Advice on buying a compact tractor

[Thommo]

We're looking to buy a compact tractor in the UK to use for topping, mowing etc on a small holding to replace a 1950s Massey Fergurson which is too heavy for us. We have a Kubota digger which has been fabulous so we're looking for a Kubota tractor. We're after power steering, hydraulic take off for a log splitter. We're undecided between manual or hydraulic transmission. We're thinking of a budget around £4000 - £6000 so have been looking at models such as the B8200 and B7100. We think the B6000 might be too small.

Any advice on models, price and what we should look out for? Are parts readily available still in the UK?

Thanks

 

[mikester]

I would suggest buying something from this century

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I would think that you will get plenty of opinions on the the "pto driven log splitter".

I think many people here will say that its too slow to be of practical use, but since I have never used one, I can't make an informed comment.

Is topping the same as "roto-tilling" in the US? Google was not helpful when I typed it in.

 

[mcmxi]

Is topping the same as "roto-tilling" in the US? Google was not helpful when I typed it in.

Topping is running around a field with a flail or similar and taking off the tops of the taller stuff (usually weeds) without cutting down the grass much, if at all.

 

[mcmxi]

We're looking to buy a compact tractor in the UK to use for topping, mowing etc on a small holding to replace a 1950s Massey Fergurson which is too heavy for us. We have a Kubota digger which has been fabulous so we're looking for a Kubota tractor. We're after power steering, hydraulic take off for a log splitter. We're undecided between manual or hydraulic transmission. We're thinking of a budget around £4000 - £6000 so have been looking at models such as the B8200 and B7100. We think the B6000 might be too small.

Any advice on models, price and what we should look out for? Are parts readily available still in the UK?

Thanks

A B2530 perhaps. Parts are available and it's a nice little tractor. Here's a candidate.

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I'm in East Sussex visiting my brother and the farm here has an LX-401 for the sort of jobs you describe. They have much bigger tractors e.g. Claas and Fendt for field work. This model is way over your budget though, but it's a workhorse for sure.

 

[BAP]

We're looking to buy a compact tractor in the UK to use for topping, mowing etc on a small holding to replace a 1950s Massey Fergurson which is too heavy for us. We have a Kubota digger which has been fabulous so we're looking for a Kubota tractor. We're after power steering, hydraulic take off for a log splitter. We're undecided between manual or hydraulic transmission. We're thinking of a budget around £4000 - £6000 so have been looking at models such as the B8200 and B7100. We think the B6000 might be too small.

Any advice on models, price and what we should look out for? Are parts readily available still in the UK?

Thanks

Unfortunately, most people on here are from the USA or Canada, so they aren’t familiar with what is available in the UK. Also, many here will tell you that you need to buy something new, or almost new , because of the throw away mentality many have. Those 2 models you have mentioned are good solid classic models that Kubota made. Maintenance threw out the life of the tractor is the key, so if they have been maintained, not abused, then they should have lots of life left in them.

 

[Thommo]

I would think that you will get plenty of opinions on the the "pto driven log splitter".

I think many people here will say that its too slow to be of practical use, but since I have never used one, I can't make an informed comment.

Is topping the same as "roto-tilling" in the US? Google was not helpful when I typed it in.

hydraulic not pto!

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I would want an independent PTO, on this side of the big water many of the smaller gear drive Kubota's have transmission-drive PTO. And be aware, the B6000 has a reverse rotation PTO, you'd need a reverser to use it with most PTO implements.

You didn't mention a front loader. With a front loader, I'd definitely want 4WD. If you never need a loader, 2WD will probably suffice, with front weights.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

hydraulic not pto!

Gotcha, I missed that.

From what I googled, the gpm for those tractors are between 3 and 6.5 GPM.

I googled a county line model log splitter, and it claims that it has 19 GPM flow rate and a 10.5 second cycle time.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/countyline-30-ton-log-splitter

So maybe I am missing something, but it seems like even your "best case scenario" will be mighty slow.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

If by "topping" you mean running a flail mower I'd suggest HST so you can change speed as conditions dictate, which in my experience is "continuously" as I mow everything from grass to fibrous bushes to small trees, though if you're just cutting grasses and the grass and terrain is uniform a manual gearbox would work.

I'm in the woods and cut oak & maple trees regularly, and personally would not have the time to wait for hydraulic splitter cycle time with less than 20 GPM on a single-stage pump. It really depends on the volume and type of wood you want to process, plus who is doing the splitting and how automatic the splitter is configured to be. Usually a dedicated splitter is ideal.

Otherwise the B9200/8200 "seem" ideal without knowing what/how much work needs to be done.