HoneyFuzz thanks for the reply and links. I have some reading to do. The pictures of the grapple in use are very helpful for me. I know every FEL has its limits, but seeing yours in action tells me can accomplish what I need. I kicked around the idea of mower de k but a already have mower so I really don't feel I need it. Could put that cost to a different attachment. Canadian border VT I have no use for a brush hog as my property is all improved. Normal mowing would all I need in that regards. Mainly want a tractor for upkeep and heavy lifting. fuelrod Kubota, JD a d Yanmar are my local choices. The Yanmar dealer is a power sports dealer and rather new. The smallest offering they have in stock is a 324, which I did not are for. Besides price with FEL is only 2 grand under THE Kubota with FEL and 60" mower deck. I have found a 2019 BX 2380 28 hours with FEL and 3 way valve for under 16k. However it's 11 hours away from me. Lots for me to consider.
I have had a BX, a B, and now an L. I'll mention the same thing I have told friends-if you aren't planning to mow lawn, strongly consider a B series. You'll gain a bunch of capacity for not much more money. My B 2620 wasn't much bigger than my BX 2200 in regard to maneuverability, but had about 50% more loader capacity.
The other plus I am saying for a BX Series would be my current 5x14 3500 lb trailer would handle it without me having to upgrade.
QUOTE="GrJfer, post: 1346822, member: 1133"]However it's 11 hours away from me. Lots for me to consider.[/QUOTE] That's gonna be sold before you can get there. You will not regret getting a quality tractor. The older I get the more I appreciate my equipment.
That's gonna be sold before you can get there. You will not regret getting a quality tractor. The older I get the more I appreciate my equipment.[/QUOTE] I am encouraged by that statement, because it leads me to believe it isn't overpriced. I did call today and inquire about it and it is still available. I could shoot a deposit over and then pick it up later or enlist the Hot Shot driver to deliver after paid in full.
That's gonna be sold before you can get there. You will not regret getting a quality tractor. The older I get the more I appreciate my equipment.[/QUBrother!!! You got Equipment??? GTFOOH!
I test drove Massey, NH and JD. Ended up with a Kubota that I never tested. So far no regrets I did sit in a B2650 and liked it. But it was too small for my property. I think one like that would be very capable for 1 acre. Good luck!
I think the bx is a good size for an acre. The nice thing about tractors is that they keep their value so in a couple of years if you want to go larger you can without losing a ton of money. The problem is now probably isn’t the best time to be buying with the tractor market being so high, but hey you gotta buy sometime. Good Luck and keep us posted!
Hindsight always says should have gone bigger..tractor, truck, trailer, barn/garage, chainsaw, splitter, the only exception is the wife/girlfriend's waistline
I’m in the buy a sub compact sized tractor for your property size crowd. Also don’t sleep on a Yanmar sa22 or 24. If you have a good dealer close-ish it’s an overbuilt tractor in that just right size. They’ve built a metric ton of tractors for big green in the past. Kioti, LS, and Mahindra are also not going anywhere any time soon either. Big thing is picking a dealer you’re comfortable with. Proximity is a big deal unless you have a good way to transport your tractor to the dealer when it needs service, and they all need service. If you find you are running into a couple chores that you just don’t feel your new tractor is capable of handling you can always save them up on the hunny-do list and borrow/rent a larger unit to knock them all out with. I put this last because it’s the most important. A big consideration is that rear ballast is critical for these smaller machines. Something like a rear tiller is good, but a heavier dedicated rear ballast box will save your front axle if you plan on doing much loader work.
Tractors are very useful, we had a JD 1025R (roughly same size as a BX) with loader, backhoe, forks, mower, rototiller, and snow blower at our 1.5 acre property. It did everything we needed it to, and was useful year round. There were Kubota, and Deere dealers close to us, and support from a dealer is important. I liked the layout of the Deere better and they were prices close enough it didn't matter. I sold it 6 years later for the a couple thousand less than I paid, as I knew the buyer and gave them a deal. I moved 15 cord of wood the first year we were at our new property, all cut 4' lengths. It took time, but the machine could weave through the trees easily. Now we have a JD 2025R with a loader, mower, and snow blower, as well as a JD4052R with loader, grapple, forks, landscape rake, 7' bush hog, skidding winch, chipper, and 8' disk harrow. These two machines fit the property very well, the small machine works around the house, and the large one is for the field, and woods. We also picked up a Kubota KX-040 mini excavator instead of putting a backhoe on the tractor again. It will be used to stump the trails, build rock walls, stream crossings, and foundation excavation for the barn. This tractor life can be expensive, and so can these forums. I went from 1 tractor and 1 saw to 3 saws plus a 4th on order, 2 tractors, and an excavator in 3 years. The good thing is my wife supports it, and she's claimed the JD 2025 as hers. One last thing to think about is dealer support and parts, there is a large farm here with 4 Mahindra tractors sitting in a field unused. they are 5-7 years old, and can't get parts for them. The farmer said he got a heck of a deal on them, and once the warranty went on them, parts became harder to find/get. The dealer has come and gone from this area, but there is a new dealer north of us, but cant hire a mechanic.
Kubota makes a great machine, don't get me wrong. I get the concerns surrounding manufacturers like MF rebranding Iseki tractors and parts availability somewhere in the future, but AGCO owns both brands, so parts availability shouldn't be a concern. I've priced most of the subcompact lines and Deere and Kubota come out on the high side of the pricing scale, and LS and Kioti are on the lower end of the pricing scale. The MF and NH lines seem to fall mid pack with similar options and performance specs across the board for all units. When I price I try to go apples to apples so my targets were 25ish hp, loader and backhoe options and take QA options availability into consideration. Mowing deck was not a consideration as these units get on the heavy side to be driving over septic systems if that is a consideration. I am willing to give up a little performance for an $8k savings, but at the same time I won't give up a bunch of performance to save $12k. If it were up to the wife she would say get the orange because that is her favorite color. I went down that path once and ended up hating the decision and cut bait pretty quick on an orange purchase(no it wasn't a Kubota, just brand X). I've owned green, and they are nice but just too much green for me. In the end it is a personal choice, need to sit in the seat and see the layout and how it feels. Do the controls fall in natural location for your usage, pedal layout, etc. Your money, your choice, we're just along for the ride and trying to spend your money.
I have looked at the Yanmar. Local dealer has only been open for about a year. They have the 324 and 424 as well as larger ones in stock. I have looked at them and watched some videos. Local prices are pretty much in line with the kubota. 17500 for Yanmar with FEL and 19100 for kubota with FEL and 60" mower deck. I will not be getting a mower deck so that will bring the kubota more in line price wise. Not sure I like where Yanmar choose to locate the hydraulic connections under the frame. Also I don't know what to expect in service and longevity since the are so new. Either way I do believe a subcompact will be the route I go. They seem to best fit my property size and intended use.
I agree with the hydraulic hookup for the loader, looks like you rip it off in brush! I do the Yanmar makes good tractors.
The hydraulic hookups for the loader are in the same spot as the hydraulics and 3rd SCV for the loader on my 2025R. It was the same on the 1025R before they came out with the single mount connection. I have always been aware of it on my machines, but it hasn't been an issue in the woods. Climb under the machine itself and take a look at everything that is exposed for brush to get at, lots of electrical wires, connectors, and small hydraulic lines under there. It makes you think twice about driving over a branch with a new tractor.
I never cared for how most have there hydraulic connection locations. At least kubota puts them up high...out the way of most common obstructions. But....on the bx....I had to buy an aftermarket skid plate to protect under the belly of the tractor. It has a cheap plastic fan to cool the hydrostat....and its right where sticks jam up in ! Also fuel pump and wires under there. Knock on wood..I never had a problem...because I knew of the problem when I bought the bx...so I had it on from new. Kinda made me wish I went up to the b series...it didn't have any of those nuisances. But I didn't like the higher center of gravity on the b series.
