What to buy???

Jpsrvcs1 · Apr 7, 2009

I'm new to this, but I'm gonna give it a try. I'm looking to purchase a compact tractor for my small landscaping company. Priority #1 is a loader for mulch, stone, and to add forks to remove pallets of stone from the back of the truck. I also do a fair amount of sod jobs, and it would be nice to move snow piles around after the storm is done. so as I've looked around for about 3 weeks now I've found what seems to be my two best options for the amount I want to spend. A cub Cadet 2072 but I have to buy the loader, all said and done a total of about $,500. Or a Jinma 220 with a total of about $8,000 but it's brand new and I can finance it. Before I even get into other attachments, what do you guys think is the best move. I'm open to other suggestions too, thank you
Steve

flusher · Apr 7, 2009

Jpsrvcs1 said:
I'm new to this, but I'm gonna give it a try. I'm looking to purchase a compact tractor for my small landscaping company. Priority #1 is a loader for mulch, stone, and to add forks to remove pallets of stone from the back of the truck. I also do a fair amount of sod jobs, and it would be nice to move snow piles around after the storm is done. so as I've looked around for about 3 weeks now I've found what seems to be my two best options for the amount I want to spend. A cub Cadet 2072 but I have to buy the loader, all said and done a total of about $,500. Or a Jinma 220 with a total of about $8,000 but it's brand new and I can finance it. Before I even get into other attachments, what do you guys think is the best move. I'm open to other suggestions too, thank you
Steve

That CC 2072 is a garden tractor, not a CUT. Doesn't sound to me what you want to move pallets of stone.

The JM 220 is a SCUT (22 hp engine) that might work for you depending on the weight of those pallets of stone. My Kubota B7510HST (21 hp engine) had a loader that could lift about 800 lb at the bucket pivots. With a pallet of stone on bucket forks, that limit probably would drop below 700 lb.

Can't really give good advice without more info on the weight you want that loader to handle.

I'd look for a pre-owned skid steer with a bucket and forks and possibly with removable tracks if you're concerned about messing up your customers' lawns.

LAWALLSTRACTOR · Apr 8, 2009

Lifting palletts of stone will require at least a small ag utility tractor 45 plus HP. A skid steer would be the answer there.

Gittyup · Apr 8, 2009

I think you need a skid loader, like a Bobcat or similar. Pallets of stone are very heavy (1000 - 3000 lbs) and most small tractors would not have the lift to pick them up. You could put forks on the 3PH and get more lift out of a small tractor.

I think both models you are considering would be inferior for the kind of work you are doing. If you must have a tractor, consider a Kioti CK20 - small but powerful loader, and heavy and enough for the digging and lifting. If your budget is in the $7K range or so, then look for a good used machine.
A skidsteer is still the best option. It is what most landscapers are using for excavation etc.

Soundguy · Apr 8, 2009

Keep lif specs in mind.. a full wet pallet of sod can weagh over 3000#.. many scut and small cut loaders aren't rated for that..

soundguy

Jpsrvcs1 said:
I'm new to this, but I'm gonna give it a try. I'm looking to purchase a compact tractor for my small landscaping company. Priority #1 is a loader for mulch, stone, and to add forks to remove pallets of stone from the back of the truck. I also do a fair amount of sod jobs, and it would be nice to move snow piles around after the storm is done. so as I've looked around for about 3 weeks now I've found what seems to be my two best options for the amount I want to spend. A cub Cadet 2072 but I have to buy the loader, all said and done a total of about $,500. Or a Jinma 220 with a total of about $8,000 but it's brand new and I can finance it. Before I even get into other attachments, what do you guys think is the best move. I'm open to other suggestions too, thank you
Steve

jimmyj · Apr 8, 2009

The guys are right. You would need a pretty big tractor to lift stuff like that with a FEL. A skid steer would be better.

Egon · Apr 8, 2009

You also have to consider lift height and reach.

dodge man · Apr 8, 2009

I'll throw out a couple of ideas. The others are correct, a SCUT will not pick up a pallet with any weight. What it can do is put the bucket in the back of a pick up or on a trailer within inches of a pallet. I put quite a few landscape blocks in to make a wall this way. I put the bucket in the back of my truck and unloaded the blocks into the bucket, just a foot away or so. Then I put the bucket within a foot of where I unloaded it.

The reason I bring that idea up is that a used skid steer is some pretty serious money, much more than a used small tractor or even a new one. A small tractor is very versitle, it just won't lift much over 500lbs at at time. Parked next to a serious machine, a small tractor looks like a toy. Parked next to a wheel barrow and a shovel, it starts looking pretty good.

Jpsrvcs1 · Apr 8, 2009

Thank you all for your help. I understand I have to give up on the removing a pallet of stone from the back of the truck. It's OK, like I said mostly it will be used for mulch, that is the material i end up using the most, and stone as a 2nd. Either way it will still be better than having to shovel any of it into a wheel barrow or our dump cart.