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

[BTI]

If you find a dealer with an LB1914, you should be able to get the TLB for less than 17k.

BTI

 

[HomeBrew2]

I'll echo all the accolades of the BX series, MF and baby Deere. Except, I don't know why we keep repeating the notion that the BX is mostly a mowing machine. I don't have a MMM and don't want one but, do use my BX with a bush hog about 10% of the time. I didn't buy it for a mower. So, on to what the poster was asking about. I believe all the BX size tractors will do what you want and in the price range you want, though I couldn't find a Deere in my area (TLB) for the ~$16k I paid for my BX. Without a doubt, I have found nothing I can't do with mine and the size is essential for me to get into tight places. A "bonus", in my view, of the baby tractors ... when I have needed a rear tire fixed the right way, I can carry it with one hand a throw it in the trunk of my Nissan wind-up commuter car and take it to the tire guy
Feel free to check out my pix and search for posts by members: SCB, milkman, escavader (to name a few) who have shown how easily big jobs can be done with the small BX package.
Good luck with you purchase

 

[fishpick]

I wonder if the guy who saw smoke and rough starting knows what the glow plug function on the ignition is for? Any diesel started without preheat will likely start rough and belch for a few seconds.

With respect - I am quite familiar with the aspects of starting and running a diesel... as I stated - my post was my opinions form what I saw when I looked at them - it started and ran so poorly - it turned me off. That said - I'm sure yours is fine... but I wasn't interested in a product that behaved like that from a dealer that couldn't see fit to keep his stuff running cleanly.
For my use - again, as I posted - the BX24 is a much better fit - and the BH is one of those implements that once you have it - you wonder how life went on before the BH.

 

[IslandTractor]

I don't know why we keep repeating the notion that the BX is mostly a mowing machine.

Maybe my earlier post was misleading. The BX24 is certainly more than just a mowing machine but I think it is fair to say that the BX line is generally optomized and marketed as a mower with added capabilties. It doesn't have the ground clearance, regular Cat 1 3PT hitch or FEL capacity to compete with CUTs. What it does have is a lighter footprint and other qualities that enhance it's value as a lawn mower in comparison to other CUTs. I don't mean to say it is only a lawn mower, far from it, just that it does a better job lawn mowing than say a Kioti CK20 TLB. The Kioti, on the other hand, for about the same money will have greater ground clearance, more heft, significantly greater FEL capacity etc. If I recall correctly the BHs are pretty similar in capacity.

From my perspective (I own the CK20 TLB and looked carefully at the BX23 and B7510) if you have a lawn as your primary base of operation with a need for TLB then the BX24 makes a lot of sense. For rougher terrain (woods, pasture), the CUT based TLBs (rather than SCUTs) start to show their advantages.

 

[fishpick]

It doesn't have the ground clearance, regular Cat 1 3PT hitch or FEL capacity to compete with CUTs.

Since I just went through this process in deciding to buy my BX24 - here's what I have in my notes - and the sources of the info...

Ground clearance:
BX24 - 8.7" (with turf)
Kioti 20 - 12.2" (with ag)

Regular Cat 1 3PT:
BX24 - yes
Kioti 20 - yes

FEL Capacity (Lift capacity)-
BX24 - 518# (19.7 in forward)
Kioti 20 - 1074# (at pins)

Kubota BX24: http://www.kubota.com/h/products/BX24specs.pdf
Kioti 20: KIOTI HOMEPAGE

As a note - someone in these forums told me to beware of claims about FEL / 3PT hydro capacity... each vendor may measure the capacity at a different point - obviously the farther you move away from the tractor in distance - the lower the value, since it become more of a lever.

Fundamentally - it comes down to what you need for your jobs you plan on... since one of my primary usages was mowing either lawns or pre-established trails and paths - the quality of finish on the MMM was critical in my selection. Either of these 2 tractors is a good choice - I preferred the Kubota brand... IslandTractor preferred the Kioti. Do yourself a huge favor and read as much around these parts - in each forum here - as you can... and talk to lots of people... and base the final decision as much on the dealer and reputation as the tractor - as the two are linked!

 

[coasterez]

If you primarily are looking for a mower the BX beats the Kioti easily. And the BX is fine for light duty digging. However, if you are looking for something to REALLY dig, where weight is paramount, the Kioti or the Mahindra are better choices (just compare the weights). I've done some digging with my Kioti that I know the BX just couldn't do - not heavy enough. If the load is too big and can't be divided, no amount of time will make up for a machine's limitations. Likewise, for reach limitations. Can a BX loader reach the bed of a stake body? So, I guess I disagree that the BX can do anything the CK20 can do. Just like a CK20 won't do everything a CK25 will do. When it comes to digging, no matter what your wife tells you, bigger is better.

For other chores this isn't necessarily true. I use a JD425 AWS large garden tractor (about on-par weight wise with the BX24) to plow snow in and around my garage, cars, and driveway. It is hands down "better" than using my CK25. Now if I had a really long driveway or if lived where the snow build up reaches several feet each winter, the CK25 would be more efficient. Like anything else - right tool for the right job.

Everyone loves the tractor they purchased. And rightfully so since almost all manufacturers make good quality machines. But, there are a lot of choices out there. You should try them all. You'll know which is best for you. And you'll love yours the same as the rest of us.

 

[Renob]

Coaster,

Wow those JD 425's are pretty heavy for a garden tractor!

The BX-24 (tractor only) weighs 1542 lbs. add 250 lbs. for the MMM and you are almost 1800 lbs.

 

[coasterez]

Yes, a 425 AWS is quite heavy. Especially when equipped with weights and a 250 lb dozer blade. I don't have the specs in front of me, and I've had her so long I've forgotten exactly. But, as I recall she's about 1400 lbs as equipped (without a mower deck). That's why I said "about". And with the four wheel steer, she'll plow circles around most other machines that are far more "capable".


The point is: the right tool for the right job. In some cases a smaller, more nimble machine is the "better" tool. But a smaller machine cannot do everything a bigger one can. My 425 can't do everything that a BX24 can, and a BX24 can't do everything that a CK20 can do either. A person's brand loyalty should not mislead one to think otherwise.

 

[proudestmonkey]

You found a new JD 3320 with an FEL and backhoe for $17K?

I like my Kubota but that sounds too good to be true, so if it true, I'd say go for it.

 

[LBrown59]

So basically, if you had $17k to spend on a new tractor w/a backhoe, what would you buy?
*************
Nothing:there ain't no such thing unless you go for a Kubota BX 24 or a MF 2310 and even then 17000 may not cover it.
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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!