upgrading my compact tractor

[searcyfarms]

I don't want extra tires engines or machines taking up more space, more machines means more maint too trying to reduce my headcount

 

[Omega Woods]

It seems that for the money you are looking to spend you could get a good used tractor and a zero turn mower and have the best of both worlds,

+1. Mowing grass with a tractor is a waste of time and money.

 

[searcyfarms]

zero turn stinks on slope in front yard and soft area/ditch I used the neighbors and a friends two different types, grasshopper front mount and country clipper mid mount - got both stuck trying to mow there and had to pull out so that is not an option for me - I would much rather mow on a compact for my area

 

[4570Man]

If you ditch the useless turf tires it’s a game changer for a zero turn. I mowed this ditch on my zero turn. The picture really doesn’t do it justice. It’s close to 40 degrees. There’s no way I’d take my B or L series tractor across it.

 

[searcyfarms]

I don't have anything that steep, and the ghopper I used had bar tires on it - 725K - I have had the 2210 and a separate mower and found I only used the 2210 and it worked great for my mowing other than all the issues ive had with it - not reliable - and undersized for some things so I ended up using my skid steer which then caused more issues with ruts/tearing up things so I need something in between as well as can mow not to mention reducing garage/shop space and so many things to break and keep up - I love zero turns for the right application like anything else but they are just not what I need. I have an area that stays wet because of limestone leeching/wicking of water and I have been stuck there many times with mowers of various types but with my fwa 2210 I was able to make it every time -

 

[searcyfarms]

well................much research and studying from you all has gleened a lot - if you are looking for a tractor with a MMM you are VERY limited by every manufacturer in their models/options. LS doesn't even offer anything in the larger hp only their very small compacts due to their loader/mower mounting - Mahindra is priced higher then the deer I priced in the SAME tractor size and they offer a smaller deck - Case IH is a wee bit smaller and the comparable NH unit is much the same, waiting to hear more back from the dealer on the specs/price.

Kioti only offers in 25hp and down - same with LS and the LS dealer said we really don't even mess with their MMMs as they handle Mahindra also and they stick with their offerings - myself/wife not fond of the teeter/totter pedal of Kubota/Mahindra - Kubota only offers the 33hp B model unit, no deck offered on the L unit with more hp.

Deere has more hp/deck offerings and personally I am more fond of the dual pedals - I have owned a Ford GT75 for many years with the teeter/totter pedal and it was tolerable but a lot of slipping on the pedal when wet trying to go from back to forward and it takes a lot of pressure with the heel so dexterity is a bit of an issue there. Don't like having to slip foot under the toe extension option to pull up either so that is a bit annoying.

I do like the Kubota/Mahindra and the skid steer quick attach on the loaders. Not fond of Deere and their holier than though attitude and buying their adapter to make things fit. I haven't been able to determine on the Case/NH if they are proprietary like Deere or if they are skid steer type like Kubota/Mahindra.

I did check on the MF units but I cant find any way to add a deck on a 1736HST - looks like may have to go smaller tractor? - it does say they do offer a mid pto though - they have suspended pedals so not sure what that would be like if you can rest your foot on deck to press or if you have to hold your leg up in the air to use them - any info on that?

So, waiting on more CASE/IH info and wish they put a 72 deck on their 35C but says u cant with R4 tires only turf ....... I guess the engineers forgot to account for that DOH!!!!

Since they are made by LS, the NH are of the same malfunction and only a 66 deck, hoping to get pix from a dealer with how far the deck sticks out past the tires to see how that will be for mowing around things - I don't want a deck even with tires, too hard to get close for the girls and I.

So my deduction is this........in higher hp units and bigger chassis you have very few options...........

just thought I would share if anyone wanted to know - with a MMM you definitely limit your options.

 

[rngrrymd]

Searcy, I feel your pain. I predict when u get all done shopping and looking you're either getting the Case/NH series or a Deere 2 series, my money is on the Deere for the mowing. Their proprietary loader connection is a pita but you can get a SSQA conversion piece so u can use SSQA attachments. I don't have the info handy but I was fixated on that tractor last year before I decided to go cab model and I did some research on it back then.

217 john deere 232R first mow - YouTube
Wife mows with 217 232R john deere - YouTube

 

[Tractorable]

You could buy LFH8451’s JD 955 that only has 1300hrs and has a 72” MMM: 955
Price Check 955

 

[searcyfarms]

no thanks, the case came in much more $$ so looks like maybe the used market is going to be more in play - or unless I can get my 2210 sold or my 560 soon.......I really like the case ih - hard to find used case ih with belly mowers - seems to be more deere for sure

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I did check on the MF units but I cant find any way to add a deck on a 1736HST - looks like may have to go smaller tractor? - it does say they do offer a mid pto though - they have suspended pedals so not sure what that would be like if you can rest your foot on deck to press or if you have to hold your leg up in the air to use them - any info on that?

Can't really comment on the full topic of the thread, but seems like the age old question of capability vs versatility. Anyway, what I can comment on is I do believe Massey does offer a mid-pto option on all the 1700 premium series machines except the 1759. But I also believe only the 1736 has a mid mount mower specd for it, just to be confusing, its model number is 1705. Its a 72" right side discharge. For those who aren't familiar with Massey, the smallest tractor they offer is the GC1705. They only offer things like a front blower and broom for the 1742-1758, no MMM.

 

[searcyfarms]

unfortunately the MF 1736 does not have independent lift for the 3 point/MMM so that is an OUT for me - I have that on my 2210 and it is a bit frustrating when trying to move things and back up to a trailer or hook up to something with the deck on - cheap design........not meaning deere or MF just meaning it is cheaper to manufacturer but not very versatile -

 

[searcyfarms]

still digging but sure am narrowing it down and running out of options............ FYI - Case IH came in 8K more than Deere - but in all fairness the Case IH is more like a 3 series 3039R than a 2038R

 

[rngrrymd]

Searcy, I feel your pain. I predict when u get all done shopping and looking you're either getting the Case/NH series or a Deere 2 series, my money is on the Deere for the mowing. Their proprietary loader connection is a pita but you can get a SSQA conversion piece so u can use SSQA attachments. I don't have the info handy but I was fixated on that tractor last year before I decided to go cab model and I did some research on it back then.

Found that site again while reading another thread on TBN:

Attachments Using Quick Attach System

Part #835135 (Last John Deere model on page - I believe this will work with new 2R but a phone call would make sure) HTH.

 

[searcyfarms]

thanks but ouch, 650 bucks w/out shipping - eeeks...........

yea looking more like deere at this point - not many case/ih used with mower decks and also concerned that they are much heavier since they are a 3 type series tractor rather than the deere 2 series - the case ih raw is 3175lbs where the deere is 2436 - I am not sure of the difference in deck weights or loader brackets either but possibly a lil heavier so possibly getting up to 1000 lbs heavier not sure what that would come to in terms of PSI of imprint on my yard but I don't want to create ruts while mowing if I can help it - my 2210 only comes in at 1400 so I am jumping a minimum of over 1000 lbs for starters - the 2210 comes in around the same weight as a commercial sized zero turn - the ones I have looked at are 1400lbs so I am going above n beyond that.

it appears the deere has more options in the used market in my area also which might save me a bit on the investment. I love the thoughts of having something bigger in a 3 series but I am concerned it will be a little too big - I do own a LARGE skid steer and a mid sized tractor for pastures so can handle the bigger stuff with those.

As I said..........leaning deere, wish I had more options in red paint or blue.........I like deere but after my experience with my 2210 im a little gun shy.

its not been terrible bad but compared to my GT75 the deere has been less than glamorous.

I sat in a cabbed 3520 and it was ok but I did feel I lost some visibility on the deck location and front tire if I was mowing around things - it was over my price range but still had to check it out since it was sitting there, not sure if it was a 60 or 72 deck on it. That might have made a difference.

im getting a quote tomorrow on another used deere so will see what that comes out like

 

[searcyfarms]

only 1000 dollars cheaper on a year older tractor with a few hours, salesman told me he would personally buy new vs go that route, then you know what you have, no one seems to know the story on it so i think i will steer clear - so back to the table with the other salesman, i heard an interesting comment something about deere loyalty and buying from a dealer in your came county, those dealers get a 5% less cost to work with customers who are local, that sound like a story? the salesman out of my county that had the used machine told me straight up, i cant compete with that local dealer he has a 5% advantage so go work with him and lean on him harder ;-)

 

[searcyfarms]

pulled the trigger...................2038R w/loader and 72MMM be here in a week.

goodbye 2210!!!!

 

[rngrrymd]

pulled the trigger...................2038R w/loader and 72MMM be here in a week.

goodbye 2210!!!!

Lol, I should go buy a lottery ticket...did I call it or what? Based on your needs and wants I kinda figured it was the best fit for you but you had to make that choice.

Congratulations, should be awesome tractor for you and your family. If they only had a cab version....remember, pics when you get.

 

[searcyfarms]

and yes your crystal ball was SPOT ON!!!! honestly its a ho hum purchase I saw some great tractors and honestly I wish CNH offered something for me because that is what I would have purchased. I loved their tractor ( glorified LS/FNH clone ) but RED PAINT - Due to their deck being so close to their tires/footprint ( larger tractor ) and the sheer weight of over a half ton more for what I am doing, and then 7K more dollars I just couldn't feel good about it as much as the Deere. Same issues with all other brands, heavier weight/frame size and either NO MMM option at all OR when you jump to the larger tractor HP they do not offer a mower big enough to stick out past the tires for mowing around things. VERY VERY few options over 25hp, I guess its a small slice of the pie but for those of us who do not want multiple machines with more costs taking up space and needing batteries/tires/belts it limits us.

That is why Deere won out, I have 2 farmalls, 1 IH, 2 Deeres, just sold my ford/NH, and a Volvo SS - they each serve their purpose, will be selling one of the farmalls so trying to reduce more and more.

I will see how I get along with the deere and how the loader cap is on it for my digging/landscaping around here. I do have a couple of SS attachments that might work on it but might be too heavy. I will see if I need to get the SSQA adapter for the deere. Just a little beef I have with JD still trying to force people to do it THEIR way.......I have the same disposition for APPLE stuff..........proprietary is not user friendly.

I will say this, Deere was VERY competitive in price and even less against some for what you get, Mahindra was more expensive, LS more expensive, Kubota more expensive, as well as CNH/FNH - branson/tym/kioti were the only ones that were less but then again the others were a larger tractor for the most part - I don't care for the rocker pedals so the two pedal limited my options a little - however I did check on all of them and get pricing as well. outside of the deere tractor wise, I liked the LS/CNH/FNH and would have went red paint w/out a doubt, my second choice would have been the Branson/Tym if they had offered a 35+hp with 72 deck but they do not, same for Mahindra and Kubota.............the deere would have been 3rd because I liked the SSQA on the others and their disposition towards customer needs and versatility.