looking at a scut for 2.6 acres

[tamersinger]

My wife and I have 2.6 acres with about a half acre cleared at the moment. We have a large amount of landscaping and some graveled areas in the back that would need maintained/graded. Our yard is mostly weeds and we are trying kill all of it and reseed everything along with expand the backyard 4000 sq.ft. for a bit more landscape area(fire pit) and an area for garden(maybe chickens and goats). We would also like to clean and maintain our current woods which is overrun by some downed trees and lots of old growth and vines. We also have an easement that runs to the lake for a path that we need to maintain but have not been due to the conditions outside (large downed oak) its about 1000' of trail that needs to be dressed up and cleared.

I am looking at a bx1880 with a mmm and a fel to replace my x350 that my friend wants to buy. I would get a set of forks and ssqa for sure, possibly a box blade. are there really any better options than this model? the only thing I am worried about is traction with turf tires, and the pto horsepower if I was to run rear implements like a tiller or rotary cutter. I wouldn't mind using this as an excuse to do a "man with small tractor" craigslist ad.
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[nards444]

I would get r4 tires on whatever you get. Also would probably look at the 24-26 hp class, B2650, John Deers 2520, Kioti 2510 etc etc.

 

[tamersinger]

I would get r4 tires on whatever you get. Also would probably look at the 24-26 hp class, B2650, John Deers 2520, Kioti 2510 etc etc.

I feel like the largest I would want to go is a b2301. since this is replacing my mower I would rather not give up that much in maneuverability with such a large machine.

 

[jeff9366]

Subcompact tractors with a Mid Mount Mower have about 3" or ground clearance with mower attached, 9" ground clearance with mower removed. Removing and replacing MMM is easier than in the past but still not fun. Minimal 9" ground clearance can make working in woodland difficult. Subcompacts have two-range (2) HST transmissions. Subcompacts generally draw 48" wide implements.

Compact tractors of 1,600 - 1,800 pounds bare tractor weight have larger wheels and tires. Larger wheels yield greater ground clearance, usually at least 12", greater tractive power and a smoother ride over rough ground. Compact tractors have greater FEL lift capacity than Subcompacts and usually have three-range (3) HST transmissions, with a lower LOW and a lighter HIGH. Compact tractors generally draw 54" or 60" implements. Allowing for a 5" overlap in use, a considerable improvement over 48" implements with 45" operating width.

Either a subcompact or compact tractor will operate a MMM equally well. The compact will be a smidgeon less maneuverable.

If you can afford a 1,600 - 1,800 pound Compact, go for it.


VIDEOS: Kubota BX Series VS. B Series - YouTube

Is the Kubota BX188� enough tractor for you? - YouTube

 

[jeff9366]

I am looking at a bx1880 with a mmm and a fel to replace my x350 that my friend wants to buy. I would get a set of forks and ssqa for sure. Are there better options than this model?

You lose 121 pounds of FEL lifts capacity with SSQA on a BX Loader, due to the weight of the couplers and forward extension. (820 pounds --> 699 pounds net lift. Huge payload penalty.)
(Real life lift capacity on a BX is actually about 15% less than spec numbers shown above.)

If you go with a BX consider aftermarket Dunn Quick Tach. Much lighter.

DUNN LINK: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/315005-jery-dunn-tach-n-go.html

My wife and I have 2.6 acres with about 1/2 acre cleared.

We would like to clean and maintain our woodland which is cluttered with downed trees and lots of old growth and vines. We have an easement that runs to the lake for a path that we have not maintained due to a large downed oak. We have 1000' of trail that needs to be cleared. I may buy a Box Blade.

You need R4/industrial tires. You will have minimal traction with small diameter BX wheels, turf tires and light BX weight for the ground contact applications you have indicated.

A HEAVY Box Blade makes excellent Three Point Hitch counterbalance for heavy FEL lifts.

You will find a Ratchet Rake bucket attachment very helpful for clearing brush and vines and path creation.

 

[nards444]

the 25 hp series depending on frame size arent really all that much bigger than what you are suggesting. Also when mowing with a tractor you cut ground clearance big time, and with all of your trailer clearing and woods work that mower is going to be a pain to take on and off.

Really with the cost of that mid mount mower I would get a zero turn give you better mowing and allow you to have more painless tractor experience.

 

[atsah]

Zero turn and a little bit bigger tractor..

 

[tamersinger]

its more trail maintenance. there is an existing trail for a golf cart but it hasn't been maintained in a few years. at this time I will not be buying a tractor and a mower, so that option is out, I need a do it all package.

 

[atsah]

its more trail maintenance. there is an existing trail for a golf cart but it hasn't been maintained in a few years. at this time I will not be buying a tractor and a mower, so that option is out, I need a do it all package.

If that's the case I would buy a little more than the 1880, I have read many times people that bought the 1880 wanting to swap it for a little bigger tractor..

 

[nards444]

its more trail maintenance. there is an existing trail for a golf cart but it hasn't been maintained in a few years. at this time I will not be buying a tractor and a mower, so that option is out, I need a do it all package.

I understand. I just think you get a little bigger tractor it wont hinder your mowing and will give you a little more capability all around. FWIW a zero turn from lowes or home depot are great for mowing an acre or two and cost the same a mower for a tractor.

 

[tamersinger]

Well cost is a factor, how much of a difference in price from a b2301 to a bx2380

 

[atsah]

Don't know much about Kubota's, I'm sure someone will answer that for you..

 

[dalola]

If budget is your MAIN limiting factor, get the biggest tractor you can afford.

Every step up in size & HP comes at a price. Your dealer should be able to give you some quotes to consider for any machines you are considering.

Then, it will be an easy decision based on budget.

 

[nards444]

no options about 2k. go to Kubota website and you can build them and see. By going kubota or JD your going to pay 20-30% more for those brands if cost is a factor. Other thing is if your looking to spend around 15k, lots of used low hours models as well.

 

[tamersinger]

no options about 2k. go to Kubota website and you can build them and see. By going kubota or JD your going to pay 20-30% more for those brands if cost is a factor. Other thing is if your looking to spend around 15k, lots of used low hours models as well.

the dealers I have local to me are kubota deer mahindra massey and new holland, if I go out a lot farther I am pretty sure I can get kioti and ls. the kubota dealer I am looking at is not the closest but they have had the best service by far when I bought my chainsaw and just browsing.

I would consider a massey, but don't know a lot about them. the prices I have gotten quoted from all the dealers are pretty much the same when it comes to scuts with deere being super high and kubota maybe being 1000-500 dollars more for a comparable kioti.

 

[jeff9366]

Cost is a factor. How much of a difference in price from a b2301 to a bx2380?

KUBOTA WEB SITE: https://www.kubotausa.com/tractors#sub-compact

 

[nards444]

the dealers I have local to me are kubota deer mahindra massey and new holland, if I go out a lot farther I am pretty sure I can get kioti and ls. the kubota dealer I am looking at is not the closest but they have had the best service by far when I bought my chainsaw and just browsing.

Take a look at all of them and see. What you get in terms of packages and such and each dealer will be different. When I got quotes on tractors Kubota was about 19% more than a kioti, and about 38% more than an LS or TYM(RK,branson) branded tractor. Service does matter, what can you do on your own, the guys an hour away will they get your stuff, all questions to ask. Great tractors but for my use wasnt spending the coin on their paint.

Mahindra and massey will be cheaper than kubota but not remarkably cheaper. Can also look and ask dealers for demo tractors on sale, and then check craigs and facebook to buy implements cheaper as well.

That bx2380 is all of 15k with a mower maybe a little less. I could get the Kioti 2510 probably for around 17 with a mower.


I think the biggest mistake in buying anything is saying I can only spend x dollar on something and then going to the first dealer and being fixated on the first model that fits the budget, and this goes for anything. Set your budget and then check out all the options out there, sometimes bigger is cheaper as in initial price is more but options are less to add.

 

[Diggin It]

I went with an MMM due to not having much room in some places to turn around. If you have the room, go with a trailing mower. Less costly and easier to install and remove. My MMM isn't real difficult to move to put on and take off, but it takes some elbow grease.

North American HQ for LS Tractors isn't too far from you.

 

[tamersinger]

Take a look at all of them and see. What you get in terms of packages and such and each dealer will be different. When I got quotes on tractors Kubota was about 19% more than a kioti, and about 38% more than an LS or TYM(RK,branson) branded tractor. Service does matter, what can you do on your own, the guys an hour away will they get your stuff, all questions to ask. Great tractors but for my use wasnt spending the coin on their paint.

Mahindra and massey will be cheaper than kubota but not remarkably cheaper. Can also look and ask dealers for demo tractors on sale, and then check craigs and facebook to buy implements cheaper as well.

That bx2380 is all of 15k with a mower maybe a little less. I could get the Kioti 2510 probably for around 17 with a mower.


I think the biggest mistake in buying anything is saying I can only spend x dollar on something and then going to the first dealer and being fixated on the first model that fits the budget, and this goes for anything. Set your budget and then check out all the options out there, sometimes bigger is cheaper as in initial price is more but options are less to add.

understood, Im looking at 13 for a 18 with loader and mmm and a 145 for a 23 with the same options. I see massesy for about 115 but they want 2500 for their mower. I didn't even ask deere.

 

[atsah]

I would consider a massey, but don't know a lot about them.

Take the time to look at one, they as good or better than all the others..