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Pittsburgh, PA

Looking to purchase a sub compact tractor. Have 1 acre property. Want loader, backhoe, belly mower and tiller. Really like the Mahindra with John Deere my second choice but hoping for some feedback from the group. Cutting grass and tilling garden will be number one priority. Loader and hoe most likely see minimal use. New or used? Used is tricky for me because I’ll need to finance most likely. Thanks

10/25/2017 12:03:45 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Jay, we just bought and moved into a small acreage also, and I’m looking for just what you’ve listed. Went to a few dealerships and my pockets are just not deep enough for new, especially with the attachments you are after.

Hopefully some others will chime in with some info and details, but it’s gonna be used for me, and most likely John Deere X500 Series for me. Good luck.

10/25/2017 1:26:33 AM

Plainville, Connecticut 06062

Check out the Branson line of tractors. They are the heaviest tractors made and their front buckets lift more than any other tractors and they usually are priced cheaper then all the other brands. When picking a tractor the weight of the tractor counts a lot. The Branson is built like a tank and the reason why you don’t see many used ones for sale.

10/25/2017 5:23:24 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

I’ve never heard of Branson tractors. I’ll check to see if there’s a local dealer around me. The Mahindra tractors are heavier than the JD and Kabota plus more lift rating. I’ve heard Mahindra had electrical issues but I believe that was 10 + years ago.

Nice used tractors get swooped up in no time around here. I’ve already had 2 or 3 that I was interested in that were gone already when I called.

10/25/2017 7:54:23 AM

Springfield, VT

I have a compact Kubota but not a sub compact. Just make sure it is big enough foe the tiller attachment you want. The loader could be a big help loading pumpkins if large enough. Just compare unit prices, a larger model might be more available at a similar price point.

10/25/2017 8:24:53 AM

Deer Park, WI

Our family has owned a New Holland TC25 for the last 15 years or so. I farm 2 acres with it. 25 horse engine, 4WD with bucket, tiller, detachable forks (for pallets w/pumpkins!), brush hog, snow-blower, conical 3pt fert spreader, manure spreader, 3-row corn planter, 14-ft grain drill (for cover crop planting) etc. Amassing an arsenal of attachments is most of the fun in owning a tractor.

I personally could not envision running a 1/2 acre field pumpkin patch + giant pumpkin patch with anything less. A subcompact would not get the job done on my operation.

I earn back the costs of this setup by putting the machine to work for profit. Every year, the field pumpkin patch and giant patch yields profits that offset the investment in the machinery. Well worth it.


http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/003/0/9/3094-new-holland-tc25.html

10/25/2017 9:12:06 AM

Woodburn, Indiana

Just my 2 cents: You can buy a used big tractor for a fraction of a small compact model and if you ever needed to do a larger project you would be ready to go. For under $10k (in the US midwest) you might be able to find a JD 4020 with a loader or for $5k an Oliver 1650 with a loader. Those would be my picks.

10/25/2017 11:49:10 AM

Team Munson

Jay I might have a suggestion or 2 I work at the East Palestine location.

http://www.elderequipment.com/#

10/25/2017 4:37:38 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks Dave. I will check it out.

10/25/2017 6:44:50 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks for all the suggestions. Still trying to narrow it down. Would love to find something used to save $. So many great looking tractors out there. Waiting to hear back from local Kabota and Mahindra dealers with quotes. Spoke to local JD dealer yesterday for a quote but need to go take one for a test drive I guess. One thing I don’t like about the sub compact JD and Kabota tractors is the rinky dink size of the front tires. I don’t know why it bothers me but it really does. I know...I’m weird. Haha

10/25/2017 7:05:26 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

John deer 4066 r big yet small.....

10/25/2017 9:21:47 PM

Deer Park WA

Hi Jay, we have one acre two and decided after five years and hundreds of yards of compost, manure, top soil that we needed to get a small tractor with loader, tiller and belly mower. After extensive research we went with a new JD 1025r plenty of power for everything, great resale value (John Deere) awesome warrenty and 0% intrest for 60 months. Have had several tractors in the past couldnt be happier with the 1025r! Check out our diary for "action photos" (LoL)....

10/25/2017 10:04:19 PM

Napa Ca.

If your going the way of a John Deere, go with the new automatics. Really cool on 4052r. Take Dave stelts advice . He's the tractor guy

10/25/2017 10:45:29 PM

SW Ohio

Advice from the farmers wife. Take it or leave it :)
1. Step away from the Mahindra. Parts are hard to get and take a long time to order.
2. Sub compact are the most expensive lines. You can get a lot more hp for your buck by going up to a compact and even more savings by going up to a garden size tractor.
3. Forget the backhoe attachment. They are pricey as all get out and will never do a great job without putting too much wear and tear on your tractor. You could rent a backhoe quite a few times for the cost of the backhoe attachment.
4. 1 acre is not that big of a yard. You could do a 30-40hp with a loader and tiller and buy a lawn mower for less money than a sub compact.

10/26/2017 7:58:09 AM

churchville, ny

Jay - I have a 3720 John Deere (44 horsepower with bucket and tiller). Does everything I ask it but the 4 wheel drive is now great in mud. It gives a rough and bumpy ride in the field. No problems at all mechanically with it after 1200 hours.
I also have a 2 wheel drive Ford 3910 with 50 horse which is much better in the field.
I would not worry about buying a used low hour John Deere after you have researched it.

10/26/2017 8:15:35 AM

Morgantown, WV

Jay,

I went with Kioti over John Deer and Kubota as it had the same lift capacity but came in at about $7k less overall. Been running it hard for a year now with no complaints at all.

10/26/2017 9:43:05 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

My latest research is leading me towards a Kubota BX 23S model. Comes from the factory with a loader and backhoe. Adding a belly mower and tiller ads about $4K to the total.

Now wondering what tiller to go with? Forward spin or reverse spin? Since Kabota owns Land Pride, I’ll be going with one of there models in the 50” width.

10/26/2017 7:40:49 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

Found a used Kubota B7500 yesterday at my local Kubota dealer and bought it this morning. No backhoe but I can live without it. Posted pic in my diary. Thanks for all the help. Much appreciated.

10/27/2017 11:14:25 AM

Galt, CA

I wouldn't worry about a back hoe attachment. They are near useless on smaller tractors. IMO

10/28/2017 1:02:41 AM

Galt, CA

And as far as the belly mower. I would pass on that too, I have two acres and prefer to mow most of the property with my rider. Much easier around fence lines and trees.

10/28/2017 1:07:00 AM

Cheshire Ma USA

Get choice Jay I have the same tractor. Go for a tiller that is wider than the back wheels. Hopefully you will need a bigger tractor to load your giants with in 2018

10/28/2017 6:42:22 AM

Deer Park WA

Kubota makes a nice machine, congrats Jay and hoe it helps you grow a new personal best!

10/28/2017 1:47:03 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

I’m just gonna keep my John Deere riding mower for cutting grass. Going to pick up a reverse till 42” Land Pride tiller tomorrow. I believe the tractor is 42” wide so it should work perfectly.

10/28/2017 9:12:31 PM

NE Arkansas

Hey Dustin, we love our Kioti also...

11/4/2017 3:05:04 AM

Hot West Tennessee

I beg to differ kingpumpkinranch my Kubota bx23tlb will dig a 6ft deep hole as wide as you need . With the 1ft bucket it just taks a few more minutes. I hardly ever use a shovel any more.

11/16/2017 5:27:46 PM