Thoughts on compact Kubota or Deere, 25HP at PTO

[ransonjd]

I'm looking for a tractor to maintain 40 acres of land. About 15 is field and 25 is forest with trails that are waterlogged for months each year. I expect to be: pulling a 5' rotary cutter along trails, tilling a large home garden, planting and maintaining an orchard, carrying around fill to patch up trails, snowblowing & maintaining a 1000' gravel driveway, and carrying around farm and construction supplies. I hate big lawns, so I'm probably going to use a small mower around my house, and the rotary cutter where I need to keep weeds in check, rather than getting a finish mower for the tractor.

I've looked around a bit, and here's what I think I want: minimum 25HP at the PTO, no cab, less than 5' width, a mid pto to support a front snowblower, a loader with a quick attach, hydrostatic transmission, and loaded R1 tires.

I've visited our "local" Kioti, LS, Deere and Kubota dealers. Due to sheer distance to the dealer, I've ruled out the LS. The LS was actually nice to drive, but it's a real haul to get there, and the pricing wasn't too attractive. The Kioti dealer is also far away, the tractor wasn't particularly comfortable for me to sit in, and I had a stalling issue I'm asking about in another thread, but their pricing was good. Still, probably a no-go.

I drove around a John Deere 2032R and a 3032E. Both tractors seemed pretty comfortable to use, and operated easily. I think the dealer was a little off recommending the 3032E, since it doesn't have a mid PTO option. It sounds like the 3033R adds mid PTO support, and might be the right options to consider. They quoted their loaders with the John Deere attachment system, which seems fast, but looks like it limits me to John Deer implements.

I also looked at and sat in a Kubota L3560 and a Kubota B3350. They were quite comfortable and the controls seemed to be well positions. I couldn't drive them, because the dealer was having an event and the place was packed. I'll go by Monday to give them a drive. Their pricing was decent, and they quoted a standard SSQA, I believe.

What should I consider picking among these tractors? Anything I should reconsider?

--John

 

[Tractorable]

Check out the new Yanmar YT235 while you're at it. Japanese quality and it has all the specs you described above.

 

[jeff9366]

I have a Kubota L3560. Enough weight, very stable, great accoutrements. If $27,000 for tractor with HST and FEL seems like decent pricing, go ahead.

I am 69-1/2 years old. I owned bare bones tractors before age 58 years. With my increasing years the long list of comfort, productivity and especially Kubota's HST PLUS transmission options are well worth the money.

Most shoppers bridle at Grand L prices. I have never heard an experienced Grand L owner complain they paid too much.

SSQA was not standard when I purchased in 2013. I recommend the L2296 heavy-duty, round-back bucket, which is SSQA. Grand Ls can push, especially with a Ratchet Rake attachment on the L2296 bucket. Photos from yesterday.

Mid-PTO is optional.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Your gonna be at it a while mowing 15 acres with a 5' mower. I'd suggest something that'll atleast let you run a 6' mower. Cheaper to buy what you need the first time vs having to do it again

Brett

 

[nybirdman]

I am Kubota bias so the L3560 or L4060 would be my choice for you.The L4060 would run a six foot BH with no problem.Buy right the first time and be done.

 

[TheMan419]

Titan makes an attachment that converts from JD's quick attach to SSQA. So that should limit that issue for you.

 

[jeff9366]

I am Kubota bias so the L3560 or L4060 would be my choice for you.The L4060 would run a six foot R/C with no problem. Buy right the first time and be done.

Yes, the L4060 will power a six foot Rotary Cutter better than the L3560.

I use a five foot Land Pride RCF2060 Rotary Cutter behind my L3560 and the power is adequate but would be marginal for a six foot RCF2072 model cutting grass higher than twenty-four inches.

The L3560, however, fits between trees easier than its six inch wider siblings.

 

[ransonjd]

So far, I've scooped dirt with these tractors.

John Deere 3032E
John Deere 2032R
LS XR3135H (I think.)
Mahindra 1538 Shuttle
Kioti CK2510H
Kioti DK4510HS
Kubota L3560HSTC (No ROPS version on lot)

I gave Kioti a second chance, and I'm glad I did. I drove the same tractor again, and it was fine. I'm guessing the parking brake wasn't fully disengaged before. Anyway, I also drove a DK4510HS (shuttle shift), and I really liked it.

John Deere's pricing wasn't competitive. Mahindra was low-price, but it felt a little clunky, and I noticed a lot of surface rust on their units. LS was far out and their pricing didn't seem great. Yanmar is in the area, but a bit out of the way. Tym is too far away.

Now I'm more or less choosing between the Kioti DK4510HS versus the Kubota L3560HST. The L3560 has more features, a hydrostatic transmission, and support for a mid PTO. The DK4510 has more horsepower and a much stronger loader.

Here's the pricing I got:

Kubota L3560HST: $37,000 (60 month 0% financing)
Tractor & Loader w/ R1 tires $27,500
Rim Guard $500
Land Pride RCF2060 60" Rotary Cutter $2,000
72" Front Snowblower Installed $8,500


Kioti DK4510HS $34,121 (84 month, 5.99% financing)
Tractor & Loader w/R1 Tires $22,325
Rim Guard $380
Woods BB72X 72" Rotary Cutter $2,415
Extendable Lower Links $258
Floor Mat $0
Block Heater $68
Erskine 725FM 72" Front Snowblower: $7,850 + $825 Hoses & Labor

The financing difference doesn't matter much to me, since I expect to pay it off within a year or two. I may not buy the snowblower right away. I just wanted to be sure the rear-PTO model was reasonable priced.

I have a couple questions: Does this pricing look good? Are there any known issues for any of the tractors and implements I've been quoted? Can anyone speak to their relative quality and capability? Is there anything else I should be considering? Are there other units I should consider, limited to the manufacturers I mentioned?

--John

 

[jeff9366]

RE Kubota L3560/HST PLUS For $27,500: Your package should include within $27,500 price optional, heavier, LA805 FEL (rather than LA555 FEL.); heavier, optional SSQA 72" round-back, heavy-duty bucket (L2296). Standard bucket is NOT SSQA. (Skid Steer Quick Attach) If you negotiate these into the $27,500 price in lieu of the standard items you will have a good deal in New York. Good for you, not too tough on the dealer.

I would order two 5/16" chain grab hooks welded on the L2296 bucket, one mounted in line with each FEL arm.

The HST/PLUS transmission is the most distinctive component on the Grand Ls. Only Kubota has it. Have you explored everything the HST/PLUS transmission does better than standard, 3-range HST transmissions?

HST/PLUS: Google

What about mid-PTO? Order it with the tractor if you want it, not later.

Both fine machines.

Kiotis reported here occasionally temperamental about starting in below freezing weather, which I have found strange for a Korean tractor.

 

[ransonjd]

I was quoted the LA805 FEL from Kubota, rated for 1720lbs at the pins. The Kioti KL5510 loader on the DK4510HS is rated for 2,660lbs at the pins. I was surprised at the beefiness of the Kioti loader.

--John