Decision Day Tomorrow

[Dranrab]

I have done a significant amount of internet exploration and have visited a number of dealers just to lay eyes on things. I narrowed the field down to the most attractive candidates and negotiated prices with dealers. I have a short (or somewhat short) list of finalists. Tomorrow I will visit dealers to learn more about the machines, fire them up and exercise the controls. By the end of the day, I hope to make my purchase.

There is one variable at play that could appreciably alter the picture. I have a bum right shoulder. 5 surgeries. A total replacement with half of that artificial joint removed. I experience pain, lack of stability and weakness with my right arm extended out in front of me. At this point, I don't expect much improvement if any. Right now all the tractors on my short list are size 2 (one size above sub-compact) I have selected those because the bucket control is at the fender and I can operate it with my upper arm resting naturally at my side. If I find that I can operate a control located near the steering wheel a few more tractors enter the picture.

Prices include Tractor, Bush Hog and Box Blade. All prices are before tax and any dealer fees. Any delivery fees are inconsequential. Insurance costs are inconsequentially different.

Stop 1 will be at the JD dealer. Dealer is local at 25 miles.

JD 2025 package $20,000. 0% on all items.

Stop 2 Mahindra/Kioti dealer. Dealer is local at 12 miles.

Kioti CK2510 package $19,700. 0% on tractor. Convoluted blended rate when implements added.

Kioti CK2610 package $20,700. 0% on tractor. Convoluted blended rate when implements added.

Stop 3 Kubota dealer. Dealer is local at 25 miles.

Kubota B2601 package $18,700. 0% on all items.

Stop 4 Tym Dealer. Dealer is 50 miles away.

Tym T264 package $15,900. 5.5% on everything.

Stop 5 Yanmar Dealer. Dealer is 124 miles away. Servicing dealer is 15 miles away (they are sold out of compact Yanmars and will happily service mine.)

Yanmar SA324 package $17,400. 0% on Tractor. Implements must be paid for in cash.


IF I feel like I can get by with FEL controls beside the steering wheel, I'll end up with one of the below tractors, but I am doubtful as my shoulder is trashed.

JD 3025 package $20,000. 0 percent on everything.

Mahindra Max 26 Package $19,700. 0 percent on everything.

Kubota L2501 package $20,450. 0 percent on everything.



As you might suspect, I have found things I like about certain tractors over others. Some have cruise control, some have telescoping 3 pt arms (not real sure the advantage there) some have skid steer bucket attachments, some have 3 speed HST, etc. There are other relevant financial factors that I won't bore you with. Let's say all of the dealers seem pretty equal.

If any of you have model specific information or knowledge that you think might be useful, please let me know. If it were you, which would you choose and why? What else do I need to consider?

My thoughts as of now. On the TYM website, the 264 is describes as a sub-compact. Every spec puts is squarely in the size 2 compact range. I need to lay eyes on it. It is a great deal. I can get a tandem axle trailer and a disc with that for $18,700 all at 5.5%. The Kubota B2610 sits at the top of my list as of right now all things considered. Tractor, implements, 0% financing and insurance under one roof from arguably the best reputed brand. The JD 3025 is a great deal if I can use the FEL control comfortably.


TLDR, I know!

Thanks!

 

[Vaquero]

I think you're going to favor the kioti bucket control location. I know I do.
Good luck and have fun shopping!

 

[the old grind]

Ahem... IMO the giant in the room is the CK2610. Look at the weight, dimensions, ground clearance, tire sizes, etc and notice a competent 30hp CUT with de-rated hp when you see one.

See my stats. I have comparable CUTs to these in weight, displacement, hydraulics, 3PH lift cappacity, o'all size, you name it. One is a serious CUT, the other with a motor and tires fit for a ZTR. :2cents: btw, I see 0% prices reflecting a typical 8% folded into a price just either side of $18k-cash that's asked of late. (I been 'scouting' too)

Like my ~1600lb 1.1L DX26: Kubota B2601 TractorData.com Kubota B26�1 tractor dimensions information

Like my ~2400lb 1.7L NH: Kioti CK2610: TractorData.com Kioti CK261� tractor dimensions information

That said, if you have to take your tractor to deer camp in the back of a 'toy hauler' alongside a quad, then get one of the tiny ones. :confused3:

... oh, and I suggest you also test drive a > 50 hp tractor. It'll help you appreciate the agility of the larger of the CUTs you mentioned above.

 

[Dranrab]

Ahem... IMO the giant in the room is the CK2610. Look at the weight, dimensions, ground clearance, tire sizes, etc and notice a competent 30hp CUT with de-rated hp when you see one.

See my stats. I have comparable CUTs to these in weight, displacement, o'all size, you name it. One is a serious CUT, the other with a motor fit for a ZTR. :2cents: btw, I see 0% prices reflecting a typical 8% folded into a price just either side of $18k-cash that's asked of late. (I been 'scouting' too)

Like my ~1600lb 1.1L DX26: Kubota B2601 TractorData.com Kubota B26�1 tractor dimensions information

Like my ~2400lb 1.7L NH: Kioti CK2610: TractorData.com Kioti CK261� tractor dimensions information

That said, if you have to take your tractor to deer camp in the back of a 'toy hauler' alongside a quad, then get one of the tiny ones. :confused3:

If price were not a consideration, I'd get the CK2610 and be done with it. I may anyway. It is pricing out right where the Kubota in that size range is pricing out and higher than the JD. That surprises me.

 

[hawkeye08]

Regarding the telescoping arms, my Kubota has them, it is nice when hooking up 3pt implements by myself. I can extend it if needed for a few extra inches and don't have to be lined up perfectly (sometimes I have the mower off in the grass next to the shop where it does not roll easily. When in the shop, no problem to roll it a bit if needed, but the telescoping arms are nice when I can't roll it easy..

Regarding FEL controls, I wonder if you could extend the joystick on the ones too far away to make it easier to control with your bum shoulder?

Best wishes on getting one you are happy with, I know I have been very happy with my Kubota, smiles all around when I can use it to do something.. my granddaughter even approves.

 

[dodge man]

I bought a 2025r this last February. A couple of points. The seat has arm rests and the joystick is right there. It should be comfortable for you. I added Pats easy change to mine. It’s just an easier way to hook up implements in back. JD makes an Imatch quick hitch that is really nice but adds a little over $400. JD has a quick connect bucket that is simple to use and doesn’t take away from lift capacity.

I paid 21k for mine including taxs. That was for the tractor, end loader, 60” auto connect deck and pallet forks.

 

[Dranrab]

Regarding the telescoping arms, my Kubota has them, it is nice when hooking up 3pt implements by myself. I can extend it if needed for a few extra inches and don't have to be lined up perfectly (sometimes I have the mower off in the grass next to the shop where it does not roll easily. When in the shop, no problem to roll it a bit if needed, but the telescoping arms are nice when I can't roll it easy..

Regarding FEL controls, I wonder if you could extend the joystick on the ones too far away to make it easier to control with your bum shoulder?

Best wishes on getting one you are happy with, I know I have been very happy with my Kubota, smiles all around when I can use it to do something.. my granddaughter even approves.

Thanks for ringing in about the telescoping arms. Anything to keep me from having to wrestle heavy implements around will be great. Grandkids are the best!

 

[Dranrab]

I bought a 2025r this last February. A couple of points. The seat has arm rests and the joystick is right there. It should be comfortable for you. I added Pats easy change to mine. It’s just an easier way to hook up implements in back. JD makes an Imatch quick hitch that is really nice but adds a little over $400. JD has a quick connect bucket that is simple to use and doesn’t take away from lift capacity.

I paid 21k for mine including taxs. That was for the tractor, end loader, 60” auto connect deck and pallet forks.

Thanks for the link. I like those. Is JDs quick connect for the bucket proprietary or does it work with other brands of implements as well?

 

[dodge man]

JD is propriety. You can get just about get any implement for it though. You could also add a skid steer setup for it but there is no reason to unless you have a bunch of skid steer attachments laying around.

 

[Tractor X]

helluva list! narrowed my search (CUT) down to 3,

kioti CK2610. dealer hemmed and hawed around... also furthest away.

branson 2515. dealer called rep... couldn't get one til late september- october. if this tractor had been in stock... SOLD!

kubota l2501. dealer went above and beyond, got that warm fuzzy feeling. 5 star experience! multiple dealers from 30mins-1hr away.
20hrs on the clock and 0 complaints. use it primarily for FEL work, grading and lifting building material.

good luck OP!

 

[Dranrab]

helluva list!

5 dealer visits is a bit optimistic for a single day. I am not certain I'll make it over to Alabama.

 

[Diggin It]

I have done a significant amount of internet exploration and have visited a number of dealers just to lay eyes on things. I narrowed the field down to the most attractive candidates and negotiated prices with dealers. I have a short (or somewhat short) list of finalists. Tomorrow I will visit dealers to learn more about the machines, fire them up and exercise the controls. By the end of the day, I hope to make my purchase.

I don't see any blue on that list: MT2E Series Compact Tractors | LS Tractor

I see several dealers within those mileage ranges including Gulfport, Nicholson, Lucedale and Hattiseburg.

 

[Dranrab]

The Gulfport and Nicholson dealers are very small players. Neither of them have the 2025 or MT225 in stock. They can get them at a price that is just okay. But then both of those tractors have the bucket control that is beside the wheel. I would have no problem owning an LS if I had a good dealer/service center close by and the FEL control was where I wanted it.

 

[skipperbrown]

I have a Pat's and telescoping link arms. This makes it much, much easier to hook up attachments, especially heavier ones like brush cutters. Just extend the arm that is an inch or two too short and gently lift the arms and click, click, the arms are locked in. Just add the top link. An Imatch would be helpful as well. With a bad shoulder, you don't need to be trying to kick or muscle around stupid implements that won't line up just right. I have a 3# hammer I keep in a PVC tube on the tractor to coax link arms on and off when necessary. You may want to invest in a top and tilt too. Regarding the placement of the loader control, I believe you will want a seat with arm rests and I bet any competent metal worker can bend/weld some steel to put the control handle exactly where it works best for you. Finally, have fun picking out the tractor that fits you the best.

 

[chim]

Some of the things you mention are interesting. So far I've had 5 tractors, and here's my opinion:

Cruise Control - Three of the tractors had this, and I've only used it (OK, MISUSED) it on one tractor. It was an act that would draw way too much comment to even mention it here. Suffice it to say I pulled it off without getting injured. Still wouldn't pay any extra money on it.

Telescoping 3 Point Arms - Only my L4240 has them and they are truly handy.

SSQA Loader - Again, only the L4240 is equipped with them. This was an option that never appealed to me. Lo and behold, one of the first projects was an 8' power angle snow plow. Guess who is now a believer in QA loaders. I already have a few more ideas for QA projects. It was fortunate that the tractor also came with the third function valve. Made it simple to do the power angling.

3 Speed HST - Three of the tractors have had 3 ranges and that would be a minimum requirement in my book. The L4240 also has HI and LO shift on the fly in each range. Love that. There really is a range for every purpose.


Take some time and don't rush. The last time I was in the market for a tractor, I spent a fair amount of time getting the feel of different controls. Some had loader controls that made it very difficult to maintain the bucket in a level position while lifting. Some had transmissions with a strange feel. There were differences in turning radius. The seats on two models wouldn't slide back far enough to be comfortable.

 

[Diggin It]

I have CC. I have no use for it.

Telescoping arms would be nice. Mounting the tiller is a bear that those arms could probably tame.

Quick things? Not really interested. But then I don't change the front tool. I took the bucket off once and it took less than 10 minutes to get off and back on. I have not yet taken the full FEL including arms off.

A third speed range would be nice.

The forward mounted FEL control is OK for me, but I can see where fender mounted could be better for the OP.

 

[murphy1244]

Funny I use cc a lot. Would not buy a tractor without ss. One function that I truly thankful for is the 3 point control on the back of the machine. My stuff is on wheeled skids. Just roll them up to the machine and lift and lock with my qh.

 

[Diggin It]

CC might be OK if you have a lot of going in one direction with wide swing curves where you can turn without changing speed. I don't have that.

 

[nards444]

I would have gotten a TYM all day long if the dealer wasnt selling them out of his garage, literally. Dealer support I could really care less on as long as there is a dealer or a place I can get parts, but this guy was great by accounts from others I have talked to but out the garage thing just didnt sit well with me for the future as who know how long he would be there. Ended up with kubota, I dont need a dealer for most things, and with Kubota parts can be had on amazon

 

[Dranrab]

At stop two I went primarily to look at Kioti. I just didn't think Mahindra was going to be cost competitive. I know the owner. I'd met him a few times before. He's the brother-in-law of a friend. He had me working with his sales guy Buford. I had demoed the Deere 3025 and really liked it. The controls were intuitive, the functions were smooth and the machine seemed somewhat refined. The bucket control was acceptable, but not ideal. I was pretty sure when I left that I was going to come back to it.

I tried the Kioti CK2610. It shuddered at start up, coughed smoke and idled rough. The bucket controls were very sticky. At first I had to muscle them. Same with the HST. They eased up after use. Something about it seemed crude in comparison to the Deere. Less intuitive. The seat was a suspension seat and it was SWEET.

I almost left without looking at a Mahindra 1526 because the price Buford worked up was too high. I demoed it anyway. I liked it pretty well. I thought the Deere felt a bit better. I can't really quantify it, it just did. I liked the Mahindra well enough to buy it, but not at the price they were asking. It was a good bit higher than the JD. I thanked Buford for his time and was leaving to go to Kubota when I passed the owner David.

I told him that Buford tried, but the numbers weren't quite right. He asked me to give him a few minutes. He spun up some numbers and we came out at $18,500 for the tractor, 5' blade and 5 foot cutter. Insurance would be just a tad over $1,000 for 60 months of coverage. We made the deal.