Kubota or other tractor recommendations

[imarobot]

Looking for an older tractor to mow about 3 acres, do some snow plowing or snow blowing, and also some general loader/forklift work. I would want to have a loader with a SSQA so I can easily swap out bucket and forks.
I have a 3-point hitch 5' brush hog and a 7' finish mower that could be used.
Point is, with these requirements could I get any recommendations on a tractor, or what size tractor I would need.
Wide open question, I agree, but hoping to get some inputs to put into my thought process on what I should look for.
Thanks for any inputs, lot's to be learned by everyone on this site.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Good day.

If it were me, I would ask myself these questions in this order…

1. Cab or open station
2. Mid PTO or just rear? (Mow and snow)
3. Front snow/mow PTO or Rear snow/mow PTO?
4. If plow or using back blade for snow, backpack my or driving?
5. For loader work how much you want to lift / need tractor to lift and weigh?
6. Depending on width of mower determine How much HP needed.
7. How deep are your pockets?

Just my opinion…I think those questions will help determine critical utility features and weight plus HP.

Frankly speaking your L seems ideal? Is it broke or just want a smaller or second machine?

Happy shopping.

 

[McMXi]

A friend sent me a text this afternoon informing me that his TYM has been at the dealer for almost 2 months waiting to be repaired. Turns out that the parts he needs are not showing up any time soon. He ran over a t-post in September and it took out something important on his HST. He's looking at $800 in parts plus labor, but the bigger issue is being able to remove snow at his place this winter.

He's on 40 acres and takes care of a lot of snow clearing for extended family who live on the property too. He gets a lot of snow where he is and needs a tractor ASAP since it could be months before the parts arrive from South Korea. I mentioned a cool Zetor cabbed tractor for sale "locally" and he's going to check it out. He also saw an MX6000HSTC for sale with 1,200 hours on it and he knows how much I like mine so that's another option for him.

His immediate plan is to get a cabbed tractor and then figure out if he wants to keep or sell it once his TYM is back. I mentioned how useful it is to have two tractors so he's coming around to my way of thinking.

As for the questions asked, I think @GrumpyFarmer did a great job of outlining the decision process but I would put budget at the top followed by cab or open station. For mowing and snow removal a cab is a must have in my world.

1. Budget
2. Cab or open station
3. HP/PTO
4. ........ etc.

For brands I'd look at Kubota, Kioti, Yanmar, MF, JD, TYM etc.