Sub-Compact/Compact Recommendations

iptman · May 14, 2021

The Bobcat tractors are white painted Kiotis. Check to see if you have either a Bobcat dealer or Kioti dealer around. Generally the Kioti/Bobcats have significantly higher weight compared to any other brand's tractor in a comparative size. My CX2510 weighs 2200 pounds and the Kubota B2601 weighs 1600 pounds. Bobcats are shipped from Kioti and are assembled fully in a Bobcat factory before being sent to dealers to sell. Kioti relies on dealers for final assembly. If there was a Bobcat equivalent of the Kioti CX2510 I would have bought that. I would feel way more comfortable with Bobcat's service techs than any Kioti dealer's. For what you have you should look in to the Bobcat CT2025. No DPF, good weight, 22hp PTO and you'll be surprised how cheap they're selling for right now (free FEL through the end of May). Skip the MMM and get yourself a used Scag with less than 500 hours on it. My mowing time on my ~2.5 acres of grass went from 4 hours with a tractor to 1 hour with the zero turn.

can do · May 14, 2021

Hermio · May 14, 2021

I had a Kubota B7100 for about 30 years. I finally figured out that a tractor is not a very good mower. I now have a zero turn mower (BadBoy), which mows much better. I also got a much bigger tractor for heavy work in the woods: a Mahindra 50 Hp 4WD HST model. Having a ZTR and a tractor will make your life easier. Just costs more!

Tony H · May 14, 2021

You may want to explore Mahindra MAX series. I can't Dis the Orange or Green in the sub compacts but they think their machines are made of gold just because they carry their name. Massey ferg too. How much snow do you get at a time typical? If you 2-3 feet in a night, you can count on super slow going with the sub compact. Less then 2 feet typical, you will be very happy

Stowed4Sea · May 14, 2021

@Bdsankey I'm also in the search, granted I'm looking for more HP and bigger size as that's what I need, but I also had the same questions and concerns about LS when I started.

I quickly found out they are have been around for a long while (originally part of LG when they started making tractors, LG like the TV's etc). They eventually split off in 2003 into their own company. They are one of the few companies that makes small tractors to have invested significant resources into making their own Tier 4 diesel engines. They are a leading brand in S. Korea, and their worldwide exports are growing rapidly each year. They have lofty goals and are investing a lot in way of making their own stuff, very similar to Kubota back when they were first developing as I see it. They aren't some brand like Bobcat that is paying someone else to develop and build their tractors or engines.

So, the only other concern I had is what if my nearby dealer shut down due to lack of sales, but after seeing how busy they are and discussing with him the various aspects of being a dealer, he said he never wants to sell any other tractor brand. He used to sell Yanmar at one point, but all the ways he explained that LS makes it easy to be a dealer vs the other companies really helped me understand why Dealers love LS and all the customers I've talked with love LS, I think it's a brand that will stick around for a long while. Granted there is no predicting the local dealer dying in a freak accident and having his dealership shut down or who knows what, but talking it over with him really helped give me confidence in that specific dealer, even when taking everything he said with a grain of salt because he is a dealer.

I haven't decided exactly what I'm getting or what brand even, but I'm fairly certain it will be LS. Kubota's are nice, but they don't really have much savings over Deere when compared to what features you get with LS. Granted, that's from my perspective looking at the 40-60 HP range of tractors, I see lots of value In LS there over Kubota/Deere. I would assume it's the same in their smaller stuff, but I haven't looked.

Hope that info helps!

nrosario · May 14, 2021

I know there is a lot of info already posted, hope you can use this to your advantage.
I used to be inclined on owning a small and capable do-everything machine.
But now after a couple of years, I'm convinced that the best approach (in my particular case) is to use/have the right tool for the job.
Instead of getting a MMM or a 3pt finish mower, I got a medium-duty flail mower for the heavy brush and a ZTR for mowing around the house.
I'm very happy with my decision, but not everyone might agree.
In my case, I own a Mahindra Max 26xl, with BH(which I like a lot), Flail Mower, Grapple, Forks, and soon a Land Plane.

The JD 2025r, Kubota 2601, and the LS MT225s are all capable machines.
Whatever you end up buying make sure you have good dealer support (as others mentioned).

Don't discard the idea of going a little bigger for not much more $$$. (Kubot L2501, LS MT225E, Kioti CK2610, etc).

Take your time on this, don't rush it, the machine you want/need is out there, is just a matter of making the best decision for your particular situation.

And remember to have fun.

kenbgbill · May 14, 2021

I have 5 acres of mostly wooded property. It was a coin toss between a JD and Kubota sub-compact from my research but both of those seemed to rise to the top from my perspective. I settled on a Kubota BX 25D since I needed a backhoe and they seemed superior for my needs. Kubota uses industry standard hydraulic components while JD seemed to have more proprietary parts. I also got a great deal on a 2-year old tractor with zero hours that just never sold 2016 model bought in 2018 so look around and have a bit of patience. Good luck

blueman2 · May 14, 2021

I would definitely go with a compact over a subcompact. I have a LS MT225S with a loader and backhoe. A drive over center mower is available. A subcompact is basically a lawn mower. It won't give you much ground clearance or lifting power. I find the compact to be big enough to do the job; but small enough to get around in tight spaces.

TexasDigger · May 14, 2021

Kioti CK2610 all day long... I had the CK3510 HST myself & loved it but needed a HP upgrade to bail hay. The CK's are workhorses & really good bang for buck. Loader was very agile & powerful - could curl & lift/dump simultaneously (unlike several others I tested). I lifted an entire 12x12 porch on my pallet forks with my CK3510 (same frame, loader & hydros as the 2610). Would love to get another one if I could afford the pmts on both!!

HEC · May 14, 2021

If you want parts availability in distant future or even at this time it is hard to beat the Kubota or John Deere . Some of the other brands without mentioning names can be crap shoot . Have a friend who waited weeks for parts . You get what you pay for in most cases . I had a mishap with my 2650 and needed door assembly parts , glass , door latch , etc. , etc. for my cab . Called and all parts were in stock and shipped the next day .

ljjhouser · May 14, 2021

Besides the mowing requirement, you might want to think what implements you will want to operate. For example, box blade for road work, Grapple for brush work, plow or tiller for garden, or pallet forks etc. That may help you decide what size you want to use over the next 30 years. If you look at compacts, might look at Kubota L series. I have about 4 acres and do some clearing and road maintenance (gravel road) and have the L4701. Never regreted having the larger tractor - stronger hydraulics, higher FEL lift and better overall traction. Best Wishes, Larry

GTV6 · May 14, 2021

We’ve had a JD 2027 (26HP) for about 10 years now with @300 hours. Field mower 3 pt for about 3 acres, moving rocks/soil/manure, plowing snow for about 100ft drive. Replaced a smaller JD which cracked it’s transmission case. (Negotiated a subsidized trade in with JD). I do the ’formal lawn’ grass with an 80v walk behind which is great!. The field tires would be too much for the lawn anyway. This machine has been flawless and indispensable for even moving heavy items around the barn, you name it. As a layman, probably shouldn’t be lifting more than the limit of 600 pounds anyway. Just the right size for 5 acres, several horses, some alpacas and vegetable/flower beds. Would love a back hoe but too costly for occasional use. Hire someone for plowing the vegetable garden when needed. Can get away with using the front loader for snow plowing. I’m in rural MA, very uneven terrain, LOTS of rocks, fair bit of snow. We do manage to get stuck occassionally in our wetland, but we have friendly neighbors with more serious tractors To save us from ourselves. Just the right balance between capability and getting oneself into trouble on uneven ground.

johncstam · May 14, 2021

I love my L series Kubota. the B series isn't bad, but its barely bigger than a large lawn tractor.

bartjoebob · May 14, 2021

Everything you describe can be done on a subcompact. But once you get on the 15 acres you'll start dreaming up things that a compact or even a utility tractor would be much better for. I'm partial to Massey Ferguson and the GC line is probably the toughest, best spec'd subcompact out there. If I were to purchase with the 15 acre end in mind I'd be looking at at 1800 Series Massey. They offer mid PTO for the mowing and front blower. Give Yanmar a look too. When I was shopping Deere and Kubota were most expensive of the brands. I found an excellent Massey dealer with great service dept that I was more comfortable marrying than Bota or Deere. Your mileage may vary

Rob REECE · May 14, 2021

So a 1025r is a very small tractor for the acres you have. I have ten acres and I have a 2009 JD4320. I would look at a 3000 series or a 4000 series and nothing smaller.

Green edge Nursery · May 14, 2021

Green edge Nursery · May 14, 2021

Green edge Nursery · May 14, 2021

Stay away from JD if you anywhere around Clarksville, Tenn. I have a 2320 with bucket & backhoe, the equipment is good, even though the dlr won't honor the warranttee, pardon the spelling,. Talked to JD about it, they say it's a dealer problem???? It's fair to say JD does not care for the little guy. I chked out kabota b4 I purchased, wished I had purchased a kabota now. Strongly suggest you check out dealer reputation when you get ready to purchase

fishdrivel · May 14, 2021

Back to the OP's needs.
You want a tractor but don't have heavy work plans
You need to mow 1-2 acres.

My B2601 compact tractor is not a heavy tractor. It will do a lot of work however. You can use a belly motor but like many others on here, I don't like them. I don't recall you clarifying whether you'll be mowing around a lot of obstacles. If you are not, a 3 point finishing mower would work well. If you have a lot of obstacles or have to "side-hill" I would get a seperate machine for mowing.
The B2601 is smaller than an L2501. If you have a good dealer they can explain the differences.

I would not buy the BX series. You are looking at your 15 acres as if you are only going to need the tractor for 2 acres. I remain skeptical.
I am retired now but even now that I do not need a tractor every day, I still find plenty of uses for it. You will find that your first choice for the task will always be the tractor.

My previous Kubota was a B2910. They cost as much used now as I paid new in 2004. Your tractor will hold valu better than almost any other purchase.

Oh, and absolutely get the loader. Be cetain befor you buy a box scraper. I have not had any use for on in last 30 years. You were talking grapple but also said you were not going to work in the woods. If in fact you do work in your woods (you will) you will want the ground clearance the sub-compacts do not have.

Good luck on your purchase.

Bdsankey · May 14, 2021

Looks like I'll be going down the garden tractor route for now and buying a larger tractor once we have the home finished. At my current home I have a fair amount of mowing around obstacles as well as a hill that I have to mow, likely a Simplicity Prestige or JD 500 series that will handle all mowing requirements as well as hauling my small cart/spreader now.

I would go down the ZTR route but I don't think it'll handle the hill in my front yard that I don't really want to mow with a push mower. My current Husqvarna can mow it if I take the hill straight on and take only mower width passes.