Tractor Thoughts

APJeeps

APJeeps

Aaron Darnell
Joined
Oct 14, 2014
Location
Greensboro NC
I've got about 6 acres at the new property, mostly wooded. Been wanting a tractor to help maintain and do around the house projects, mostly bucket work. What's everyone running? Was considered a John Deere 1k or 2k series tractor due to the fact I can get a drive on belly mower as it would be my primary mower. Dont mind the payment, would obviously prefer not to have one, But who knows. Not trying to make any money off if it working side jobs. Not trying to lift round bales or anything crazy. Any advice is appreciated.
 
Kubota L2501 and get an older finish mower. I love mine and there are others here who have one as well. Kubota in house insurance/warranty is second to none and they still have 0% interest on most of their new tractors. I have used the hell out of mine and it has been invaluable around our little farm. Mine has the R4 tires (filled rears) a FEL and a box blade out the door was around $20k. I didn’t buy used because you have no idea how bad they were beaten on and still asking near new prices.
 
In to learn all the things. The OLD Ford I resurrected has been amazing me. Amazing me so much I see the need/use of a bigger newer one with a loader. Maybe even a hoe! But when I get into the hoe side of things I start thinking about other equipment. On a side note I was told the Deere stuff is proprietary and that some attachments. had to be Deere. Would love to know how much truth was in that.
 
I went with a Kubota. I've got the 2501 as well. Great tractor. There's a dude in Newberry, SC that will hook you up. Wilson Tractor is the place. He gets lots of trade-ins and some of it has very low hours. Worth a look.
 
ghost said:
On a side note I was told the Deere stuff is proprietary and that some attachments. had to be Deere. Would love to know how much truth was in that.
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I know some of their quick attach stuff for their loaders is a JD only design, not sure about anything else.

Duane
 
Kioti
 
Kubota hands down. I've run them for 40 years. I have a 2850 HST with no loader now but I have a bigger old Ford 340 with front end loader. And yes used tractors are big money and new ones have 0 % Financing and a warranty so if you can swing it, do it.
 
83oldyoda4x4 said:
Looking for a 0% payment or paying cash?

I maybe the odd man out , but I would much rather buy an older tractor and and a mower. For much less than a new compact.

Edit: Mostly bucket work I'd get a skid steer and a mower.
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I have not thought at all about this perspective. The skid steer part. Got me thinking that the New Holland out does almost everything my front end loader on the tractor will do if used right. My tractor is an industrial loader. Still want touch the lift of the New Holland which is wheeled. I wonder which has better breaking dirt pressure at the bucket tip since the tractor is also 2wd. HMMMMM.
 
I've heard nothing but good things from Kubota. Even before this post.
Got a decent down payment but will hopefully be going for a 0%. Need to go do some riding around and looking.
 
Kubota. Can do a lot with a subcompact (and they'll fit in all sorts of tiny places), so depends on what you really need it for. Keep in mind that the ROPS bar makes them shitty mowers if you have to get around any trees.
 
skyhighZJ said:
Kioti is the Wish of tractors. I have heard nothing but horror stories. YMMV.
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Not to say they don’t have their issues, but I’ve got a 2016 NX6010 HST that I’ve been pleased with so far. I bought it used a couple years ago with 400 hrs, and have put about 100 on it myself. I really only use it to maintain a 1400’ gravel driveway and bush hog a couple acres a few times a year. So I’m certainly not working its guts out.
 
Hokie_YJ said:
Not to say they don’t have their issues, but I’ve got a 2016 NX6010 HST that I’ve been pleased with so far. I bought it used a couple years ago with 400 hrs, and have put about 100 on it myself. I really only use it to maintain a 1400’ gravel driveway and bush hog a couple acres a few times a year. So I’m certainly not working its guts out.
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Biggest issues I’ve heard of is parts and any sort of warranty work.
 
skyhighZJ said:
Kioti is the Wish of tractors. I have heard nothing but horror stories. YMMV.
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They are sort of a knock off try to be orange toe. My neighbor has one. It's does what he needs but it is definitely not the same build.
 
skyhighZJ said:
Biggest issues I’ve heard of is parts and any sort of warranty work.
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I’ve heard that as well, but there’s a couple of pretty long standing, reputable dealers in my area so it doesn’t seem to be as much of an issue. If I was doing daily heavy farm work it probably wouldn’t be my choice, but for my needs I couldn’t beat the price point. I was able to get way more tractor than I needed. I admit, I like to over compensate. :laughing: I definitely didn’t need a 60hp cab tractor for what I do with it, but I’m fat and sweaty so I used safety for the kids as an excuse to get a cab.
 
Another point to be made is the dealership distance relative to where you live. At some point you will need service or parts and that’s only as convenient as your time and how far you have to drive (or have them come pick up your tractor). Time = money/ productivity.
 
I also have the Kubota L2501 HST that I use on my 8 acres. The newest model is now the L2502 but mostly the same tractor, just a few additional things, like led headlights.

I have the FEL and the BH77 with mine, R14 tires and rear filled. Also have the quick attach option for the FEL so I can switch out attachments quickly. It’s the same as a standard skid steer quick attach, so attachment options are unlimited. I also have the 3rd function for the grapple or any other low flow hydraulic attachment for the FEL.

If you are doing mostly loader work, tbat HST is a life saver! Super quick and responsive. Highly recommended.

It’s a small and affordable tractor and it really performs beyond what I ever expected. I think they may still be doing the 0% financing thing too. They require the Kubota tractor insurance if you finance. I think it’s about $800 total for the life of the loan, and I think it’s well worth it. Covers all kinds of mishaps. Bent cylinders from operator error, or busted grill and lights from trees and branches, etc. I just used it last month to replace my headlight, hood, grill, and a few other misc items; almost $4k in parts and labor, paid the $200 deductible and like brand new. :)

I went with the l2501 over the 3301 because the 2501 didn’t have def where the others did. Probably not a huge deal but it was 1 less thing I wanted to worry with on a tractor. The 3301 is the same size and engine, just rated a little higher HP for the PTO. I’ve had mine a couple years and have yet to use the PTO, so no big deal. FEL on both are the same, so no less capacity with the 2501 versus the 3301.

I did get a box blade with it but I got lazy and didn’t want to take the back hoe off to use it every time, so I picked up an old 2n tractor just for scraping the driveway and it also does surprisingly well with the 6” PTO chipper.

Some guys are selling low hour 2501 tractors because they realized they wanted bigger, so may could find one for reasonable.
 
skyhighZJ said:
Another point to be made is the dealership distance relative to where you live. At some point you will need service or parts and that’s only as convenient as your time and how far you have to drive (or have them come pick up your tractor). Time = money/ productivity.
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This is a good point. I have 2 reasonably close, so I kind of checked out both and bought from whoever I felt would provide the needed services fairly and quickly.
 
I have a Ford 1720 a Ford 4500, and a Hinimoto something or the other that is so small I can't use it with my boots on( Steph fits it though). The 1720 get used the most. Your mileage may vary.
 
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skyhighZJ said:
Kioti is the Wish of tractors. I have heard nothing but horror stories. YMMV.
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14 years and counting on my DK40SE. Not a single issue other than preventative mx.
 
skyhighZJ said:
Kubota L2501 and get an older finish mower. I love mine and there are others here who have one as well. Kubota in house insurance/warranty is second to none and they still have 0% interest on most of their new tractors. I have used the hell out of mine and it has been invaluable around our little farm. Mine has the R4 tires (filled rears) a FEL and a box blade out the door was around $20k. I didn’t buy used because you have no idea how bad they were beaten on and still asking near new prices.
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How long ago was that? I priced a L3302 last weekend with same attachments and it was $32k. Afterwards I realized I should either be looking at a L2502 for no DPF or go up to the L3902 for not much more than the 33.

McCracken said:
I went with a Kubota. I've got the 2501 as well. Great tractor. There's a dude in Newberry, SC that will hook you up. Wilson Tractor is the place. He gets lots of trade-ins and some of it has very low hours. Worth a look.
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This was at Wilson's.

I'm borrowing a friend's L2501 next week and use it for a few days to see if it's enough.
 
LBarr2002 said:
How long ago was that? I priced a L3302 last weekend with same attachments and it was $32k. Afterwards I realized I should either be looking at a L2502 for no DPF or go up to the L3902 for not much more than the 33.


This was at Wilson's.

I'm borrowing a friend's L2501 next week and use it for a few days to see if it's enough.
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The 2501, 3301, and 3901 all use the la525 FEL. So while the 3301 and 3901 may have some more HP, the FEL is identical between all 3 models, so you won’t be able to pick up anymore lifting capacity with the 3301 or the 3901. They all 3 have the exact same hydraulic pump and cylinders and relief valves, so lift capacity is identical between all 3 models. The extra HP really shines with the PTO output. So, unless you are running a rear attachment that requires more PTO HP, the 2501 will probably do everything the 3901 with less impact to the wallet.
 
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