Hi folks..gravelman here from chilly NH. i m thinking of buying a small tractor...25 hp with a loader and backhoe. I have a Kubota but would consider John Deere or Mahindra (closeby dealers) Im thinking turf tires, no cab. just wanting to know if anyone out there has an opinion, especially the backhoe part. i would want a thumb on it too.. thanks alot.
Buying Advice needing a small tractor with backhoe
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GManBart
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- Massey Ferguson 241, Kubota SVL90-2
Why not just buy the backhoe for your 2650? Do you need a separate tractor for a different location, or something like that?
Snobdds
Super Member
It's too bad you don't have a Massey Ferguson dealer nearby. I have a gc1710 and it's a beastly little machine. It's first task was to dig footings for a cabin in rocky soil. It exceeded my expectations. I put a thumb on it just last weekend and promptly went out and picked up a giant rock with it. Always remember you will have more lifting weight capacity on the back end, hence the backhoe and thumb, then you will on the front with the loader.
I think most <25 hp tractors with a backhoe are pretty comparable these days. Plus if you stick to <25 hp tractors, you won't have to deal with all the emissions equipment and added expense.
I think most <25 hp tractors with a backhoe are pretty comparable these days. Plus if you stick to <25 hp tractors, you won't have to deal with all the emissions equipment and added expense.
i have a cab on the 2650, i think that is a drawback Also, wanted something small with turf tires to run on the lawn, work in garden etc. My wife will probably be the main operator and she likes small, like my old Mahindra max 25 i would also look for something used...
Snobdds
Super Member
Iseki in Japan builds them for Massey and they have that Japanese quality about them. Definetly give them a look, they were about $3,000 cheaper than the JD and better quality.
Compare front axle size on the JD and Massey, huge difference. Plus the Massey had the most front loader capacity at 800 lbs, if I remember correctly.
Compare front axle size on the JD and Massey, huge difference. Plus the Massey had the most front loader capacity at 800 lbs, if I remember correctly.
tcreeley
Elite Member
I have an old Northern Hydraulic towable backhoe- worked great.
Here is a towable on ebay. 10' digging depth:
TOW BEHIND SELF CONTAINED BACKHOE 1ft DIG DEPTH THUMB ATTACHMENT | eBay
Cheaper and won't add wear and tear to your tractor.
I like this one: BRAND NEW MINI BACKHOE MINI EXCAVATOR TRENCH DIGGER FREE SHIPPED BY SEA | eBay
Here is a towable on ebay. 10' digging depth:
TOW BEHIND SELF CONTAINED BACKHOE 1ft DIG DEPTH THUMB ATTACHMENT | eBay
Cheaper and won't add wear and tear to your tractor.
I like this one: BRAND NEW MINI BACKHOE MINI EXCAVATOR TRENCH DIGGER FREE SHIPPED BY SEA | eBay
mike69440
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Max26/28 TLB?
Gary Fowler
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If you are looking at the sub-compact TLB then take a look at the Kubota BX25D. Or if you want a lot more, the Kubota B26TLB. The BX25 will be great for working your yard but I would keep it out of the brush. The B26 is a bit heavy at 4000# but I use mine all the time to work in the yard, just have to keep it off when it is wet or it will leave some tracks. Consider buying used for these two tractor because new prices are a bit hard to take. My B26 new cost as much as my 70HP LS with cab and FEL, but I got a good deal on it for $20,500 with only 68 hours on the clock and like new condition.
DaveNJ
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I second that. I did a lot of research before I bought mine about a year and a half ago. XJ2025 was the biggest bang for the buck. no regrets.
mike69440
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GManBart
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All good recommendations, and you probably can't really go wrong with any known name in that size tractor....they're all good.
The thing I would do after narrowing down the field to a couple is get your wife to run each for a few minutes just to make sure there isn't something that will bother her....peddle arrangement, seat position, etc. It's the kind of machine you're likely to keep indefinitely, so no sense in buying something with a major annoyance factor like a loader control you can't reach comfortably, or similar.
The thing I would do after narrowing down the field to a couple is get your wife to run each for a few minutes just to make sure there isn't something that will bother her....peddle arrangement, seat position, etc. It's the kind of machine you're likely to keep indefinitely, so no sense in buying something with a major annoyance factor like a loader control you can't reach comfortably, or similar.
Gary Fowler
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Mine is a 2009 that I bought in 2010 as a third owner. I think the first owner sold it just prior to bankruptcy and the next owner used it mostly for mowing. IIRC the new cost in 2010 was about $35K at the Kubota website as mine is equipped (hydraulic thumb and 3PH parts) I suspect, $20K would still be a bargain for a 2009 today.
Kentuckyfarmer
Gold Member
The bx23, 24, 25 I think are all very good in what they do. I am pleased with the bx I have and have on had minor problems such as cv joints and u joints that I replaced or rebuilt. Other than that just regular maintenance.
Gravelman,
I am in Maine. I am ordering a Mahindra 1526HST with loader and backhoe. I cannot give recommendations on how it operates but after reading for weeks here on TBN I chose the Mahindra. I wanted something smaller to get around in smaller areas. Seems that Mahindra has some good deals for rebates and such and a local dealer seems to be very attentive. Very important in my book.
I am in Maine. I am ordering a Mahindra 1526HST with loader and backhoe. I cannot give recommendations on how it operates but after reading for weeks here on TBN I chose the Mahindra. I wanted something smaller to get around in smaller areas. Seems that Mahindra has some good deals for rebates and such and a local dealer seems to be very attentive. Very important in my book.
