Buying Advice In search of a sub-compact tractor

[jenkinsph]

I'm familiar with the x728 group. How does the x749 differ?

The x749 is diesel, 4x4 and 4 wheel steer. Offered with or without a 48", 54" or 62" decks.

 

[Texas Dawg]

Do you know the cases where SCUTs have locking differentials? I looked in the Deere catalogue I have and it doesn't seem to indicate it

My Mahindra has a locking differential.

 

[AxleHub]

The x749 is diesel, 4x4 and 4 wheel steer. Offered with or without a 48", 54" or 62" decks.

Does it come with 3pt or fel capability and front control valve and joystick ?

 

[Bota4me]

Does it come with 3pt or fel capability and front control valve and joystick ?

i think 3ph is optional and fel is very limited lift when i was looking at them. Definetly wouldnt put a bh on it.

 

[jenkinsph]

It has a limited cat. 1 3ph, a 540 rear pto, a 2000 mid pto and selectable independent control of both. It does not come with a fel but does have two mid mount hydraulic circuits with steering column mounted control levers.

 

[Rod in Forfar]

First assumption: A 35-45 hp 2WD farm tractor with loader (with down-pressure) will need only the most rudimentary shelter. On twenty acres there'll be lots of room for it and a talented little 4X4 compact tractor, as well. Start with an old beater. A Massey Ferguson 35, for example, sells in your area for under $5000 CDN with loader. Add a used rear-mounted snowblower for a thousand, and you have the snow removal question largely solved. For land clearing and timber hauling, I spent $2800 on a used 3 pt hitch timber winch and it greatly enhances the safety factor when felling large trees. Tighten up the 160' cable after notching the tree, and it's pretty likely to follow the cable down without unpleasant surprises for the feller.

An old diesel tractor that's well selected is quite cheap to repair and very durable in the kind of rough brush and road work you envision.

Hire a local excavation guy to do your infrequent digging jobs.

I can't imagine putting up a garage without a loader to handle aggregate, move scaffold, raise panels into place, boost large trusses to the roof crew, and put sheeting and shingles on the scaffold by the roof.

I bought a Bolens G174 compact tractor to do an increasing share of the mowing, then a few years ago a Kubota B7510 HST with belly mower. Compact tractors are often available for sale with 200 hours on them for a bit more than half the price of a new one. They're not as cost effective as a larger tractor for heavy snow, though. A little hydraulic dump trailer (84"X43") gets a lot of use on our 107 acres with the little tractors. Each has a hydraulic remote. The Kubota runs the block splitter better than the larger tractors.

That's a start.

 

[paulfun9]

My point is (and was) . . . that if you are somewhat isolated in an area from service centers . . then go with manufacturers that don't just sell engines but sell entire units because they engineer everything that way but the loaders.

??

So the fact that Kioti builds their own engines and tractors has evaded you?

 

[wcampbell47]

I should think an L model Kubota would fit your needs quite nicely. I never thought I wanted a back hoe until I rented a TLB for some underground utility repair work. I opted for a 3 point back hoe. The video on the internet looked good and the unit had good reviews. I am still waiting on it's arrival. Maybe Santa will help out. My L3901 handles a 72" finish mower with ease. So a 35 to 40 hp tractor, front end loader, easily attachable back hoe, 3 point land plane for drive way work, 72 inch finish mower, maybe a 60 inch brush cutter if needed. That should get you started. IMHO.

 

[AxleHub]

So the fact that Kioti builds their own engines and tractors has evaded you?

Not at all Paul. Why would you think that? I thought my posts on this thread were crystal clear for why I listed 3 manufacturers and not 1 or 8. I don't consider kioti at the Kubota/Massey-Iseki/Yanmar level given the OP's situation as described for geographic location and issues and sub compact theme.

So Paul . . you must already know how many Kioti dealers are within a 200 mile radius of his remote Canada location that makes you think it should be considered. So how many 5 paw kioti dealers are there in that radius to elevate consideration to top tier status Paul ?

I deliberately focused on three manufacturers and not 1 because the OP deserves our best efforts rather than personal brand loyalty . . . in our local U.S. areas. Heck, I'm in Wisconsin and did not consider Kioti because the closest dealer is way too many miles away and any others even 50% farther are still the same operation with branches in tiny towns.

I can purchase from farther distances . . and I did . . but unless you have no choice . . I want backup choices too.

So Paul . . how many Kioti dealers in the OP's radius to justify your recommendation ?

 

[BabyFarmer]

I live just near Horseshoe resort if you know where that is op. We bought a John Deere 3203 2 years ago, only had 800 hours on it heavy duty loader. We priced out new and the price of them was pretty far sketched, we found it on kijiji the day it was posted and it was just down the road from us. I can say after putting over 400 hours on it since then that we haven't had any trouble with it at all, we have a 72' finishing mower, 5ft snow blower, and always pulls wagons around. We payed around $15000 which was alot cheaper than a comparable new one, i think finding something like ours would be perfect for you! I cant speak about kubota because i have no experience with them, if you have any questions just ask sorry for the rambling !

 

[AxleHub]

North,

In your description of needs you mentioned you wanted to be able to hsul items like you now do with your lawnmowers in a wagon.

I failed to mention ideas in that area.

Obviously with a sub compact tractor you can either pull or push trailers designed for roads . . its fine for rougher ground but not too sweet for lawns.

And the small garden carts ehile ok for lawn tractors . . Are impractical with a sub compact. Enter the atv trailers by Polar Industries. Wide tires for lawns . . But capacity much larger and heavier than carts and avsilable in 2 and 4 wheel vrsions for either rough terrain or smooth.

 

[jenkinsph]

Not at all Paul. Why would you think that? I thought my posts on this thread were crystal clear for why I listed 3 manufacturers and not 1 or 8. I don't consider kioti at the Kubota/Massey-Iseki/Yanmar level given the OP's situation as described for geographic location and issues and sub compact theme.

So Paul . . you must already know how many Kioti dealers are within a 200 mile radius of his remote Canada location that makes you think it should be considered. So how many 5 paw kioti dealers are there in that radius to elevate consideration to top tier status Paul ?

I deliberately focused on three manufacturers and not 1 because the OP deserves our best efforts rather than personal brand loyalty . . . in our local U.S. areas. Heck, I'm in Wisconsin and did not consider Kioti because the closest dealer is way too many miles away and any others even 50% farther are still the same operation with branches in tiny towns.

I can purchase from farther distances . . and I did . . but unless you have no choice . . I want backup choices too.

So Paul . . how many Kioti dealers in the OP's radius to justify your recommendation ?

A more credible and reasonable answer to the point would have been, "Paul I missed that, good to know". Further I do not see where Paul was pushing a recommendation for Kioti either as you suggest in the last sentence above.

It is a disservice to the OP to start a brand war in every thread.

 

[TMR]

So the fact that Kioti builds their own engines and tractors has evaded you?

Hi Paul...as a long time "looker" as hopefully by spring an owner...I have been attracted to the Kioti product partly from reading many posts from satisfied owners here on TBN. My problem is that the closest Kioti dealership is 200+ miles from where home base is. Also, they have not done much in my state to add new dealerships.

Are you aware how active Kioti is in adding new dealerships??

I have considered asking the Bobcat/Kubota dealership (30 miles) what he is doing to continue to service the Bobcat/Kioti SCUTS and CUTS he sold under the Bobcat brand. I actually don't think he sold very many but likely just handles service as he needs to. Wish Bobcat had stayed in the Kioti private label game.

The other factor is that I will likely rely whatever dealer I choose to do most of my maintenance...at least the first round. Also, a couple of Kubota and John Deere dealers have a service route where they will schedule planned maintenance with a fairly moderate "on sight" charge. I will likely do that so I can watch and learn as best as I can.

I have slightly considered LS as they have established a dealer about 100 miles away...but it is kind of a secondary product to the new dealer and pretty sure the service could not match Kubota/Deere.

Well TBN posters have sold me on Kioti as a very viable product...not sure Kioti has done what it needs to do to create a quality convenient service network? In my case I will not be a "self sufficient" owner Thanks...Tom R

 

[check]

Not at all Paul. Why would you think that? I thought my posts on this thread were crystal clear for why I listed 3 manufacturers and not 1 or 8. I don't consider kioti at the Kubota/Massey-Iseki/Yanmar level given the OP's situation as described for geographic location and issues and sub compact theme.

So Paul . . you must already know how many Kioti dealers are within a 200 mile radius of his remote Canada location that makes you think it should be considered. So how many 5 paw kioti dealers are there in that radius to elevate consideration to top tier status Paul ?

I deliberately focused on three manufacturers and not 1 because the OP deserves our best efforts rather than personal brand loyalty . . . in our local U.S. areas. Heck, I'm in Wisconsin and did not consider Kioti because the closest dealer is way too many miles away and any others even 50% farther are still the same operation with branches in tiny towns.

I can purchase from farther distances . . and I did . . but unless you have no choice . . I want backup choices too.

So Paul . . how many Kioti dealers in the OP's radius to justify your recommendation ?

I wouldn't exactly call his location "remote". He is near Huntsville, Ontario, which has a population of some 20,000, and has most everything you need, including a Walmart and a Home Depot. As well, the nearest Kubota Dealer is only another 23 miles South on a 70 mph highway, in Bracebridge, Ontario, and the city of Toronto itself (the forth largest city in North America) is only another 110 miles South of Bracebridge. Moreover, there are lots of other dealers (e.g., Massey) in between.

 

[check]

I take it you didn't realize there is a Kubota factory in Orillia ?

Trails, I don't think that factory is going to do our friend much good. (See below)

About Kubota Materials

December 20, 2015

Kubota Materials Canada CorporationKubota Materials Canada Corporation is the leading North American supplier of heat resistant cast steel products. Manufacturing Kubota痴 brands of alloys from raw materials to finished products under one roof in Orillia Canada, Kubota Materials Canada Corporation leads the industry in quality, dependability, and on-time delivery.
History

Kubota Materials Canada Corporation was founded in 1935 to supply castings to the mining industry of southern Ontario. Since that time the company has become an important contributor to the diversification and expansion of the region. Markets have become international, with exports forming 50-60% of sales volume. Manufacturing castings for the mining industry remains an important activity. However, the subsequent growth of secondary industry has allowed Kubota Materials Canada Corporation to develop and specialize in the casting and fabrication of heat and corrosion resistant alloys, especially those used by the petrochemical and steel industries.
Kubota Materials Canada Corporation is part of Kubota Materials Division

Kubota Materials Canada Corporation, was purchased by the Kubota Corporation of Osaka, Japan, in June 1990. Kubota Materials Canada Corporation formerly operated as a division of Indusmin Ltd. within the Falconbridge Group. Kubota Materials Canada Corporation is now part of the Materials Consolidated Division of Kubota. This group of independent operations manufactures products in steel, iron, and plastic for industry around the world.

Kubota has focused continuous improvement on both our products and our manufacturing processes. With a kaizen program empowering workers and key capital investments, the facility is state-of-the-art.
All In One Facility

Kubota Materials Canada Corporation controls all aspects of the manufacturing process. Starting with raw materials, melting and casting metal, machining, welding, inspection and preparation for shipment are all done under one roof. Shifts operate around the clock to ensure a continuous flow of material.

An all-encompassing quality management system controls all aspects of the manufacturing process.

 

[Parkanzky]

Do you know the cases where SCUTs have locking differentials? I looked in the Deere catalogue I have and it doesn't seem to indicate it

The John Deere 1-series and up all have diff. locks. I believe that all of the Kubotas do and I'm certain that the B- an L-series both do.

I know you've gotten a lot of advice already, but for your purposes I wouldn't consider the BX or the 1-series. Go to a dealer and test them all out and see what feels like it's going to do the jobs you have in your head. My John Deere dealer let me take tractors out back and scoop up loads of dirt and such. It really helped me understand how much work they could each do.

I originally thought that I'd get a BX or a 1025R but ended up considering the B3350 and the 2032R instead. It's a big jump in capacity and traction. To me, the 1025R is a big lawn tractor with a FEL. The 2032R is a small tractor that you could put a mower deck on.

No matter what you look at insist on diesel and 4WD.

 

[check]

nts, whatever you do I would recommend you move sooner rather than later. The reason is that most of these tractors are built in the U.S., and I would worry that the Canadian Prices are going to start moving up dramatically now that the US dollar is up to $1.40 Canadian. So, let's look at one quote I got recently from Church's Farm Supplies in Innisfil. The quoted price was $20,500 for a Kubota B2650 with FEL (no backhoe). Now if that was a US quote it would cost a whopping $20,500 X 1.4 = $28,000 in Canadian equivalent dollars! On the other end, a U.S. purchaser who bought it would only have to pay $20,500/1.4 = $14,643.

Now I am no expert on pricing in an international context, but I would guess that the Canadian prices have not move yet because (a) the change is the exchange rates is still fairly recent, and (b) the dealers have a lot of inventory that they bought and priced back when the two dollars were close to par. If I am right, then we might see a big jump in prices when current inventory runs out and it becomes time for the dealers to buy new inventory with their 70 cent (US) dollars. So...

James

(PS have any of you American TBNers gotten quotes recently for a B2650?)

 

[northtractorsearch]

I live just near Horseshoe resort if you know where that is op. We bought a John Deere 3203 2 years ago, only had 800 hours on it heavy duty loader. We priced out new and the price of them was pretty far sketched, we found it on kijiji the day it was posted and it was just down the road from us. I can say after putting over 400 hours on it since then that we haven't had any trouble with it at all, we have a 72' finishing mower, 5ft snow blower, and always pulls wagons around. We payed around $15000 which was alot cheaper than a comparable new one, i think finding something like ours would be perfect for you! I cant speak about kubota because i have no experience with them, if you have any questions just ask sorry for the rambling !

No rambling, it's a good point!

nts, whatever you do I would recommend you move sooner rather than later. The reason is that most of these tractors are built in the U.S., and I would worry that the Canadian Prices are going to start moving up dramatically now that the US dollar is up to $1.40 Canadian. So, let's look at one quote I got recently from Church's Farm Supplies in Innisfil. The quoted price was $20,500 for a Kubota B2650 with FEL (no backhoe). Now if that was a US quote it would cost a whopping $20,500 X 1.4 = $28,000 in Canadian equivalent dollars! On the other end, a U.S. purchaser who bought it would only have to pay $20,500/1.4 = $14,643.

Now I am no expert on pricing in an international context, but I would guess that the Canadian prices have not move yet because (a) the change is the exchange rates is still fairly recent, and (b) the dealers have a lot of inventory that they bought and priced back when the two dollars were close to par. If I am right, then we might see a big jump in prices when current inventory runs out and it becomes time for the dealers to buy new inventory with their 70 cent (US) dollars. So...

James

(PS have any of you American TBNers gotten quotes recently for a B2650?)

This is one of my biggest concerns and why I am trying to start now. As the CAD just took a nose dive, it is likely that the next factory order of tractors will cost say 5-10% more. Any old excuse


I wanted to say thanks again to everyone for your information!

 

[Clipse3GT]

Go test drive some machines and see what you think. I think that will be the best way to see them in person. Sometimes the pictures do not do it justice when you see how large or small the units are and can do.

 

[jenkinsph]

northtractorsearch,
Have you given some thought to what size tractor will fit your needs the best?