Tractor Buying Advice for 1 acre Lot

[atsah]

2nd is user friendly operation (avoid joystick on the loader...get the joystick on the rear fender. Much more comfy)

Much more comfy for some, not so comfy for others and sometimes in the way..

When we are talking SCUT’s, I would call 2hp more at the PTO with 2hp less enigine hp, substantial. All SCUT’s similar yes, but not the same, loader lift is another concern. I’m not bashing Deere, just comparing the obvious differences, it is what it is..

 

[newbury]

There is a lot of Anti-John Deere bias overall on this board. Deere makes good compact tractors.<snip>

I've only been on TBN a short while, but over those 9 years I have very read little bias (per GWWT 's definition) against JD. Most of the comments are along the lines of JD is expensive for what you get. Like comparing Kubota to Jinma. I think most of us believe Kubota is better than Jinma. But if you needed a new tractor the Jinma might have been within your budget.

Many of us here would like champagne but we are on a beer budget.

The JD dealer I'm familiar with carries CUT's almost as a sideline, real tractors have dual rear wheels and 3 steps.

JD makes great equipment and has great support but someone has to pay for it.

 

[WVH1977]

As far as SCUT's go, I know two farmers that have the 1025R they use around the farm for small chores. I asked them how they liked them because online I see a lot of folks saying they are not that good of a tractor, overpriced, and nothing but plastic. Both farmers said they use them everyday for something. They both had good things to say about them and they both put a lot of hours on them weekly. This is coming from folks that farm for a living and have been running tractors for decades.

I looked at and drove a lot of SCUT's last year. I was contemplating getting one for smaller jobs and just because I eventually want to get a small tractor. I stayed away from looking at the Deere because of all the bad things I heard about them online. Well, one day I stopped by the Deere dealer to get some chain lube and they had a 1025R sitting there. I got up on it and sat down. It felt better than any other SCUT I sat on. I then got on one they had outside and drove it around. Handled just fine and felt really comfortable (good ergonomics). If I do decide to buy a SCUT, the John Deere will definitely be in the running.

I also liked the Massey but I did not like how the seat felt on the 1720. It felt really high and uncomfortable. The Kubota BX was also a nice machine but again I did not like the ergonomics on it. The Mahindra's I looked at were pink and showing signs of rust. I was just not that impressed with them, however I was at my New Holland/Mahindra dealer the other day getting parts and saw one of the new Max26's sitting outside. That looked to be a nice machine but I did not get on it and try it out so I cannot comment on it. (These are just my opinions on the research and test driving that I have done, all these machines seem to be quality machines).

Like stated before on here, when it comes to these SCUT's I believe all of them will do what they were designed for (yard maintenance on a large house lot). There is not a huge difference in any one of them when you really look at it in a real world situation with what they are designed to do. I write technical specifications for a living and when you look at any manufacturer's stated specs, they are always at MAX of what the machine is capable of and rarely are the machines operated at MAX specs 100 percent of the time.

If you decide on a SCUT for your 1 acre, you will be very happy with it and who knows, the neighbors might start asking you to come over and move something or dig something up. You will find plenty of uses for it. Good luck in your search.

 

[atsah]

OP, I would look for something like this if you can find anything in your area, half price of new in good shape..

Massey Ferguson 4wd 23hp Diesel Tractor w/ Loader - farm & garden - by owner - sale

Kubota BX22 With Loader + Mower - farm & garden - by owner - sale

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Does anyone have any recommendations of a good new or used make a model garden tractor with rear differential lock with a after market front end loader? I am looking for something is a commonly available and easy to get parts.

If you're interested in equipping a garden tractor with an aftermarket FEL and rear hitch you can raise and lower, I recommend you contact Johnny Products to ask which models can best handle them. He has always been very responsive and helpful. For example, after purchasing the rear sleeve hitch for my Husqv garden tractor, I inquired about adding a Johnny Bucket as well. He actually sent me a drawing that showed how to tell whether mine had the stronger frame that can take the bucket, or the weaker frame, which cannot. Turned out I had the weaker frame. When the little switch/controller corroded (my fault--not really properly installed and exposed to rain) he sent me a new one for free, very quickly. My wiring harness that goes from the hitch to the switch came loose from the TAPE I used to secure it under the tractor and got shredded by the mower; the replacement cost around $15, again shipped very quickly.

So I recommend Johnny Products because they provide good support, reasonably priced replacement parts, and even free advice. My Brinly box blade (which I bought to go on the hitch) not so much. The C-hitch was out of square so was very difficult to slide the pin through. After literally 2 years of messing with their "support" I gave up and purchased one from Johnny Products, which works great. So, four years later, still happy with the Johnny hitch, but I would buy a different box blade--not the Brinly--if I had to do it over again. There are a couple companies that make rear implements for ATV's that might work for a GT.

I hope this information is helpful.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

When looking at SCUTs, i would recommend looking beyond the specs.

I would recommend looking at ease of connection for attachments as the #1 feature in this size unit.

2nd is user friendly operation (avoid joystick on the loader...get the joystick on the rear fender. Much more comfy)
Tim

I think this is personal preference. I actually like the joystick on the loader. The joystick on the 1025R seemed like it would be too easy to bump with an elbow or a leg, but I may be unusually uncoordinated.

 

[Jstpssng]

OP, I would look for something like this if you can find anything in your area, half price of new in good shape..

Massey Ferguson 4wd 23hp Diesel Tractor w/ Loader - farm & garden - by owner - sale

Kubota BX22 With Loader + Mower - farm & garden - by owner - sale

That Massey's a clean looking tractor. I questioned the price at first but they haven't made them since 2008. It will be a good deal for somebody.

 

[atsah]

That Massey's a clean looking tractor. I questioned the price at first but they haven't made them since 2008. It will be a good deal for somebody.

Actually I found a bunch more in the 500 hour range for $7000, and that's asking price.. If you have cash or a credit union with 3.50%, that would be the way to go..

 

[Tractor Time with Tim]

Most of the comments are along the lines of JD is expensive for what you get.

Here in Indiana, Deere & Kubota are essentially the same "buy" price. I think the Deere dealers must be more competitive here than in the Northeast and other areas. 1025R with loader and mower can be purchased new with 0% financing for $16k.

I don't care what brand folks buy. I'm sure any of them will do the job. We just don't see the price difference between the big two (Kubota-Deere) here in Indiana.

Tim

 

[Tennsawdust]

Here in Indiana, Deere & Kubota are essentially the same "buy" price. I think the Deere dealers must be more competitive here than in the Northeast and other areas. 1025R with loader and mower can be purchased new with 0% financing for $16k.

I don't care what brand folks buy. I'm sure any of them will do the job. We just don't see the price difference between the big two (Kubota-Deere) here in Indiana.

Tim

In this area Kubota is fairly static on pricing. Depending on the model you might get Deere to sharpen their pencil. Smaller tractors play a larger roll in sales in this area than they do in some parts of the country so all the dealers are competitive. Ergonomics, features and, of course, the dealer count for a lot. The good news is that most all of the manufacturers make a solid SCUT, so don't discount a brand because it is a smaller player. Some have better or different features than others, but they will all do what you need to do.