traderfjp
Silver Member
You might want to look into an LS 240HE It has 40hp and a smoother motor than the 25hp that u mentioned. The loader can lift more too. BH is about the same.
Tough decisions in the compact utility size
- Thread starter greginfinity
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Bearsixty7
Veteran Member
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- St. Paul TX
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- LS MT240HE (6/2020). JD LA145. TYM T754C (6/10/25)
Lots of great advice in this thread on things to consider.
I agree with this,
And you can haggle and get real close to the same price you listed for the smaller model.
I agree with this,
And you can haggle and get real close to the same price you listed for the smaller model.
Maxify55
Gold Member
It matter little as to the size of tractor you buy.
You'll just desire the next larger size.
Sadly
You'll just desire the next larger size.
Sadly
deezler
Elite Member
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- Jan 30, 2012
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- Southeast MI
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- Cub Cadet 7305, Kioti CK3510seh TLB
Ok, the two-range folks don't want to feel bad about their purchasing decisions, and that's fine, but definitely get a 3-range machine.
Reason why: If you have to do much loader work, the two-range machines are typically not strong enough in "high" to push into a compacted pile of dirt and fill up the bucket. So you need low range. Then if you have to transport the material far, you'll be constantly shifting between low and high ranges; not fun. In a bigger machine with a medium range, you can stay there and work faster, still traveling in the 5-7 mph range for transport. Most small 2-range machines still want to get you up to 8-10mph in high range for basic convenience, thus the gearing is pretty weak for any hard work.
And as many others have mentioned, unless you constantly need the hoe, consider saving up your tasks and renting over a weekend periodically. I've done this twice and gotten an astounding amount of digging work done in the 15-20 HARD hours that I could put on a rented bobcat mini-ex. Would love to own a mini-ex, but $20-30k for a play toy isn't in the cards right now lol
Reason why: If you have to do much loader work, the two-range machines are typically not strong enough in "high" to push into a compacted pile of dirt and fill up the bucket. So you need low range. Then if you have to transport the material far, you'll be constantly shifting between low and high ranges; not fun. In a bigger machine with a medium range, you can stay there and work faster, still traveling in the 5-7 mph range for transport. Most small 2-range machines still want to get you up to 8-10mph in high range for basic convenience, thus the gearing is pretty weak for any hard work.
And as many others have mentioned, unless you constantly need the hoe, consider saving up your tasks and renting over a weekend periodically. I've done this twice and gotten an astounding amount of digging work done in the 15-20 HARD hours that I could put on a rented bobcat mini-ex. Would love to own a mini-ex, but $20-30k for a play toy isn't in the cards right now lol
johncanfield
Silver Member
I've never had a two range HST, my 4720 is three range. I usually use first for loader work, second for carrying a load or driveway grooming with the box blade. Third gets me to the mailbox at 15 mph. On my old Kubota L2900 I usually used only two gears in the low range (eight total gears.) I would have to test a two range HST in a real world situation to have an opinion so I wouldn't categorically discount a two range HST. If I didn't need to road my 4720, first and second range only would be fine.
