what are the limits of a 20 hp model?

[MossRoad]

Don't size your tractor by how many acres you have. Acres is an arbitrary number that means little to the average homeowner. Is your land all grass, all woods or some mix of the two? Do you live in snow country? Do you need to do heavy landscaping or just maintenace? Instead of sizing your tractor by acres, size your tractor by the tasks you need it to perform in a given time, then compare that to your budget. Keep going back and forth until you can afford the machine that strikes the best balance between size, speed and affordability. Take your time and test drive the heck out of as many different models and makes that you can.

For example, we bought a large, used tractor loader to get the big jobs out of the way quickly, then downsized to a smaller tractor that was practicle for our daily needs. It is a 20HP gas tractor for 20 acres. Sounds small, doesn't it. It is. But all we have to do is mow trails, plow a driveway, mow the lawn around the future house, brush hog some small patches of field here and there, do some landscaping and pull the occasional log out of the woods. A smaller tractor is perfect for our needs.

I'd start by making a list of what jobs you need to do in the next year, 2 years and 5 years.

 

[Charlie_in_TX]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Ok, I called the guy with the Kubota.
It is a model 1501. He said that many companies put their names on this same model. It has 670 hours and a brush hog FEL and a rear blade. He wants $8,500.
Any opinions?
Bob )</font>
I am not familer with a 1501, did you mean a 1500. If so it is a 15 hp sub compact. 670hrs at $8500 seems very high if it is a 1500. I think a new 1500 can be had for a thousand or so more loaded as you discribe.

 

[spm22]

Please do some more research before spending your hard earned money. The Kubota 1501 is a 20 yr old grey market tractor, meaning it was imported from Japan and probably reconditioned (or perhaps just cobbed together) for sale here in the US. Parts and service are not available through Kubota or other dealers, so you are completely on your own for repairs etc. Add to this the fact that this tractor is not a 20hp, rather a 15hp gross (13 or so at the PTO) if my memory serves.

For $8500 I think you are getting rooked. You could get into a brand new BX 1500 with loader and mid mower for around 10 grand, and it is hydrostatic and much more useful.

just my opinion, but please be careful with tractors for sale in the classifieds, etc.

 

[btolle]

I agree with those who say the price is too high, I would say it is WAY too high.

I had a quote on a brand new Kubota BX2230 with front end loader for $10,600. Visit Kubota web site to see the specs on that tractor. There is also a list of previous models of Kubota tractors on the site. I suggest you print it out and if you look at a tractor that is not on the list you will know it is a grey market tractor. You will also find a statement on that site that tells you that Kubota has no responsibility for parts, servce, or anything else on grey market tractors.

I ended up buying a B7510 because I wanted a compact tractor with better ground clearance. The BX2230 is (I think) considered a sub-compact and ground clearance was totally inadequate for my needs. The B7510 was about 12% more money.

I have been clearing 2 1/2 acres of woods and reshaping a lot of it. Up until this week I was doing it with a B7100 with front end loader. If the B7100 had power steering I would not have bought the new one. Well, I must admit I just had the "hots" for a new tractor, but the power steering was an issue with my bad back and neck.

BTW, I am going to ask $5,800 for the B7100 with front end loader and 42" bush hog and it only has 1,044 hours on it. That should give you an idea of what one tractor that would do the job would go for.

Bill Tolle

 

[Scratchnbell]

Thanks for the replies
I got to use a larger (i didn't get the number) tonight. It was barely adequate for the job.
I think I 'll need a larger tractor.
Here is California the tractors are much higher. I may have to go out of state to get one.
I looked at the Deere and New Holland dealers today. These were rental return with about 100 hours and the New holland wass= going for 18500 with a loader. Both were in the 30 hp range.
Thanks again
Bob

 

[frank_f15]

acerage don't tell the whole story! depends on what u need to do. that model u mentioned i think is grey market but not sure. best to check it out more carefully