Best Tractor

hunterdan

hunterdan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Location
Morganton,NC
I'm fixing to sell my Cat 420D backhoe since the heavy work for our home build is done. I'm wanting to downsize to a machine that will be more for maintenance of the property. Tasks will include cleaning out ditches, dragging trees out of the woods line for firewood, moving some dirt and mulch bushogging 2 small fields (1-2 acres) and general stuff.
I like a backhoe for the loader and hoe but like a tractor for the 3 point hitch. I'm going to try and find something that already has the loader and just pick up a hoe attachment and bush hog if I must.

It will need to have;
45HP +
4WD
Loader
A rep for longevity and easy to find parts.

I've been looking at Kubota L48. Anyone that has an opinion/preference on this machine or others is welcome to chime in here.

Thanks, Daniel
 
I just got an L2501. I like orange. Looked at the Deere, Kubota won out. Didn't hurt that there is a great Kubota dealer right here in town, and I know the folks that run it. Shop price, but also service.

Deere has a good rep for having parts for older stuff, though.

I got the frame-mount backhoe with mine. 3pt backhoes are a pain, and rough on the tractor. Subframe is worth the money. I haven't pulled the b/h off yet, but youtube makes it look fast and easy. Not something I'd want to do everyday (because you also have to install the lift arms, etc), but not a big deal to do occasionally.

I was looking at used tractors, but got tired of looking at overpriced junk that folks thought were made of gold, and was spending good money running around looking at stuff. Didn't take but a few more thousand to buy new. Lots of nice older stuff out there, though (but you get away from some nice things, like hydro, etc). Warranty is worth something, too. The L2501 is a strong 25 horse -- probably underrated -- lowest HP on that frame size -- but it stays below the cap, so no DPF/regen cycles/etc to fool with.
 
If you plan on keeping it long term I'd go green nothing lasts longer than a Deere. I've put 1000s of hours on all brands of tractors they all have their ups and downs, when it comes to service and maintenance case and new holland suck, Kubotas ok, but Deere is way ahead anytime a issue is found on a specific model of equipment they preform pips to fix the issue on those models before a problem even occurs. Most of the others will claim operator error of normal wear and tear. Keep in my mind I run equipment 300+ days of year, if your buying for minimal use I'm sure you'll be fine with either make.
 
Another thing to consider is resale value a 40 year old 2020 depending on condition is worth from 5 to 7k no other brand will hold that kind of value
 
anvilrubi said:
If you plan on keeping it long term I'd go green nothing lasts longer than a Deere. I've put 1000s of hours on all brands of tractors they all have their ups and downs, when it comes to service and maintenance case and new holland suck, Kubotas ok, but Deere is way ahead anytime a issue is found on a specific model of equipment they preform pips to fix the issue on those models before a problem even occurs. Most of the others will claim operator error of normal wear and tear. Keep in my mind I run equipment 300+ days of year, if your buying for minimal use I'm sure you'll be fine with either make.
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Best thing about JD? If you try to change your own oil, they'll sue you.
 
R Q said:
And parts are astronomical.
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shawn said:
But you have to pay JD to install them...
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JD colors aren't green & yellow, they're green & gold!

The JD we had in the family was only driven in parades because it was so expense to maintain...broke down in a Christmas parade hauling the Boy Scout troop & the next day grandpa put a for sale sign on it! I don't personally own any but the Ford 2810 & 2610 I have access to have never let me down, but are below your hp spec.
 
look at kioti. I have a 40hp and have been happy . Bought new in 09. Very competitive vs kubotA but about 70% cost. Daedong their parent company owns bobcat now. Worth a look.
 
Lurch830 said:
JD colors aren't green & yellow, they're green & gold!

The JD we had in the family was only driven in parades because it was so expense to maintain...broke down in a Christmas parade hauling the Boy Scout troop & the next day grandpa put a for sale sign on it! I don't personally own any but the Ford 2810 & 2610 I have access to have never let me down, but are below your hp spec.
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Kubota isn't exactly cheap either, and they are also quite proprietary with most of the parts. The Husco 2 spool loader valve on mine is about $1200 to replace should i ever have too, HUSCO will not sell you parts or the valve, have to get them from Kubota.
if it comes down to it, it'll get one from Northern.

Another problem of buying an older machine, finding the correct tires. neither the front or rear tires for mine are made anymore. 21x8x10 6ply turf for the front, 31x15.5x15 Terra Grip Semi Turf for the rear. a 4x4 tractor needs to stay as close as possible to the original tires to maintain lead/lag between axle ratios to not eat axle and steering gears
 
anvilrubi said:
Another thing to consider is resale value a 40 year old 2020 depending on condition is worth from 5 to 7k no other brand will hold that kind of value
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2020 JD??
 
anvilrubi said:
Yep
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My grandfather bought a brand new 70 model 2020 in 1970 for $6900,when they sold it @ auction in 95 it brought $7200.It wasn't abused but it had been well used.Ive been looking for one myself but there not very plentiful,around here anyway,and still bring good money.
 
My FIL has a ford 555 backhoe and a massy 235 or 245. The back hoe gets used 4x as much as the tractor. Just buy a small tractor with a bush hog.
 
BigBody79 said:
My FIL has a ford 555 backhoe and a massy 235 or 245. The back hoe gets used 4x as much as the tractor. Just buy a small tractor with a bush hog.
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Have to agree with this. Dad had a MF 275 with a backhoe attachment. Wasn't very long until he sold the attachment and bought a dedicated backhoe. I'd say for his use they get used about 50/50, but it is nice to have two tractors sometimes.

Duane
 
hunterdan said:
I'm fixing to sell my Cat 420D backhoe since the heavy work for our home build is done. I'm wanting to downsize to a machine that will be more for maintenance of the property. Tasks will include cleaning out ditches, dragging trees out of the woods line for firewood, moving some dirt and mulch bushogging 2 small fields (1-2 acres) and general stuff.
I like a backhoe for the loader and hoe but like a tractor for the 3 point hitch. I'm going to try and find something that already has the loader and just pick up a hoe attachment and bush hog if I must.

It will need to have;
45HP +
4WD
Loader
A rep for longevity and easy to find parts.

I've been looking at Kubota L48. Anyone that has an opinion/preference on this machine or others is welcome to chime in here.

Thanks, Daniel
Click to expand...
rockcity said:
Send me info on your backhoe you are planning on selling. I'm at the early stages of looking for one. :)
Click to expand...
I call seconds of Rock falls through :D
 
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