Buying Advice Tractor Newb - Need buying comparison advice

[Klipper]

I have just under 3 acres, in tough shape. Dead trees, needs shredding, etc. Was introduced to the idea of buying a SCUT or CUT to help me get a handle on it. After some research, I think a CUT is the way to go. The added power and clearance of even the smaller CUTs would benefit me.

My budget is tight, and this will be a huge expenditure for me, so I am really trying to do as much research as needed before I buy anything. And even then, I may decide it is in my best interest to just rent the occasional equipment and be okay with that.

The ones I have narrowed it down to are the KIOTI CK2510 and CK2610 - and the MAHINDRA MAX24 and MAX26XL.

Looks like I can get a slightly better deal on a MAHINDRA. But I have not yet decided enough to start hammering salesmen for a better deal yet.

I am leaning towards the KIOTI. And the reason is, there seems to be more postings in the internet about "troubles with Mahindra" than with the Kioti. The local dealer seems to back the product well, and I get a good feeling about them in general. Local Mahindra guy seems okay too, but the dealership has a few bad reviews lately.

I do have a few friends with Mahindras and they are all happy with them.

So what can you tell me about one vs the other?

 

[TheMadOne]

I've never sat on a Kioti, and only test drove a small Mahindra(eMax?) once. I will say a quick look on Tractor Data shows the MAX26XL weighing 1863 at the high end, with the CK2610 at 2701. That's nearly 1000 lbs between them. Weight=work done.

The Kioti is more tractor than the Mahindra, so if they're selling for the same price I'd get the Kioti and sleep easy. None of the big brands make bad equipment.

That said, test drive all the models you have your eye on, as well as the next frame size up.

 

[Klipper]

The next size up from the CK2610/Max26XL would be overkill and outside the budget.

 

[TheMadOne]

The MAX26XL isn't in the same league as the CK2610. They might have the same HP, but the weight is so different. The Mahindra equivalent to the CK2610 is the 1526. Again, if the price is the same between the MAX26XL and CK2610, buy the Kioti, because it's much more tractor.

 

[Tractorable]

Not considering the Kubota L2501? Superb machine, no emissions equipment, 2700lbs, ~$18K

 

[Klipper]

Actually, Kubota is the closest dealer to me, and a good one. But budget matters. I am looking at Tractor w/Shredder and Box blade pkg.

KIOTI CK2510 - just under $17,900
KIOTI CK2610 (gear) - $18,400, (HST) $19,500
MAHINDRA MAX26XL - just under $17,200
KUBOTA LS2501 - over $20,900

And this article: Kioti CK2610 vs Kubota L2501: 6 Reasons the Kioti CK2610 Wins

 

[airbiscuit]

Mahindra seems to be more uneven on quality.

 

[Klipper]

Yeah, this is not all about me saving money. I would like to get the best bang for the buck, not the cheapest one. It seems that Kioti owners have more good things to say, and less bad things, which is even better.

 

[LMychajluk]

I'm in a similar situation. 35 acres, on a hillside, lots of trees / brush to maintain, plus some light landscaping, mowing, etc... I'd like to be able to run a decent PTO-driven chipper, which would probably be the biggest load on the PTO of anything I would need. There are a couple that I think would work OK w/ ~20hp @ the PTO. But, like the OP, the versatility to do anything I need it to would be more valuable to me than doing any one thing great.

I'm eyeing the Mahindra Max26XL or 1526 (same engine). If you're thinking MAX, I'd lean towards the 26XL for a little more PTO HP, and I think it has the SSL attached bucket, which I don't think the 24 does. I haven't come across any reported issues with the late-model Mahindras that I would consider significant (more like failures of the dealer to do a proper pre-delivery inspection), and other brands have thier issues as well. The MAX26XL also seems more capable than the SCUTs from JD and Kobota, though in fairness it's considered by Mahindra to be a 'mid-compact'. The 1526 priced out similarly equiped to the 26XL is ~$10k more than the the Max 26XL. There's a new 1600 series coming out, so there may be good clearance deals on the 1500s, though now I'm wondering what the price on the 1635 will be (same frame size as the 1526 w/ a 35hp engine - can always use more power!!!!).

 

[Grandad4]

And this article: Kioti CK2610 vs Kubota L2501: 6 Reasons the Kioti CK2610 Wins

Note that this is promotional material from a Kioti dealer (Air-Bag Forage Solutions).

 

[Tompet]

Actually, Kubota is the closest dealer to me, and a good one. But budget matters. I am looking at Tractor w/Shredder and Box blade pkg.

KIOTI CK2510 - just under $17,900 (if HST?)
KIOTI CK2610 (HST) $19,500

My vote is either of these that you sit on and feel more comfortable upon. Compared to a scut that sounds like you were at first considering, either of these will be a capable step up for your chores and property outlined. What is your opinion of these two side by side?

 

[ericm979]

A PTO chipper needs power if you plan to chip larger material. I have a Woodmaxx 8H 8" chipper and a Branson with 32 pto HP. I have to slow the chipper's hydraulic feed down to a crawl to chip 6" and above material. Sometimes I have to stop the feed to let the tractor pull the flywheel back up to speed. That's the one task that makes me wish I had gotten a tractor with more power. (but then I'd wish I'd gotten the 9" Woodmaxx and an even more powerful tractor). If you're looking at Woodmaxx they tend to under-rate the required HP.

I have what some may consider unusual circumstances- can't burn piles, don't burn much firewood, lots of trees, and a number of species that no one burns.

 

[YLee Kioti]

Yeah, this is not all about me saving money. I would like to get the best bang for the buck, not the cheapest one. It seems that Kioti owners have more good things to say, and less bad things, which is even better.

Don't know which part of Texas you in but if you're near Paige, Tx. Give them a call and ask for Joseph.
Kioti has a few promos and he can fill you in on what is current. Presently the NX has a free loader, so the CK series may have promos that can help sweeten the deal.

 

[Klipper]

Note that this is promotional material from a Kioti dealer (Air-Bag Forage Solutions).

Yes I did notice that. But most of it just seemed like they were pointing out the differences, not bad mouthing Kubota.

Thanks for all the good info and suggestions everyone. Getting ready to take another close-up look at them in the next day or so. Definitely planning on seeing the CK2510 and 2610 side by side.

I know the HST is easier, but I was not bothered by the fact that I might have to shift gears to save a few bucks. Any other reasons to avoid gears?

 

[Tompet]

If I read correctly the CK2510 is straight gear 6/2 while the CK2610 is a 9/3 shuttle? Test drive each and see what you think vs hydro.

I have a gear, shuttle, and hydro tractor. Each work for tasks, but for around a smaller place doing general chores and loader work and not large field work etc. my choice would be hydro. Maybe spending a few more bucks would be worth it rather than saving a few bucks.

I have an 8x8 shuttle and would prefer a 12x12 shuttle for more choices depending on task. With hydro it is infinite.

I thought the CK2510 gear model also had a transmission pto vs live pto on the CK2610. Maybe another reason to get hydro over gear if choosing the 2510.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I don't think I would ever get a gear trans. in a compact tractor.

 

[AxleHub]

Klipper,

You wrote: "I have just under 3 acres, in tough shape. Dead trees, needs shredding, etc. Was introduced to the idea of buying a SCUT or CUT to help me get a handle on it."

I'm a little confused. If you have 3 acres, is your desire to pull out some dead trees and maybe take down some not good trees? Or are you trying to clear cut almost everything on the 3 acres?

I'm asking - because investing in a $20,000 plus tax machine just to eliminate some trees for only 3 acres seems like an expensive choice. My question would be - why not hire someone to drag out the dead ones already on the ground and then you and a chainsaw cut down other ones you want to get rid of and then have the guy come back to drag those out?

You are describing and being suggested that you get a good sized tractor - but I don't understand what you will do with a bigger tractor after the dead or bad trees are eliminated?

My point is - dragging out dead downed trees isn't huge time taking effort on 3 acres for someone with good equipment (track drive skidsteer or bigger tractor). Its getting them cut down or cutting them up that is the time taker which is something you can do yourself. If your plan is to clear much of the 3 acres - a logger can come in and take the trees you either have marked to go or to save the ones you want to keep (assuming you have some good trees they would get).

Why am I asking this? I could see two choices other than buying a bigger tractor that you may or may not need once this little project is done.

1. By hiring someone to do it- they will do it much faster and with the right equipment. Then you could buy a smaller tractor at less cost but more future use on a 3 acre property.

2. Maybe you don't have a bunch of other uses for a tractor after the woods part is done - so then do you even need a tractor of any size for other purposes ?

What no one has yet mentioned that I am - is 3 acres is not 30 acres - depending on how much of that 3 acres needs to be cleared completely or just cleaned of not desirable wood - you're not talking this is something that would take all summer. To give you an example - I hired a professional with a track drive skid steer to flatten almost 4 acres of steeper sloped ground of brush and trees up to 7 inches diameter (a bushhog couldn't do it well) - he used a fire lane cutter. And then he put all the brush or small trees into piles. that was 7 hours of his work and it was less than 600 dollars with 60,000 dollars worth of equipment (and he isn't the cheapest - but he is really good and very efficient). Now if you're cutting the trees down because they are bigger sized - a tractor won't take down those size trees so you'd be cutting them anyway. And then they get dragged out just like the downed dead trees get dragged out. Just a couple of alternative thoughts.

Same thing is true of chipping. A professional with commercial grade chipping equipment can whittle up huge piles of branches in short order compared to a tractor with a residential user pto chipper.

 

[edgarrian]

I think you would be better off renting and an excavator and burning. The trees you look to take down can be removed all together stump included. Cut up what you need. Burn the rest. When burning stumps use old motor oil and diesel. I tend to start my fires with a little bit of trash after I have spread motor oil on the stumps. Start burning the trash and then use the excavator bucket. As in put diesel in the bucket and then drop it on the pile. I suggest using some old timber and that should burn up all stumps. You will need to use the bucket to move the burning pile a little to keep oxygen feeding the fire. Might consider digging a hole and then bury whats left of the pile. Then cover pile and debris is gone

 

[johncanfield]

I had 2.5 acres at our last house in Florida and bought a new L2900 GST (this was 1998). It dug a 6,000 gallon koi pond and was a dependable helper. I didn't need it too much after the pond and house remodeling but we had a couple of hurricanes and it did all of the heavy lifting when I had to cut trees up and put them on the roadside for the FEMA contracters to haul off. I say go for a tractor, you want a loader and 4wd (and get whatever implements you want.) The little Kubota was a perfect size for that situation (and amazingly reliable.)