soon. Now I got lots of projects I can do that I would not have attempted without one.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Not sure where you are located or what dealers you have nearby, but don't exclude the other brands... TYM, LS, Branson....
they all make good SCUTS, some with more features included, some may "fit" you better.

Again, depending on where you are located, the other brands could be substantially cheaper in cost.

 

[SoCalRedTractor]

We are in a tract with 1 acre lots - I've settled on the MF 1725M TLB with a rake, box blade, tiller & QH (no mower) to do the work I need it to do. I've been doing the shovel, rake, wheelbarrow thing for way too long maintaining the 2/3 of this acre that is landscaped - so, a SCUT will do me just fine.

My reason for the MF was simple for me - a better machine for the $$ (imho) and the sales guy has been very dedicated in building a rapport with me - there is a green dealer 90 mins from me and an orange 1 an hour away just like the MF guy, MF will get my check this coming week.

 

[sea2summit]

Bought my fist tractor when I had 1.6 acres but only about .6 usable. It never sat idle around my place, I got the 1860 initially then at the 50 hrs service traded to the 25D to get a backhoe.

It’s been downhill ever since

 

[TractorTom90]

I seriously considered TYM, but the dealers are not very close, and they’re not primarily tractor dealers.
I looked into the MF 1723e, but the seat was like a brick and I can’t stand the plastic fenders.
I like the Mahindra but the price was not as competitive.
New Holland is actually the closest, but there were a few things that I didn’t like, so they’re still a possibility but probably a no.
I would love a backhoe, but I know I won’t use it enough to justify the added costs.

It sounds like I’ll definitely get the use out a sub compact, I’ll continue my shopping endeavors. Any more advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[sea2summit]

Don’t get turf tires if you want to do anything with the tractor, get R4’s.

 

[jeff9366]

For 1/2 acre a subcompact tractor is adequate.

Moving 35 cubic yards of material with the BX FEL will require about 175 trips.
OK with me, if OK with you.

If the French drain is a big project, forego the BX2380 and buy a BX23S.
Backhoes excel at trenching.

You will have so much fun with a tractor that you will hate getting off it.

VIDEOS:

 

[TractorTom90]

I was definitely going to go with R4 tires, my cub cadet looses traction frequently with turfs. I didn’t even think to do the math in how many trips it would take for that much material, I can’t imagine doing it with a wheelbarrow.
For the French drain, I was thinking of using a middle buster to carve out my ditch, I know it won’t be as deep but a lot cheaper. But I think I can still get 8-10” deep with a few passes.
I’m sure I will get a larger tractor further in the future, and maybe then I’ll go with the backhoe!

 

[rademamj1]

I was definitely going to go with R4 tires, my cub cadet looses traction frequently with turfs. I didn’t even think to do the math in how many trips it would take for that much material, I can’t imagine doing it with a wheelbarrow.
For the French drain, I was thinking of using a middle buster to carve out my ditch, I know it won’t be as deep but a lot cheaper. But I think I can still get 8-10” deep with a few passes.
I’m sure I will get a larger tractor further in the future, and maybe then I’ll go with the backhoe!

Sounds like you already put alot of thought into your tractor needs, and have screened the dealers around you. You might consider moving up to the next tractor size, with a slight increase in horsepower. That would be the Kioti CS2520 and the Kubota BX2680. Both are great reliable tractors, and right now I am doing the same evaluation between these two tractors for my own purchase.