Compact Tractor

[SueD]

handy for digging a pond as you might think.

I've worked as a tech at several tractor dealerships over the decades and have seen firsthand what happens when people try to do a job too big with a piece of machinery too small and light. Kubota, Ford, New Holland, Massey Ferguson.
$20K won't buy what you are going to need if you are going to buy a brand new one.[/QUOTE]

Depending on what width and stoutness of the bushog you need, I wouldn't go below a 40hp 4 wd tractor--and that is bare minimum. 50hp + would be better if you are going to be doing lots of dirt work--you will want that bushog on the back full time as a counter weight when using the loader bucket anyway. I think you will find tho, that the loader bucket on a farm tractor is not as handy for digging a pond as you might think.

I've worked as a tech at several tractor dealerships over the decades and have seen firsthand what happens when people try to do a job too big with a piece of machinery too small and light. Kubota, Ford, New Holland, Massey Ferguson.
$20K won't buy what you are going to need if you are going to buy a brand new one.

I actually just purchased an awesome Branson 40HP FL used w a new Bushhog 5 ft, a new post hole digger/auger and a used blade. All for 18K and that included delivering to me frmo Durham NC to my new farm in Mill Springs, NC 3.5 hrs away!!! It is great....

 

[greybeard]

I actually just purchased an awesome Branson 40HP FL used w a new Bushhog 5 ft, a new post hole digger/auger and a used blade. All for 18K and that included delivering to me frmo Durham NC to my new farm in Mill Springs, NC 3.5 hrs away!!! It is great....

Yes, I'm familiar with the Branson equipment. They are a S. Korean product for US market--made by Kukje. They began originally called Zetor C series, then Century, (both failed to make it and are out of prodction and business and are now called Branson.
I do hope you have a dealership closer than 3.5 hrs away tho. Watch the tierods on that Branson tractor--they have a storied history of failing, and Branson sells a beefed up optional replacement.
A blade is a nice addition, but you can move a lot more dirt with a box blade, especially with the ripper teeth down just below the bottom of the blade--some people call them scarifiers. The only other problem I remember with the Branson is one that was also prevalent with the Zetor--the fuel shutoff solenoid failed-couldn't kill it with the key switch-most people just replaced it with a manual shut off. ((hey may have that fixed by now) The good thing is they are a pretty heavy built machine, with a licensed-to-be-built by Kukje Cummins engine--to Cummins specs.

 

[Mike CHS]

When we were tractor shopping a couple of years ago I had some serious sticker shock at new tractor prices. We blew $6500 on an old Massey Ferguson that we thought was in decent shape but wound up selling it to a mechanic for parts. Bit the bullet and bought a new Kubota 32HP 4WD with FEL with rotary cutter and box blade for what we saw as a decent price as the dealer was trying to sell the last of his stock before the new configuration of tractors got started.

Greybeard hit the size right on and in hindsight I occassionally wish I had bought a larger one but now that we have our pasture under control it does what we need it to do. Our place had not been maintained for several years and the first cutting of our pasture took me 18 hours in super low gear. It now takes a little over 7 hours and hopefully that dwindles down to maintenance time when we put livestock on it this fall. I have moved a lot of dirt and gravel but no way would I even think about trying to use it to dig a pond. Rental equipment is just too easy to get.

 

[SueD]

Yes, I'm familiar with the Branson equipment. They are a S. Korean product for US market--made by Kukje. They began originally called Zetor C series, then Century, (both failed to make it and are out of prodction and business and are now called Branson.
I do hope you have a dealership closer than 3.5 hrs away tho. Watch the tierods on that Branson tractor--they have a storied history of failing, and Branson sells a beefed up optional replacement.
A blade is a nice addition, but you can move a lot more dirt with a box blade, especially with the ripper teeth down just below the bottom of the blade--some people call them scarifiers. The only other problem I remember with the Branson is one that was also prevalent with the Zetor--the fuel shutoff solenoid failed-couldn't kill it with the key switch-most people just replaced it with a manual shut off. ((hey may have that fixed by now) The good thing is they are a pretty heavy built machine, with a licensed-to-be-built by Kukje Cummins engine--to Cummins specs.

Thanks for the info. So far we are good. Solenoid issue for us is starting it. It is sticking and we freq have to open hood and manuever it manually. Silly question, what are the tierods???

 

[greybeard]

Tie rod is the last part of the steering system--it attaches to the wheel itself.
I suspect Branson has fixed that ongoing problem by now.
If this link shows up for you, the tierod is the tube looking thing near the bottom of the picture--it is horizontal, then turns upward on the right end.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ing-rod-link-failure-century-open-lt-side-jpg