Tractor w/backhoe for $17k or less - which one??

[dragula]

Hey all,
Newbie here doing a little tractor shopping.
There are SO many choices out there that I'm lost, so I figured you guys could point me in the right direction.

I'm looking for a small tractor to use around the house. I've got some retaining walls to build, drainage pipes to bury, some small stumps to dig up, some gravel to spread, etc. so I'm looking for a tractor with a backhoe attachment (and of course a front bucket).

I'd like to stay under or around $17k total including the attachments. I'm figuring on $2k down so that I'm only financing $15k.

I don't want a used one. The used ones (brand named) that I've looked at online go for almost as much as a new one. I plan on keeping it for years so I'd like to buy a new one that way I can be assured it's had the proper maintenance.

I went and looked at a John Deere 2320 yesterday. I liked it but I haven't looked at anything else yet. The JD dealer is close to me, the others are a pretty good drive for me so I'd like to get some opinions first before I drive all over the state.

I'm not necessarily opposed to an import but how much cheaper is an import really??? I'd like to buy something that I know that I can get parts for ten years from now but if they're much cheaper it might be worth the risk.

So basically, if you had $17k to spend on a new tractor w/a backhoe, what would you buy?



Thanks for any and all help!

 

[rback33]

Buying and pricing is not really where my knowledge base lies, but... 17K is not much to spend on a TLB. Tractor and Loader you're in good shape but 'hoes are not cheap... How big of an area are we talking about? What kind/size stumps? 17K might get you something, but it will not be very big.

 

[roxynoodle]

For your price I would look at the Massey-Ferguson GC 2300 or the Kubota BX 24. Looks like you can get that as a TLB package with a MMM for around $15,500. I think they are both SCUTS but have a lot of power for their size.

You could probably get a larger TLB package in a Chinese tractor (Jimna, Kama) for around $13-14,000 based on the ones I've seen on ebay. You might want to ask the owners of those tractors about them in the Chinese tractor forum on here.

 

[dragula]

Thanks for the replies!

I have a Gehl skidsteer loader and I have access to full size backhoes if needed so I just wanted something small to keep at the house at my disposal.

The JD dealer quoted me $18.8k for the 2320 w/a backhoe and loader but he told me several times that this price was negotiable. I told him I was going to look at some other brands including imports. He told me before I buy, to give him a chance to meet or get close to their competitors pricing so I figured I can probably get into the $17's with the JD. But if I can save more, I'm all up for it.

 

[dragula]

BTW, excuse my ignorance but what does TLB (tractor/loader/backhoe?), MMM and SCUTS stand for???

 

[weesa20]

MMM=mid-mount mower (like on a riding lawnmower)
SCUT= sub-compact utility tractor (GC2300/2310, BX series, JD 2320/2210, etc) there is hot debate over the definition of SCUT, so keep that in mind. Don't get tricked by what manufactutrers call them, look at the specs and compare them so that you know you are coparing apples to apples. (For instance, JD puts its sub-compact tractors into the "utility" tractor category, but if you look at the specs they fall into the SCUT category. My father has a JD 2210 and I have a GC2300 and they are comparable at all levels.

I think the MF GC2310 and Kubota BX24 are your best choices. I would go with the MF. You also might be able to find just a tractor/loader and put an aftermarket BH on it but this will cost you more probably.

W

 

[hilld]

TLB - Tractor Loader Backhoe
MMM - Midmount Mower
SCUT - Sub Compact Utility Tractor

 

[IslandTractor]

I have a Kioti CK20 TLB which can be had for right around (maybe slightly more) than 17K. I got my tractor FEL used with 28hrs for 10K and paid 4K for the Kioti KB2365 backhoe.

The CK20 TLB is lots more machine than the SCUT TLBs like the Kubota BX24. In fact, if you compare the specs you will see that the CK20 comes very close to the dedicated Kubota B21 TLB in FEL and BH functions/specs.

I am very happy with my CK20 and would recommend it for someone who needs the FEL and BH functions more than the mowing function. It is much heavier and bigger than the BX24 so the BX is nice if your priorities are reversed.

 

[Dmace]

I bet you can get a new Kioti CK20 gear tractor with FEL and 6.5' backhoe for $17k or less. Maybe even HST if you get a good deal and the BH is a full sub mount for extra stability. It's a 21 hp tractor and is amazingly strong for its size. Plus it has a ton of nice features you don't get with others for the same price. Like a fender mounted FEL joystick, locking rear differential, postion control 3-pt arms, rear and mid mount pto, fully adjustable suspension seat, retractable seatbelt, curved loader arms and great ergonomics. You can see pics of mine in the link at the bottom.

Plus all Kioti tractors bought after Jan. 06 have a 4 year parts and labor warranty that the others don't have.

The Official Website of Kioti Tractor

Right now you can get a 20 hp Kioti with FEL for only $9,995. Check out the website for more.

EDIT: Looks like Island tractor beat me to it.

 

[roxynoodle]

I hadn't realized the Kiotis were that affordable; don't have a close dealer to me. That is something you should look at, more tractor and weight.