Help with choosing tractor, implements NEWBIE?

[revdoggy]

I have searched all over this site - great advice, but I would like some more info.

Just purchased 15 acres - nothing on the land but a steel barn. About 8 acres are mowable, which are 4 months over grown. There are some steep hills on the property - but don't necessarily have to be mowed. I will not build on this property for 7 years.

I am interested in these 3 tractors with implements

1) BX 2350 - mmm and 4' hog $11099 23hp
2) BX 2660 - mmm 4' hog 13025 25hp
3) JD 2305 - mmm 4' hog 12797 24hp

Have not wheeled and dealed with any of them yet, if possible??? I am concerned about hp and weight or should I be? Do I need both mowers.

OR should I just get a pull behind hog for the quad? Any advice would be great. I also don't know kubota (name) vs. deere (name) if one is better than other.

John

 

[slewisma]

Others can probably comment on HP and bushhog size. I just mow my 2 acres of cleared yard and move rocks and dirt with the FEL and BH on my BX24 so I'm not the expert on managing 8 out of 15 acres.

What I can say is the Deere and Kubota both make good tractors these days. The best one for you is the one that has the best and closest dealer to you.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I think that I might skip the mmm, and use that money to buy the next larger tractor, and bush hog. Eight acres is really quite a bit to mow with a sub cut. Any 4' mower will take some time, probably as many hours as acres, but the slightly larger tractor will handle the mower better, ride better, and feel more stable while doing it. The money will be roughly the same........ Good luck with your choice! I have a B2620, and don't feel that size tractor is any too big for a 4' RC.

 

[tornadowatchranch]

I have a 60 inch swisher tow behind finish mower and it boggs VERY easily (read--6-7 inches). I have not used their brush version but feel that if I had to put my money in one or the other, it would be in a tractor mounted implement.
There has been much discussion here lately that a flail mower is the best of both rough and finish worlds.

 

[hotchkiss]

If you can afford it, go with a 6 foot brush hog and a little larger tractor. If you can't, you can't and that is fine. However, it is rare for someone to say I wish I had bought a smaller tractor. However, several of us have said I wish I would have bought a larger tractor.

 

[jaybrad]

I used to weekly mow 4 acres with a JD755 and 60"mmm - and it took me about an hour (and one good cigar). If I remember correctly, that machine was about 20hp(?), but if I was going to use a bush hog, a few more hp would have been a big help.

This year I spent a lot of time looking into both the BX24 and JD2305, but then went with a Massey Ferguson 2310TLB, which I really like a lot. I don't have a mmm, but do have both a PTO chipper and a 54" rear mount snowblower.

I'm really impressed with what these little tractors can do - and am sure that you will be happy with whatever you decide, but with that much property to mow a larger mower would be on my list.

Good luck.

Jay

 

[machmeter62]

For use on 15 acres, I think the end result will be frustration because the purchase is too small? Your choice of manufactures is fine, but for a little additional money, and much greater productivity, I would go for at least a B-series, or a small economy L-series Kubota if the budget is an issue? JD makes a 790, that is a basic no frills tractor at a fair price also. They have many models to compete with the Kubotas. To make projects fun, to me , requires the right tool for the job. You will find on this site very few ever trade-down in size or hp?

If you plan on developing the property in the future, with a larger tractor now, there is many things one can do in advance, with the proper implements too. You will enjoy working on your land also.

If you decide to go larger, and challenge those hills, I would recommend R-4 tires for safety, which provide better traction, and the rear tires have adjustable widths that reduce the "pucker factor on the slopes!"

 

[roxynoodle]

I think the tractors you are considering are all too small. I am using a 42" brush hog on just 1.3 acres or so when it gets overgrown and very tall grass takes awhile to cut. You don't want to go too fast because otherwise you won't be able to see any objects/hazards that could be in it. It is not the same as mowing a manicured lawn time-wise. I would skip the MMM for now, which gives you extra $ for a larger tractor and brush hog. You won't need the MMM until you actually have a house and a lawn. Have you looked into other brands where you might be able to get more tractor for the buck? Many members of this forum are using Kioti or Mahindra and seem very happy with their tractors. The new Cub Cadet/Yanmar seems like a good buy right now as well. I know Mahindra is offering 0% financing for up to 60 months on some models. Of course a decent used tractor could also get you more bang for you buck.

 

[Egon]

Will there be any other use made of the tractor other than mowing in the next seven years?

 

[kozak]

revdoggy,

Go BIG or you will regret it not to mention the dollars you will lose when you trade up later. If budget is an issue, "used" is always an option or you can look at a Kioti or a Mahindra IF you have a good Dealer that will work with you.

Good Luck Tractor Hunting

Vic

 

[the bear]

personaly on a small acrage like that i would go for a 40 to 50 hp tractoryou can never have too much power i started with 40 hp tractor and have up graded over the years to 105 hp should have started there in the first place .hayin 300 acres with a 40 horse tractor was a slow but steady job.you may want to plow or till this eventualy and the larger hp is needed like the boys are saying you never trade down in hp or size good luck with your quest

 

[revdoggy]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I feel like I am back to square one though. My Kubota dealer does not want me to go above the bx 2350; he thinks anything higher would be a waste on that small of land. 15K is the very highest I want to go. Any of the real cool implements will have to wait til next year and when I am very comfortable with the tractor. There will be plenty to do on the property in the future.

Whatever I get, I think I will take your all advice and skip the belly mower for a little while. So I will get just the tractor and a bush hog.

More advice would be greatly appreciated.

John

 

[ChuckinNH]

Well, we would have to hope that your Kubota dealer is much more familiar with your land, and your situation than we are. If you do go with the BX2350, or a similar machine, I would consider stepping down a size in Rotary Cutters to perhaps a 42", or 44". Those tractors have plenty of power to run the 48" cutters, but the weight, and size can be an issue back there, especially if you aren't an experienced operator. I do mow a bit over three acres every week with a 48" deck, so mowing less frequently than that certainly isn't a burden.

 

[DK35vince]

My Kubota dealer does not want me to go above the bx 2350; he thinks anything higher would be a waste on that small of land. 15K is the very highest I want to go.

I strongly disagree with your dealer.
A BX 2350 is way to small for 15 acres and you will be wishing you purchased bigger.
I use a 35 HP tractor on 15 acres and feel its just the right size.
I recommend closer to 30 HP minimum.

 

[Charlton John]

I totally agree w/ DK35 Vince, a bx2350 is way to small of a tractor for 15 acres. I have a Kubota 2620 for just under 5 acres. As others have suggested you will regret it and want to trade up to a bigger tractor once you get some expirence on it.

 

[greggh]

I like the others think that your dealer is recommending too small a tractor. If he (the Kabota dealer) is sure that is what you need ask him to loan you that size tractor with a 4' bush hog for a day to see how it works for you. That should help you make up your mind. If you find that the tractor is too small go to another dealer because the Kabota guy is steering you wrong now and will in the future.

I have 15 acres and I purchased a JD 5203 which is 56 HP. It is a great tractor for me but I do more than mow. I plow and disk as well.

Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[revdoggy]

Thank you everyone for your advice this has been great. Thank you also for taking the time to write. Got another question though?

I do have some steep hills - comparing the Kubota B and BX the BX sits lower to the ground - will that make it safer or does the size and weight of the tractor make it safer?

John

 

[srusse]

I agree with the horsepower recommendations. I have a CK30HST (Kioti) and would not recommend less hp. Almost everyone is 4wd but don't be tempted at 2wd for less (I had one). Of the implements I have, rated most important to least. FEL, bush hog, finish mower, box blade, home made road resurfacer.

 

[rcowan]

Sounds like the dealer is looking for you to come back to trade in the smaller tractor to a larger one later. That way he makes money twice.

 

[putt_putt_green]

I do have some steep hills - comparing the Kubota B and BX the BX sits lower to the ground - will that make it safer or does the size and weight of the tractor make it safer?

Lower center of gravity and tractor width and length make a tractor more stable. I'm assuming you have an ATV. Things are much more stable on an ATV (because you can lean on them). You can probably ride hill 2 to 3 times as steep with an ATV. Filled tires help with stability, and setting the wheels are the widest setting.

Do you plan to store the tractor on the property or trailer it? If your planning on trailering it, consider the weight and length of the tractor in your hunt. The $15K budget could easily be blown if you have to buy a new trailer and truck to tow it. Also, you should look into the cost of insuring it. Your home owners may only cover the tractor if it is at your residence.