Green, Red, or Orange

[TonkaToy]

I am new to this, sorry in advance for the long thread. I am looking to buy my first tractor, my Craftsman lawn tractor notwithstanding. So I am relying on the wisdom of everyone on this site. I have a small property, about ｽ an acre, but over the next couple of summers, I have a lot of landscaping to do where a BH and especially a FEL will definitely be handy. I am looking at a Kubota BX25, MF GC2410, or JD 2305, all with BH, FEL, std mower (54 in.) and rear mount snow blower. After the landscaping is finished, 2 to 4 summers, it will be primarily for mowing and snow removal, but want an all around good machine. I visited the 3 dealers and read as much as I can on these forums. The MF and BX25 don稚 have as many reviews as the JD. Compared to someone who uses these to make a living, mine will have moderate use, but to justify the cost, I want something that I hope to have running strong 15 to 20 years down the road. The JD had many complaining about the non fold down ROPS, lights with the FEL and seat, these are minor quibbles. Of more concern, many commented on its wobbly or not stable without extra weight. I am personally leaning towards the MF, because of the many small features I like, operates very well at low RPM, proper design and overall good machine. All these machines are supposed to be very reliable. Dealers in my area are all decent, so it is not an issue. Can anyone give me reasons to not go with the MF for one of the other two? Or give me reasons why not the other 2 and stick with the MF?

Hoping to pull the trigger in the next week or so.
Thanks

 

[wagonguy]

Only had my 2305 for 3 weeks so far, but have 22 hrs on it. dug 150 ft pipe ditch,graded driveway,moved bunch of dirt, moved buckets full of gravel, dug3 pits for water runoff,lifted car motors and concrete slabs & big stones,etc. Dont have mower so cant comment on that. Has tach, turns nice,easy to manuever,like the fel stick right at side,and it'll lift either fel or bh at idle -I only run engine at 1500-1900 rpm when using BH,more throttle really doesnt make much difference on actual digging, just when running down road in high range. It is not a fast raise or turn like a dedicated excavator or SS but I got it to learn how to use. So far so good. I will agree seat is little sticky to swivel,but still beats using shovel and pick.But no horn...i want a horn.

 

[AndyMA]

Only had my 2305 for 3 weeks so far, but have 22 hrs on it. dug 150 ft pipe ditch,graded driveway,moved bunch of dirt, moved buckets full of gravel, dug3 pits for water runoff,lifted car motors and concrete slabs & big stones,etc. Dont have mower so cant comment on that. Has tach, turns nice,easy to manuever,like the fel stick right at side,and it'll lift either fel or bh at idle -I only run engine at 1500-1900 rpm when using BH,more throttle really doesnt make much difference on actual digging, just when running down road in high range. It is not a fast raise or turn like a dedicated excavator or SS but I got it to learn how to use. So far so good. I will agree seat is little sticky to swivel,but still beats using shovel and pick.But no horn...i want a horn.

So buy a horn

Andy

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

any of them should meet your needs - and last, so it comes down to comfort, price, and dealer. if you like the GC the best of those 3, then it's obviously the one for you.

good luck!

 

[phyxer]

There is nothing bad to say about the MF you have chosen. My buddy has the GC2310 and he loves it. He's had it for 2 years and has yet to have a lick of trouble with it. You won't be sorry your chose the MF so go get it and get to work! I love my Kubota and I think you'd be just as happy with one of them as well but I truly doubt anyone can give a GOOD reason NOT to buy the MF; especially when you throw in their financing incentives!

Troy

 

[KML]

There is no reason not to pick the MF. All three of the machines you've considered are great little tractors but if the MF feels the best to you and the dealers are all good ( the single most important factor!) than sounds like an easy choice. The MF financing also sweetens the deal! Enjoy your new tractor!

BTW, with a backhoe, get ready to become very popular in your neighborhood!

 

[James Loehr]

You have a fun group to pick from. I have orange and like it very well. When I was shopping and looking at the same choices you are the red was my favorate but no dealer close I could live with. The Massey has some of the best features of the green and orange. With a good dealer I might have went red.

 

[medicshawn]

I have a Kubota and like it. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them either. My only comment would be make sure you're comparing apples to apples. What do the specs look like Loader capacity, BH performance-breakout and digging depth. How easy is it to remove the loader/backhoe/ ? What's the ground clearance? I'm assuming you're talking about a mid mount mower. How easy is that to remove? Who has the biggest capacity? Unless you need a smaller deck to due clearance etc. How easy is it to adjust cutting height?

 

[foggy1111]

I agree that all the major colors make a fine product....and you should buy the one that feels best to you and has a good dealer to support. BUT...if you ever want to trade...up, down, or sideways....or just want out.....the GREEN paint will have buyers beating a path to your door. (also can be said about orange paint in many areas of the country I 'spose).

 

[bostonbear]

i'm a green man but whent with an orange MX5000. for me it was service location (the deeler near you) the hydraulics at the time the green and red spool valve for the bucket was up or down. the orage could lift and rotate at the same time. also the green under 100hp is made in mexico. the oragne is at least japan. that data is from my cousins. one is from the regional sales for New England, my in law cousin is out of goldman's in LA. Red is out of the question because of the half clutch thing with the PTO, and no deeler with in 50 miles. bacilly are you ford, chevy or dodge? and can your wife run it? was my big decision.

 

[kebo]

i'm a green man but whent with an orange MX5000. for me it was service location (the deeler near you) the hydraulics at the time the green and red spool valve for the bucket was up or down. the orage could lift and rotate at the same time. also the green under 100hp is made in mexico. the oragne is at least japan. that data is from my cousins. one is from the regional sales for New England, my in law cousin is out of goldman's in LA. Red is out of the question because of the half clutch thing with the PTO, and no deeler with in 50 miles. bacilly are you ford, chevy or dodge? and can your wife run it? was my big decision.

Are you sure of that statement about the >100hp John Deere tractors being made in Mexico? I'm pretty certain that the motors are all Yanmars (Japan) and that a lot of the compacts are made at the JD facility in Augusta, Ga. That's only about 65 miles from where I live. It's not uncommon for me to see a flatbed load of three or four JD's heading up I-20 to a dealer somewhere.

 

[greggh]

I'm thinking the JD 5000 series are made in India. I have a 5203 and it is an excellent tractor.

 

[TonkaToy]

Hey guys, I really appreciate the feedback and comments of encouragement. Although I am not looking for anyone to put down one of these manufacturers, I really appreciate constructive criticism. On that note, bostonbear made a comment about "half clutch thing with the PTO"? Bostonbear or anyone else care to explain what this means? This will be my first tractor purchase and I have no idea what this comment means, which is exactly why I posted on this forum. Good or bad, finding out things before the purchase, could bring up something that for me is a make or break the deal kind of thing.

BTW- I was reading the post just below mine on the main page by leonandtherese and his engine seize problem. That's what is really nice about the many forums on the web, like this one, people have good natures and rally around to help people in need. Even a profession like farming that goes back centuries, is part of the modern technology age. Without the web, where could leonandtherese have got so much information, so quickly. Nice

 

[Danno1]

......... and can your wife run it? was my big decision.

You may want to pick the one your wife CAN'T run !!!

.

 

[gordyy]

I was shopping blue red orange and green and stumbled upon yellow and black and love it
get what fits you best as long as the dealer is sound and reasonable.

as for the wife She has yet to get on it
However my daughter will fight her brothers to get on it (all of the aforementioned are over 18)
me I just wish my leg gets better soon so I can play for more than an hour or two a day

 

[deere755]

I think the most important thing is to buy what you like the best and which one has the best dealer service. I drove my neighbors Kubota the other day and I can not find anything wrong with it. Would I buy one? No. He drives 35 mile to the dealer I drive 15 miles to my Deere dealer. I have always liked Deere and I have so many more Deere dealers close by plus the relationship I have with the whole staff at my main Deere dealer is second to none. Almost all of our equipment is green so I can go to one dealer and get everything at one location. That is worth a lot to me. This does not make John Deere better then any other color just better for my situation. Which is better for your situation, that you have to decide. I believe they all must have good products or they would not be in business. You will also find that all have features you really like and some you don't or wish it had. Just my 2 cents.

 

[nunyabinis]

also the green under 100hp is made in mexico. the oragne is at least japan. that data is from my cousins.

Actually, many of the Green CUTs are built in Georgia. The engines are made by Yanmar in Japan and have been for a LONG time. My 3038e has "Made in USA" all over it.


Not that I ever considered Georgia in the USA!!!



.

 

[BXpanded]

The Kubota BX is built in Gainesville, Ga.
I think it is the biggest selling Sub-compact.

 

[Doxy]

I would say I would purchase the Kubota for the following reasons. You will pay more for green paint and any attachments you purchase that are green. JD makes an excellent product but no better than Kubota. MF has always been famous in my area for poor hydrolics. I don't think the JD or MF will out perform the BX24.

 

[radman1]

In my area, which is predominantly agriculture, MF dealers are few and far between. I think a MF would be difficult to resale due to limited service and name recognition. I can only think of 2-3 dealers within a 100 mile radius. Is MF common in your area. I see very few newer MF's in my area. See more of the old ones, than new. (I am aware MF is very large worldwide but it has a much smaller share of the market in the US and probably a very small share of the CUT market.)