when is is big enough to handle a 1200 lb. round bale

[1969grandpa]

I am going to buy a tractor and I thought I had my mind made up to buy a Bobcat 335. After talking to other people I now have some concerns about Bobcat and a tractor that small. I'm concerned that Bobcat is getting out of the compact tractor business because the Bobcat stores are dropping the tractor line and would I be able to get parts in 10-20 years from now. The other concern is a tractor that small. I have JD, NH, and Kubota dealers very local to me so I'm starting to look at them as well now. My budget it $20-25K. I can get a Kubota L3800 under $20k , L4600 for $23500 and a NH 40 for $21300. The Kubotas FEL looks like an afterthought and doesn't have NEAR the options and is more $ as compared to the Bobcat(tilt, seat, tele 3 pt, ergo, fit and finish, etc.). JD is working up some prices for me on a couple of tractors but I'm sure they will be overpriced. And of course, every dealer bashes the other brand on why theirs is better.

I want as small as I can get but still be safe with the moving bales. Would love to hear your honest opinions on the tractors you have.

 

[murphy1244]

Find a Kioti dealer and checkout a DK 40SE it will fit your price range and have alot of features you will like.

 

[94BULLITT]

Have you looked at a grand L kubota. They are wider and heavier than a regular L series. The bobcat ct335 and kioti dk35 have been discontinued. Be sure you have some sort of ballast on the rear when you lift a bale.

 

[gumshu]

I am going to buy a tractor and I thought I had my mind made up to buy a Bobcat 335. After talking to other people I now have some concerns about Bobcat and a tractor that small. I'm concerned that Bobcat is getting out of the compact tractor business because the Bobcat stores are dropping the tractor line and would I be able to get parts in 10-20 years from now. The other concern is a tractor that small. I have JD, NH, and Kubota dealers very local to me so I'm starting to look at them as well now. My budget it $20-25K. I can get a Kubota L3800 under $20k , L4600 for $23500 and a NH 40 for $21300. The Kubotas FEL looks like an afterthought and doesn't have NEAR the options and is more $ as compared to the Bobcat(tilt, seat, tele 3 pt, ergo, fit and finish, etc.). JD is working up some prices for me on a couple of tractors but I'm sure they will be overpriced. And of course, every dealer bashes the other brand on why theirs is better.

I want as small as I can get but still be safe with the moving bales. Would love to hear your honest opinions on the tractors you have.

Kioti and Mahindra are affordable. Kioti makes the Bobcat line of CUT's with some minor modifications, therefore even if Bobcat were to go out of the CUT biz, I would not see a problem with parts. The Loaders (2009 models) are made by Rhino. Also check out the Mahindra 4035. Mahindra is a powerful machine with impressive specs.

 

[1969grandpa]

Kubota didn't have a grand L on the lot but I understand that the L4600 is the same frame. I don't know the price or the differences between the two. Closest Kioti dealer is over an hour away. I'll have to give them a call this week.

 

[High Compression]

My L5740 Grand doesn't have any problems. These were supposed to be 5x6 bales might only be 5x5 though in is pic.

 

[Bluegill2]

The Kubota L4600 is a very nice 'basic' tractor. I personally like 'basic'. It would have no problem with 1200 lb bales. L3800 is a touch too small.

 

[Bluegill2]

The Kubotas FEL looks like an afterthought

I thought quite the opposite! But thought the same for other brands...

 

[1969grandpa]

I thought quite the opposite! But thought the same for other brands...

I guess what I ment was that the controls for the FEL are attached to the loader and some of the others are on the tractor closer to you. Just ergo for me, I guess.

 

[JJZ 109]

I guess what I ment was that the controls for the FEL are attached to the loader and some of the others are on the tractor closer to you. Just ergo for me, I guess.

Getting the loader control that a cabbed model uses may be an option. I really like the location of the joystick on my B3030 cab. I have to believe it's much more comfortable to use.