Kubota or other tractor recommendations

imarobot

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5740HSTC-3, FDR2584 Finish Mower, BH92 Backhoe, L2195A Snowblower, LA854 FEL, +
Apr 18, 2025
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NH
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

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Sep 13, 2021
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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(mid) or Rear snow/mow PTO?
4. If plow or using back blade for snow, back up or driving fwd?
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.
 
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McMXi

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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.
 
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imarobot

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5740HSTC-3, FDR2584 Finish Mower, BH92 Backhoe, L2195A Snowblower, LA854 FEL, +
Apr 18, 2025
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NH
Thanks for your all your inputs.
This would be for a second property about 3 hours away so my L will stay home.
What I would want is of course more than my budget so I will be making some compromises.
From what I've seen so far, the tractors in my price range are of course old but don't have a SSQA loader. Is that something relatively new to tractors in let's say yr last 30 years?
Cab would be nice; I'm spoiled by the one on my L
 

GrumpyFarmer

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Thanks for your all your inputs.
This would be for a second property about 3 hours away so my L will stay home.
What I would want is of course more than my budget so I will be making some compromises.
From what I've seen so far, the tractors in my price range are of course old but don't have a SSQA loader. Is that something relatively new to tractors in let's say yr last 30 years?
Cab would be nice; I'm spoiled by the one on my L
I know this not at all what you asked…however I would also offer (not sure this is new to you second priory or not…maybe this is old news for you…if you have had split properties for a while)….Since you mention 2nd property…I have some further thought (I am not managing 3 properties very well / efficiently, 2 of them 4 hrs from my residence, so maybe applicable)

Not sure the size and scope of your property, but the couple additional things I would want consider or think about related to separate parcels and machines.

1. Does implement compatibility matter to you with your machines? (If so it is either 2 of each implement or need to haul trailer)
2. Frequency of use or visit (will weather alter your travel plans)?
3. Duration of visits? (Mainly during week as if retired, or work during week and driving Friday after work make a compressed weekend or long weekend etc)
4. If severe weather location are you able to store equipment where you can get to it to get off the road(if applicable - you mentioned snowblower)? (I assume NH gets pounded in areas especially if a healthy NEastr. I am in snow belt and two things…I can’t keep up with it when not here, and if already happened or going on when I travel, I actually can’t get off the road…so I have to have help…point here if that is similar then maybe changes thought implements / needs?)

IMO:
1. starts to make decision on trailer necessity.
2 and 3. Starts to make decision on efficiency to complete tasks (vs wanting rent implements / equip) and if planning to do frequently different tasks and need the implements available (and weather and ground conditions not always known before travel) convenience of implement change over, ie SSQA.
4. combined with 123 would make me deeply consider you will need to pay for some service or help from neighbor to get there or to maintain place at times…at this point consider you want smaller machine that may not be as efficient as what you have at home, vs pay neighbor for service vs utilize your awesome L.

For remote property how plan handle need for repair / maintenance (could be stuck stuck, no worker, or need go to dealer, etc). This comes back to your time.

Not sure if those help or not. I am sure your situation is different from mine, those are all considerations I would include just related to remote property that makes for a long day of try to go there, do a task and back in same day. (It’s cheaper for me to have someone mow than It is for me to drive to my other two places to mow yard)

If yes also nice to have neighbor or someone mow that comes and gos different times to alert to problems or just for some presence of someone there (these considerations maybe not normal for a DA, but sometimes straight $ of machine purchase is only consideration…at least not for me)

Sorry to make you scroll so much, i M observing wildlife in front of a storm system and nothing moving other than leaves so I have times on my hands to share drivel. 🙄
 
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chim

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L4240HSTC with FEL, Ford 1210
Jan 19, 2013
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My L4240HSTC is a good match for the 7-1/2' RFM it uses. Has QA on the FEL. Have various attachments. Really like it.

I used my other (smaller, open station) tractor the other day to blow leaves with its 60" RFM. As long as the wind was going in the right direction it was fun. However, it didn't take very long to miss the Kubota's cab when the wind kicked the chopped-up dried leaf litter in my face and down my collar. Next time I'll be putting the 60" deck on the Kubota.
 
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Bee-Positive

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If you have a large enough truck would it be less expensive to buy a trailer to haul your existing equipment to the other property? Load up the night before, drive out in the morning. You wouldn't have to own two of everything or worry about storage/theft at the other place.

The biggest negative would be if the property is snowed-in and you have to plow your way in. Or if you don't have the right vehicle for towing.
 
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InTheWoods

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B7510/FEL, B7100D, ZD18, ASK-R130
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A tractor with a 'pin-on' FEL can be converted to SSQA - level of effort and desirability depending on your abilities and state of mind.

What's the budget?
 

imarobot

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Equipment
5740HSTC-3, FDR2584 Finish Mower, BH92 Backhoe, L2195A Snowblower, LA854 FEL, +
Apr 18, 2025
255
155
43
NH
If you have a large enough truck would it be less expensive to buy a trailer to haul your existing equipment to the other property? Load up the night before, drive out in the morning. You wouldn't have to own two of everything or worry about storage/theft at the other place.

The biggest negative would be if the property is snowed-in and you have to plow your way in. Or if you don't have the right vehicle for towing.
I would want a second tractor. We would be going there often probably at least a month and don't wat to haul a tractor up there. I could use it often while up there and here and would rather not have to haul it back and forth. I have a garage up there I could keep it in.
Being at the end of the town-maintained road the town plow truck turns around in the driveway, so he plows enough of the driveway to allow us to get in. I would still need to move more snow to clear everything else.
Mowing would also be done quite often when I'm there being as I won't be up there to keep it under control.
And I would also use it for whatever else. You know how it is with a tractor, if you have one you do stuff with it.
 
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imarobot

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Equipment
5740HSTC-3, FDR2584 Finish Mower, BH92 Backhoe, L2195A Snowblower, LA854 FEL, +
Apr 18, 2025
255
155
43
NH
A tractor with a 'pin-on' FEL can be converted to SSQA - level of effort and desirability depending on your abilities and state of mind.

What's the budget?
Budget right now is only $10K. I know unreasonable for what I want, but I have seen some that will work for what I need, not want.
 

McMXi

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***Current*** M6060HDC, MX6000HSTC & GL7000 ***Sold*** MX6000HST & BX25DLB
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Budget right now is only $10K. I know unreasonable for what I want, but I have seen some that will work for what I need, not want.
Unless you plan on paying someone $10k to steal a tractor for you I'd suggest looking at auctions as far away as necessary.

This is the tractor that my friend is going to check out. I kind of wish I had some cash laying around to buy this thing since it really appeals to me.

 

imarobot

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5740HSTC-3, FDR2584 Finish Mower, BH92 Backhoe, L2195A Snowblower, LA854 FEL, +
Apr 18, 2025
255
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43
NH
I understand that, but don't want to get into paying someone to steal a tractor for me. Then I have to deal with the blackmail issues.
I think I may have to pass on this for now, find a lawn tractor hopefully with a snowblower and mowing deck.
Or a walk behind snowblower if need be.
 

McMXi

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***Current*** M6060HDC, MX6000HSTC & GL7000 ***Sold*** MX6000HST & BX25DLB
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I understand that, but don't want to get into paying someone to steal a tractor for me. Then I have to deal with the blackmail issues.
I think I may have to pass on this for now, find a lawn tractor hopefully with a snowblower and mowing deck.
Or a walk behind snowblower if need be.
$15,500 for all this seems more than reasonable. Only 53 hours on this BX. Heartland is an excellent dealership and they have some nice used equipment in including an L4701 which looks like a great option.

We sometimes hear of members here buying tractors from neighbors, family members or friends and getting incredible deals. Most of us don't get that lucky so we have to watch and weight until a good deal crops up. Time is your friend if you want to find a good deal or a great deal. If you're in a rush you'll have to rely on luck and timing.

I bought my M6060 from Heartland Kubota at a price that was at least $10k below current pricing, but it was part luck, part timing and part effort (regular visits to the dealership) that resulted in me getting an M way ahead of schedule.

 
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imarobot

Active member

Equipment
5740HSTC-3, FDR2584 Finish Mower, BH92 Backhoe, L2195A Snowblower, LA854 FEL, +
Apr 18, 2025
255
155
43
NH
That's why I may wait until I find the right thing and hopefully be able to afford something more expensive. I don't want to get something cheap that isn't what I want and wish for more.
Hell, my wish to get a mini excavator has flown out the window.
 
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