Horse farm needs tractor

[Horsetime]

Hello all!

We are currently managing our horse farm with a MF 35. She's a tad temperamental being a 1960s gas model and finding parts is a joy so we are looking at purchasing a newer tractor. We are looking for a tractor to run a 5 foot bush hog, run an arena drag, and manage the manure pile.

I've been looking at the Bobcat CT2025, Kubota L2501, or the Kioti CK2610 which I think are all roughly the same tractor regarding HP. Are these three models similar? Is there one better than the other regarding long lasting or ease to find parts? How about cost? Should I be looking at other models or brands?

 

[bcp]

Welcome to TBN.

Also compare local dealer reputations.

Bruce

 

[scootr]

MF 35 specs vary by model but it is a bigger tractor that the potential replacements you list.

TractorData.com Massey Ferguson 35 tractor information

www.tractordata.com

Looks to me like you should be looking at 40 hp tractors.

 

[sea2summit]

I’m with scootr, a 2501 is rated for a 5’ brush hog but it‘s gonna be really slow….and slower if it’s tall or thick grass, let alone anything bigger around than grass. Probably need to look a little larger. What other jobs? I’m assuming round bales? Seems Like a lot of loader work, have you thought about keeping the MF for mowing and dragging then get a skid steer for the loader work?

As far as brands that‘s up to you. With Messicks you can get parts for kubota super easy and lookup parts on their site, I don’t know of another site that does this. Heck, last time I was at my local dealer they were looking up the parts on Messicks site, go figure. I’m not close to any dealers so being able to order what I need to fix my own tractor is very helpful to me.

 

[jeff9366]

Massey Ferguson 35​

1960 - 1965 Utility tractor

Engine Detail
Continental
gasoline
4-cylinder
liquid-cooled OHV
Displacement	134 ci 2.2 L
Bore/Stroke	3.3125x3.875 inches 84 x 98 mm
Compression	6.6:1
Rated RPM	2200
Idle RPM	450-2250

Dimensions
Wheelbase	72 inches 182 cm
Length	117 inches 297 cm
Width	63.5 inches 161 cm
Height	54 inches 137 cm
Clearance (front axle)	20.5 inches 52 cm
Front tread	48 to 80 inches 121 to 203 cm
Rear tread	48 to 76 inches 121 to 193 cm

Massey Ferguson 35 Weight
Gas Shipping	2,982 lbs 1352 kg

 

[jeff9366]

I've been looking at the Bobcat CT2025, Kubota L2501, or the Kioti CK2610

Bobcat purchases tractors with a Bobcat badge from Kioti. The only difference is that Bobcat tractors have white paint and do not have Kioti produced loaders. Bobcat has been in-and-out of the tractor business over the years.

We are looking for a tractor to run a 5 foot bush hog.
You will be happier with a tractor producing at least 40 horsepower, better 45 horsepower.



Brand? Models to look at or avoid? Buy new or used?

The design of the Three Point Hitch tractor has been marketed in the USA since 1939 -- 83 years in 2022.

The basic design is generic.

Kubota and Deere have most of the market through 6,000 pound bare weight tractors. But this Kubota/Deere predominance is regional.

The up and coming compact tractor brands are Korean: Kioti, LS and Branson. There are other Korean brands. You have to critically assess dealer stability while shopping minor brands.

Korean manufacturing labor is paid 50% of what Deere pays its union work force. Japanese manufacturing labor is paid 70% of what Deere pays its union work force. Labor costs strongly influence tractor prices.



We have the following brands within an hour of us.

• Kubota
• LS
• TYM
• KIOTI
• Massey Ferguson
• John Deere

I know that a lot depends on the dealer and their willingness to help, but should I stay away from any of these brands?

Start with the nearest dealer and work out.

Transporting a tractor for service is expensive and inconvenient, whether you trailer it or the dealer trailers it.


CREDIT: 'FELIXEDO'

"It has been touched on a couple of times, but not directly as a buying factor.

Every major make has a machine that will do the job(s) you want. Check out your nearby dealers, and go with one you have confidence in.

A great machine with no support nearby is a hassle to repair and maintain.

And a good machine can't make a lousy dealer into a good dealer."

 

[Peter 315]

40 hp range sounds right go and test drive different brands. Some people don't like the kubota treadle pedal.....

 

[JimRB]

I have a JD 870 2 wd with manual transmission. 25 PTO horsepower. About 2,500 pounds before the loader was added. Your old tractor was 400 or more pounds heavier. the 870 can run a 5 foot mower, assuming horses keep things eaten down a bit. That said I mowed the neighbor's property which has not seen a horse in 30 years.

I use it to move round bales. Not recommended but keep the bales low and it is ok handling under 1,000 pound bales. Cured bales are easier to move than fresh bales. Never do bale lifting on unlevel surfaces and always with a brush cutter or heavier equipment on the back end.

I move manure 300 feet to the compost pile. An hour or more job once a month. Shifting gears from middle range to high range and back. I wish I had a bigger bucket or a dump trailer to load and dump.

If I had my way, and felt like buying something else, I would get a bigger tractor. It is a compromise once I started using it for round bales. On the other hand it is handy being so small. Easy to load on trailer to mow on rails to trails path, or run the chipper at the same path.

My tractor is already 27 years old. I am sure everyone has the equivalent in a new model. If I was looking orange the L3540HDA looks interesting. Or the L3800D.

 

[scootr]

If you are looking at smaller tractors to stretch your purchase dollar. Consider buying lightly used name brand stuff.
I went to a Kubota dealer to buy a tractor once. I needed smelling salts to recover.

 

[Horsetime]

We really only have the 35 because it was the only thing in our price range with a bucket so it doesn't need to stay a comparable size. We don't currently do round bales but might.