Need advice - 15-20HP

[Shawn T. W.]

If you have a 3 point and rear PTO, a rear finish mower is relatively easy to source, a mid mount mower (mmm) is much more tractor specific, and harder to source for an older out of production model ... Same goes with the loader ... If you want either, get them with the tractor ...

While my Little Baby Fergie (SCUT) has done everything I've needed here on my 16 acres, when I bought it, it was all there was available with a backhoe (BH) at the time, I was looking for much larger, it just takes longer ... https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/just-little-bites.604057/

The reason I bought ANOTHER ADDITIONAL tractor was for ride comfort ... The little 26" tall rear tires were "unpleasant " mowing my back bumpy pasture ... So, I saved my pennies and bought a tractor with bigger tires! Which came with a bigger motor, so bought a bigger mower! (It also has a suspension seat and an A/C cab!) https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/my-big-lawn-mower.591750/ I was able to get a deal on it because it did NOT have a loader ... Which most people want, so it sat on the dealers lot for over 4 months ... My little tractor has a loader and I still have that for my loader needs.

 

[gstrom99]

I'm thinking I need a 15-20HP tractor with a belly mower that has a pto for future attachments (box blade, tiller, FEL, landscape rake?). Does this sound right?

I'm thinking about $8k for a machine as a budget. Maybe Deere for parts availability.

Welcome to TBN. If you can find one... may I suggest a x55 John Deere (755, 855, 955) would work well for you. Most come with a 70a loader, but mine came with a real nice belly mower and has a later 420 loader (quick disconnect bucket). Simple, solid machine. Should be within your budget. The 1 series Deere and Kubota BX's seem too small, for me anyway. I've retired the mid-mount mower (bought a zero turn), but it mowed great.

 

[Racer4]

Don’t count out Massey Ferguson GC series. I’ve had mine for 15 years and it’s been great. I’ve only got 3.5 acres, probably half is woods. Lots of digging with the hoe, moving logs, brush, & materials with the loader, chipping brush with the 3pt chipper, and snow removal with the blower.
Never had any major problems, and it’s never needed a trip back to the dealer.


The 2300,2400,2600 series were made in Japan by Iseki. They will definitely be cheaper used than a green or orange machine.

I’ve had no issues getting parts via the web. Unfortunately my closest dealer is now over an hour away, because the one I bought from closed up.

 

[JTKub]

I have owned a '48 Farmall Cub in the past but have since sold it. Fun machine but it doesn't have the easy functionality i am looking for and is horrible for a loader.

I'm building a new house in SC with a little over an acre. I have a 36" walk behind zero turn mower that I bought new in'79. Seems like a tall task in 100 degree days. I could handle the work 90 percent of the time. Neighbors are buying 8-10k sit down zero turns. I can't justify that money for a single purpose machine. I'm quite mechanical so an older machine is just fine.

I'm thinking I need a 15-20HP tractor with a belly mower that has a pto for future attachments (box blade, tiller, FEL, landscape rake?). Does this sound right?

I'm thinking about $8k for a machine as a budget. Maybe Deere for parts availability.

Any suggestions?

Thank you.......

Nice!! My daughter lived in SC for a year or so. I loved it there. Would love to head that way if I make it that long LOL. In terms of a something in the 15-20hp range with a FEL, 3-pt, mid/rear PTO and potential of a MMM, $8K these days might buy you an old, high hour, very well used JD. I don't see many JDs or Kubotas in that range and was watching quite intently for some time. About the least expensive new sub compact utility tractor you can get will be in the 20-22hp range and will be diesel and 4x4. Fitted with a FEL and MMM, you can find them in the $16K range, brand new for imports. That's what I wound up buying. A TYM T224. Most of the 4-6yr/old sub compacts like the MF 1723, LS models or used Kiotis sell in the $10-12K range.