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OT: Small Tractors

Bulldog Bruce

Bulldog Bruce

All-American
Nov 1, 2007
4,783
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I am thinking about purchasing a small tractor. I have 3 acres and my last riding mower just died. I am talking about the compact actual tractors with a front end loader and a finish mower deck to start. 20 - 25 hp. Maybe add a Bush hog to cut the rough areas. We tested a Kubota BX2630 today. They wanted $16,500 for it. This will cut grass about 1.5 acres. We have yard cleanup. Some grading of drive, clearing of overgrowth areas. No plans to plant anything. I live on Olive Branch.

What say ye of the pack?

I have no brand loyalty. I am more interested in a good value than top of the line.
 
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T-TownDawgg

T-TownDawgg

All-Conference
Nov 4, 2015
4,610
4,410
113
Deere, Kubota, Mahindra, all good and real similar in capabilities for that size. Ask around locally to find the dealer with good service when you need it, and that would be my choice.
 
Dawgbite

Dawgbite

All-American
Nov 1, 2011
8,877
9,532
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Had a Kubota and traded it for a Mahindra, big mistake. It spent more time in the shop than on my property. Traded it for another Kubota within a year. My neighbor has a Branson and likes it, he is a diesel mechanic by trade so he knows what he is talking about. Regardless of who's name is on it, it is most likely made in South Korea. Kubota and a few John Deere's are the exception, they are made in Japan.
 
thatsbaseball

thatsbaseball

All-American
May 29, 2007
17,885
6,598
113
Small Deere's used to be made by Yanmar and I don't know if they still are but I do know they're still good tractors
 
G

garddog

Freshman
Dec 10, 2008
792
99
28
If you have a truck and trailer to haul it on call Windham Tractor in Philadelphia, MS. They had a 2017 with seven hours last week. http://www.windhamtractor.com/ Save you some money off a new one. They have all the implements in stock.
 
1msucub

1msucub

Senior
Oct 3, 2004
2,125
657
113
Hey Bruce. My input is from personal experience, and I’ll happily share it with you. I grew up on a farm (I’m no FARMER, mind you, see:DeSotoDawg) and know my way around tractors on at least a basic level. For my money, in THAT size tractor, Kubotas are WAY out in front. If you compare apples to apples, you get a LOT more tractor for the money. A great place to do some background research before you see a dealer is on the websites. You can compare similar models across the board. I spent about $20,000 for a Kubota L2501 with a loader and bush hog and I could NOT be happier. I know you want a belly mower, so just look online at what models come with one and go from there. Kubota hydraulics are FAST, and take a little getting used to. Reliable equipment in Hernando recently built a huge building over here, and they are GREAT folks. Ask for James. The similar JD models were, honestly, either the economy model (a joke) or thousands more. JD makes phenomenal tractors, but Kubota is just unmatched for what they offer in these compact models. Compare axel size specifically. Stay AWAY from Mahindra. Happy shopping.
 
Shmuley

Shmuley

Heisman
Mar 6, 2008
23,876
10,814
113
+1 for kubota. Bought tractor/loader/bushhog package for $22k. Sold it 10 years later for $17k. Crazy.
 
DesotoCountyDawg

DesotoCountyDawg

Heisman
Nov 16, 2005
27,743
20,927
113
Kubota hands down with John Deere second. Don’t even consider a Mahindra. Reliable Equipment in Hernando are great people and that’s who I recommend.
 
Bulldog Bruce

Bulldog Bruce

All-American
Nov 1, 2007
4,783
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That is where we did the test drive and my wife really liked the one she drove. I do like the idea of the place that is close to me. I just don't have any experience with any of these machines so I am interested in the opinions of folks like you. Thanks.
 
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T

turkish

Junior
Aug 22, 2012
964
349
63
Kubota, but if you have a dealer of a different brand much closer, you might consider them. Dealer proximity is important for any tractor brand.
 
G

garddog

Freshman
Dec 10, 2008
792
99
28
Windham is kubota. If that tractor isn’t sold it is only like 12700 with a bush hog.
 
thatsbaseball

thatsbaseball

All-American
May 29, 2007
17,885
6,598
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Bruce, One more thing. Buy a good cutter when you buy. I don't keep up with the brands anymore but the cheap ones will give you grief and won't last.
 
M

Mr Todd French

Sophomore
Mar 3, 2008
315
136
43
I have a Kubota B7800 and I love it. Use it for landscaping and 9 out of 10 times I say I’m glad I could use that tractor here instead of I wish I had a bigger one. Hydrostatic drive is a must. My tractor is in the shop and I had to use a JD 3033 and having to shift from forward to reverse was a pain for what I was doing which was moving a load of dirt. I did however like the extra horse power it had. I’m about to go up to a B3350. L series are just a little to big for the small area we work in. I have a bush hog, front end loader and box blade.
 
J

jdbulldog

Junior
Oct 27, 2007
2,594
368
83
John D first, Kubota second. The foot pedal for forward reverse is awkward on the K. It is like a rocker. JD has pedal for forward and pedal for reverse. Kubota maintenance costs are much higher as well. Both are good, and it gets down to personal choice. Do not buy any other brand past these two.
 
skip dog

skip dog

Senior
Nov 15, 2005
1,135
737
93
hey Bruce.....former contractor that loved doing his own grade work....used a Kubota L4310 HST w/ Kubota end loader, and industrial grade boxblade. I bought all of that for 24k, and sold 12 years later for 12k (mechanically perfect tractor, but the body panels were beat up).....go fully hydrostatic ALL DAY LONG!!! worth every penny extra it costs. It will take you about one hour to get used to the HEAL / TOE method of driving this foot lever. You do not drive this with your heal and toe on the lever at the same time, you have your heal on the floor board while your toes engage forward, and you lift up and put your toes on the floor board while your heal engages reverse. That simple. My friend has the new green JD version of a compact tractor, and I spent about 12 hours on it, and if I won it in a raffle, I would turn around and sale it and go get a Kubota (my friend that has the JD also said b/c we had to rent a kubota, that he wishes he had spent the extra for a kubota). Also, in that size tractor, 4WD is a must. Enjoy your new Kubota

I would also add, if your dealer has a good service department, they should have a good parts department, and if you are mechanically inclined, some of the little wear and tear issues are do it yourself repairs.

**Edited to add.....not to blast JD's, but they are a ag tractor, not a compact or sub compact. Having spent more than several hours in one of their cab and air big boys, they have no competition.
 
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J

Joe Schmedlap

Redshirt
Aug 11, 2010
1,334
33
48
Definitely in a small tractor, 4WD is a must. Kubota and Deere both make a good tractor. As I stated earlier, I just absolutely hated the foot pedal on the Kubota. Personal preference I know, but that one issue alone is the reason I bought a John Deere. I’ve been extremely happy with my purchase. I bought a cutter (Bush hog) and a box blade. The front end loader came with my tractor when I bought it. Good luck with your purchase and have fun. I’d highly recommend that you drive a Kubota and a Deere before you throw your money down. See which one you find most intuitive and go for it.
 
B

Beretta.sixpack

Senior
Oct 29, 2009
2,614
458
83
Love the Deere compact

there are 4 houses in our cul de sac and each of us has about 6 acres.....My neighbor has the Deere with the mower deck and the front end loader......He loves that thing, and whenever i need to use it, he lets me have it. I love it too. I honestly can't compare it to anything else in that size, but I love the John Deere one....
 
Bulldog Bruce

Bulldog Bruce

All-American
Nov 1, 2007
4,783
5,418
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Thanks for all the input. It was pretty enlightening that there was no love for Mahindra or New Holland or even a mention of Benson.

I think we are going to look at a lawn service for now and keep an eye out for a tractor.
 
Dawgbite

Dawgbite

All-American
Nov 1, 2011
8,877
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DesotoCountyDawg said:
**cough** CaseIH *cough*
Click to expand...
Red is the only way to go. A bit of trivia, back in the day the local International dealer would furnish the MSU research station in Prairie Ms a tractor and all the equipment for a year and then sell it. My dad bought all the 1964 equipment in 1965 when they returned it. The tractor was a 424 Diesel and he raised many a Black Angus cow and a family with that tractor. After he died 14 years ago, I stripped it down and restored it to better than it was new. I did a few tractor shows in the following few years but lately it just sits in my shop for the birds to crap on. My dad would be pissed that it wasn't being used.
 
Requiem For A Dawg

Requiem For A Dawg

Junior
Dec 3, 2008
4,031
374
83
My dad has a small Massey Ferguson. He’s owned it for around 30 years. Never has caused him any problems. He is pretty rough on equipment as well, so to see that thing still plugging along is impressive.
 
DesotoCountyDawg

DesotoCountyDawg

Heisman
Nov 16, 2005
27,743
20,927
113
New Holland’s are ok but Mahindra is junk. They’re good brand new and when things start wearing out it goes downhill quickly.
 
D

DonDon.sixpack

Redshirt
Aug 31, 2012
59
1
8
I just got the Kubota L2501 package. Tractor, loader, 5' bush hog, disc and boxblade. Love that thing. You can find a package deal for about 20 grand. WELL worth it
 
Bulldog Bruce

Bulldog Bruce

All-American
Nov 1, 2007
4,783
5,418
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They say it's a woman's prerogative to change their mind. Well my wife just did. She is now back to getting a tractor.
 
jethreauxdawg

jethreauxdawg

Heisman
Dec 20, 2010
10,857
14,345
113
Tractors are another thing I don't know much about

But my wife's grandfather is hell on equipment. The man breaks everything, but he has a Kubota and it might be the only piece of equipment he can't break.
 
IBleedMaroonDawg

IBleedMaroonDawg

All-American
Nov 12, 2007
25,574
9,784
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Bulldog Bruce said:
I am thinking about purchasing a small tractor. I have 3 acres and my last riding mower just died. I am talking about the compact actual tractors with a front end loader and a finish mower deck to start. 20 - 25 hp. Maybe add a Bush hog to cut the rough areas. We tested a Kubota BX2630 today. They wanted $16,500 for it. This will cut grass about 1.5 acres. We have yard cleanup. Some grading of drive, clearing of overgrowth areas. No plans to plant anything. I live on Olive Branch.

What say ye of the pack?

I have no brand loyalty. I am more interested in a good value than top of the line.
Click to expand...

I had 10 acres in Mississippi and mowed about 3-4. I killed two riders before I finally got a John Deere. Not only did I mow it faster with the lawn tractor, I never had to do anything to it but regular maintenance.

But make sure you buy it from a dealer... I don't know if it is still the case but they had a better deck than the Lowe's or whatever tractors.

It was also solid enough to drink a beer while mowing.

Man, I miss those days.
 
DesotoCountyDawg

DesotoCountyDawg

Heisman
Nov 16, 2005
27,743
20,927
113
I think wasn’t the actual tractor though. It was IHs lack of innovation that killed them. Then they tried to fix the problem with the 88 series but the damage was already done and the farm economy at the time was in the tank. The merger Case and IH saved both companies.
 
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