what are the limits of a 20 hp model?

[Scratchnbell]

I have found several different modle tractors in the 19-20 hp range. What can and can't these models do?
I want to maintain 2.5 acres. I want a FEL to help with lifting tasks, what are they rated at for lifting? I also want a scraper and maybe post hole digger, mower and rototiller.
I'm open to suggestions here.
Thanks
Bob

 

[Golfgar4]

Bob,

I think you're going to have to provide just a bit more information. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

It would be helpful to know what brand of tractors you're looking at. Without knowing that, nobody can provide any recommendations on types of loaders, size of attachments, or what the machines can or cannot do. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Bob
In addition to what Garry asked, how big of a tiller do you need? (the bigger the tiller the greater PTO hp required). How much do you need to lift at any one time? What about ground clearance issues, are you on flat property or are you taking this through the woods with logs and ruts? As for HP, you could be talking about a LT (lawn tractor) a GT (garden tractor) a Sub-CUT (low profile compact utility tractor) or a small CUT (compact utility tractor) so it would be helpful to know more specific information about the units you are considering and the tasks you want to complete.

 

[Scratchnbell]

I'm not looking at lawn tractors.
I'm a very newbe so I'll do my best.
The property is in Bakersfield Ca. Is is very flat with sandy loam soil.
I've seen listed in the Ag Source magazine several of these compact and sub compact tractors. One is a Kubota no model listed. It is 20 hp 4x4 and 2 cyl diesel. I've also seen several Yanmar models listed. Most seem to be the Viet Nam recons with Very little hours.( From what I've read I want to avoid those.) Other Yanmar models seem to be direct JApan imports.
I've also seen a Mitsubishi 2000d but could not find much out about that one so decided it would likely hard to get parts for such a beast.
I have a few ideas but very little. Can the Kubota be a grey market tractor? Where can I find america equivalent model number s for some of these imports, Say JD number to match the yanmars?
Thanks for any and all advice
Bob

 

[Scratchnbell]

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

 

[DavesTractor]

I have specs on the Mahindra (built in Japan by Mitsubishi) 2015HST (4x4 hydro). It lifts 915lbs in the FEL, can run a 48" tiller and a 54" box scraper, a 48" rotary mower or a 60" finish mower, and about any auger. It weighs about 2600lbs for the tractor and loader and comes standard with R4 tires. It is a compact, but not a sub compact like a BX Kubota.

Regardless of the brand, it is amazing how much work can be done with 20HP. It is tru that you can do it quicker with 30HP, but in my opinion 20-25HP would generally be about right for 2.5 acres.

There are so many great brands out there. Other than the big three, also look at Mahindra and Kioti. I am biased as I sell Mahindra, but I can certainly appreciate the other brands.

 

[sneaky_pete]

I'm maintaining five acres with a 16 hp tractor and doing just fine - using a bush hog, FEL, and box blade with it so far and absolutely no complaints. Sure, if I had a bigger machine with more horsepower I could do it quicker, but I'm very happy with the bang for the buck of my little Kubota. The limits are the size of the implements it will handle; they're all about 48" wide.

Pete

 

[Scratchnbell]

So is this considered a sub compact tractor? IS the price about right?
Bob

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue">I have specs on the Mahindra (built in Japan by Mitsubishi) 2015HST (4x4 hydro). </font>

Dave, this surprises me because I never would have guessed an Indian company would sub out a tractor to a Japanese company...

Because labor costs are so much higher in Japan, if for no other reason.

I can't dispute it, I certainly don't know any different. It just really surprised me to read that...

 

[DavesTractor]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Dave, this surprises me because I never would have guessed an Indian company would sub out a tractor to a Japanese company... )</font>

Henro, they say they make very little on the tractor, but they needed a quality smaller unit to compete head to head with the big guys, and this filled that nitch.

On another note, after taking delivery of the newest Indian built Mahindra recently (7520), I am now confident that they can build a Japanese quality tractor themselves in India. The 75HP 4x4 7520 does not take second place to any brand in quality, ergonomics, or features. I am going to India in January to tour the plant and I hope to bring back some pictures and details.

 

[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