Help selecting either a subcompact or compact 25HP tractor?

[rhatfiel]

Hello - the forum has been super helpful with some of my last posts, and I've been scouring old posts from others asking questions on different models and brands, which has been great. But I need help with my specific needs...

I purchased 3.41 acres we are building a home on that is old farm land that has very gentle rolling hills (see pic attached). Last crop looked to be soybeans, and now it's just been a year or two of overgrowth that has been bushhogged when needed. My purpose for the tractor would be:

First 1-2 months of moving in:

1. Bush hog any growth down - 40ft around the house will have already received a final grade, so this would be the rest of the land
2. Till and turnover the soil to break up the remaining vegetation
3. Box grade and seed/fertilize with some kind of grass seed

Ongoing:

1. Overseeding, fertilize and mow
2. Mulching and pulling a small landscape trailer around
3. Snow plow the drive in winter
4. Small hole digging for landscape - nothing major

I have decided I'm going to buy a 25HP tractor. The question is, I don't know whether I really need the compact model vs. the subcompact for my needs. People tell me the subcompact will get the same work done, but may be just a bit slower...my question is, how much slower (a few hours, an extra day, etc.)?? Do I really need the compact longer-term? I could also rent or borrow from a friend a tractor for a week to do the initial work on the land, and then use the subcompact longer term.

I'm looking at Mahindra, Kioti, and LS, but LS is pulling to the front, so for sake of conversation let's use the MT 125 ($12,900) vs. XJ 2025 ($14,900). I feel like I could save the $2K here, but I keep reading people wish they went bigger...I just don't know that I really need it. Thoughts?

 

[nybirdman]

For your tasks I would go with a 25 H.P.compact.More weight,power,traction and ground clearance.Buy once it is cheaper in the long run.

 

[Diggin It]

The deciding factor for me was that the 2025 could not have both the BH and the MMM installed at the same time. I don't plan on mowing with the full BH mounted, but I didn't want to have to remove the subframe.

 

[jeff9366]

Here is a good video addressing 25-hp subcompacts with 9" ground clearance vs the lightest 25-hp compact tractors with 12" ground clearance:
Kubota BX Series VS. B Series - YouTube

Compact tractors with 24 horsepower range to 2,900 pounds bare tractor weight.

Subcompact tractors have two-range HST transmissions.
Compact tractors have three-range HST transmissions.

Selling a used tractor is easy. Selling multiple light implements in order to buy heavier, wider implements for a new, heavier tractor requires a lot of time. Depreciation on implements is generally greater than depreciation on a tractor.

For mowing of any type, turning sod with a plow and for grading with a Box Blade you will be happier with a tractor with Three Point Hitch Position Control. You can get by without Position Control but you will wish you had it every day you mow, plow or grade.



VIDEO:
"How To" Operate and Drive a Tractor: Part 1 - YouTube

 

[shooterdon]

No need for the bush hog or tiller after the grass comes in....have that work done for you as those things are not cheap. Backhoes are a lot of money for limited use.

Get a Zero Turn to cut the grass, pull a cart, pull sprayer, and spreader. Get a beater truck with plow to do the snow removal. Total cost $5k for ZT. $5k for truck and plow. And the pickup is super handy for getting supplies in town and a second vehicle.

You will invest over $15k with a tractor plus attachemnts and it will take you twice as long to cut the grass. And grass is the biggest chore you have.

 

[Diggin It]

Can we not get back in to the ZT push yet again? Does that have to get brought into every thread?

 

[jeff9366]

Hi all - picking up my first tractor today, a used 2013/14 Kioti CK2510 HST w/ 100hrs.

What happened with the Kioti CK2510?

 

[rhatfiel]

What happened with the Kioti CK2510?

Went to pick it up on Monday, and the 4WD wasn't engaging. We couldn't figure it out even with the dealer on the phone, so it would have to go to the dealer to determine the cause (and they were pretty sure it would be internals). That in addition to some sticky gears turned me away. Thinking a new LS XJ2025 for $14,900 or a Mahindra MAX24 at $12,000-ish with warranties would be the better way to go. I just am also weighing it against the sub-compact models.

 

[rhatfiel]

No need for the bush hog or tiller after the grass comes in....have that work done for you as those things are not cheap. Backhoes are a lot of money for limited use.

Get a Zero Turn to cut the grass, pull a cart, pull sprayer, and spreader. Get a beater truck with plow to do the snow removal. Total cost $5k for ZT. $5k for truck and plow. And the pickup is super handy for getting supplies in town and a second vehicle.

You will invest over $15k with a tractor plus attachemnts and it will take you twice as long to cut the grass. And grass is the biggest chore you have.

I've had quotes of $10-$12K for the work to bushhog, grade, and seed for the entire lot, and $4K for just around the house where construction would be. I'm definitely going to invest that money into a tractor to do all of the things I need plus mowing, and then can reconsider 4-5 years down the road when things are established whether I want to sell and use the funds to get a ZT or not, but at this point it will be a tractor to get established.

 

[rhatfiel]

The deciding factor for me was that the 2025 could not have both the BH and the MMM installed at the same time. I don't plan on mowing with the full BH mounted, but I didn't want to have to remove the subframe.

What kind of work have you been doing with the MT125 and how has it worked for you? Similar type of usage as my needs? Thanks!