First Purchase: 1023E vs 1025R PTO Power

geoff944 · Jan 28, 2015

I'm looking to buy my first tractor for farm work, mowing and maybe a little clearing. I have 10 acres with about 2 acres cleared and the rest in woods and small growth. We have something of a hobby farm with animals and we'd like to get a good garden established. I was initially looking at used tractors with a budget of about $7,000 but with 0% financing, the warranty on something new is compelling. We have both a Kubota and John Deere dealer just minutes away and after looking at both, we planned to buy a 1023E with FEL and 54" auto-connect deck. Budget is a major item, I really don't want to be over $15,000 total. That said, I'm a little concerned about the power of the 1023 vs the 1025, particularly the 15hp at the PTO. It seems that a lot of similar units have a higher PTO hp number. We have a second piece of property with 8 acres of pasture and I'd like to be able use a 4' rotary cutter. I've read that you need 5hp at the PTO for each foot of implement. Will the 1023 be under-powered with a 4' bush hog? Is there an appreciable difference in running implements on the 1023 vs the 1025?

Most of what I've read in comparison speak to the total package value of the 1025. While I understand that overall it is a good value, if the 1023 will provide similar performance, I need to save the money. Also, I'd be interested in thoughts on resale of the 1023 vs the 1025.

MORRISONSTEEL · Jan 29, 2015

For "pasture" mowing it should be acceptable. For me the other big item between these two would be three point control. The E has select control 3 point where the R has position control. The position control for me is the easier of the two to operate.

murphy1244 · Jan 29, 2015

MORRISONSTEEL said:
For "pasture" mowing it should be acceptable. For me the other big item between these two would be three point control. The E has select control 3 point where the R has position control. The position control for me is the easier of the two to operate.

Agree, I would not buy a tractor without Position control. You will need it for box blade too. How many ranges does the tractor have? You want the 3 range machine

geoff944 · Jan 29, 2015

Thank you both for the reply. I decided to move up to the 1025R for the sake of a little more power and the three point control. If by range you mean hydro-static transmission, it is a 2 range machine. I'd like 3 but I can't move up in class and the Kubota dealer wasn't that interested in selling a machine.

In the end, I moved from the quick disconnect H120 loader to the cheaper D120 loader to bring the price back into budget. I don't mind pulling pins to remove the FEL. Total price was $14,600 with for the 1025R, 54" mmm and the D120 loader.

murphy1244 · Jan 29, 2015

geoff944 said:
Thank you both for the reply. I decided to move up to the 1025R for the sake of a little more power and the three point control. If by range you mean hydro-static transmission, it is a 2 range machine. I'd like 3 but I can't move up in class and the Kubota dealer wasn't that interested in selling a machine.

In the end, I moved from the quick disconnect H120 loader to the cheaper D120 loader to bring the price back into budget. I don't mind pulling pins to remove the FEL. Total price was $14,600 with for the 1025R, 54" mmm and the D120 loader.

Well good on you and you stayed in your budget!!!:thumbsup:

s219 · Jan 29, 2015

For 10 acre and 8 acre properties, I would go larger than a 1-series. And if doing any clearing work or work in the woods as you hinted at, go for something with more ground clearance -- that is a weak spot on the 1-series.

KennyG · Jan 30, 2015

s219 said:
For 10 acre and 8 acre properties, I would go larger than a 1-series. And if doing any clearing work or work in the woods as you hinted at, go for something with more ground clearance -- that is a weak spot on the 1-series.

I'll second this. You can probably do the things you want with a 1 series, but long term I think you will be happier with a 2 series. The 1 series isn't ideal for ground engagement work and a rotary cutter. The small wheels are a limitation. Don't worry much about the 2 range vs 3 range transmission. I've never seen that as a limitation on my 2320 but I would have a concern if I had smaller tires and did not have position control on the 3 point.

RalphVa · Jan 30, 2015

I had a 4010 (18.5 hp diesel) before getting the 1025R. The 4010 had plenty of power for the 4' LX-4 I had for it. It would cut down some weeds as tall as the tractor yet bog a bit on some really thick fescue. So what if it bogs occasionally, just slow down.

The position control of the 3ph is MUCH better than what the 4010 had.

Also, the 1025R had a gentle-on control of the PTO vs. the 4010's slam-on. Likely, the 1023E's is just like the 4010's. This slam-on was likely responsible for destroying the disc on the shaft between the engine and the HST of the 4010. When the disc got destroyed, I elected to just trade it in on the new 1025R.

The 1025R (and probably 1023E) is a fuel hog compared to the 4010. Its fuel usage was 0.46 gph vs. 0.61 for the 1025R. Just plain don't need that much fuel-wasting power. If the Kubota dealer was as close that the JD one, I'd probably go for the BX 1870. My only concern with it is ground clearance and (I think it has) underneath HST cooling fan.

I'd prefer the 2025(think it's "S") in place of a 1025R, because it has the 2 side brakes like the 4010 had. Need those for snow plowing. Wish JD had a 2019S.

Ralph

geoff944 · Jan 30, 2015

Thank you all for the advice. I'd sure like to move up but I think the 1025 will be perfect for now. It's a good size for mowing and all the basic maintenance and chores around the barn. My wife does a lot with the animals and the 1025 is a comfortable size for her as well. I hope at some point to add a used larger tractor for heavier duty work. Now that I've made a purchase, I do wonder if I shouldn't have looked at Kubota a little harder but overall I'm super excited and looking forward to taking delivery next week.