Ok, here is goes. First post... and I need help.
i have had a 1025r for 4 years that I just sold. I have the cash to roll over into a new tractor. I really enjoyed the 1025r. I moved to the country and it served its purpose well. I initially bought it because it could do a lot of different things. It was a "leatherman". However, over time, my tastes and needs have changed.
Here are my needs and use stats and how things have changed-
I live on 9 acres. This is a mix of wetland (4acres). Two acres of field. two acres of grass and miscellaneous open space (gardens, chickens, compost) walking trails. I have a 700' gravel driveway and a large pond. I heat with wood.
I cleared the snow (mid Wisconsin) with the loader. That got old really quick and i bought a plow truck.
I mowed with the tractor. While it worked fine there are a variety of trees, paths, playhouse, swingset, fences, garages, and I my boy got old enough to mow so I bought a dedicated mower.
I bought the 1025r so I could do a bit of everything but the main thing was to be able to mow and then do other chores. The chore list got long and the mowing priority disappeared.
Now that I dont need to mow with a tractor I can get a dedicated tractor that can do the other chores.
Here is my list of options-
Kubota
L3301 (i would go with a
L2501 but I cant find one)
Kioti CK3510se
JD 2032r
All three brands have a dealer close to me or within my county. I have sat on and operated all three and liked them all.
Pricing is close enough on all three that its not a consideration. (my budget is under 25k)
Future uses-
Grade and maintain gravel driveway
clear bits of snow and ice where the plow truck cant get to and on my pond for ice skating
move firewood and logs (I get a 13 cord truck worth every year)
add a culvert and driveway on a separate, but attached, lot I own. (included in acreage)
clear yard for landscaping project (dirt, pavers, mulch, light grading)
clean up a 300' x 40' section of a hill top for replanting trees
remove about 15 stumps and junky trees on a clearing for a future shop
I favor the Kioti with all the options on the SE but the price works out to about the same and I feel kubota has such a strong following it should be the better choice. I have a good friend that has the
L3301 and cant say enough good about it. I think I am passing on the Deere. It cost more and the thing i hated about the 1025r was the deere bucket attachment system. I want SSQA for the options. Kubota pedal doesnt bother me.
My wife is sick of me deliberating and is urging me to buy something asap so all good there. Her only question is... if you die what will be easier for me to sell? I guess there is some logic there.
Help? Thoughts for my situation?