Which tractor?

strick · Mar 22, 2005

This is not meant to start a war on brands.. I just would like a little info on the pros and cons of each tractor. I have one acre of sand and I need a little tractor to do some grading moving dirt around and weed cutting. I'm considering a new tractor Kubota 7510, New Holland TZ24DA, and Kiote CK20. all are priced close to each other. HELP!

strick

RickNC · Mar 23, 2005

Strick,

I have a B7100 that is an older version of the B7510. I love it and would not trade it for any newer tractor, but it is paid for. I like the Kubota because in the 15 years that I have had the tractor, I have replaced one glow pug and one battery. It starts first time, every time when the bigger tractors will not.

When I decided to buy a larger tractor, I went to my dealer that carries both Kubota and Kioti. After talking with the owner, the parts manager, and the service manager, I found that they all own Kubotas although they could get the Kiotis at a bigger discount. That made my decision. I have no experience with the NH

You will find advocates of all brands on here. With good maintenance, about any of them will give good service until you get tired of looking at them. Look around and see what the professional landscapers are using. They can't afford to have down-time.

Best of luck on your decision.

dholly · Mar 23, 2005

Well, you got apples and oranges there. The TZ24DA is a sub compact, while the TC24DA is a larger framed compact which compares more directly to the size and capabilities of the other two you mention. Given the nature of your work, you may well be served best with a sub compact like the TZ or it's red clone from Case. Be sure to check the Massey and Kubotas BX models for comparison. Very capable machines, all. Lots of info and owner feedback on all these models can be found in their respective forums. Best advice is to spend some reading time there getting a handle on the basic differences, then approach owners about your specific questions.

GregJ · Mar 23, 2005

Strick,
For me, I looked at FEL capacity and 3pt. capacity and then drove the models that I was interested in. I ended up with a Kubota B7500 and have never looked back. That said, there was not a NH or Kioti dealer near me, so my opinion is VERY biased. If you are interested, I just posted a project with my B7500 in the owning and operating forum - Tree Removal.

Have fun shopping.

Greg

KiotiJohn · Mar 23, 2005

Welcome to TBN. You say you have 1 acre of sand. What kind of sand, where? That could make a difference in what you want to buy because of the differences in weight between models.
I have a sandy type soil here in NE Florida, and find that my CK20 is just fine in almost all but the wettest conditions, and it weighs about 600# more than the Kubota, which gives me a little better traction. For moving dirt around, leveling, pulling trees, digging stumps (with backhoe), etc., it has been a GREAT tractor. I have the HST model. I like the platform style of the CK better than the ladder frame of the Kubota, more comfortable, more room etc.
I suspect, if you never plan to do anything more than you stated, you could go with a sub cut like the Massey, kubota, or NH, but the CK20 is a small-frame CUT with plenty of capability for when you realize there are lots more jobs you want to do than you're thinking of now! John

frank_f15 · Mar 23, 2005

are they all equiped the same? the tz is sub compact whereas the other s are compacts.

strick · Mar 23, 2005

Thanks fellas for all the input. I live in N. California. The sand has a hard base and I can easily drive around in 2wd with my pick up without worrying about getting stuck. I still cant make up my mind on what to get. I've even been considering a used japanese tractor but they are all in the 7-9K range for 18-24 HP 4wd under 800 hours. I'm getting quotes in the 11500 range for all three of the tractors I mentioned the NH TZ24DA the Kubota B7510 and the Kioti CK20. All three are real nice tractors. The NH comes with the hydrostatic tranny. The other two are manual. I'm starting to figure that If I'm going to spend between 7-9k for a used tractor that does not have 2 PTO's and all the other little luxeries that a much newer model has then I might as well put 7K down on a brand new tractor and take advantage of the zero financing for 1 year or 2.9 percent for 2 years. Plus I'll be getting a warranty. I have a NH/Kubota dealer 25 minutes from my house...they have been there 30 years and they are real nice so as of now it's between the Kubota and the NH. I'm not sure I'm reading the lift capacity right of the loaders between the Kubota and the NH. The NH reads 657 at max bucket height and the kubota reads 1655 at LP. Is the Kubota rated for that much more?

Strick

GerardC · Mar 23, 2005

The NH reads 657 at max bucket height and the kubota reads 1655 at LP. Is the Kubota rated for that much more? 

The NH is a SUBcompact tractor and the Kubota is a COMPACT. You are comparing apples and oranges here. Gerard

KiotiJohn · Mar 24, 2005

( I might as well put 7K down on a brand new tractor and take advantage of the zero financing for 1 year or 2.9 percent for 2 years. )
Kioti is offering 0% for two years until March 31. May extend that again.
Most loaders capacities are measured at the connection point of the bucket or lift pins/points. A "comparable" New Holland will generally lift more than a Kubota loader. Depending on model of course.
Why not check out the CK20 with HST? Only about $800 more, you'll never miss that over the years of enjoyment and ease of operation. John

Cabinholler · Mar 24, 2005

strick

You mentioned in your post that you have been checking out certain brands of tractors. You need to check out the Zetor tractors. Zetor makes a very nice tractor. Zetor tractors per size of PTO horsepower you buy is as heavy as any tractor on the market weight wise. One really important thing about Zetor tractors is the price. If you find the right Zetor dealer, you can buy one of these tractors cheaper than the brands of tractors that you stated in your post.

Cabinholler