Help pick options for CT2540

[NinjaB]

Looking at our first tractor. 20 acres, small livestock with about 5 acres of pasture (several small 1/2 acre fenced in and one larger open pasture), 5 acres woods. Midwest, some snow but not much, will plow 1/4 mile driveway 1-3 times per year typically.

Strongly looking at the CT 2540. Closest dealer is one hour away, that seems like the biggest downside compared to other options. Kabota is more expensive and really backordered. Like the New Holland dealer 45min away, but the Boomer 40 is 5-10k more expensive and doesn't really seem to have much advantage over the bobcat. Also looked at Kioti 2610 which is 25 hp, I was originally thinking more along the 25-30hp size, but the bobcat is only 5k more for 40 horsepower vs 25, and I. Worried we might regret the smaller size if we went 25hp. My significant other will be using this as well and she hasn't used a tractor ever.

We would have to order the Bobcat, 5-6 wks lead time currently. They quoted 30k+tax for 2540 with cab.

Add ons I am considering
3rd function kit for the front
HST with the linked pedal kit
Radio
60month protection plus 2000 hours
Angled blade
Tine Rake

Questions on add ons
Bobcat pallet fork worth it or are their better/cheaper options?
Grapple: guessing there are better options than the one bobcat sells?
Does the radio have bluetooth?
Quick hitch adapter worth it or is the 3pt hitch pretty easy to change implements already?

I have free access to a box grater and rotary tiller.

Thanks

 

[Robert_Actual]

I purchased the same tractor in the open ROPS configuration and will be taking care of 10 acres with a similar configuration to you. A few thoughts;

• Cruise control. Mine was just under $200 installed.
• 4th and 5th valves for a top and tilt if you might ever plan to use one. My dealer gave me a discount on parts and labor at time of purchase so I added this.
• Beet pulp in the tires for ballast or a ballast box of some type for use to counter weight the grapple.
• Bobcat was running a promo but I don’t remember the details. Buy 3 implements get $500 off or something like that. Might be worth asking.
  

 

[DrRobM]

I just received the same tractor a little over a month ago and have 30 hours on it. The radio that comes with it is garbage, and doesn’t have Bluetooth or anything, so I ordered a Jensen CMM10 from Amazon for $200, which works great. It has a 10” touch screen and ports for 2 cameras. I bought two cameras one for the loader and one for the rear but haven’t installed them yet.

Cruise and the linked pedal are standard with the model and are options I use way more than I expected.

I went with box blade, pallet forks, bush hog, and added a top and tilt kit, cutting edge, and rim guard. Still waiting for the tilt kit from rite fit but I love being able to quickly change the box blade angle. I’m also looking at adding a tooth bar.

I tried to order a grapple with the tractor but the only grapples my dealer offered through Bobcat would have taken up half the lift capacity. I’m still trying to figure that out... EA is 12 weeks out and MTL is going through their model year update so the 60” double lid grapple I want is unavailable.

I’ve been really happy overall and am surprised by some of the things the machine can do. This is my first real tractor and it’s been really easy to operate. My wife also loves using the tractor and has had no problems picking up on things.

 

[Snowlan]

I'll be getting my CT2025 in a month, I passed on Bobcat's rear angle blade. My dealer could only get 72" model which isn't big enough to cover the tracks of a 64" tractor with only a little bit of angle. It also can't be upgraded for hydraulic angle control without some DIY welding modifications. I'm on the hunt for a Land pride RB3784 because it can have hydraulic angle plus the offset is a swing style that needs no tools (can be hydraulic too) which will allow for pushing back snow banks on a long driveway.

My dealer said he couldn't get a quick hitch for some reason, but they are cheep so not too concerned about picking one up outside of the financing deal. I guess the cab models come standard with telescoping lower links on the 3 point? But on the open station the upgrade costs more than you can find a quick hitch so it seems like an easy one to decide. Makes it easier for the wife too, who will need to learn to use this because I travel for work.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I believe that you would need to step up to the RBT35 series to be able to have the factory option of hydraulic offset.
The 37 series only has hydraulic blade angle as an option.

Just so you know if you are considering the option.

 

[Snowlan]

I believe that you would need to step up to the RBT35 series to be able to have the factory option of hydraulic offset.
The 37 series only has hydraulic blade angle as an option.

Just so you know if you are considering the option.

Thanks for the correction, I did give bad advice there regarding the offset hydraulic option. I'd looked at so many I forgot. The blades that included hydraulic offset get much heavier and costly.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

While this is true, the capabilities of the RBT series blades are soooooo much nicer.

 

[Citydude]

Unfortunately the RB35 series has been discontinued for some reason.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Yes it is-was. The RB35 series was replaced with the RB37 series.
Probably because of the confusion between the RB35 series and the RBT35 series.
The RBT 35 series is a different animal altogether.

 

[NinjaB]

Looking at getting two implements to take advantage of the $400 off special with two.
Thinking pallet forks (if so what length forks should I get for it, 48"?)
And was initially think 7' angle blade, but since that is not able to take hydraulics maybe it would be better to get land pride blade or something else.

I have rototiller and box blade already.

I am also thinking about getting a drum mower for cutting our hay. With having a drum mower and a zero turn lawnmower I don't think we would really need a rotary mower, but tell me if I am wrong here (have never done hay or had a drum mower)

What two implements would you get from Bobcat if you were me? Some of them aren't included but I can't find the list, I know the grapple is not part of the deal.

 

[NinjaB]

I am also strongly considering the cruise control and 2 extra remotes. Don't think I will get a top and tilt right now but nice to have the option down the road

Industrial tires best option? Will be drying on dry sandy fields, some slopes and yard grass

Is the front loader quick attach universal (skid steer type? ) or specific to certain bobcat attachments?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Just my 2 cents here.

Forget about any of the bobcat implements-attachments. All the 3pt attachments are on the lower end for being used with anything more than light duty use IMO.

The loader attachments are good, for skid steers that have ample lift capacity, as in they are on the heavy side for your tractor IMO.

For sure get the 2 rear remotes, spring return to center for both of them. Better to get them now and not need them right away vs needing them and then have to get them. Same goes for the cruise control.

Yes the loader quick attach is universal, not Bobcat specific.

Get the tires that are intended for the majority of your use. You do not want AG tires if you are only out in the fields 10-15% of the time.
There is a reason that industrial tires are the most popular with utility type tractors, They cover the widest range of use.

Again, just my 2 cents, others will most definitely vary.

 

[Robert_Actual]

Not sure if it varies by dealer, but I was told that the R-1 tire was the only one they had access to right now due to supply chain issues. Those came on every tractor on the lot.

If you wanted something different my dealer was quoting 4-5 months wait and they were basically giving a coupon for a percentage off.

 

[fasttruck860]

I've heard conflicting reports on the R1 vs R4. When I priced a Kioti they said that R4 wasn't available and they would provide R14 tires. The bobcat dealer said R4 was standard and my tractor would be supplied with those.

 

[Snowlan]

My CT2025 is at the dealer and waiting for me to get home from sea for delivery. It has R4 tires. R14 aren't available through Bobcat, though individual dealers may provide options I suppose.

 

[edd189]

For sure get the 2 rear remotes, spring return to center for both of them. Better to get them now and not need them right away vs needing them and then have to get them.

Curious why you suggest the spring return over the detent with spring return. Is it just to avoid having the detent accidentally get stuck wide open? Trying to order my accessories right now and doing some research on Bobcat's offerings.

 

[Snowlan]

Curious why you suggest the spring return over the detent with spring return. Is it just to avoid having the detent accidentally get stuck wide open? Trying to order my accessories right now and doing some research on Bobcat's offerings.

I'm new at this and haven't used my tractor yet so I won't even try to comment on the best valve options. The only thing I will add is that if you are planning on a backhoe at least one of them needs to be the spring return with detent because Bobcat uses the remotes to power the backhoe rather than a dedicated power beyond hydraulic loop.

 

[edd189]

I'm new at this and haven't used my tractor yet so I won't even try to comment on the best valve options. The only thing I will add is that if you are planning on a backhoe at least one of them needs to be the spring return with detent because Bobcat uses the remotes to power the backhoe rather than a dedicated power beyond hydraulic loop.

Are you back yet from being at sea?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Curious why you suggest the spring return over the detent with spring return. Is it just to avoid having the detent accidentally get stuck wide open? Trying to order my accessories right now and doing some research on Bobcat's offerings.

I was unaware that the valve was spring return to center with a detent. If that is the case, then that would be preferred. Most detent valves that I have read about on the smaller utility tractors were manual for all positions, there was no spring return to center. It had to be manually set.