Smaller tractor - what do you recommend

southerniltractor · Mar 23, 2020

Howdy folks,

I'm helping my neighbor shop for a small tractor. I did my tractor shopping back in 2010 and ended up with a Kioti DK40se hst, so I'm a bit rusty. Based on his stated needs, we are looking for 25-35 hp diesel, 4wd, and front end loader capable of lifting 1000 pounds. We've shopped the local Kubota, Massey, LS, John Deere, and New Hollard dealers. Less locally, we shopped a well established Kioti dealer where we eyeballed the most capable and least expensive machine of the bunch (CK2610 hydro).

My neighbor is not comfortable with his dealer being almost 2 hours away, so the Kioti is out. Yes, we do have a more local Kioti guy, but he sells mostly ATVs and the tractor line is a secondary business. I don't believe he's got the capability to perform significant warranty or service work.

Second most capable is probably the LS line of small tractors. The MT225he specifically interests me. The local LS guy is very high on his prices. We are expanding our search to another dealer.

The rest include Kubota which has great reputation and is priced to reflect that fact. Massey is an Iseki machine and is very nice. It is also priced high. New Holland machines are made by LS and the local dealer is focused on larger Ag clients, so no inventory to view. John Deere was the least capable and disliked by us both.

All of these new machines ranged from $17,400 (Kioti) up to over $19,000 for the Kubota. Most were about $18,500. Warranties on all these machines are very similar.

Until we find a machine/price he likes, my trusty DK40se hst and I will help him with his landscaping project. At this point, he needs the loader capability of my Kioti, but once the heaviest lifting is behind him, a smaller machine fits him better.

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Be well,
Mike

Roadworthy · Mar 23, 2020

I went tractor shopping last year. That's when I learned about Tier 4 pollution controls added to anything larger than 25 horsepower. I opted to stay simple and got a Kubota L2501. Its front loader is rated at 1192 pounds. They use the same loader on heavier tractors. While you're shopping note prices on options. My Kubota was a $16,000 tractor but that was naked. The loader was a $4,000 option. I went with Kubota because LS and Mahindra have the same dealer and I've dealt with him before. The Yanmar looked physically small. So far I'm happy with my choice.

jeff9366 · Mar 24, 2020

southerniltractor said:
Based on his stated needs, we are looking for 25-35 hp diesel, 4wd, and front end loader capable of lifting 1000 pounds.

All of these new machines ranged from $17,400 (Kioti) up to over $19,000 for the Kubota. Most were about $18,500. Warranties on all these machines are very similar.

Kubota L2501.

(Over 25-horsepower Tier IV pollution controls add ~~ $2,500 to tractor cost.)

VIDEO: Comparing Kubota's 26hp Compact Tractors - YouTube

BrokenTrack · Mar 24, 2020

I would go with the Kubota 2501.

Mine has got 3000 hours on it with very little repair work. If I was to buy another tractor, it would be with the same model. That kind of says a lot.

nrosario · Mar 24, 2020

southerniltractor said:
Howdy folks,

I'm helping my neighbor shop for a small tractor. I did my tractor shopping back in 2010 and ended up with a Kioti DK40se hst, so I'm a bit rusty. Based on his stated needs, we are looking for 25-35 hp diesel, 4wd, and front end loader capable of lifting 1000 pounds. We've shopped the local Kubota, Massey, LS, John Deere, and New Hollard dealers. Less locally, we shopped a well established Kioti dealer where we eyeballed the most capable and least expensive machine of the bunch (CK2610 hydro).

My neighbor is not comfortable with his dealer being almost 2 hours away, so the Kioti is out. Yes, we do have a more local Kioti guy, but he sells mostly ATVs and the tractor line is a secondary business. I don't believe he's got the capability to perform significant warranty or service work.

Second most capable is probably the LS line of small tractors. The MT225he specifically interests me. The local LS guy is very high on his prices. We are expanding our search to another dealer.

The rest include Kubota which has great reputation and is priced to reflect that fact. Massey is an Iseki machine and is very nice. It is also priced high. New Holland machines are made by LS and the local dealer is focused on larger Ag clients, so no inventory to view. John Deere was the least capable and disliked by us both.

All of these new machines ranged from $17,400 (Kioti) up to over $19,000 for the Kubota. Most were about $18,500. Warranties on all these machines are very similar.

Until we find a machine/price he likes, my trusty DK40se hst and I will help him with his landscaping project. At this point, he needs the loader capability of my Kioti, but once the heaviest lifting is behind him, a smaller machine fits him better.

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Be well,
Mike

Could you pleas tells us more about the size of the place that your neighbor will be maintaining and what are some of the chores he needs the future tractor to perform.

Slowpoke Slim · Mar 24, 2020

nrosario said:
Could you pleas tells us more about the size of the place that your neighbor will be maintaining and what are some of the chores he needs the future tractor to perform.

Yes, this. You left out the most important details of all.

What is the exact size and scope of work your neighbor is looking to use the tractor for?

What if any pto driven implements or attachments is your neighbor looking to power from the tractor?

It does not take much hp to move a tractor chassis around by itself. But the demands of the powered or driven tools are what will drive the hp requirements.

nards444 · Mar 24, 2020

kubota 2650

RalphVa · Mar 24, 2020

I'd go with the Kubota B2301. FEL will lift 1523 #. Has turning brakes. JD 2 series no longer have them; they say.

Ralph

KennyG · Mar 24, 2020

RalphVa said:
I'd go with the Kubota B2301. FEL will lift 1523 #. Has turning brakes. JD 2 series no longer have them; they say.

Ralph

Looks like the 2025R doesn't have turning brakes now but the larger 2 series tractors do. Probably because smaller tractor users don't use them much. Having grown us with 2WD farm tractors, I'm surprised at how little use I have for turning brakes on a 4WD CUT.

DK35vince · Mar 24, 2020

KennyG said:
I'm surprised at how little use I have for turning brakes on a 4WD CUT.

Same here.
I have turning brakes and never use them.

jeff9366 · Mar 24, 2020

KennyG said:
I'm surprised at how little use I have for turning brakes on a 4WD CUT.

Make me the third to share same little/no use turning brakes experience with a 4-WD compact tractor.

RalphVa · Mar 24, 2020

Needed them when making raised bed rows in my garden. It turned the 4010 around quite pronto.

Also need them in snow moving work, particularly with R4 tires.

Ralph

Peter 315 · Mar 24, 2020

Never ever used them at all... (turning brakes)

Diggin It · Mar 24, 2020

southerniltractor said:
Second most capable is probably the LS line of small tractors. The MT225he specifically interests me. The local LS guy is very high on his prices. We are expanding our search to another dealer.

I don't believe you'll beat LS for overall value.

Slowpoke Slim · Mar 24, 2020

I use my turning brakes every winter when clearing snow.

I can see how they wouldn't be needed in Florida.

3gunr · Mar 24, 2020

Been running tractors for 30 yrs now never used turning brakes.

ericm979 · Mar 24, 2020

If there's a Branson dealer in the area, Branson just came out with a 2515 that looks really good.

paulfun9 · Mar 24, 2020

I use my turning brakes very often but mostly in winter and mud. Unlike some I don稚 use 4 wheel drive all the time so that will most likely make a difference.

airbiscuit · Mar 24, 2020

I'd still buy the Kioti.

southerniltractor · Mar 25, 2020

Hello folks,

Sorry for the delay in responding.

My neighbor has a couple acres in a residential area. He has a large zero turn for mowing and has no need for his tractor to serve as a mower. Right now he's in the beginning stages of building landscaping around a small pond he had dug in the fall. I've been using my Kioti to move landscape rock into what we'll call "staged" position as the mud makes doing any real work impossible. He desires a smaller tractor than mine in order to prevent damage to his finished landscaping once we are past the heavy work we'll do with mine.

Photos work better than words, so I'll get over to his place and snap some pictures. We are on a "stay at home" order here in IL, so it will be a while unless I can get him to take some photos and e-mail to me. I'll also have him type up something I can put here to better illustrate his wants/needs going forward. Sometimes I screw up the translation. He may even join this forum, as Mike is very smart, but is not a big computer guy so I can't say.

More to come!

Cheers,
Mike