How big or little - a SCUT...maybe a BX1880?

[kenmbz]

I agree on the separate mower, have lawn tractor for mowing so I can get into tight spaces. I have more than enough other work on the tractor to not be messing with it for a few acres of mowing.

 

[Diggin It]

Just saw this one! I will be working in the woods, so ground clearance could be a real issue.

- a BX owner was having issues b/c the bottom wheel/axle assembly is only 3 inches off the ground and he was hitting rocks:

Yes, smaller machines have lower ground clearance. I don't need a veedeeoo to tell me that.

 

[airbiscuit]

Whether you get a Sub-Compact (Kubota BX or John Deere 1000 series) or a Small Frame Compact (Kubota B or John Deere 2000 series), you will be a happy camper. Either size will do your tasks. My preference would be for the larger frame size, but it's your budget and your money, so you will find your way to the right decision for you.

I do notice that a lot of SCUTs get traded in, presumably for larger tractors.

 

[dragoneggs]

Just saw this one! I will be working in the woods, so ground clearance could be a real issue. Another Messick's video talks about official clearance specs vs. real life - a BX owner was having issues b/c the bottom wheel/axle assembly is only 3 inches off the ground and he was hitting rocks: Kubota BX Ground Clearance | Spec vs Reality - Neil Answers - YouTube.

Interesting. I just went out to check my BX25D at the same point and measured 4in. That said I haven't had an issue with that being a problem and I have lots of small boulders softball size or under and a few at volleyball size that I routinely work through. I've also driven over small downed trees/branches at least 6in diameter with no problems. That said, if you are concerned with that clearance you will not be doing well at all with a belly mower!

 

[airbiscuit]

Consider a flail mower for yard or trails -

 

[airbiscuit]

About $400 more than a Mid Mount mower - easier to remove, and can do groomed and rough cut mowing. Frees up ground clearance.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
So - my goals with a SCUT include mowing grass, transporting mulch and rocks, dragging logs and trash out of the woods (left by previous owner), plowing over old landscaped beds, uprooting bushes, and transporting heavy items around the property.

Some of the heavier work (or trickier work for me as a beginner) could include creating short swales to manage drainage, regrading and renewing an old 100-120 ft. gravel drive that is now overgrown, clearing a walking path in the woods, and possibly creating a short gravel connector (40-50 ft.) through the lawn between the main asphalt drive and the old gravel drive.

I would say most the grading work is not overly involved - generally more like tweaking here and there and then putting down gravel on the drive. Taking an inch or two off the crown of a short hill and packing the dirt a few feet away at the bottom.

Implements I am putting into the budget: pallet forks, a tooth blade, box scraper, and a landscape rake.

Now the question: how much tractor do I need to accomplish the above? (Or, what might I not be able to do with a smaller SCUT?)

<snip>

My Grandfather and Father maintained about 5 acres (w/ two houses) in suburban Poughkeepsie, New York for about 10 years doing all the chores you mentioned PLUS snowblowing driveways etc. with a 2 wheel Gravely and lot's of good attachments. They usually had about an acre of garden and flowerbeds. Eventually they put a sulky on. They moved it to Vermont and tried to maintain 30 acres with it but eventually added a 15 hp 4 wheel tractor.

So what you need is minimal. A smaller tractor usually means you just do things in smaller pieces IF POSSIBLE.

One of my requirements was to lift logs onto my sawmill. My logs are up to 20" diameter, 10' long oak and weigh about 1500 lbs so my B7610 (bought years before my sawmill) was too small.

What's the heaviest thing you envision moving? As in

dragging logs

or

transporting heavy items around the property.

 

[DanThaTractorMan]

Consider a flail mower for yard or trails -

That is worth looking into, especially if I can find one that cuts close to a finish mower! I also have a good bit of curves around beds etc on the lawn, but it looks like this would not swing out like a rear trailing mower...I am not hearing a lot of love for the MMMs (or more accurately, taking them on and off)! :laughing:

 

[DanThaTractorMan]

Probably dragging fallen oak trees out of the woods - but I can control the weight there somewhat by sectioning them as much as needed first...

 

[DanThaTractorMan]

I will check out that brand also - thanks! I found that guy's channel and he does a great job. I am mostly cutting grass but I have brush too and it is tough to manage without the right equipment.....

 

[DanThaTractorMan]

Most of what you want to do appears using the tractor as a mobile wheelbarrow and for landscape spreading and grading. But you have a very large number of future tasks planned, so I recommend going next size up in the BX series to the BX2380. You will be much happier with its increased horsepower, improved capabilities and higher ground clearance.

Yep, definitely have considered the BX2380...hard to find these days! :0

 

[airbiscuit]

Get a little bigger. Buy once, cry once.

 

[hdmyers]

Yes, smaller machines have lower ground clearance. I don't need a veedeeoo to tell me that.

After 8172 posts like this...we know you are the expert.

 

[Mat4644]

Diggin It, would love the backhoe!

A question for you re: your MT125... I am seeing on the boards that lots of people really like their LS MT125s...I test drove one about an hour away, hoping that would be the ticket...this particular tractor had a lot of harsh vibration...is that common, or perhaps this one had a bad setup or broken engine mount or something? It looks like a great tractor... very solid and well-built...!

I had an LS J2030H and definitely more rude and crude with more noise, vibration and rattles vs the Kubota I replaced it with. As for durability it was a rock solid well built performer. Biggest complaint was the HST fan is exposed on the bottom and easy to break. Requires a DIY guard if you want to mow weeds.

 

[Egon]

When dragging logs/rocks use a tool bar on the three point and lift the log slightly. Gives some real traction especially when you fill the bucket with rocks. Add chains and pulling gets even better.

Makes a smaller lighter tractor real effective in the woods.

 

[dodge man]

I owned a BX2350 for 10 years and traded for a John Deere 2025r about 2 years ago. The BX was a great tractor and did what I wanted. I used a 60” mid mount mower with it. The JD is quite a bit bigger and the bucket is nearly twice as big. The larger tires and size give a better ride and ground clearance. JD also has the auto connect deck which makes taking the mower deck off and on easy. Either a sub compact or compact is a good choice. For me the size can be intimidating. When I got my JD I though this thing was huge. You adapt quickly so don’t be afraid of the size. Your budget is probably the biggest factor.

 

[RjCorazza]

... For me the size can be intimidating. When I got my JD I though this thing was huge. You adapt quickly so don’t be afraid of the size. Your budget is probably the biggest factor.

I thought the same thing when I got my L3410 17 years ago, in fact, I almost had the delivery driver just take it back to the dealer. It felt fine after a few days of use, then years later went even bigger with my current L4060.

There is a point when a tractor is too large, but IMHO there is a lot of territory between too little and too big.

 

[dodge man]

I hardly ever have buyers remorse, but after putting about 10 hours on my JD2025r I had some serious buyers remorse. The first week I had it I got it stuck, then about had the thing roll away from me after I got off of it and forgot to set the brake. Part of the problem I had 750 hours on my Kubota BX and it was like an old friend.

To the OP, you won’t regret getting a tractor, you will actually wonder how you got by without it.

 

[bigtiller]

I had an LS J2030H and definitely more rude and crude with more noise, vibration and rattles vs the Kubota I replaced it with. As for durability it was a rock solid well built performer. Biggest complaint was the HST fan is exposed on the bottom and easy to break. Requires a DIY guard if you want to mow weeds.

That is a good idea, especially when ground clearance is a factor when determining the size of tractor to buy.

 

[DanThaTractorMan]

I would like to thank everyone who commented on this thread - I learned a great deal, and the comments caused me to stop and think, and explore all kinds of different options and get a few more quotes from dealers. Some of your suggestions are going to save our family budget $$$ on choice of implements - (whew) thank you!

Buying a tractor, I have learned, requires evaluating an interesting array of factors: usage, price, etc of course...but also the delta between used and lower priced tractors vs. new and more expensive tractors with great interest rates (currently 0%-1.9%)...and then there are the companies that will offer 0% for up to 84 months - if you are willing to pay a surcharge of $800-1000 more (still usually cheaper than standard rate). Additionally, the covid panic has caused all kinds of availability issues, so if what you choose is not on the lot, the delivery date is up in the air.

Tractors I really liked were the Massey Ferguson 1723e (very well-built) and the Kioti CS2220 (that redesign is really nice and well-done...smooth ride for a 3 cyl diesel too). The LS MT125 is also a very well-built machine; it felt sturdy, with a comfortable operator position. I really liked the Kubota BX2380 - very comfortable seat and ergonomics...kind of the total package, if you are OK with the treadle pedal. But not many of those around on the lots these days. And dealers are not sure when they will be able to get all the Kubota components in at one time (tractors, loaders, mowers etc.)

In the end, I decided to pick a tractor that will be good at what I will be doing most of the time - mowing a large lawn and doing significant landscaping. The other work (gravel driveway and clearing a path in the woods) will probably take me a little longer with this unit, and I'll have to be careful about ground clearance in places. And, budget considerations are real lol (two kids in college right now).

So....did you know that the Deere fiscal year ends in October? As it turns out, the end of October is not a bad time to buy a tractor from them; mine was almost 20% off! I bought a John Deere 1023e today, and it is scheduled for delivery on Monday!!! I know there are bigger and more powerful units out there, but I think this will be an excellent introduction to tractors...and I will probably not outgrow it for a very long time. I am really excited about this machine and everything I will be able to do with it!

Thanks again everyone! I look forward to learning more on these forums...