Need advice - 15-20HP

[3inthedirt]

I priced a new BX 2380 yesterday. Near $25k new. However, you need the BX23S if you plan on a backhoe. The frame on the 2380 cannot accommodate it.

 

[3inthedirt]

House is in SC. I had enough snow and salt!

 

[dodge man]

I had taken the deck off my JD 2025r in hopes I was done mowing for the year. I was wrong I need to mulch up the leaves. For the first time I ran a stopwatch on my phone. I got the mower out of storage, took the ballast box off and the end loader off so this is just hooking up the mower. It took me 3 minutes and 30 seconds. I screwed up and forgot to set the deck height know to the install position the first go around so it would have been less then 3 minutes otherwise. Both Kubota BX tractors and JD smaller tractors have a drive over setup that does most of the hooking up for you.

My point is don’t let the naysayers tell you how difficult it is. If you get the correct system it’s pretty slick.

I’m guessing the Kubota with a backhoe is hitting $30k. I bought a BX2350 about 15 years ago, 60” mower deck, end loader for about $12k. Things haven’t gotten cheaper.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

No mmm in these Massey Ferguson prices, but they are available, no idea on costs, or if they are the drive over easy connection like the JD & Kubota ... I'm VERY happy with my Little Baby Fergie!

Here's a new 2025 Massey Ferguson 23 HP TLB $19,500 this is the new numbering system MF is using …
Pardon Our Interruption

23 HP same as above minus BH $14,000 Pardon Our Interruption

25 HP version loader only $15,500 Pardon Our Interruption

This is the 25 HP TLB which replaced my model $21,000 (I paid $21,500 for mine 3.5 years ago!)
Pardon Our Interruption

My local dealer has this used 23 HP TLB for $16,500 just 122 hours!

2022 Massey Ferguson GC1700 Series MF GC1723EB | Marshfield Machinery Inc.

122 Hours 2022 Massey Ferguson GC1700 Series MF GC1723EB IT'S YOUR LAND. IT DESERVES THE RIGHT TRACTOR. The perfect all-around machine for tackling your everyday jobs. You worked hard for your special piece of land. You continue to put everything you can into it, because that's the way you do...

www.marshfieldmachinery.com

If your considering new, I'd also look at Kioti and Yanmar ...

20+ year old JD, Kubota, Massey ...

 

[outdoorsman123]

We picked up a really nice JD 2025r with loader and belly mower for my niece. Nice tractor. The 1025 style is also nice but it's small. So we went with something a bit bigger and more capable. Downside is it's bigger and not as easy as a lawnmower when cutting the grass. But it also has the PTO and 3 pt so clearing the driveway this winter will be a breeze.
This model is bigger and may cost more. We picked out and got it for less than the 1025.

 

[Skypuppy]

Hard to beat that Zero % interest, though.

 

[3inthedirt]

Catching up some.....

What is the minimum HP I want at the PTO to run a tiller? Rakes and scrapers would round out the 3 point attachments. What if I wanted a 3 pt mower instead? Don't think it needs more HP than a tiller..........

Some nice prices Shawn....

Yes, if I added a backhoe, that's $30k on a BX23S.

Still thinking used and still a little concerned about wanting more eventually from a BX or Series 1. Assume the MF GC is in the same category but seeing what Shawn can do with his is amazing and more than I would need.

 

[MoArk Willy]

Unless you are buying used your budget is a bit off.....about 50%.
I think that you will find that your zero turn will cut much faster than any belly mower on a tractor....at least that was my experience.
Now I have a lot of trees, buildings and complimentary Ozark rocks so that may be part of the equation.
I own a Kubota B2320 and it's actually perfect for me.
I have a box blade, 72" finish mower and a FEL and I enjoy what it can do.
But I have a Cub Cadet 50" zero turn and I can cut my yard in about half the time it takes for a mower that is nearly 2' wider on my tractor.
It's all about maneuverability.
I like the Deere's but accessories and parts are a bit pricy compared to Kubota.
Either machine will run and run.

 

[Skypuppy]

Most of that faster cutting is because the 0-turns drive a LOT faster then tractors.

 

[3inthedirt]

I fully understand that a zero turn is a cheaper and faster(maybe better). Don't know why but I don't want one. I can use my current one to trim smaller areas.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I have a Bush Hog RTC 50 rototiller, which is actually 48" of tilling, I have 19.6 PTO HP it does a fine job! RTC-50 Compact Tillers - Bush Hog they say 15-25 HP ...

From the other day ...

And yes, my GC is the same size as the BX & 1 series ...

Bruno's says they ship for free, I'm not sure how that works, but it would be nice if you had a dealer close by, not sure how some local dealers would treat you if you "imported" it from a few states away ... Like I said I chose to buy local, mostly because I'm not ever really sure when I'm gonna be home, and I don't mind paying more, as it has turned out into a good relationship with the local dealer, currently have a $1400 order for a pair of forks for my Kubota from the Massey Ferguson dealer, unfortunately he didn't have the used, no computer 50+ HP tractor I was looking for, I gave him three months to look, but they are hard to find, so I drove 80 miles and picked up the Kubota elsewhere ...

 

[Yander]

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.......

Massey GC series. Easily as good as Kubota or John Deere. And you can find them around $7,000 without the loader.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

My opinion from my experience, for my situation ...

When I bought my 16 acres 4 years ago, I NEEDED a BH! As I couldn't get a contractor to even return my calls , and I needed my new driveway that was just put in through a swampy hayfield fixed right, and be widened and be able to hold up my semi-truck, as the old verbal right of way via the cousins private road didn't convey ... They put in in "pretty" driveway, but UPS wouldn't come down the driveway after a rain, as they were sinking in 6"-8"!

I looked within 500 miles that I could drive and pick up a Kubota L or John Deere 3 series with a backhoe in the used market, nothing but a few ABUSED units, so I looked at new ones, but didn't want to deal with computers or emissions, so that limited me to 25 HP ...

Locally it came down to only a choice of the GC or a BX, when the Massey Ferguson dealer suggested the GC I literally LAUGHED at him, told him I didn't want a tiny overgrown lawnmower! He was polite and simply told me that I would be very surprised at what it could do, that he personally had one at his house ... I talked to my brother who has a Kubota B, and his son had a BX, he told me the same thing! the Massey dealer was MUCH easier to deal with, so I bought it after talking with him ...

To be honest ... If I were to do it again TODAY, with the availability of NEW tractors now (remember the empty lots during the "supply chain shortage"?) I probably would only have one tractor ... A Kubota B or a JD 2025R, and be happy!

The B2602 or 2025R are really just BIG SCUT'S, they are slightly longer and wider, but with much larger tires, they both have the ability to have a BH, unfortunately as far as I know the MF only Tractor Loader Backhoe (TLB) package is in there GC series ...

The relative tiny sized tires on the GC, BX, 1E/R are only 18" front, and 26" in the back, which make for a bumpy ride! The B & 2 are 32"-35" depending on style on the back ... Makes a huge difference in ride comfort, no suspension on these ...

But since I already have my GC customized to my liking with aftermarket stuff, and it WILL do everything I need on my place, I'm keeping it!

But on the 95° 90% humidity days that I have 14 acres of bumpy fields to mow, I'm very happy to leave my Little Baby Fergie in the barn, and step into my A/C cabbed Kubota Grand L with 52" tires!

I think it's probably a good idea to go visit a couple of dealers, just to see what size you really want ... Doesn't mean you gotta buy new ... See if you can drive it around there lot? I will say I still have not really warmed up to the treadle pedal on the Kubota, but 1st to admit I don't like change! Most other brand HST tractors have 2 pedals side by side like my GC ...

Here is a size comparison, I'm 6'1" 190 Lbs ... On my little overgrown lawnmower!

 

[3inthedirt]

Ok, it’s a MF GC!!!!

Thanks for the lengthy email Shawn! You have gone above and beyond! Thanks again to everyone who contributed!

Moving in the house in 2 weeks. I’ll have all winter to look.

 

[gstrom99]

What is the minimum HP I want at the PTO to run a tiller? Rakes and scrapers would round out the 3 point attachments. What if I wanted a 3 pt mower instead? Don't think it needs more HP than a tiller..........

My JD 855 is 24hp, 19hp PTO. It runs a 5ft tiller or 5ft bush hog, no problem. With a HST trans, you can just let off the go pedal if it bogs down.

 

[etpm]

I've never taken my loader off as I seem to need it constantly for just misc things. I use it to raise the riding mowers to clean under the deck, scrape the leaves off the driveway in the fall, move my dead pickup into the shop, etc. Once you get used to having it you don't notice it at all.

What Jaygyver says. My opinion is that a loader is essential. They are just too useful. It is amazing how much faster many jobs go having that bucket. And cleaning under the riding mower deck is just one job that is WAY easier using the loader to raise the front end of the mower to clean under the deck. I have hooks on my FEL. I chain up to the front axle, hook the chain to the bucket hooks and raise the front of the mower, fast and easy.
Eric

 

[3inthedirt]

Any old JD model mentioned in the thread are certainly in play for the right deal!

 

[tacticalturnip]

Catching up some.....

What is the minimum HP I want at the PTO to run a tiller? Rakes and scrapers would round out the 3 point attachments. What if I wanted a 3 pt mower instead? Don't think it needs more HP than a tiller..........

Some nice prices Shawn....

Yes, if I added a backhoe, that's $30k on a BX23S.

Still thinking used and still a little concerned about wanting more eventually from a BX or Series 1. Assume the MF GC is in the same category but seeing what Shawn can do with his is amazing and more than I would need.

The general consensus is that you want 5 PTO horsepower per foot of width on an implement. That said, things come into play that change that. On flat ground, running slower, you can run more width with less horsepower, but not that much wider.

With a subcompact, which run around 20 PTO horsepower you're perfect with a 48-56 inch tiller.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Ok, it’s a MF GC!!!!

Thanks for the lengthy email Shawn! You have gone above and beyond! Thanks again to everyone who contributed!

Moving in the house in 2 weeks. I’ll have all winter to look.

The GC is an excellent machine, they're very well regarded.

 

[Texasmark]

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.......

If you want a lawn mower buy a lawnmower. If you want a tractor buy a tractor....not a part time lawn mower.....aka tractor with a semipermanent mower. Also the smaller HP tractors have short lift arms due to their proximity to the ground. Don't expect to do much (size or weight) lifting with a 15 or 20 hp tractor.

A 25 hp tractor with front end loader is a real handy to have around the place second set of hands...I have a LS 25 hydro. with front end loader. If you want to mow with it get a 3 pt or drag type mower so that when you aren't mowing you can easily detach it and it's not in your way to do other "tractor" things.

Other BIG deal is that in the spring multiblade turf type mowers get hung up in the blade area with wet grass. Getting it out is a PIA. If you have a tractor with a detachable mower rear mounted, first of all unless it's the turf kind with 3 blades it doesn't clog. If it is of the 3 blade variety, you can detach it from the tractor, turn the tractor around and with the front end loader (FEL) lift the mower easy peasy and wash out under it and when finished its out of your way for your tractor to be used for tractor things.......think hard about what I said......you won't be sorry.....Oh remember the money you spend is gone forever....what stays with you is what you bought with it......food for thought.