Buying Advice LS vs TYM vs Kioti

[Torvy]

Sure would not want to risk towing over the stated capacity. First, it is illegal, but more importantly, if you were to have any sort of failure, the lawyers would have a field day with you. That's in addition to the fact that you are damaging the truck, even if you cannot yet see or hear the damage.

 

[Rdrcr]

If budget is your biggest concern, hard to beat the bang for your buck of the TYM tractor.

Mike

 

[Jake's Tractor]

I bought a TYM 474H last year, 35 HP, with FEL and a backhoe as well as a 7.5' sickle bar for mowing the banks on my 14.5-acre farm. That tractor is a real workhorse. Just got done digging out a 24' x 50' space in the hillside for a new pole barn I'm going to build(The entire barn will be set back into the hillside length-wise). The cut-out starts @ 5' high and ends @ 10'. Didn't have a single issue with it while digging and pulled boulders out of the ground I thought it never could do, then moved them with the FEL to an out-of-the-way area for later use.

Very good machine with great features.

TYM, it's the way to go!

 

[charlessenf]

However, I was thinking of starting a bush hogging/tractor services business. If I do 1 or 2 jobs a month...to make the payment..I essentially have a free tractor.

It's no different than Lunch in that "There is no Free Tractor."

How seriously were you 'thinking about a tractor services business?'

Did you draft a business plan yet? Do you know the cost of the liability insurance for instance? Would your existing insurance on your 150 be voided if you were involved in an accident while transporting your tractor to or from a jobsite? Or would you even tell the company about your "tractor service business" and hope they didn't stumble upon one of your ads or this post?

What is the local competition like? What are they charging?

"Roughly half of all small business' fail within the first five years"

What would your service area consist of? Your average round trip? Do you record you fuel consumption presently? Know your average MPG? Empty? Loaded? Towing a ????# tractor and implements?

"The best tractor financing programs require credit scores over 680 . . ."

At current rates (7.25-7.35%), what would a $20,000 tractor actually cost if spread over six years? What would teh Financing costs amount to? With shop rates as high as $125/hour what would you expect your maintenance costs would average per annum? BTW, would the finance company require you carry insurance on the tractor and trailer?

Add it all up and add ten percent or more just to be 'conservative.'

Now, what would it cost you to rent equipment as needed? Or how about hiring someone else to accomplish those few tasks?

 

[FERLING]

For now I'm happy with my LS but would not shy away from the other brands. Good and bad in all of them, there is no right answer in my opinion. Only what works for you.

He will know the right tractor about a year after purchasing it.

 

[FERLING]

Do you think NOW is the time to buy? Or would waiting till next spring be better? Do you think tractor prices will go down if they keep having inventory and no one is buying them....????

If the economy tanks enough to cause tractor prices to drop then you will possibly have one or two problems. No dealer stock or you will be afraid to turn loose of the money because the economy is so bad.

 

[FERLING]

To be fair, most- if not all- of these tractors lack an ECM.

[EDIT]: Also want to add that all other things being equal, a 25 horsepower machine will do almost anything the 35 horsepower equivalent will do, just slower.

Difference in weight of tractors will make a lot of difference on it being capable of doing what you want done. Most tractors will spin its wheels if tied to a tree. The weight of the tractor will determine how far the tree bends before the wheels spin.

 

[Eagle1]

Difference in weight of tractors will make a lot of difference on it being capable of doing what you want done. Most tractors will spin its wheels if tied to a tree. The weight of the tractor will determine how far the tree bends before the wheels spin.View attachment 804274

Depends just as much on the size of the tree, the root system and soil conditions. Just pushed over some cedars that size in soft (wet) soil with no rocks. In other conditions it would be hopeless.
Weight is you friend until you get into the swamp...... My LS will sink in places my BX will work all day.

 

[jyoutz]

I really appreciate yours and everyone's replies.

Why do you think the package is high? Coming with a loader, grapple and Rotary cutter and trailer...I thought it was a Decent "deal" for T25. I like that tractor as I've watched Tony's tractor adventures on YT. He used that and his T494. He did some impressive stuff just to show that the T25 could do it.

I'll check that link out...thanks again!

If it was my decision, I would forgo the grapple in the package and buy a larger more powerful machine.

 

[FERLING]

Depends just as much on the size of the tree, the root system and soil conditions. Just pushed over some cedars that size in soft (wet) soil with no rocks. In other conditions it would be hopeless.
Weight is you friend until you get into the swamp...... My LS will sink in places my BX will work all day.

Once your tire cleats fill with mud you aren't going anywhere. But the meat of my story is the heavier the more pulling. At least until the front end starts talking to Jesus, then it's find the clutch quick or look for the 'Pearly Gates'.
There is an old saying that tire traction is great until the front of the tractor starts waving bye bye! (That 1130 MF would wave bye bye a lot but it weighed 10,000 pounds plus, with no front loader.)

 

[jyoutz]

I have no issues with my F150 pulling a 20’ trailer with the tractor loaded on it. I do have trailer brakes and it is the max towing package with the 3.5 Ecoboost. It is rated to tow 15,000 lbs.

This needs to be prefaced by where are you traveling. I would not want to pull that trailer on an interstate at interstate speeds with a half ton truck. It’s not the ability to tow; it’s the ability to stop and control sway in an emergency situation that is the issue. On the other hand, low speed for local travel should be just fine with a half ton.

 

[FERLING]

This needs to be prefaced by where are you traveling. I would not want to pull that trailer on an interstate at interstate speeds with a half ton truck. It’s not the ability to tow; it’s the ability to stop and control sway in an emergency situation that is the issue. On the other hand, low speed for local travel should be just fine with a half ton.

Some people have a problem defining 'low speed and local travel'.
"I live on top of a mountain and I just need to haul it to my neighbor that lives at the bottom of the mountain."

 

[kozal01]

I'm going to assume most that are dogging on the OP's half ton have no idea of the capabilities of the modern half ton trucks. I've got my fair share of towing experience with many different platforms (was a truck driver in the Army and drove everything) and my F-150 will absolutely out tow even 3/4 ton trucks from 20 years ago. Obviously staying within the vehicle's ratings is a given but properly equipped (WDH ect) his truck should easily handle what he is looking to do with it. My CX2510 on a 22' equipment trailer towed like it wasn't even there, no sway, no problem braking, no drama. Its just pulls.

As for the tractor brand, I dont have a TYM dealer near me so I cant comment on that but my Kioti dealer also sells LS and for the money Kioti beat out the LS I compared it to easily. Heavier, built more substantial from what I could see and it was cheaper. Easy choice for me anyways. That was the 2t5 HP lineup though, could be different in the larger machines.

 

[paulsharvey]

If bushhogging is a real intent; 25hp is on the lower end for a 5 ft bush hog; and insufficient for a 6 ft bushhog in general. If your really wanting to do hired work; I see two options; bite the bullet and get the 35-40hp machine; buy used; or void the warranty on the Ck2610, and turn it up to 35hp. I've seen a few guys do it online; but not a single one could really provide any true numbers on PTO hp gains; just 'feels' stronger.

Massey 1835E HST, loader, listed at $25,500. CK3510 should be $25,000 or so. Might take a look at a TYM 474, for $27,400.

Edit: those where the prices about 24 days ago; first price on left is cash or conventional financing; 2nd price on the right is the 0% fiance price. Dealer showed that in almost 100% of cases; conventional financing or cash was better then the 0% with the significant upcharge.

 

[hillguy]

I have a TYM T300 that I bought used and have had for about 10 years without a single issue so far. It's a little brute and I really like it but I do have some concerns about lack of dealer locations should I ever need service.

 

[paulsharvey]

Yeah..the T264 or T25 are the ones in the 25k package.

I just saw a Larry stoves and equipment video on YouTube and he has this week's special pick 3 of CK2620 with 20ft trailer for $33,500. I really would love to have a kioti...but $8500 is a lot of change.
Yes I know the ck2620 can do a little more work than a T25....but 8500 is 8500! Lol

That's not a good package deal. I just paid $20,500 for a CK2610; and I already own the trailer (6'4"x16') that cost $2799. I'll admit, I didn't get any impliments; but it feels like that package is a real bad deal. If you where really going to pay $12k over the base; that better be the best trailer in the country. I would say, build your own package by shopping the trailer you want, the tractor you want, and the best deal on impliments you can find.

 

[shadowm77]

would not hurt to look at some second hand tractors something under a thousand hours you may get more for your money

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I looked at some pre owned units before buying new. The issue was most operators of these small units, have never operated a tractor and it shows. They also wanted almost as much as new...

 

[Jake's Tractor]

I have a TYM T300 that I bought used and have had for about 10 years without a single issue so far. It's a little brute and I really like it but I do have some concerns about lack of dealer locations should I ever need service.

Just keep up the maintenance and it should last a long, long time without abuse. Before I bought my TYM 474H I looked at Kubota and JD. If you want to pay for a name brand there you go. Dollar for dollar TYM walks all over these competitors.

Bang for the buck as they say is well worth more than the name brand!

 

[arrow]

Do you think NOW is the time to buy? Or would waiting till next spring be better? Do you think tractor prices will go down if they keep having inventory and no one is buying them....????

Most of these brands will serve you well.
I'd go the nearest dealer and i don't care what they sell. Convenience is king when you need service or parts.
What I would care about is how they backup and support their customers.

Don't wait for prices to come down. You may be waiting to eternity.
Personally I like a short joystick as it allows entry from both sides.
I drive a 5 ton 20 ft trailer all day long but is pulled with a 3/4 ton as we carry loads 8-9000 lbs..not counting the weight of the trailer.
You just get used to it.
It is not just about pulling. It is maintaining sufficient weight of the towing truck for stopping and control of the tow.