Your advice...another tractor Noob

MOPAULY · May 23, 2006

I'm hoping you can help point me in the direction of what piece of equipment would suit our soon to be future needs at a new home. We are looking at moving to a 1.5 to 2 acre property, and have been thinking of a tractor such as the Kubota BX24 for a few reasons. One being that she is huge into landscaping, gardening, and roses. Currently she has around 250 on our current lot, and the next place we plan to dedicate a 1/4 to a 1/3 of an acre to a huge rose garden. This may mean 400-500 roses by the time it's done over the span of a few years.

What this means is ALOT of roughly 2'x2'x2' holes needing to be dug (one per plant) along with trenching for irrigation. Due to the large amount of clay in our area, once the soil is removed we have to manually remidiate it before it can go back in, otherwise the plants literally drown from poor drainage. I'm hoping to be able to do more of this with a tiller in the future.

The other things we would do would include mulching 2x a year, driveway snow removal, and moving soil around. Everthing we've done on our current property was manual labor by us, and it is simply too much to attempt again, based on size of the new garden and amount of time needed.

I've never entertained the thought of such a tractor before, as we didn't know this day would come so soon (long story, state is buying our house and property for road project). I do not know much about tractors of this size, other then the inital sticker shock of what they cost.

I'm hoping you can help me figure out what may be a good choice for the above planned uses. Most of this will be a few year project so it would see regular use. I figured the smallest unit I could find with a loader and 8" backhoe would work the best, but was not 100% sure. I've compared the cost of renting something, and in the long run it seems to make more sense to purchase, as it will be done in stages. This is something we would most likely keep forever and simply maintain. I have a 38" riding mower for grass cutting duties, so I'm really just looking at the loader and backhoe aspects. Any advice would be appreicated. Never thought this day would come nor that the wife would buy into it LOL but strange things happen /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MOPAULY · May 23, 2006

I'm hoping you can help point me in the direction of what piece of equipment would suit our soon to be future needs at a new home. We are looking at moving to a 1.5 to 2 acre property, and have been thinking of a tractor such as the Kubota BX24 for a few reasons. One being that she is huge into landscaping, gardening, and roses. Currently she has around 250 on our current lot, and the next place we plan to dedicate a 1/4 to a 1/3 of an acre to a huge rose garden. This may mean 400-500 roses by the time it's done over the span of a few years.

What this means is ALOT of roughly 2'x2'x2' holes needing to be dug (one per plant) along with trenching for irrigation. Due to the large amount of clay in our area, once the soil is removed we have to manually remidiate it before it can go back in, otherwise the plants literally drown from poor drainage. I'm hoping to be able to do more of this with a tiller in the future.

The other things we would do would include mulching 2x a year, driveway snow removal, and moving soil around. Everthing we've done on our current property was manual labor by us, and it is simply too much to attempt again, based on size of the new garden and amount of time needed.

I've never entertained the thought of such a tractor before, as we didn't know this day would come so soon (long story, state is buying our house and property for road project). I do not know much about tractors of this size, other then the inital sticker shock of what they cost.

I'm hoping you can help me figure out what may be a good choice for the above planned uses. Most of this will be a few year project so it would see regular use. I figured the smallest unit I could find with a loader and 8" backhoe would work the best, but was not 100% sure. I've compared the cost of renting something, and in the long run it seems to make more sense to purchase, as it will be done in stages. This is something we would most likely keep forever and simply maintain. I have a 38" riding mower for grass cutting duties, so I'm really just looking at the loader and backhoe aspects. Any advice would be appreicated. Never thought this day would come nor that the wife would buy into it LOL but strange things happen /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

KiotiJohn · May 23, 2006

First, let me welcome you to TBN. Second, go to My Home at the top of the page, click. Then choose personal settings and fill out some information, especially your location as those who are near you can often give you better advice on local pricing and dealers, etc.

I see no reason at all that a Kubota BX24 or a Massey GC2300 or GC2310 TLB or similar from NH and others wouldn't work for you.

Unless you're going to be doing a lot of much heavier lifting, and would need a higher lift capacity, they should do the jobs you want to do.

These tractors don't generally have the highest lift capcities in their loaders, but probably would be sufficient for your jobs as stated. If you need more lift capacity in the loader, I would recommend that you step up in size to a Compact instead of the sub compacts.

I have two acres for my primary property along with some others that I maintain, but primarily I work these two more often and have done timber, stumps, grading, lawn work and I do a lot of brush hogging in other places as well as backhoe work for others at times. I use a Kioti CK20 which probably has the best lift capacity in the 21HP tractor class. The backhoe's are very good as well.

I don't think you would be happy with an 8" or 9" bucket as it has been reported often on TBN that the smaller buckets are sometimes hard to dump, especially wet clay. I would think a good all-around bucket for your uses would be a 12". The cost difference is not great between buckets.
I use a 16" and a 12" and if you want to dig holes 2'x2', this would be a good size for you.

Any of these models can handle a tiller when you decide to use that for punching up the soil with organics.

Trenching will be a breeze once you get the hang of using the backhoe.

I say, go around and try out some of the different models, find a good dealer. Before you buy, try to get each model brought to your house for a demo, and USE it doing some of the tasks you will want to do. At least use some of the implements you'll want around the dealer's lot. You can't really tell what a tractor will do for you unless you really try it out.

Comfort and ease of use of all the controls will be of paramount concern as you want to be comfortable with those sometimes long days of seat time.

Good luck in your search. Most all the brands are very good these days. Comfort, a good dealer maybe good financing are probably some of the most important things to keep in mind.

John

KiotiJohn · May 23, 2006

First, let me welcome you to TBN. Second, go to My Home at the top of the page, click. Then choose personal settings and fill out some information, especially your location as those who are near you can often give you better advice on local pricing and dealers, etc.

I see no reason at all that a Kubota BX24 or a Massey GC2300 or GC2310 TLB or similar from NH and others wouldn't work for you.

Unless you're going to be doing a lot of much heavier lifting, and would need a higher lift capacity, they should do the jobs you want to do.

These tractors don't generally have the highest lift capcities in their loaders, but probably would be sufficient for your jobs as stated. If you need more lift capacity in the loader, I would recommend that you step up in size to a Compact instead of the sub compacts.

I have two acres for my primary property along with some others that I maintain, but primarily I work these two more often and have done timber, stumps, grading, lawn work and I do a lot of brush hogging in other places as well as backhoe work for others at times. I use a Kioti CK20 which probably has the best lift capacity in the 21HP tractor class. The backhoe's are very good as well.

I don't think you would be happy with an 8" or 9" bucket as it has been reported often on TBN that the smaller buckets are sometimes hard to dump, especially wet clay. I would think a good all-around bucket for your uses would be a 12". The cost difference is not great between buckets.
I use a 16" and a 12" and if you want to dig holes 2'x2', this would be a good size for you.

Any of these models can handle a tiller when you decide to use that for punching up the soil with organics.

Trenching will be a breeze once you get the hang of using the backhoe.

I say, go around and try out some of the different models, find a good dealer. Before you buy, try to get each model brought to your house for a demo, and USE it doing some of the tasks you will want to do. At least use some of the implements you'll want around the dealer's lot. You can't really tell what a tractor will do for you unless you really try it out.

Comfort and ease of use of all the controls will be of paramount concern as you want to be comfortable with those sometimes long days of seat time.

Good luck in your search. Most all the brands are very good these days. Comfort, a good dealer maybe good financing are probably some of the most important things to keep in mind.

John

MOPAULY · May 23, 2006

Thanks for the info, I added my location. I wasn't sure how many 'players' there were in the market, and for some reason Kubota came to mind as I know of a dealer near here. After reading some other threads I realized how much is out there. It's still iffy right now, but if we get the house we are after it may become a reality by fall.

At first it seemed like a bit much for the size property we are going after, but when I started thinking about all of the digging again....uggh. The soil amendment alone used to take forever to break down the clay, not including the digging.

The mulching I didn't mind as much as I have a 15 cf cart I tow, but it's still a bit of manual work when you are dealing with 4 or 5 yards of mulch. Snow removal is currently handled by my 13hp 38" cut Toro tractor that I custom mounted a 48" MTD thrower to. Adding on all of the other tasks and a 'real' tractor started to make sense. I do all of my own mechanical / automotive work, and keep stuff a long long time, so it's a little easier to justify that way.

MOPAULY · May 23, 2006

Thanks for the info, I added my location. I wasn't sure how many 'players' there were in the market, and for some reason Kubota came to mind as I know of a dealer near here. After reading some other threads I realized how much is out there. It's still iffy right now, but if we get the house we are after it may become a reality by fall.

At first it seemed like a bit much for the size property we are going after, but when I started thinking about all of the digging again....uggh. The soil amendment alone used to take forever to break down the clay, not including the digging.

The mulching I didn't mind as much as I have a 15 cf cart I tow, but it's still a bit of manual work when you are dealing with 4 or 5 yards of mulch. Snow removal is currently handled by my 13hp 38" cut Toro tractor that I custom mounted a 48" MTD thrower to. Adding on all of the other tasks and a 'real' tractor started to make sense. I do all of my own mechanical / automotive work, and keep stuff a long long time, so it's a little easier to justify that way.

coasterez · May 23, 2006

Also look at the Simplicity Legacy.

coasterez · May 23, 2006

Also look at the Simplicity Legacy.

KiotiJohn · May 23, 2006

I can tell you that if I only had a half acre I would want to keep my tractor to use on it. I can't believe all that I've been able to accomplish with it that I just wouldn't have done without it!

I've heard the Simplicity is a pretty good choice as well. Even the Power Tracs that many of our members enjoy would be worth checking out since you can do all your own work. I understand that they use mostly components that can be had locally although they don't have a dealer network.
John

KiotiJohn · May 23, 2006

I can tell you that if I only had a half acre I would want to keep my tractor to use on it. I can't believe all that I've been able to accomplish with it that I just wouldn't have done without it!

I've heard the Simplicity is a pretty good choice as well. Even the Power Tracs that many of our members enjoy would be worth checking out since you can do all your own work. I understand that they use mostly components that can be had locally although they don't have a dealer network.
John

JohnSinVA · May 24, 2006

My advice would be to spend some time reading down in the Power-Trac forum. For the intended use you describe this machine might be just the ticket. The planter head drill and correctly sized auger will make much shorter work of digging holes for planting than a backhoe. Still want a backhoe? You have the option of a full sized rear mounted backhoe or a smaller sized front mounted hoe. Need to do a lot of trenching? They offer a ditch witch style trenching attachment. Plus the articulation of the machine would likely be more easily maneuverable in and around your garden. Mowing isn't a strong point of the PT, but you already have that covered.

KiotiJohn is right in that PT does sell direct from their factory, but the machines themselves are quite simple. Everything is driven hydraulically, the wheels are driven with pumps/motors in the same way ZTR mowers are driven. All attachments are driven via hydraulic motors as well.

JohnSinVA · May 24, 2006

My advice would be to spend some time reading down in the Power-Trac forum. For the intended use you describe this machine might be just the ticket. The planter head drill and correctly sized auger will make much shorter work of digging holes for planting than a backhoe. Still want a backhoe? You have the option of a full sized rear mounted backhoe or a smaller sized front mounted hoe. Need to do a lot of trenching? They offer a ditch witch style trenching attachment. Plus the articulation of the machine would likely be more easily maneuverable in and around your garden. Mowing isn't a strong point of the PT, but you already have that covered.

KiotiJohn is right in that PT does sell direct from their factory, but the machines themselves are quite simple. Everything is driven hydraulically, the wheels are driven with pumps/motors in the same way ZTR mowers are driven. All attachments are driven via hydraulic motors as well.

Bob_Skurka · May 24, 2006

( After reading some other threads I realized how much is out there. )

There is a lot of stuff 'out there' but how much of it is NEAR YOU? If you are new to all of this, I'd recommend you start by looking at the brands that are within 10, 20 or maybe 30 miles of where you are located. Any brand that has a small tractor will do the job you need. But do you want to drive 200 miles round trip for service or parts?

Find an established dealer in your area, one with a complete shop. Look at the shop, it is as important as the tractor. Make sure they have a few mechanics, make sure they can do hydraulic repairs, metal fabrication, and make sure their service guys are not just kids off the street. You want factory certified diesel mechanics working on your equipment. You want a shop that can do the work 'in-house' so that you don't have a repair delayed by them sending the work out to another shop (more common than you think). Also check out the parts department. It should be fully stocked. There should be at least 1 full time parts guys working there.

The logic for all of this is that you want a dealer that will back you up, it does not have to be a big dealer, but it has to be 'big enough' to take care of you, and 'big enough' to have experience to do the job right.

There is a new dealer near me, it is a lawnmower shop that just got into tractor. Been around for a long time. But its specialty is small gas engines, not diesel tractor.

Another brand is represented by a garden center. You can buy a tractor or a ZTR and a couple trays of petunias all at the same place. Who is making the repairs?

Bob_Skurka · May 24, 2006

( After reading some other threads I realized how much is out there. )

There is a lot of stuff 'out there' but how much of it is NEAR YOU? If you are new to all of this, I'd recommend you start by looking at the brands that are within 10, 20 or maybe 30 miles of where you are located. Any brand that has a small tractor will do the job you need. But do you want to drive 200 miles round trip for service or parts?

Find an established dealer in your area, one with a complete shop. Look at the shop, it is as important as the tractor. Make sure they have a few mechanics, make sure they can do hydraulic repairs, metal fabrication, and make sure their service guys are not just kids off the street. You want factory certified diesel mechanics working on your equipment. You want a shop that can do the work 'in-house' so that you don't have a repair delayed by them sending the work out to another shop (more common than you think). Also check out the parts department. It should be fully stocked. There should be at least 1 full time parts guys working there.

The logic for all of this is that you want a dealer that will back you up, it does not have to be a big dealer, but it has to be 'big enough' to take care of you, and 'big enough' to have experience to do the job right.

There is a new dealer near me, it is a lawnmower shop that just got into tractor. Been around for a long time. But its specialty is small gas engines, not diesel tractor.

Another brand is represented by a garden center. You can buy a tractor or a ZTR and a couple trays of petunias all at the same place. Who is making the repairs?

MOPAULY · May 24, 2006

I looked at the PT website this morning, but was kind of turned off by the equipment, and it's not cheap either. $2,000 differance between it and the BX24, and I can get the Kubota local.

All I've noticed around here is mainly Deere dealers, with a few Kubota peppered around. I called 2 dealers this morning and was quoted a best price of $15,700 for the BX24 with the loader and backhoe.

At this point it will most likely be until fall before we are ready to purchase something, so at least I have time to learn more...however as I'm finding, at least from what I see, Kubota seems to be a leader in this class with quite a few followers.

A few other brands I've looked at kind of look like cobbled together equipment, whereas the Kubota reminds me of a full size unit just shrunken down.

I'll have to do more reading here on the forums and more research, but I would have to say the orange machine is peaking my interest over others at the moment.

MOPAULY · May 24, 2006

I looked at the PT website this morning, but was kind of turned off by the equipment, and it's not cheap either. $2,000 differance between it and the BX24, and I can get the Kubota local.

All I've noticed around here is mainly Deere dealers, with a few Kubota peppered around. I called 2 dealers this morning and was quoted a best price of $15,700 for the BX24 with the loader and backhoe.

At this point it will most likely be until fall before we are ready to purchase something, so at least I have time to learn more...however as I'm finding, at least from what I see, Kubota seems to be a leader in this class with quite a few followers.

A few other brands I've looked at kind of look like cobbled together equipment, whereas the Kubota reminds me of a full size unit just shrunken down.

I'll have to do more reading here on the forums and more research, but I would have to say the orange machine is peaking my interest over others at the moment.