sa 324 / 424 Potential buyer questions

[Jimbo10]

My head has been spinning on various options for weeks, and looking to take the plunge this week.
I've been looking at JD1025R, JD2025R, JD3032E, Kubota 2601, Yanmar sa324/424 - all with loader/backhoe. I seem to be settling on Yanmar..
I have sub 10 acres, mainly landscaping, digging, clearing, grading, moving/digging rocks & fallen trees, building trails/access to difficult areas, removing/clearing bamboo roots, drainage work etc
The property has some flat/level land, but alot of it is up and down and some steep wooded slopes to get to several acres at end of property. Stability and ground clearance is a concern.
Local JD dealers visited the property with 1025R in mind, and after looking at it suggested 3032E would be more suitable for my plans.
The 3032E is much bigger than I'd like and think I need (and ground clearance looks BAD with backhoe sub-frame), I've ruled that out..
2025R is expensive for what it is IMO, and has same/similar width and specs as 1025R but more clearance - I suspect no good for stability (higher COG with same width), I've ruled that out..
1025R is still a remote option, but clearance/stability concerns remain, it would probably work for me for short-term immediate projects, but I think longer term is going to limit where I'll be able to take it.
Kubota 2601 - I like, still an option, but priced more than I want to spend.
So to the Yanmars : Seem like the sweet spot for me in price, size, lift power, capability. The clearance seems good, but the quoted widths are much wider than all the above options except the 3032E. This for me is a really strong point but I don't see it being talked about anywhere. I have the JD1025/JD2025/K2601 widths all around 48/49", but the Yanmars are about 54" - Weirdly Yanmar has the 324 width (54.6") wider than the 424 (54.1") on the specs.
- Have I got this wrong, am I hung up too much about this extra width ? (Seems strange no one seems to be plugging this against competition)
- Does anyone have any information on how much the backhoe effects the ground clearance on the Yanmars ? At the dealership it looked like the backhoe subframe and mounting points where above the lowest point (looked like tow bar was lowest point).
- No Grappler option from Yanmar - was looking at FEL conversion kit to skid-steer quick standard so I can open up this world - anyone done this ? (I understand I need 3rd function up front as well)

Any comments/thoughts/information appreciated.

 

[Williy]

I think its a misprint as the only difference between the SA 324 & SA 424 is the tires as it makes the SA 424 a little higher. Yanmar has a 10 year warranty and the joy stick for the bucket is right were your hand is and you have an adjustable arm rest so the
joy stick will fit in your hand. Did you drive both tractors to feel the difference so you can make sure what you want?

willy

 

[Jimbo10]

I think its a misprint as the only difference between the SA 324 & SA 424 is the tires as it makes the SA 424 a little higher.
Yanmar has a 10 year warranty and the joy stick for the bucket is
right were your hand is and you have an adjustable arm rest so the
joy stick will fit in your hand. Did you drive both tractors to; fell the
difference so you can make sure what you want?

willy

I have tried a friends JD 2305 ? (10 yr old version of 1025), and am heading to Yanmar Wednesday to hopefully try a sa324 out. I did notice the stick position- looks good and looking forward to trying it.
I think 424 has wider tires, so maybe they got it the wrong way around, but thought I’d check as right now leaning towards 324.
Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Williy]

The SA 324 & SA 424 are the same tractor but the SA 424 has the larger tires it gives it a little more ground clearance. I would have purchased a SA324 but no cab and wife says get a cab so I don't come in the house full of dust. So I went with the YT235C
Loader, backhoe, cab, tiller and brush hog. I told the dealer that I was going to use a 55 gal barrel for diesel fuel and he said it will last a very long time.

willy

 

[rScotty]

Much as I like Yanmars, I think the tractor that fits your needs is the Kubota B26 TLB.

 

[Williy]

I just read in one post that the Kubota's have aluminum for backhoe hookups. He said watch out because it will not take a backhoe. Is this true Kubota is using aluminum instead of steel???? JD uses plastic and Kubota is using alu;minum???? What's next? plywood???

willy

 

[Git-R-Done]

I just read in one post that the Kubota's have aluminum for backhoe
hookups. He said watch out because it will not take a backhoe.
Is this true Kubota is using aluminum instead of steel????
JD uses plastic and Kubota is using alu;minum???? What's next?
plywood???

willy

Plywood to expensive, OSB or particle board.

 

[Jimbo10]

Thanks for the input. As an update I tried out a 324 last week and it felt solid/planted (alot more so than the older JD I tried out). The dealer had a decent angled slope to run up and down (maybe 20 degrees) and despite my inexperience I felt confident doing so on the Yanmar. This made me feel that the 25+ degree slope I have down to a creek is doable with a little more experience (and the right ground conditions)..
I did notice alot of HST/transmission noise that I don't remember the old JD having. It also seemed to abruptly stop as if the brakes were still on (which I double checked). Dealer said this is normal, but is certainly something I want to assess further and compare with other options.

 

[rScotty]

I just read in one post that the Kubota's have aluminum for backhoe
hookups. He said watch out because it will not take a backhoe.
Is this true Kubota is using aluminum instead of steel????
JD uses plastic and Kubota is using alu;minum???? What's next?
plywood???

willy

Why do you guys make this stuff up? You gotta know it's not true. Is it just for fun?

There was a time - not long ago - when I believed in Santa Claus, Donald Duck's relatives, and the Tooth Fairy.....but recently I've begun to have my doubts about several of them.

 

[Git-R-Done]

Thanks for the input. As an update I tried out a 324 last week and it felt solid/planted (alot more so than the older JD I tried out). The dealer had a decent angled slope to run up and down (maybe 20 degrees) and despite my inexperience I felt confident doing so on the Yanmar. This made me feel that the 25+ degree slope I have down to a creek is doable with a little more experience (and the right ground conditions)..
I did notice alot of HST/transmission noise that I don't remember the old JD having. It also seemed to abruptly stop as if the brakes were still on (which I double checked). Dealer said this is normal, but is certainly something I want to assess further and compare with other options.

I also during my tractor purchase questioned the somewhat noise from trans. The dealer said YES that is normal and it was present in both the SA324 and 221 I test drove. The 221 was a bit more noticeable I suspect due to only 1 speed.

Git-R-Done