Which tractor?

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="blue"> 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?
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strick, you are reading the numbers wrong. The loader manufacturers don't make things easy on us when they publish the numbers but you have to be VERY careful when you look at loader specs. If the loader is measured at the pivot point it will be rated higher than at the center of the bucket, and the lowest rating is at the bucket lip. That said, they have different elevations that they do the measurements and those change too. A bucket measured at 12" above the ground will have a higher rating than one measures at full lift height. So you really have a series of things to check. If you want to compare 2 loaders, look at the full lift height rating, then see if it was measured at the pivot, the bucket center, or the bucket lip. Once you know that, then compare it to the same measurments on the other brand.

As for the comparison between the New Holland and the Kubota, I'd guess they are just about equal but I've not looked them up. NH is known for very strong loaders, the Kubota loaders are good, but not rated as high as some of the other brands. As you are comparing a smaller NH to a slightly larger Kubota, my intuition says both are probably close enough that you'd not notice.

By the way, the HST transmission is great. I'm totally spoiled and would never go back.

 

[strick]

OK.. I'll look more closely. I realize that they call the NH a subcompact tractor however it looks to be vary close in size to the kubota and Kioti. The NH hydrostatic is marked at the same price as the manual Kubota and Kioti. I guess I'm going to have to drive all three again and see which one I like the best. What about Industrial tires in the sand. Remember this is sand with a firm base. I like the wider base they provide for stability. I'm looking at 4WD's. Thanks again you guys are great.

strick

 

[TBrown]

With one acre of sandy soil, I really think one of the sub-compacts would best suit your needs. Of the three you listed, the New Holland is the only sub. The Kubota sub-compacts are the BX series, and they've sold about a kabillion of 'em... they're a proven machine. Other sub-compacts include the Massey Fergussen GC series and the Cub Cadet 5000 series.

The Kioti is larger and heavier than the sub-compacts, but still a very nice tractor. It would certainly accomplish what you want to do, but for the size of your lot, I'd say go with a sub.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

TBrown is correct on the sizing issue. Kioti does not make a sub-CUT. The CK is a fine tractor but it is larger and heavier with lower hp than the NH. The Kubota you are looking is one of their smallest CUTs but it is also not a Sub-CUT, it also has less hp than the NH. The major difference between a small CUT and a SUB-CUT is probably going to be found in the ground clearance and the capacity at the 3pt hitch. However, given your property size and type, it doesn't sound like you'd be using large implements anyway. I think you will find that the Sub-CUTs can do an amazing amount of work despite their small size. There are many very happy customers on TBN that do some pretty amazing things with small tractors and they seem able to do anything a bigger tractor can do (granted a bit slower) while still getting into tight places that even slightly larger tractors can't get to.

Regardless of the tractor you choose, I would recommend the HST transmission, it is really nice to use in small places, it is faster to use with a front end loader, and it is easier to use when grass cutting.

 

[frank_f15]

don't know if this would be an important issue for you, but one of the differences from sub to compact is the ground clearence.

 

[Hypernix]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( they've sold about a kabillion of 'em... )</font>

Tbrown,

How many zero's are there in one kabillion again? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Hypernix /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[strick]

Right now I'm leaning to the NH. I test drove one today. The dealer is giving me a good price as compared to other places I've checked. You are right in that the ground clearance is not as good as the kubota but it should be fine for were I'll be using it. I like the Kioti and the Kubota but their manuals and the dealer wants another 1K for hydrostatic in those models. The NH 3 point hitch is the standard type were as the kubota compact has a limited 3 point hitch. I'll keep you guys posted as to what I end up getting. Saw a landscaper today driving around on a NH /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Strick