Comparison The right tractor for snow removal and maintaining property

[Paystar]

I do everything you do with my B2620 no problem. Just depends how fast you want to do it. Sure bigger would be better.....but how much do you want to spend? And do you want to buy an unmaintained used tractor?

On the Kubota vs Yanmar......there will always be Kubota dealers all over. I hate to call Yanmar an off brand because they pretty much build most of Deere's stuff, but it's not like they are an every day huge seller (like a Kubora/Deere/Massey). Look at all these other brand dealers that keep disappearing.

 

[Kubota 2350]

Horse power rules.

Never heard anyone wish for less.

 

[onelostdogg]

If you're a member of the Sportsmen's, or even if you know a couple members, maybe they would let you spend an hour (or five) on their machine? Two complaints I have that you didn't mention: The bucket is a little flimsy for my liking. I would like to add a grapple in the future but the top and corners will definitely need some beefing up. Second, getting on and off the thing is a little tight for me. Even if my feet were smaller (like a 9 or 10) I think it would still require a bit of contortion. Once I'm in the seat, all the controls are comfortable and easy to reach. I noticed both these problems before I bought and decided I could live with them. No regrets there. And I agree with you in that it sure would be nice to have split brakes...And have them on the left. Haha. I guess it's true. You can't always get what you want but if you try sometimes...

 

[paulfun9]

Good point. The things I don't like about the Yanmar.

1.) When Yanmar is mentioned, 4 out of 5 people (at least) say "never heard of em." Kills resale value, if I ever need to sell it.
2.) I don't like the brake pedal above the dual accelerator pedals. I'd get used to it, but I really wish it had split brakes on the left. (can this be changed???)
3.) No quick attach loader for skidsteer attachments.
4.) No armrests on seat. I know, minor, but you asked! haha
5.) It's a little faded from sitting on the lot as a leftover for so long. Ok, ok, now I'm really nitpicking....

Things I don't like about the Kubota B2601

1.) Only 26 horsepower, which is probably all I'd ever need anyway, but "buy as much tractor as you can afford" has been said more times than I can count
2.) I don't really like the treadle/rocker panel, but honestly, Kubota's is the nicest one I tried.
3.) Not thrilled about the orange paint.....:confused3:

Seat id easy to change
A little fade in the paint ? Maybe some wax.
Resale? Cant speak for everyone but having had a Yanmar built Deere or two I wouldn't worry about resale as they are good tractors and most tractor people know who built all those tractors for Deere over the years. They might try to play name games but when selling you must be firm and know what it is your selling. Simply telling a potential buyer who built tractors for Deere for years and still use their engines should get them to quickly do an about face on their negotiation tactics.
As for the break pedals I agree they would be better split and on the other side but I cant comment on if they can be moved or not without looking at what all would need done.
The price is right if you can live with the trade offs

As for the Kubota I think its too small and even if you don't buy the Yanmar I would keep looking for something better suited to your needs.

 

[AxleHub]

Umm, actually $16,500 with rear tires loaded for the EX3200. Shoot, it's not even $18,000 out the door! But, that's not with manufacturer financing. That's using my home equity or a local bank with 4.5% financing for 5 years.

In your opening post to start the thread either unit was at about 18,000 . . But now it turns out to be only 16,500 with loaded tires for the Yanmar . . . You do understand that is a price most scuts reach right lol?

Pakraig, I think its time to start looking at logic on your decision:

What are the dimensional differences between the 2 units . . Ground clearance, weight, width etc? Are they both the same frame sizes?

What are the fel lift capacities? How about pto hp at the 3pt for each ?

Can the rear wheels be reversed to add an inexpensive gain in width stability on each unit?


And how much difference in price is there actually between the two?

What items or attachments or changes would you add to each unit relatively soon and what costs would those total for each unit?

How about seating cockpit arrangement? Do you have good room and space for coats and boots? How about legroom and ability to reach controls easily when you have coats and boots on? How about easy access under the hood to change filters or check fluids?

Is your terrain flat or sloped or steeply sloped? Is lawn an issue?

Each of these questions is an important part of having 25 acres of woods and 2 acres of food plot.

Lastly . . . does the Yanmar dealer have more than one in stock? And if its sold before you decide. . . is that option then gone?

And 5 years from now when warranties are done . . . do you have more than one choice for servicing for each? Just a sideline question . . can Deere dealers service the yanmar also?

 

[PAKraig]

In your opening post to start the thread either unit was at about 18,000 . . But now it turns out to be only 16,500 with loaded tires for the Yanmar . . . You do understand that is a price most scuts reach right lol?

Pakraig, I think its time to start looking at logic on your decision:



And 5 years from now when warranties are done . . . do you have more than one choice for servicing for each? Just a sideline question . . can Deere dealers service the yanmar also?

See, now you're questioning whether I actually did my homework. You should see my ridiculous spreadsheet that I put together! LOL. And I never said ANY tractor cost $18,000, but I could've been more clear by saying my budget is $18,000. Nothing wrong with having money left over....

I shopped all the dealers I have reasonably close to me:

Started with local Yanmar dealer where my friend works:

All they had on the lot was a red 221. Took it for a drive, knew it wasn't what I needed, asked about the, also red, 424, which I later got to drive and knew it was a very nice $15,000 tractor, but just didn't feel like quite enough. I had seen an EX3200 there before and asked about that, and he said there might be a few left, but they're discontinuing them, and that's when I learned all about Tier 4 and DPF. Got a quote of over $20k cash for tractor/loader EX3200 and $16,400 for a 424. Left there not intending to return.

Went to John Deere and got a price on a 2025R at $19,000 w/ tax. Not a lot of tractor for the money so I kept looking.

Mahindra: Max 25 and 26XL, 1526, 1533 and 2538. The floor space and/or pedal position in all these tractors were all a no-go, either poorly thought out and cramped or just plain dangerous in my opinion, with the exception of the new 2538 which just felt cheap overall, which is a shame, because it's a lot of tractor for the money, and Mahindra's financing is pretty much impossible to beat.

Kubota: Spent a few hours at Messick's, and probably drove Randy Matter crazy but he was really nice about the whole thing because he could tell I was a real buyer. Started out with an unbelievably good deal on a BX2667 but it's just not for me. Not enough tractor, I knew that right away. Then I checked out a B2601 and a B2650 AND a B2301 due to the price. Liked the B2650, but didn't feel it was $1500 more tractor than the B2601. I was pretty much set on buying the B2601, despite it being right at my max price range to start.

Kioti: Started with the CK2510 hydro given its specs and price range, not a fan of its pedal layout leaving me feel very cramped, I don't like my feet under me, I'd rather have them out in front a bit. Drove the CK3510 hydro just to see the difference and really liked that tractor, despite feeling BIG, it's well thought out and very user-friendly but just a good bit more than I want to spend. That same day (mid January) the salesperson said they have a new tractor coming out, the CK2610, and he'd call me when they got it. Jan 25th (2 days after our 2+ feet of snow) I went to check out the CK2610H and really, really liked it. A lot of tractor and I really didn't notice any lack in power, thanks to the 3 range transmission. Dual pedal setup on the right, brake above again, but something I could certainly live with. (Pedal layout is actually identical to the EX3200.) CK2610H also has SSQA standard and choice of light duty 66" or HD 60" bucket. The dealer didn't seem very knowledgeable about the financing and told me my best option was to take the $1,400 promotion from Kioti and use my own financing. Not thrilled with that idea, I told him I'd wait til the next quarter and see if they offer a free loader for the CK2610H. I now have restored interest having talked to the next-closest dealer and hearing good reviews on them, and having gotten a quote of $17,813 for tractor and loader.

Following week, I learned that the NEXT closest Yanmar dealer, almost 50 miles actually, had 1 leftover EX3200 so I looked around on Fastline and Tractorhouse to see what they were selling for. Found 2 that were within 200 miles, both at great prices. Called the dealer, he matched the price and so I went to look at it. Great tractor, but it looked a little worn and weathered and didn't have the SSQA which I'd really like to have.

I do have some hilly terrain, but I don't see the need to reverse my rear wheels whether it's an option or not.

I guess I'm still at 3 tractors, actually just 2, the Yanmar EX3200 and the Kioti CK2610H.

EX3200 is 109.5x59.1 @ 2,500 lbs (tractor), FEL lift is 911 lbs @ 79" and 1479 lbs breakout, PTO 25.5 w/ 32 gross HP, flowing 9.9 GPMs w/ dual pumps (separate for steering), 10" of ground clearance (according to spec sheet but looks like more)

Kioti CK2610H is 120.9 (including 3PH)x55.1 @ 2,701 lbs, FEL lift and breakout is TBD (but think 1,500 and 2,000 respectively) PTO is 21.8 w/ 24.5 gross HP, flowing 11.7 GPMs, 13.4" of ground clearance (all the folks that said Kubota L2501 should be looking at this tractor!)

B2601 is honestly not in the running anymore, but I did get the price down to $16850 w/ loader and 0% financing for 60 months.

Yanmar is $16,500 plus PA sales tax and some financing fees which would be my downpayment, so $16,500 @ 5.00% for 84 months is $233 per month and $3,090 in interest = $19,590.

Kioti is $17,813 plus PA sales tax and some financing fees which would be my downpayment, so $17,813 @ 0.00% for 84 months is $212 per month and no interest cost = $17,813.

 

[AxleHub]

Greetings PaKraig,

You posted that I was questioning your research . . . and that isn't what I was doing at all. What I was doing is getting you to explain what you liked in each of the 2 units . . . rather than what you didn't like.

Logical information has a way of allowing a person to think in a different way . . But do it outloud. And that is often very helpful because others can comment on those statements too . . . Which we have not been able to do because all we was what you'd provided.

Knowing all the tractors you looked at wasn't needed . . but knowing about ones in the same 2 brands you looked at helps us also.

As an example . . . with 25 acreas of woods, I would naturally think ground clearance is a thing to consider. I was concerned the kubota would be short compared to the Ex3200. In addition each tractor states ground clearance in different ways . . so a brochure on one brand might claim 10 inches because they are measuring it from a specific location like bottom of front axle. Another brand might claim a larger clearance because they are measuring at oil pan or some other point.

I'm glad you mentioned you'd looked at the yanmar 424 . . because I thought that was a nice tractor as well. However, as I recall . . it doesn't have the diff lock feature and though very nice . . its not the size hp of a ex3200.

Also, pretty much all these companies change their promotions every month . . not quarterly. I had always heard there were 2 options . . Cash or 0% financing. But when it came to actually buying my Massey . . . the actual day . . I found out there were 6 different financing options available and 5 of the 6 qualified for the cash pricing.

 

[Gittyup]

Isn't this a no brainer now? The Kioti is more tractor (except for HP) and costs less over the life of the loan.

 

[PAKraig]

Isn't this a no brainer now? The Kioti is more tractor (except for HP) and costs less over the life of the loan.

I think that's where I'm at, yeah

 

[paulfun9]

Who is the Kioti dealer offering the credit threw? DO you qualify for the 0% as I understand many don't qualify and when I was buying my DK40 the guy that was there right in front of me didn't qualify for it and had to find alternative finance.

If all is equal with financing I would choose the tractor that works the best for me. That means the least amount of dislikes that cant be easily changed and is the most comfortable while still being able to do the work I need done efficiently. I don't normally finance things so the problem of the cost of it does not get compounded with interest but if I were to have to I would not let 5 to ten dollars a month sway my decision if one tractor stood out to me. I know it adds up but again my way of thinking would be how to earn some extra money with the tractor to pay it off early and save that interest.

I personally would have no worries about buying a Kioti or a Yanmar and from experience with both companies I also would have no concern about resale even compared to others like JD and Kubota. People buying tractors know a good machine when they see one and if they came to look and were color blind like some are I would simply laugh and await the next person looking for a good well built machine and sell it to them. So basically I am saying buy the machine you feel the most comfortable when in the seat and using all the controls get the best deal you can when you buy it and if you pay a little more or less deal with that after the fact weather it be making a extra payment to the principal each month or basking in the use of an implement you got with the savings.

Enjoy the shopping experience and may the best machine win your tractor fun time!