Round two with tractor purchase

[dodge man]

I’d think smaller if I were you. I just bought a JD 2025r. The end loader comes off easy for mowing and with the auto connect deck it goes on and off in a couple minutes. A 3 series JD might be good also. One of the Kubota B series would be an excellent fit also. The only advantage I see in the JD is the auto connect deck. If you can afford a tractor and a zero turn that is an option also.

Snow removal? I’m not sure how much you get but most of these machine can be had with a front or rear blower. If you get a bunch of snow the cab would be nice otherwise I’d skip it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

After mowing my widow neighbor's yard with her tractor style lawn mower, I realized just how efficient the zero turn mowers are compared to tractors. She had many obstacles to mow around and I spend half of the mowing time going in circles to get the missed spots from not being able to turn sharp enough, just like with larger tractors with mowers. It took me close to and hour to mow her yard. I have mowed it with my zero turn in 15 minutes. If you have anything other than wide open space for a yard, then I wouldn't even consider mowing with a tractor. Buy a good commercial grade zero turn for your mowing needs, then a tractor capable of snow removal and bush hogging rough areas.

A belly mower for a tractor will run you close to $3K while a low end commercial zero turn mower will be about $6K but you wont ever be hooking and unhooking the mower in order to work your tractor. If you figure your time at any $$ value, then that additional $3K will be recouped rather quickly in less mowing time plus you wont be putting the additional hours on your tractor.

I wont even think about recommending a snow removal tractor since I dont have that event to contend with. I will say that if you live in an area of large amounts of snow, then a blower might work better than a blade. You can only push the snow so far with a blade and it will eventually pile up to the point that you wont have a road left.

 

[coobie]

Did you the part about him selling his L6060? Now he痴 looking for something new.

I read that.I say keep what you have and make due.

 

[OrangeMuscle]

Just went to dealer today to see the L3560 Limited Edition. Also wanted to make sure I could rule out the B2650 Cab, which I did. It is simply to small for me, especially after getting accustomed to my old L6060. I would not be happy with something that small, even though I don't doubt how capable it is. As for the 3560, it was very nice. I was quite impressed with the suspension seat that had a swivel feature. My 2018 L6060 with the upgraded air ride seat was not as nice as this one??? Also, one feature that got pruned off was the side mirrors, but I have to say I like the rearview mirror they have in the cab much better than the 2 side mirrors that I had on the L6060. Much more usable. It was the perfect convex mirror. I didn't drive it, but not sure if even driving it if I would have been able to tell if the power was adequate for me. I am kind of happy it doesn't have those useless top work lights that I had on the L6060. At least now it ripe and ready for a nice LED light bar. Hopefully the wiring doesn't prove to be too challenging. I have yet to get a price from the 2 dealers I reached out to yet. Tomorrow I'll have both prices. I also Am checking a price on the L4060 just to see the difference. Someone needs to save me from the madness. This is consuming. To make matters even worse I need a zero turn mower. So Im researching like a maniac on both fronts.

 

[nybirdman]

I would bump to the L4060 cab;the air conditioning is going to rob a little H.P..

 

[Milo]

I was going to suggest a B2601, or if you want a cab B2650. Either of these "little" tractors make great mowers, they're very maneuverable (especially the B01's), and they're relatively light which can be a good thing. Turf tires (compared to R4's) are easy on your lawn and work great in snow, but if you'll be working a lot on bare dirt and mud get R4's and maybe chains for snow.

 

[Soundguy]

If you are looking for a new full featured tractor to work with I'll toss in my endorsement for the RK tractors from Rural King ( if you have a location near you ). They are rebranded TYM units that are decently configured. I have the RK55 with loader cab, AC, radio, remotes, etc. Fantastic machine. And I'm a guy that has used antiques for years, and enjoyed them.

Good luck!

 

[s219]

I would bump to the L4060 cab;the air conditioning is going to rob a little H.P..

Then he's jumping up to a larger frame though. L3560 is smallest Grand L, L4060/4760 next size up, L5060/5460/6060 largest Grand L. Pretty soon the OP will be back in a 6060 size machine where he started!!

 

[OrangeMuscle]

Here we go, Im right back into having the horsepower play cruel tricks on my mind. I got 3 prices today.

These are all loaded..Mid pto, air ride seat, rear remote, hi amp alternator, defroster, rear wiper, turfs, 3rd function valve, loader, and of course cab.

L4060 $46,116
L4760 $53,136
L6060 $56,600

It's 10K TO get the 50% more horsepower from to 4060 6060. To recap, my duties include dealing with snow on a half mile paved driveway, rotary cutting the sides of the driveway and some other areas that total 1 acre, and grappling the property to always make it look mint. I guess the torture comes from the fact that the neighbor can plow the driveway cheaply, I could rent a skid steer from the local rental place a few times a year and bush hog and grapple, and be ahead of the game money wise. So unbelievably torn. Somebody please smack some sense into me.

 

[LouNY]

It takes horsepower to move snow with any kind of speed,
that means size and weight.
To much size and weight for a lawn or to get into tight spaces in the woods.
With your variety of needs one unit is not going to do what you want.
Wet heavy snow on a long driveway that's paved to me would mean a blower.
With a plow you are going to have to push down onto your 20' shoulders and so much of the time the ground will not be froze.
You will have dirt piles and gouges to fix in the spring.

 

[wmonroe]

I have a L5240 and use it for all my home needs. Plow snow on my 1100’ driveway, finish mow, brush hog, loader work, etc. I do normally take the loader off for mowing but it’s not required. I have R1’s and it doesn’t mark the yard unless it’s wet out.

I did just purchase a BX for my wife to mow with since she doesn’t like the rear finish mower. I’m out of town for work some in the spring and fall so some of the mowing duty falls on her. However if I was back to when I purchased the 5240 I would not change my decision. I’ve been very happy with that size and would do it again.

 

[radioman]

OMG -- i reading this whole post and all i can think of is why does he really need all that horsepower? no farming, no commercial business with the tractor. look .. i get it, we all love the biggest, shiny and baddest machines if we can afford it. when you saying a "cadailac" tractor rotting away in the garage- sorry it feels kinda offensive in some way. having a tractor sitting in a garage is awesome knowing its ready for ANY action you need it for rather then not having anything that works. for the amount of money you are willing to spend -- would you consider 2 smaller machines? or used L series with cab and loader/grapple/rear blower for clearing snow and picking up big stuff and new BX with loader and mower ? If you had a loader on BX - I can guarantee you will be it all the time for wheelbarrow work during summer as its so easy to put on and off . use BX for mowing as it will be lightest tractor but nimble enough for many things as you say you have 1.5 acres to mow. the only time i wouldnt get a BX if you want a perfectly manicured lawn all the time and time is money for you and you will have lots of trees and things in the yard to go around then get a zero turn kubota. the BX mows nicely - can mow 1.5 acres in hour . zero can do it much quicker .

 

[OrangeMuscle]

Excellent points radioman. After reading your post I revisited and watched about ten youtube videos on the BX. It seems like a great machine. I want 1 tractor and one mower. The mower search I believe is over, I think I am buying the Kubota Z421KW-54 for the 1.5 acres. The BX does appear to be nice and nimble. If it had a cab I would consider.

I really would like a cab. I do wish I could make the B2650 work. That would be the most sensibly suited tractor for my property. I could handle what I want. Its just too cramped in the cab. I am 6'3", and it feels so restricted. Also coming for the L6060 spaciousness its doubly difficult to adjust to the B2650 cab. I also don't like the gas peddle. Felt uncomfortable to me. So unfortunately that puts me in the Grand L series again. I agree in some ways it is overkill. I am still wrestling between the 4760 and 6060. I ruled out the 4060.

Here are 2 pics of what enjoyed most, grappling.

 

[arrow]

Good choice with the mower. I don't blame you for wanting a Kubota. It does limit your choices as your tractor needs would all be accomplished with a smaller machine such as their L3000 series. You want a cab however and I see nothing that provides that with this model so you're forced to jump up. You have too much tractor now and yes, the axiom "buy the biggest you can afford" does not always fit as you've found out.

There are other brands that seem very spacious with their smaller cabbed tractors but I'll forego other manufacturer recommendations since you are bent on getting Kubota. Good luck with your search.

 

[OrangeMuscle]

Still have not made a decision on purchase yet, but I just rented a bobcat T590 tracked skid steer for a month that came with a grapple. I did an amazing amount of work with it. Removed all saplings and cleared and scraped around 5 acres of the perimeter around the house. The capability of the skid steer blew me away, as it was my first time riding one. I would never in a million years have been able to grapple with the L6060 like this. Not just because the tractor is less nimble, but because it is more fragile. I would have broken the arms off and ripped off the hydraulic lines for sure. I tore through the forest and it is now manicured and looks gorgeous. When I grappled with the tractor I was always worried about breaking the glass or something else. Im not sure I could have hurt the skid steer if I tried.

Now Im wondering if I should get a skid steer instead of a tractor. I read all the threads on here comparing the two choices, and it was often repeated that the skid steers are more costly. Both the Kubota L6060 and the Kubota SVL65 skid steer are the same price. Attachments are a bit more for the skid steer, but not much. Someone mentioned that its best to get a tractor for all the general purpose work, and then rent a skid steer when you want to get crazy and blaze through the forest. With any luck I'll figure this out.

 

[oosik]

I feel your pain. My first tractor was a Ford 1700 4WD. The 3-point was class 1. I upgraded to a Kubota M6040 in 2009. Its 3-point is class 2. Last year I finally sold the last of my class 1 implements and upgraded to all class 2.

 

[Ricn]

Sometimes there just to many tractors to choose from. After purchasing our L2501 and putting a flail mower on back, taking off the quick connect loader, I mow several acres with ease around tree's and flower beds plus the pasture area. Great tractor with R4 tires gets it done! Used to mow with a rider then a zero turn but no longer! Being a big guy I find all the L series tractors very comfortable and easy on and off too. No cab though, just a canopy.

Ricn