New Purchase

[blue9steel]

I have a 40 HP (New Holland TC40) tractor. I used it on 6 acres for 10 years and now use it on 16 acres. It is definitely not too big for the property I have used it on. If anything there have been more times I wish I had more tractor. In my mind, it is the perfect size for 5 to 10 acres.


I do like the idea of the smaller tractors but after owning a bigger one, I would be disappointed. I almost bought a sub-compact but once I tested drove it, I knew it was not enough for what I wanted. From the work you are describing I think you should be looking at least at an L size tractor. Just my opinion. However, the smaller tractors are extremely nice and a lot of happy owners on here that use them. Try to take your time looking and test drive every one of them before buying. Have the dealer hook up an implement behind them and see how well the 3pt works.

Thanks for the relevant feedback, it's good to hear from someone who has been in a similar situation.

For all those who recommended I look at the L series, I'm listening. No point in coming here to ask for advice and then not paying attention to it. The two big things I need a tractor for are moving gravel and grading the road both of which would benefit from the larger frame size. One of the options I'm looking at now is buying an L Series Tractor + Zero Turn Mower. The heavier tractor to handle the jobs I need and the mower to provide greater stability while mowing on a slope due to its lower center of gravity. It seems like the L2501HST could be a pretty good value choice for the capabilities it offers.

 

[blue9steel]

I know you're L with ZT seems like a huge jump but that's also one of their higher end ZTs, it's honestly not even close to a comparison to a MMM. Doesn't look like those prices reflect NCHA discounts...

I was just trying to do a between models comparison, the NCHA discount would apply to any choice. I haven't done nearly enough ZT research, originally it wasn't really on my radar, that may not be the right one. I'm now looking at the L2501HST which is a fair bit cheaper than the L3902.

 

[scaredychicken]

Congrats.

My FIRST thought for slopes, mowing, stability etc. is VENTRAC 4520; STEINER, or POWER TRAC machines (MossRoad may have specifics for you on the power tracs)

My SECOND thought is get a Wood Chipper that is a separate unit, not PTO driven. Your power / capacity is then limited to what you buy, not what the tractor can manage. You can tow that around with a truck, ATV or whatever, while the tractor is busy with other chores

My Kubota BX does a good job around here for our needs, but you are likely needing a B series or larger, weight being a factor also. Whatever brand you choose, check out machines directly, and test for you needs. Dealership relationships and knowledge are key.

 

[dodge man]

A couple of comments. I personally like a mid mount mower but I also see a lot of hate for them. Storage space would be an issue for me storing a ZT.

People keep saying you can get a ZT for the price of a mid mount. Yes you can but it’s a lower priced one. It’s easy to spend $10k or more for a zero turn.

Stability. I owned a Kubota BX for 10 years and now own a JD 2025r, which is a smaller compact. The JD looks like it would be less stable on side slopes, it sits higher, but it is more stable than the sub compact BX. A lot of that has to with the width and the bigger tires of the JD.

I personally think a 25hp L Kubota and a zero turn would be a good choice. Keep in mind there is no right or wrong choice. Don’t overspend or over think it.

 

[blue9steel]

A couple of comments. I personally like a mid mount mower but I also see a lot of hate for them. Storage space would be an issue for me storing a ZT.

People do seem conflicted on that issue. I agree storage space could be a problem.

I personally think a 25hp L Kubota and a zero turn would be a good choice. Keep in mind there is no right or wrong choice. Don’t overspend or over think it.

I haven't ruled out a B2601 / LX2610 with a MMM as of yet, just also considering the L2501 + ZT combo as an option. Plan is to go in to the dealer tomorrow afternoon, see what they have, kick the tires and try to talk through some of the choices. Hopefully I can get a feel for both the equipment and the dealer to see if I'm ready to proceed.

On a separate note, how do folks feel about a backhoe w/thumb, indispensable tool or rarely used accessory? I haven't quite been able to figure out if I actually need one or not. FEL and Grading Scraper for sure, some kind of mowing option. Talked with the wife and we decided we could get by without a snowblower for now, just use the bucket or a blade to clear if things get to be more than the 4WD vehicles can handle.

 

[dodge man]

If your funds are endless, a backhoe with thumb would be nice. On the other hand not buying one would get you more implements, a zero turn, money in the bank etc. I’m sure if I had a backhoe I‘d use it but I always figure I’d rent a mini excavator if I needed one, the rental place is 5 miles from my house. I have yet to rent one in the 26 years we have lived here.

Size is always tough. I looked up the specs of a Kubota B2601. It’s very similar to the JD 2025r I currently own. I live on 3 acres but don’t have any horses or livestock. I can’t say that would be to small for you. I’d say if you didn’t get a backhoe and went with a mid mount 60” deck, FEL, a few implements you might get into one for $30k roughly.

 

[kenmbz]

I use it for trenching, stump removal. Planting trees.
If I had a thumb it would help move wood rounds.

I use it a lot, but have seen others where it just acts as ballast.
Need to know what jobs it would fit for you.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

One of the options I'm looking at now is buying an L Series Tractor + Zero Turn Mower. The heavier tractor to handle the jobs I need and the mower to provide greater stability while mowing on a slope due to its lower center of gravity. It seems like the L2501HST could be a pretty good value choice for the capabilities it offers.

Blue, I have a lot of experience running zero turns and I will tell you that their biggest weakness is hills. Yes they can be more stable on hills due to their lower center of gravity but they have no brakes or gear reduction like tractors do. So when they are pointed towards the downward part of a slope they can lose traction due to a shift in weight and they can run away from you. They also do not perform well in over grown grass. Zero turns perform best on flat, smooth terrain with well maintained and manicured turf.

As others have mentioned, ZT's are not cheap if you buy a good one. You are better off in my opinion buying a tractor to do it all. There are ways to deal with instability issues such as offsetting your rear wheels as some others have pointed out.

I will also reiterate what some of my fellow members here have said about looking at some other brands if they are not too far away. Right now Kubota dealers are price gouging really bad and it would behoove you to consider other options.

 

[blue9steel]

Blue, I have a lot of experience running zero turns and I will tell you that their biggest weakness is hills. Yes they can be more stable on hills due to their lower center of gravity but they have no brakes or gear reduction like tractors do. So when they are pointed towards the downward part of a slope they can lose traction due to a shift in weight and they can run away from you. They also do not perform well in over grown grass. Zero turns perform best on flat, smooth terrain with well maintained and manicured turf.

As others have mentioned, ZT's are not cheap if you buy a good one. You are better off in my opinion buying a tractor to do it all. There are ways to deal with instability issues such as offsetting your rear wheels as some others have pointed out.

Fascinating. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that tractor owners have different opinions just like any other group. Buying one machine to do it all was my original plan. I don't have any experience with ZTs either, so not much opinion yet one way or another.

I will also reiterate what some of my fellow members here have said about looking at some other brands if they are not too far away. Right now Kubota dealers are price gouging really bad and it would behoove you to consider other options.

What other brands should I look at? Are they really that different? Looks like there is a John Deere dealer about 40min away, New Holland about 30min and another Kubota dealer about 55min.

 

[rbstern]

If you have a place to park it, consider a zero turn mower for the mowable acres, instead of using the tractor with a deck. Particularly if going to be used for fence lines, around gardens, buildings, etc. I was mowing a couple of acres of lawn and roadside with a 4' rotary cutter for several years before we finally got a 54" zero turn. It's easier, faster, and the grass comes out nicer. Now I only mount the cutter for trail maintenance in the woods.

Also, for post holes: If you don't need holes larger than 8" diameter, get a one man powered auger instead of a PTO driven auger. They are a few hundred bucks, work well in most soil types, and they are easier to drag out for small projects. I have the Harbor Freight Predator model with 6" auger. It gets used all the time. No way I would swap tractor implements when I can get the job done with that. It comes out of the shed, drills a couple of holes, and is back in the shed faster than I could mount a tractor post hole implement. I've done dozens of fence posts with it. Also use it to "till" raised garden boxes in the spring.

No question, 4WD is essential, especially for that driveway upkeep. If you get a smaller tractor, get a smaller box blade for driveway upkeep. Your dealer will match it.

The big tradeoff for you is going to be slope stability of a larger frame tractor, vs. manuverability of a smaller frame tractor. That's hard for any of us to project without seeing the land. If it truly is 17 degrees...that's steep.

Tractor mounted backhoe: Pros and cons, for sure. I have one, and wouldn't be without it unless I could justify a dedicated mini excavator.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that tractor owners have different opinions just like any other group.

Welcome to TBN blue

What other brands should I look at? Are they really that different? Looks like there is a John Deere dealer about 40min away, New Holland about 30min and another Kubota dealer about 55min.

Yes they are believe it or not. John Deere and Kubota are both price gouging customers really bad right now but I would still recommend you go take a look at both of them. New Holland I could not tell you as I have no NH dealer anywhere near me. I will say that I really like their Boomers from the looks and specs of them. Go visit all three and see what you like and feels best to you. Only then will you have clearer perspective on this.

 

[rbstern]

Blue, I have a lot of experience running zero turns and I will tell you that their biggest weakness is hills. Yes they can be more stable on hills due to their lower center of gravity but they have no brakes or gear reduction like tractors do. So when they are pointed towards the downward part of a slope they can lose traction due to a shift in weight and they can run away from you. They also do not perform well in over grown grass. Zero turns perform best on flat, smooth terrain with well maintained and manicured turf.

I agree about the hills. We have some slopes on our property that are not particuarly comfortable on a zero turn or a tractor. Both require care to navigate safely. But I'd rather spin out on a zero turn than tip over a tractor.

 

[dodge man]

I own a John Deere so people tend to recommend what they have. I don’t think Deere and Kubota are price gouging, like a lot of things, prices have gone up and discounts have gone down. I got my JD 2025r, 60” mower deck, front end loader, loaded tires, and pallet forks for a little less than $21k three years ago. I suspect you can add at 20% to that now, maybe more.

Other brands? I’d sure look if I were you. I think of JD and Kubota as the best but they are also local for me. They aren’t the only ones making good tractors. For some reason I like the look of Kioti. (Pronounced coyote). I’ve never ran one but have looked at them. They always looked like quality machines to me.

 

[ericm979]

On a separate note, how do folks feel about a backhoe w/thumb, indispensable tool or rarely used accessory?

I got a thumb with the used BH I bought from the dealer. Until I convert it to hydraulic operation it's not very useful. It's a pain to get off the BH and swing the thumb out, and then it's often not in the best position. I think that once it's hydraulic it'll be more useful.

However I have a grapple which stays on the front unless I need to move dirt and I do a lot of picking up with that.

 

[blue9steel]

I got a thumb with the used BH I bought from the dealer. Until I convert it to hydraulic operation it's not very useful. It's a pain to get off the BH and swing the thumb out, and then it's often not in the best position. I think that once it's hydraulic it'll be more useful.

That's good feedback on the thumb, makes sense. What about the backhoe in general?

 

[ericm979]

That's good feedback on the thumb, makes sense. What about the backhoe in general?

I got a used one for about half the price of a new one, a couple years after buying the tractor. I didn't think a new one was worth the cost.

I got a short time operating a mid size mini excavator and it works so much better than my backhoe. Even though I didn't have much time on my backhoe at the time, it was easy to immediately operate multiple motions at the same time on the mini. I have since learned to do that with the BH but it took a while and I'm still not as proficient as I'd like. The mini ex controls are just that much better.

If you have a few widely spaced jobs and a rental yard that's close, it might make more sense to rent a mini ex when you need to do some digging.

Another thing to look at is the effort to install and remove the BH. On my tractor I have to remove the 3pt hitch assembly to install the BH, which adds to the time it takes. I can store my tractor and implements under cover but the BH is too big and has to sit outside.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

That's good feedback on the thumb, makes sense. What about the backhoe in general?

Here is a video from my friend Mike that talks about BH. Mike is a veteran of the tractor industry and someone that I highly value the opinion of.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

You had asked "what other brands should I look at?"....
There is Branson, Kioti, LS, Massey, Yanmar, TYM....That's six more to compare. All are good.. New Holland was mentioned... they are built by LS for them.

You may be surprised at what else is available.

 

[Randy Gann]

Concerning Z turn mowers. Not all are created equal. You can get good ones (not at big box stores like Lowes) at dealers in the farm or estate mower lines that are good machines and will last many years and save thousands compared to the full commercial models. Also some designs are more stable on hilly ground than others. Front mount decks are usually more stable because of longer wheelbase. for mowing Kubota makes a line of lawn tractors that I would consider better quality than the big box stores. Another consideration is a walk behind with a sulky or a stand on machine.

 

[jyoutz]

Fair point. I could buy an MX if I really wanted one but I don't think it would be a good use of funds, lots of other stuff to buy around here. The tractor itself is reasonable but when you throw in implements it got over $70k. Not mention I was already in sticker shock over the smaller sizes given that I've never bought a tractor before. I was just trying to point out that it's not going to be a "work" tractor in any sense of the word. Also, I need to park the darn thing somewhere so that's a consideration. Haven't really got a clue what I'm doing yet, just doing a lot of reading and watching videos. I've basically been thinking what's the smallest tractor that would do the job, then go one size larger. I appreciate all the feedback.

Can someone explain how I should be thinking about stability given the slope? Is that just a factor of weight and wheel base or is there more going on there?

Weight and wheelbase/width is what makes the MX far more stable. But if you don’t want to consider one, I recommend that you consider an L series with ballasted tires and rear wheels set at maximum width. I would forget the mid mount mower. If you can’t afford a zero turn, just get a cheap riding mower. Mid mount mowers on CUTs are a PITA.