I need a tractor

[RonSwanson]

I know this has been done a bunch. Ive searched and read a lot of threads. Im looking for a compact tractor. I have 20 acres. I have a gravel driveway to maintain, a 10 acre pasture that I need to hog or finish mow, trails through 5 acres of woods to keep clear, downed trees and brush to clear, etc.

I have a Deere dealer and Kubota Dealer near me on the same street just a few miles apart. Both seem very good. I bought a Z915E zero turn from the Deere guys this year.

The JD salesman recommended a 3E. The issues I have with that tractor are the 2 speed trans and the non-removable loader. But I was wondering, is the high gear on this more like a mid-range on a 3 speed HST tranny? I started thinking that maybe it just doesnt have a high gear. But Im probably wrong.

The Kubota salesman recommended an L2501. I really like this tractor and it doesnt have the cons that the Deere has. I also really like the price. Low 20s for a package with loader, brush hog, box blade, and trailer.

If you step up to the 3R in the Deere you are really stepping up in price. Is it worth it? Im thinking not. I dont need a mid PTO because I have the zero turn. I dont need a back hoe either because I figured I could rent an excavator a lot of times for what one cost for a tractor.

Kioti and some of the others arent options because I dont have dealers nearby that I know of. Branson Might be an option but not sure. So pretty much just Deere, Kubota, and Mahindra. Thanks guys.

 

[jbrumberg]

Ron- Welcome to TBN. I have my own opinions, but do not have reason to start a "food fight." You know your needs; good luck with the tractor acquisition and your plans. Good luck.

 

[fried1765]

I know this has been done a bunch. Ive searched and read a lot of threads. Im looking for a compact tractor. I have 20 acres. I have a gravel driveway to maintain, a 10 acre pasture that I need to hog or finish mow, trails through 5 acres of woods to keep clear, downed trees and brush to clear, etc.

I have a Deere dealer and Kubota Dealer near me on the same street just a few miles apart. Both seem very good. I bought a Z915E zero turn from the Deere guys this year.

The JD salesman recommended a 3E. The issues I have with that tractor are the 2 speed trans and the non-removable loader. But I was wondering, is the high gear on this more like a mid-range on a 3 speed HST tranny? I started thinking that maybe it just doesnt have a high gear. But Im probably wrong.

The Kubota salesman recommended an L2501. I really like this tractor and it doesnt have the cons that the Deere has. I also really like the price. Low 20s for a package with loader, brush hog, box blade, and trailer.

If you step up to the 3R in the Deere you are really stepping up in price. Is it worth it? Im thinking not. I dont need a mid PTO because I have the zero turn. I dont need a back hoe either because I figured I could rent an excavator a lot of times for what one cost for a tractor.

Kioti and some of the others arent options because I dont have dealers nearby that I know of. Branson Might be an option but not sure. So pretty much just Deere, Kubota, and Mahindra. Thanks guys.

If you put your general location in your profile it will help us to help you.

You might look at Branson, TYM, RK ( TYM & RK are the same tractor), Yanmar, and Kioti in addition to just Deere/Kubota/Mahindra.
I think you will find Deere/Kubota/Mahindra to be the most expensive.

I know absolutely nothing about Branson, but Branson owners swear by them.
Branson is now owned by TYM, though they are different tractors.

 

[Granthol]

At least check out the Branson. You’ll find that in the same hp you will get about a 60% increase in both fel lifting capacity and tractor weight. Having hp you can’t get to the ground because of lack of traction doesn’t do much good. They aren’t as popular as the others you list, but you may get surprised.

 

[jeff9366]

I have 20 acres. I have a gravel driveway to maintain, 10 acres that I need to mow.

The JD salesman recommended a 3E. The issues I have with that tractor are the 2 speed trans and the non-removable loader. If I step up to the 3R in the Deere I am really stepping up in price. Is it worth it? Im thinking not.

The Kubota salesman recommended an L2501. I like this tractor and it doesnt have the cons that the Deere has. I also like the price: Low 20s for a package with loader, brush hog, box blade, and trailer.

VIDEOS (2): John Deere 332E VS. Kubota L331 - YouTube

Shady Internet Tractor Package "deals" - YouTube


An L2501 can operate a 5' Rotary Cutter in moderate length grass.
An L3901 can operate a 6' Rotary Cutter in moderate length grass.

How much time do you want to spend mowing? Mowing is hot, dirty work operating an open station ((non-cab)) tractor. My least favorite tractor application.

LINK: Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour


Roughness of pasture will limit mowing speed. Likely 3 mph - 5 mph.


I would shop Branson.




The most efficient way to shop for tractors is to identify potential tractor applications first, then determine bare tractor weight necessary to safely accomplish your applications.

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Heavier tractor weight is more important for most tractor applications than increased tractor horsepower. Bare tractor weight is a tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used.

Within subcompact and compact tractor categories, a significant tractor capability increase requires a bare tractor weight increase of 50%. It takes a 100% increase in bare tractor weight to elicit MY-OH-MY!

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.

VIDEO: Kubota MX series walk around and features by Messicks. | MX48 MX52 MX58 - YouTube

 

[TheMadOne]

D160 loader on the 3E models VS LA525 on the L2501:

D160-1704 lbf boom breakout and 1422 lbf rollback.


LA525-2373 lbf boom breakout and 2146 lbf rollback.

All measurements at pin.

You also get more fuel capacity with the standard L, along with a bit more PTO HP, and a little more weight.

The 3R models are nice. Kubota doesn't really have a step between the standard Ls and the Grand Ls, which is where the 3Rs sit. You get a more capable loader, a mid PTO option, a cab option, stronger 3pt, more weight...the list goes on. But all that comes at a premium.

I can't determine if that premium is worth it to you. I've learned my lesson with machines built to a price. I'm a person who likes the creature comforts a premium machine offers.

 

[RalphVa]

I've got 8.5 acres and was happy with my first 18.5 hp 4010 JD (same as a 2019E if it existed today). My neighbor has about a 50 hp JD model on 5 acres. He has a gravel driveway to maintain. Mine is paved. Got a 2025R now which is much like the 4010 but uses a lot more fuel/hr and revs a tad lower. Both have the front Ujoint problem that the smaller JDs have. It blew apart on my 4010 after 9 years and 660 hours. Thinking about going Kubota for my next tractor, maybe a B2301. They make a BX in 18 hp but not the Bs any more. We, like you, only have JD and Kubota. Any others are A LONG ways away. My Isuzu diesel generator is a gem, but I'm not going to go long distance to get the Isuzu in my tractor.

Ralph

 

[ericm979]

If you're mowing 10 acres you may want a tractor large enough to run a good sized mower. The rule of thumb is 5 hp per foot of mower but if the vegetation is not thick you may be able to go with a bit less. A flail mower is kind of between a finish mower and a rotary cutter, depending on the flails it's got.

The package deal tractors are usually bare bones with no options. On some like Kubota L01s there are a number of very useful things that are options, like SSQA. Package deal implements tend to be the very cheapest lightest duty ones. Spending a little more for better implements may save you down the road. Especially the mower as you'll be doing a lot of mowing. The package deal trailer is probably the cheapest one as well. Make sure that it's got enough capacity for the tractor, loader and at least one implement. If you're going to be using the tractor just on your property where it's stored, do you really need a trailer? If you need to take it to the dealer you can rent a trailer or have the dealer pick it up (ask what they charge for that before buying). Renting a trailer a few times costs a lot less than buying one, and you don't have to store and maintain it. Many people service their own tractors rather than taking them to the dealer. It's not any more difficult than servicing a car or truck.

 

[RonSwanson]

Thanks guys. The MX and JD 4M are looking really appealing too. Think it may be better to step up in size right off the bat rather than inevitably trade a smaller tractor in within a year or two to get something bigger.

Kind of already doing the same with the zero turn. Great mower, full commercial with probably the best deck you can get but I’m already realizing I should have gotten a bigger engine to run a bagger for leaves and stuff.

At least I bought a BR800 backpack blower right off the bat lol.

 

[jeff9366]

Thanks guys. The MX and JD 4M are looking really appealing too. Think it may be better to step up in size right off the bat rather than inevitably trade a smaller tractor in within a year or two to get something bigger.

If you are a tractor neophyte a heavier tractor with a wider stance will be safer for you to operate as you acquire experience. Much safer.

New tractor operators are surprised how unstable tractors with small front wheels and large rear wheels are.

Kubota MX series will comfortably fit under a standard 84" garage door header with the ROPS folded.



Kubota MX5200
2014 -
Utility tractor
Previous model: Kubota MX5100
Series next: Kubota MX5800
Series back: Kubota MX4800

Production:
Manufacturer: Kubota
Original price (USD)
$28,675 (2014 hydro 4WD )

Kubota MX5200 Engine:
Kubota 2.4L 4-cyl diesel
Kubota MX5200 Power:
Engine (gross): 54.7 hp [40.8 kW]
Engine (net): 52.1 hp [38.9 kW]
Shuttle PTO (claimed): 45.7 hp [34.1 kW]
Hydro PTO (claimed): 44.2 hp [33.0 kW]

Capacity:
Fuel: 13.5 gal [51.1 L]

3-Point Hitch:
Rear Type: II/I
Control: position control
draft control*
Rear lift (at ends): telescoping lbs [0 kg] lower links
Rear lift (at 24"/610mm): 2310 lbs [1047 kg]

Power Take-off (PTO):
Rear PTO: independent
Clutch: wet disc
Rear RPM: 540

Dimensions

4WD shuttle Weight: 3716 lbs [1685 kg]
4WD hydro Weight: 3734 lbs [1693 kg]
Wheelbase: 74.6 inches [189 cm]
4WD Length: 126.2 inches [320 cm]
Width: 69.7 inches [177 cm]
Height (ROPS): 95.7 inches [243 cm]
4WD Ground clearance: 15.2 inches [38 cm]
{4WD} Front tread: 50.4 to 62.2 inches
Rear tread: 54.1 to 58.7 inches
[137 to 149 cm]

Mechanical:
Chassis: 4x2 2WD
4x4 MFWD 4WD
Final drives: mechanical rear
Steering: hydrostatic power
Brakes: mechanical wet disc
Cab: Two-post foldable ROPS.

Hydraulics:
Type: open center
Valves: up to 3
Pump flow: 9.5 gpm [36.0 lpm]
Steering flow: 4.9 gpm [18.5 lpm]


Page information:
Last update: May 23, 2016
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Contact: Peter@TractorData.com