Comparison Tym vs Branson vs ?

[Poopdeck Pappy]

You're in Round Rock. Call RCO Tractor and see if they have an LS XR3037HC. It's got 36 HP, 3 range hydrostatic transmission and a cab. And RCO is a very reputable dealer.

 

[the old grind]

... Next . . . in your search for brands and sizes . . I recommend NOT to consider distance to dealer as a priority. Dealers go out of business, switch brands or sell out all the time. If a dealer is 100 miles away or 3 miles away . . focus on finding GOOD dealers not close ones . . and backup ones too. Distance is something you can deal with . . quality and reliability is not.

. . . you desire input which is good . . But 100 responses with 6 sizes of tractors is not helping you even though readers are trying. ..

Seems shoppers are often so concerned with a dealer being the best around and the closest, as if they expect a lot of down-time for repairs, warranty issues, etc vs reliable use. You can only go so far with that. Being 'stuck with a dealer' has better options for going elsewhere than being 'stuck with a model' that doesn't perform satisfactorily.

IMO the biggest sacrifice one can make is wanting a CUT to mow as well as it works implements. This reminds me of on/off road motor bikes that are so so performers in either use. I mow ~2 1/2 ac with a 60" ZTR. No cab or AC, but if my mower needs service/repair the tractor can be kept busy. If the tractor goes on the fritz I don't have a shaggy lawn also waiting for me to get it going.

Backhoe is another thing we all want but may seldom use enough to justify hassling with sub-frame (of most BH-equipped CUTs) and also a mowing deck. (My 'mini' BH gets used so little I'd be $k's ahead to rent for the few tasks either tractor (w/SSQA) can do nearly as well. ...grubbing saplings, moving 1/4 ton rocks, etc)

This is meant as food for thought more than specific advice.

"What AxleHub, 'Pappy', and jeff9366 said", to be sure! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

btw, 'free financing' often means 'prepaid interest included' vs a 'cash price' that can be 6-10% less when totalled. Recommend CU financing for better rates, esp if borrowing against shares if possible and them then not caring what you buy with the $$.

IMO, buying used and putting some $$ down is far better than financing a showroom-new 'package' in the long run but YMMV as always. tog

 

[jeff9366]

Backhoe is another thing we all want but may seldom use enough to justify hassling with sub-frame (of most BH-equipped CUTs) and also a mowing deck. (My 'mini' BH gets used so little I'd be $k's ahead to rent for the few tasks either tractor (w/SSQA) can do nearly as well. ...grubbing saplings, moving 1/4 ton rocks, etc)

For quite a few tasks that $7,000 Backhoes are called to do, a <$400 Bucket Spade will do too, provided the FEL bucket is sturdy enough to hold the Bucket Spade rigid.

The Three Point Hitch is the key part of the tractor. Backhoe has to be removed prior to mounting Three Point Hitch mounted implements, which is most implements.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Jeff, that bucket spade may work really well in your sandy soil. In the black, gummy clay we have here in north Texas, or in the rocky soil in parts of central Texas, it (and probably the leading edge of the bucket) would get pretzeled up in about 10 minutes. It would be no substitute for a backhoe in my soil for sure.

 

[jeff9366]

Pappy: I have nothing but respect for your experienced posts, almost all of which I agree with.

However, your 'pretzel' comment I dispute based on operating experience. The Bucket Spade (at least the Bucket Spade from Bucket Solutions) is 110 pounds of very good, forged steel. The Bucket Spade is NOT going to pretzel. Bucket Spade is best mounted on a HEAVY DUTY bucket. (weakest link in a chain, etc.)

It is possible one would have to wait for somewhat dry conditions so gummy clay would not adhere to the Bucket Spade, but I do not know. The Bucket Spade is finished very smooth.

Bucket Spade is not a substitute for a Backhoe. However it will accomplish 50% of Backhoe tasks for <$400.

Bucket Spade cannot trench. It cannot "scoop" because of its shallow dish. Nor can it dig deeper than about 48" - 54" unless mounted on pallet forks, which I have never tried and would be cumbersome.

Picture #5, Post #23, was measured 54" deep on completion.

 

[paulfun9]

Jeff, that bucket spade may work really well in your sandy soil. In the black, gummy clay we have here in north Texas, or in the rocky soil in parts of central Texas, it (and probably the leading edge of the bucket) would get pretzeled up in about 10 minutes. It would be no substitute for a backhoe in my soil for sure.

My experience is that if the spade is built strong enough the bucket will get bent up. I also see a big problem with the depth that it will dig without having to create a much larger hole than is really needed. I also noticed the soil condition in the picks and would love if most of my property was that easy to work.

One other thought that comes to mind when people post pics like this is what about close areas where you cant drive right in and dig with the spade? I can squeeze the backhoe bucket into some strange places that you would not be able to get a bucket spade anyplace near without having to drive over and tear up other things that I don't want tore out or destroyed.

As for covering the 3 point when using a backhoe, when I have my backhoe on the loader is the next thing being used and its a pain to have to switch out the spade or even a ratchet rake for me just so I can load the bucket with something that needs hauled away from the work area to the fill pile or the burn pile. I haven't timed it but I am pretty sure I can mount and dismount my backhoe quicker than the spade or rake can be.

I am not trying to knock the ratchet rake or the bucket spade as they have their use but for me they are the least used tools for any of my tractors. But then there is the soil difference as well as location and room to work as well as things to work around/between and over.

 

[jeff9366]

My experience is that if the spade is built strong enough the bucket will get bent up.

I also see a big problem with the depth that it will dig without having to create a much larger hole than is really needed.

What about close areas where you can't drive right in and dig with the spade? I can squeeze the backhoe bucket into some strange places that you would not be able to get a bucket spade anyplace near.

Bucket Spade is best used on a HEAVY DUTY bucket. I recommend HD bucket when I post on Bucket Spade. I have Kubota's optional, heavy LA805 FEL. No damage to the Bucket Spade nor L2296 HD bucket after two years unsparing use.

(Again, note that I spec Bucket Solutions' Bucket Spade. There are several brands of Bucket Spade sold, some of which have had mediocre reviews on T-B-N. Bucket Solutions' Bucket Spade is Superman.)

I used Bucket Spade on standard Kubota bucket on 'B'3300SU for two years, with no bucket damage except scuffed paint. However, I am old and patient. I would not recommend Bucket Spade on a standard bucket to others with less time or less patience. Photos #9, #10.

Big hole and access points are valid.

Bucket Spade is NOT a substitute for a Backhoe. However it will accomplish 50% of Backhoe tasks for <$400.

I can store the Bucket Spade, a Ratchet Rake, a cross-drawbar triangle and a 3-Pt. lawn de-thatcher one one mobile platform dolly between uses.

 

[IslandTractor]

Regarding tractor brands, my two cents: JD and Kubota are best established and have biggest dealer network but are overpriced. NH is overpriced with smaller dealer network but long history. Kioti and Mahindra are solid well established second tier brands that offer excellent bang for the buck compared to JD/Kubota. They have fewer dealers but parts network is robust. Branson and LS and TYM also sell very good tractors but are less well established.

Using the Goldilocks principle, I think Kioti and Mahindra are the sweet spot in tractors especially if you don't need the dealer to do 100% of maintenance and repairs.

 

[AxleHub]

Regarding tractor brands, my two cents: JD and Kubota are best established and have biggest dealer network but are overpriced. NH is overpriced with smaller dealer network but long history. Kioti and Mahindra are solid well established second tier brands that offer excellent bang for the buck compared to JD/Kubota. They have fewer dealers but parts network is robust. Branson and LS and TYM also sell very good tractors but are less well established.

Using the Goldilocks principle, I think Kioti and Mahindra are the sweet spot in tractors especially if you don't need the dealer to do 100% of maintenance and repairs.

Island,

You've laid out an interesting and reasonable viewpoint . . . except you've forgotten in your listing 2 of the largest players . . Massey/Iseki and Yanmar.

I'd estimate that JD wouldn't be the same level of reliability and options it is without its 20 year Yanmar involvement with engines and tractor engineering in scut and cut. And Massey Ferguson of course with a 30 year Iseki history certainly has dealers everywhere. In fact in our region . . Most kubota dealers are now also massey dealers since 2013 because of the Agco association.

 

[IslandTractor]

Island, You've laid out an interesting and reasonable viewpoint . . . except you've forgotten in your listing 2 of the largest players . . Massey/Iseki and Yanmar. I'd estimate that JD wouldn't be the same level of reliability and options it is without its 20 year Yanmar involvement with engines and tractor engineering in scut and cut. And Massey Ferguson of course with a 30 year Iseki history certainly has dealers everywhere. In fact in our region . . Most kubota dealers are now also massey dealers since 2013 because of the Agco association.

Agree there are other brands to be considered. I don't know who makes Massey these days (I guess Iseki) but they are certainly a well established brand. I get the impression they may have less market share these days than Kioti or Mahindra but perhaps not. Yanmar of course made (? Still makes), all of JD CUT and SCUT tractors and is a major player in small diesel engines. No issue with Yanmar quality but they don't have much of an independent dealer network last I checked. I'd guess that most engine and transmission parts would be available through JD though.