Compact Tractor

Anyone have experience with compact tractors like the Kubota BX 2370 (https://www.kubota.com/product/bx70/bx70.aspx)??

My wife and I moved into a 2.5 acre homestead in NW Ohio. I am starting to think through snow removal, tilling (we borrowed a PTO tiller this year), mowing, moving firewood, and general front loader work. I was quoted $15,000 for the 2370 new with 60" mower and front loader. I am having trouble justifying the cost but am tempted by the convenience.

Anyone have any opinions or experiences with tractors like these?

 

I had trouble justifying mine at first but the amount of things you use it for come in handy. I have taken on a few projects that I would have never dreamed of since I got mine.

 

Your link does not work. Fixed it https://www.kubota.com/product/bx70/bx70.aspx
I use my ATV a lot on my 3/4 of an acre and around my neighbors place. I can only imagine what I could accomplish with a compact tractor.

 

Is it four wheel drive? What style tires you thinking and stuff like that?

 

I would like to make two suggestions. Buy 4wd and look into buying used. You can find a nice size, 4 wheel drive tractor with low hours for 50-60% of the cost of a new one. The diesel engines on these tractor will go for a very long time. Take your time and learn about them, then look very closely at some for sale. Craigslist, e-bay, etc. can be good places to look and watch. Don't buy, just watch for a while and see what they sell for. If you want something that is a little stronger built, you may consider one of the construction grade Kubotas. They are built a little heavier duty. Used is much cheaper of course. B21, B26. The backhoes come off and a three point hitch can go on.

Here is one close to what you were talking about. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-KUBOTA-BX2350-/181433936899?pt=Tractors&hash=item2a3e4e2c03

Here is one of the B21 I was referring to. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kubota-B21-.../380924335490?pt=Tractors&hash=item58b0dc1582

 

I rented a bx25 from home depot to see if I liked it and then ended up buying one size up, a b2620 and am glad I did. Unlike gasifier, my experience was that 6 year old tractors were selling for 80% of new and were selling quick. I looked for several months but found the ones selling cheap were much older and in much worse shape than I was interested in. Ended up buying from barlow's in Ky as they delivered it do my door for over 3k less than any local dealer would sell it to me. Bought it in October and I already have 70 hours on it. My old cub cadet got maybe 50 hours of use in the 3 years I owned it.

 

I have a JD... It's a great tool.

I think it's a great idea. If your mostly considering it for mowing, be aware these tractors are heavier than a lawn tractor and if your yard at all tends to be wet, this can be a problem.

Like Gasifier said, go with 4 wheel drive. I bought mine used with only 20 hours. Didn't save a ton of money, but no sales tax and still saved a few grand on top of that.

 

Got a 98 Massey Ferguson 1230 ( 2k hours), 28 hp Iseki diesel, fel, pto , 3 point cat 1, 60" deck, 4x4, combination soft/hard cab w/heat about a month ago haven't had any real seat time yet, as one of my trucks is upchucking and got to repair that. Looked at new units 30hp apx little rich for my wallet. Best prices seemed to be in the LS or TYM units, but as with everything dealer proximity to you & quality of dealer is a big factor. This one is far enough back that it doesn't have much or any of the electronic pollution or cat systems, just makes things a bit easier to deal with. New stuff is into the same things a current EPA Diesels- electronic pollution controls , DEF and such. Like any of this when it works great when it goes south hang on to your wallet.

 

Also look into left over models. I bought a left over new holland t1510 for less than what I could find a used one. Just be mindful of the fact its been sitting and check all the fluids for moisture. They should do that before delivering it.

 

I have been watching tractors in our area on craigslist. Its amazing how well these tractors hold their value in the $5-10k range. Seems like any 4x4 compact tractor with <1000hrs on it is right around $10k and higher based upon attachments. This is the best deal I have seen in our area
http://columbus.craigslist.org/grd/4518319231.html

I would certainly be looking for 4x4 and would like Ag tires instead of turf.

The main thing I am debating is whether I should just buy a higher end snow blower and a higher end rear tine tiller, keep my JD LA 130 mower until it dies, and make due without a FEL. I have a concern with being able to till in the garden with the tractor, other than at the beginning of the season, since it will have to have a +50" tiller on it. So then it comes down to the efficiency of doing things with the tractor and the increase in functions (FEL).

 

If you are going to mow some fields with it that is one thing but the ag tires will make mess out of a lawn IMO.

 

R1 (ag tire) won't work as well on ice compared to R3 tread as well.

I would not be dead set on Kubota. They have grown to a "paying for the name" tractor like John Deere. Some years back when they were first being imported they weren't too bad.
I'm not saying they aren't a good tractor, just you can buy the same tractor for less with other brands.

My Dad has a 25ish Hp Kioti and he is very pleased with it.

 

You can find a deal, they are out there. I got a B2100 HSD 4wd with FEL and only 500 hours for $6k. Used mowers are everywhere as are most implements, but you have to be patient.

Th BX is pretty slick but never run one myself.

 

I agree that kioti is looking pretty good these days. I think the main reason I went with kubota is they still sell parts for 30 year old tractors and the whole tractor is made by kubota. I forget who is making the smaller john deere's these days? LS? I'm just not confident that a manufacturer that outsources the work to someone else every few years will have parts availability way down the road. There are a lot of quality manufacturers out there though and I don't think you can really go wrong with any of them. Btw, Cnice, that is a good deal. I would have been all over that at that price.

 

Also to chime in on above comment, dealer support is another thing to consider.

It may be something to consider that a one does all may not work. A CUT will be ok mowing a large field, but a usually yard with trees, buildings, etc it will be a pain. A ZTR will almost always be faster.

 

My Dad has always had Kubota equipment . Never fails and lasts forever . And with the 0% financing deals they always have......it almost doesnt pay to bother with a used one . You never know what the previous owner did . Its common for people not to let a diesel warm up or cool down properly .....which eventually takes a toll .

 

I would go with r4 tires if you want to mow. Still decent traction and not as rough on turf as straight ags. Could you just buy a nice rear tine and do without the pto tiller? I till my whole garden with rear tine. Its not huge around 45'×45' and then use a old planet jr wheel hoe between rows for weed control. Fel are nice to have. I have a 30hp tractor and only an acre and a quarter but use it a fair amount. That size tractor you are looking holds its value well.

 

The owner of the dealer in town is a good family friend. I am confident my service will be top-notch if I buy from him.
Do folks with compact tractors mow with them? My assumption was that I could get away with mowing with the tractor and avoid having a lawn tractor and the a compact tractor.