Compact Tractor

[Trail rider]

I've been debating on replacing my 8n with a new compact w front end loader. After trying out several brands and models I've narrowed it down to a kubota 2920and JD 3000 series. Anyone have either? Likes/dislikes? What would you choose? Thanks

 

[NaturesPace]

Did you ever get a tractor? How do you like it? I'm looking together one soon.

 

[goatboy1973]

I normally always go with American made products but in the case of compact tractors, for the money, I prefer Kubota. John Deere has had too many problems with the compact series. I would also look at the Kioti brand. It is similar in looks and product as the Kubota. I looked at all different brands before settling on a New Holland. It is at the bigger end of the compact tractor spectrum. Yes it is mostly American made, but the Diesel engine is an Italian motor though. No problems to this point (had it 3 yrs.).

 

[elbesta]

I looked at a new Kubota tractors small one 25 hp range but I could not justify spending 18 to 20k on a small tractor. I found a used Ford 1700 with front bucket and a field mower for 5,000 its 4 wd also.

 

[cwine18]

I would go with the kubota I have l5740 I think with a bucket it's probably to big for your use. It's great super strong and pretty fast I've pushed over shallowrooted pine trees with it

 

[SueD]

I looked at a new Kubota tractors small one 25 hp range but I could not justify spending 18 to 20k on a small tractor. I found a used Ford 1700 with front bucket and a field mower for 5,000 its 4 wd also.

So how many HPs is that Ford 1700? What kind of work are you doing with it?

 

[SueD]

I was going to start a thread and found this one. Im also looking for a tractor and want a front loader and need a bush hog not a finishing mower. Im not sure what kind of HP I need. I just bought all the goats for clearing the brush but I will be doing road work including moving dirt that is blocking the road and extending road a ways up the hill. I hoped to also use the FL for clearing house site and possibly pool, deep greenhouse, etc. I really hate the thought of 20K as well but am not sure what is a good alternative.

 

[elbesta]

The Ford 1700 is 25 HP. The front loader will lift about 1000 lbs. They are ok for smoothing out piles of gravel or clearing brush but a front bucket will not do much digging. If you want to dig a pool or deep greenhouse I would say get a backhoe. I had a backhoe, did all the ground work on 30 ac. then sold it and bought a "farm tractor" with a 3pt so I can run a mower, tiller, rock rake, back blade, and even a small baler.

 

[greybeard]

I was going to start a thread and found this one. Im also looking for a tractor and want a front loader and need a bush hog not a finishing mower. Im not sure what kind of HP I need. I just bought all the goats for clearing the brush but I will be doing road work including moving dirt that is blocking the road and extending road a ways up the hill. I hoped to also use the FL for clearing house site and possibly pool, deep greenhouse, etc. I really hate the thought of 20K as well but am not sure what is a good alternative.

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.

 

[OneFineAcre]

I looked at a new Kubota tractors small one 25 hp range but I could not justify spending 18 to 20k on a small tractor. I found a used Ford 1700 with front bucket and a field mower for 5,000 its 4 wd also.

I can't seem to find anything in this class with a front bucket which I really need to clean the barn with. And, $5,000 is a good price.

There is a 1300 for sale nearby for $2950 but with no bucket. I think the bucket is a model 700 which works on the 1300, 1500 and 1700 but to get one of those and installed on one that originally did not have a bucket I would probably end up with too much in the tractor.