Thinking about a small tractor for the yard

[audiocontr]

Something with a front loader, maybe a cutting deck. Anyone have a suggestion of what to look for? What to avoid? I'd very much like to stay in the $5-6k range

[stiffler4444]

Kubota have been very reliable here at work. For your price range, used is probably your thinking, correct?

[audiocontr]

Yup, and it will be tough at that price range. The Kubs are going for twice that around here.

I have John deeres in my range, though they make me nervous. New ones are junk I hear.

[stiffler4444]

Ya, John Deere is not "A" list any more I don't think, but there is worse. You could look for an older unit to fit your price range in a Kub or Case, or go with the best of the worst in a newer unit.

[berger]

Does it have to be new? A neighbour of mine runs down to the US for "cheap" used Kubota's and sells them up here for almost double. They are in excellent shape and don't need special papers to cross the border because they are not a road vehicle. Just pays tax on the purchase.

[audiocontr]

Absolutely not new. I'd prefer used with a few thousand hours on them. Something with 20hp diesel would be ideal.

I'm debating how much I'd need to use it per year vs renting one and where that cross over point lies. I would imagine a ton of use first year followed by upkeep the years after.

Again, smaller the better. I only have an acre lot.

[edzz]

Kubota, they play nice with Pinzgauers.

[audiocontr]

Thats exactly what i want... just need to find one in the right price range.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ ... 08481.html

Seems too cheap - something has to be wrong. Ive heard that improper use of the backhoe can cause structural damage

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/ ... 09639.html

This one is of interest - Wonder how old it is - Good JD or bad JD?

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ ... 30539.html

Might be best of all - looks old though

[Jimm391730]

Well, I just bought a 1979 Kubota B6000 4x4 with loader last month; didn't know how old it was until after I bought it! But it runs and operates almost flawlessly (a few weeps here and there, nothing major) with a 12.5 HP diesel. Already I don't know how I got along without it. Paid just over $4k for it.

I added a ROPS and rear counter weight. Only problem is that this older model has a CCW turning PTO where the current standard is CW when viewed from the rear. But as I don't expect to use any PTO driven attachments (no tiller or bush hog) it won't hurt me. For my small yard, this 6-1/2 foot long tractor fits well where I need it to.

Larger tractors are actually less expensive (used) as there are more of them around then these small "hobby farm" sized tractors.

[audiocontr]

is the 12.5 hp enough for you? Everyone screams to stay above 20. I'd move a little dirt, a lot of mulch and a good amount of stone, then mow a bit

[TechMOGogy]

Time for a 406 Mog

[Jimm391730]

is the 12.5 hp enough for you? Everyone screams to stay above 20. I'd move a little dirt, a lot of mulch and a good amount of stone, then mow a bit.

For digging and front end loader work, I hardly get above 1/3 throttle, so yes, 12.5 HP is plenty. However, mowing does take more power but I have found that if I kept the blades sharp I could mow at less rpm (less power) with less noise and fuel consumption. Since I don't mow with this tractor I really can't say. In my lawn tractors I was always satisfied with low teens HP, even with 60" decks. It depends on how sharp you keep the blades and what you expect to cut (small saplings DO take more power!).

[edzz]

Mine is a l2800 4wd~25 hp runs a snow blower well, happy with frontloader operation except getting it to float when I want it to float and not float when I don't, the back hoe could use more power for digging stumps. haven't had problems other than an abraded hose and breaking the bead on a front tire. great fuel economy.

for skidding logs the Pinz is a lot better.