After recently moving to a more country location, I've decided that it would be nice to get a nice versatile tractor for some work around the yard. I'm looking for some advice and input on what to get. I'm looking around 24 HP size with loader, backhoe and mid-mount mower. Diesel of course. I've looked at the John Deere 2410 and 2510, Mahindra 2415, Massey Furgeson 1523 and similar sized Kuboata and Kioti. What do you think would be the best tractor to get? Are there other brands or models to consider?
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Compact Utility Tractor Recomendations
- Thread starter stg2500
- Start Date
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Sounds like you are the perfect candidate for what is called a subcompact tractor. I like both the Deere 2520 and the New Holland TZ25, myself.
Tractors are much like pickup trucks and diesel engines. They are not all the same and some work better for certain tasks than others. Drive the ones that you mentioned and I'm guessing that will make your decision more concise.
If you want a site like this, only for tractors, try TractorByNet.com | John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, and more!. A terrific site with sections for all of the brands mentioned.
Tractors are much like pickup trucks and diesel engines. They are not all the same and some work better for certain tasks than others. Drive the ones that you mentioned and I'm guessing that will make your decision more concise.
If you want a site like this, only for tractors, try TractorByNet.com | John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, and more!. A terrific site with sections for all of the brands mentioned.
I have a Mahindra 3525 and it is one solid tractor. Very easy to drop and reattach loader. I also shopped NH and they were nice, but JD charges a premium for the name and in a tractor that size you will be getting someone elses engine anyway.
Also have a friend with a Kubota that has run it for a few years with no troubles. I agree with JHerr, drive em all since you are bound to be more comfortable in one over another.
Also have a friend with a Kubota that has run it for a few years with no troubles. I agree with JHerr, drive em all since you are bound to be more comfortable in one over another.
To start off I have a John Deere 790 with the 70 loader, got it in 2000, and I love it. I have added to my attachments with a 5 box blade, scraper blade, york rake, rear mount finish mower and a bush hog. I have moved a lot of dirt, but just recently (this year) added the mowers.
One thing that I have wished for is the backhoe, but on the smaller tractors, their abilities are limited by the weight of the tractor. Check how easy it is to mount the loader, backhoe and mower, because mowing with them would be a pain, and it may not be possible to have the mower and backhoe mounted at the same time. Some advice, get the largest you can afford, taking into account what you intend to mow (bigger isn't aways better), be sure you rear tires are loaded, because with the loader, you will need the counter weight (unless you leave the backhoe mounted). Try them out before buying to get an idea of how user friendly they are. Happy hunting, I know you will enjoy your time on your tractor once you get one.
One thing that I have wished for is the backhoe, but on the smaller tractors, their abilities are limited by the weight of the tractor. Check how easy it is to mount the loader, backhoe and mower, because mowing with them would be a pain, and it may not be possible to have the mower and backhoe mounted at the same time. Some advice, get the largest you can afford, taking into account what you intend to mow (bigger isn't aways better), be sure you rear tires are loaded, because with the loader, you will need the counter weight (unless you leave the backhoe mounted). Try them out before buying to get an idea of how user friendly they are. Happy hunting, I know you will enjoy your time on your tractor once you get one.
KUBOTA
We curretly have a:
B2400 4x4 23hp diesel(loader, belly mower, tons of 3pt attachments) 2000 hrs and still going strong!
ZD28 28hp diesel zero turn mower, pro deck 2 years old with 400 hrs you cant stop this grass cutting monster!
BX24 23hp diesel (Loader, Pro Deck belly mower, Backhoe attacment, Bagger attachment for mower, R4 tires and Turf tires) Its only a month or so old and alread has 115hrs.
I would look at the BX or B series for your needs! We have had John Deere's in the past but the dont hold up and the perkins diesel motors are OK but after awhile they start to act up and the JD body falls apart! The KUBOTAs are top of the line in quality built products! We will never go to anything else! the attachments are all quick and easy! heck the backhoe on our BX only takes about a minute to take off and maybe 3 min to put on IF THAT! The loader is the same way!
Kubota engines are A1! heck they put them in Grass hopper mowers, Bobcats, Mini excavators, and the list goes on and on! You will NOT be disapointed with a KUBOTA! the Dealers are top of the line as well and will take real good care of you if you should ever have a problem.
BUY KUBOTA! visit Dakin's Yard and Garden - Jackson, Michigan's Premier Yard and Garden Store for Lawn Mowers, Tractors and Implements or PM "babyfat" for more info on the Kubota lineup!
here are some pics of the Kubotas!
#ad
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Ian
We curretly have a:
B2400 4x4 23hp diesel(loader, belly mower, tons of 3pt attachments) 2000 hrs and still going strong!
ZD28 28hp diesel zero turn mower, pro deck 2 years old with 400 hrs you cant stop this grass cutting monster!
BX24 23hp diesel (Loader, Pro Deck belly mower, Backhoe attacment, Bagger attachment for mower, R4 tires and Turf tires) Its only a month or so old and alread has 115hrs.
I would look at the BX or B series for your needs! We have had John Deere's in the past but the dont hold up and the perkins diesel motors are OK but after awhile they start to act up and the JD body falls apart! The KUBOTAs are top of the line in quality built products! We will never go to anything else! the attachments are all quick and easy! heck the backhoe on our BX only takes about a minute to take off and maybe 3 min to put on IF THAT! The loader is the same way!
Kubota engines are A1! heck they put them in Grass hopper mowers, Bobcats, Mini excavators, and the list goes on and on! You will NOT be disapointed with a KUBOTA! the Dealers are top of the line as well and will take real good care of you if you should ever have a problem.
BUY KUBOTA! visit Dakin's Yard and Garden - Jackson, Michigan's Premier Yard and Garden Store for Lawn Mowers, Tractors and Implements or PM "babyfat" for more info on the Kubota lineup!
here are some pics of the Kubotas!
#ad#ad#ad#ad#adIan
My dad has a Kubota he bought brand new in 85, its not a mower actually, but has a brushhog. It has been used hard for 22 years and it still runs like a top! Not sure of the model, its roughly 25-35HP though. I would have no worries with another kubota. Have used it for snowplowing, grading roads, brushhogging and maintaining the baseball fields when I played little league 20 years ago
Kubota engines are used in several other brands tractors too, they have my vote.
Kubota engines are used in several other brands tractors too, they have my vote.
I own a german Hurlimann, called the Frutteto because it's for orchards / vineyards. It's very compact, has a 76 hp 3 cyl turbo diesel. Hurlimann are part of Same - Deutz Fahr - Lamborghini group. I'm very satisfied with it. Has front & back PTO & 3 pts, air conditionning, lots of hydraulic ports, reversible seat, and other xtras.
Worth considering, knowing the $tag$ of Kubotas. Dan
Here's what the new ones look like :
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Worth considering, knowing the $tag$ of Kubotas. Dan
Here's what the new ones look like :
#ad
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Mid mower with loader and backhoe
stg2500, Just a thought but my neighbor has an older JD955 hydro 4wd with a loader and backhoe. He also had the mid-mount finish mower which hampered the loader and backhoe work when working in rough terrain situations. The mid mount just wouldn't raise up enough for adequate clearance.
The mid-mount mower got stuck on stumps, large rocks and piles of dirt while grading and digging. It got bent bad several times and was kind of a pain to take off every time he did rough terrain work. He bought a rear finish mower to replace the mid-mount but still hated to change it out with the backhoe. So what did he do? He went and bought a large garden tractor just to do the mowing with. Just thought I would mention this before you jumped in head first.
Maybe someone else could jump in here with their experience with the mid mower and heavy grading experience.
Bill
stg2500, Just a thought but my neighbor has an older JD955 hydro 4wd with a loader and backhoe. He also had the mid-mount finish mower which hampered the loader and backhoe work when working in rough terrain situations. The mid mount just wouldn't raise up enough for adequate clearance.
The mid-mount mower got stuck on stumps, large rocks and piles of dirt while grading and digging. It got bent bad several times and was kind of a pain to take off every time he did rough terrain work. He bought a rear finish mower to replace the mid-mount but still hated to change it out with the backhoe. So what did he do? He went and bought a large garden tractor just to do the mowing with. Just thought I would mention this before you jumped in head first.
Maybe someone else could jump in here with their experience with the mid mower and heavy grading experience.
Bill
TFucili
TDR MEMBER
Anytime you make something multifunction there are compromises. You bet the mid-mower is gonna get in the way if the terrain is rough. Likewise, turf tires suck if your trying to do any serious loader or blade work, but bar tires will rip the turf up if you try to mow with them. Quick-tach loaders are all pretty easy to get on and off, but the backhoes can be frustrating to get the pins in and out, especially if it's got a full length subframe and you're by yourself. Three point hoes will rip the back out of the tractor if you get to beating and banging.
Lots of good points have been made in other posts. I was a Deere dealer in the late 80's early 90's, so I am a little partial, but not much. Machine-wise I would say: 1) Kubota or Deere, 2) New Holland, 3) Everyone else. Just as important as the tractor, though, is make sure the dealer knows what he is doing and keeps a decent parts inventory. If the dealer is a clown you are likely to be unhappy.
Lots of good points have been made in other posts. I was a Deere dealer in the late 80's early 90's, so I am a little partial, but not much. Machine-wise I would say: 1) Kubota or Deere, 2) New Holland, 3) Everyone else. Just as important as the tractor, though, is make sure the dealer knows what he is doing and keeps a decent parts inventory. If the dealer is a clown you are likely to be unhappy.
Thanks for the replies. Just about every machine that I looked at will require the removal of the backhoe for mowing. Some have mentioned the rear mount finish mower. What affect does that have on cutting around obstacles? Having never owned a machine like this I am only familiar with the mid mount mowers like on lawn and garden tractors. It seems like the rear mount would be easier to remove though. The one thing I didn't like about the JD was the amount of plastic on it. Hood fenders etc. The Mahindra and Kubota seemed to have a lot more metal.
I work at a JD dealer currently and I would not buy one of the new hydros, the E-Hydro. Bend the platform a little in any direction and you are stuck until it is fixed.
I would talk to some people locally and see what dealerships they recomend dealing with, we get a lot of local Kubota work because they will only order parts once a week, or charge you $30 to order a u-joint, but the closest Case-IH/Kubota dealer will order that day and not charge any freight. We have one guy with a Kubota and Deere and we had him three different parts in less time than he got one for his Kubota.
Those are just my experiances and after trying to get parts for Deere string trimmers and chainsaws I get nervous about any "Johnny come lately" company because parts can be impossible and it becomes wothless after that.
If you could deal with a used machine or sstandard trans, the Deere 50, 55, 90 series ar not bad machines, nor are the Kubotas.
Troy
I would talk to some people locally and see what dealerships they recomend dealing with, we get a lot of local Kubota work because they will only order parts once a week, or charge you $30 to order a u-joint, but the closest Case-IH/Kubota dealer will order that day and not charge any freight. We have one guy with a Kubota and Deere and we had him three different parts in less time than he got one for his Kubota.
Those are just my experiances and after trying to get parts for Deere string trimmers and chainsaws I get nervous about any "Johnny come lately" company because parts can be impossible and it becomes wothless after that.
If you could deal with a used machine or sstandard trans, the Deere 50, 55, 90 series ar not bad machines, nor are the Kubotas.
Troy
TFucili
TDR MEMBER
When you say bend the platform do you mean the operator's platform? The 70 series was just beginning to get phased in when I signed on.
Are they still wasting their time with the Homelite stuff? Thank goodness I got out before that mess. They were still selling relabeled Echo stuff then.
When I saw them start putting stuff in Scum Depot I knew things would suffer in some way.
The plastic hood & fenders are a feature that that I preferred about the Deere. My experience with the steel hood and fenders on the Kubota BX tractors was that at idle, especially when cold, the Kubota sounded like a diesel-powered mariachi band. The rattling noise drove me bats.
tgordon makes a good point about the eHydro transmissions. I would be a bit nervous of the eHydro myself... absolutely great when it is working but a true head-scratcher when it doesn't. For mowing, I wouldn't be without a hydro transmission, however. I consider a hydro essential.
Once again, a similar situation to the trucks we drive. A 12-valve Cummins has simplicity benefits over the 24-valve or the newer Common Rail Cummins. I guess that this goes back to what I mentioned before, when it comes to pickups and tractors, to each his own.
I have mowed once with the backhoe & loader still attached. not something I would recommend doing but then again it was a quick mow job to finish then the deck came off.
Mid mount I think is the way to go it is a floating deck vs the rear-mount that sits on the ground. I prefer the floating over the "rolling" deck since it wont be affected by ground obsticals, you can get closer to a obstical and the floating deck seems to be the way to go. Our B2400 has a rolling deck and its loud with all the casters and following the ground (see pic of the ZD28 that is the B2400 deck next to it) the BX and ZD have floating decks and are a lot nicer!
A BX24 should be your choice!! Go drive one around at the local dealer test it out a bit if they will let you!
Ian
Mid mount I think is the way to go it is a floating deck vs the rear-mount that sits on the ground. I prefer the floating over the "rolling" deck since it wont be affected by ground obsticals, you can get closer to a obstical and the floating deck seems to be the way to go. Our B2400 has a rolling deck and its loud with all the casters and following the ground (see pic of the ZD28 that is the B2400 deck next to it) the BX and ZD have floating decks and are a lot nicer!
A BX24 should be your choice!! Go drive one around at the local dealer test it out a bit if they will let you!
Ian
The operators platform is what the sensor is attached to and they bend rather easily no matter what they are made of, especially with how sensitive the electronics are.
The Homolite line has been sold off and the parts for the real machines are impossible to get a hold of, they have also done away with the Echo. IMHO I would never buy any Deere string trimmers, chain saws etc because they swap supplies as often as Sears, if not more.
My grand father is on Kubota #2 and loves them, I have only gotten to put an hour or two on them and they don't seem like that bad of a tractor, but the hood etc will rattle like the old tractors, or any of the "newer" brands that have started to show up here latley that are using ole tooling we have all seen before.
Troy
The Homolite line has been sold off and the parts for the real machines are impossible to get a hold of, they have also done away with the Echo. IMHO I would never buy any Deere string trimmers, chain saws etc because they swap supplies as often as Sears, if not more.
My grand father is on Kubota #2 and loves them, I have only gotten to put an hour or two on them and they don't seem like that bad of a tractor, but the hood etc will rattle like the old tractors, or any of the "newer" brands that have started to show up here latley that are using ole tooling we have all seen before.
Troy
I'll chime in about Kubota as well. I had a BX2200 with a loader and belly mower and absolutely loved it. I have a 10 ac. place that I maintained with it. I never had any troubly with it but when I got ready to start building my house, I traded it in on a bigger Kubota unit (3400 series). I miss the maneuverability of the smaller K, but love the new one for shredding what the belly mower wouldn't and running my tiller and PH digger. It held its value excellently when I traded and if I can, I'll always use Kubota.
Wolfman
Wolfman
The smaller Deere's (790, 990, and 2520) are all very reliable tractors. The 709/990 have been around for a while and are simple machines. The 2520 are the premium tractors. Yea, there's plastic, but it looks nice longer. I'm a Deere mechanic and we hardly ever have any of these tractors in the shop.
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