Loader? Change My Mind!

[Shawn T. W]

I'm looking for a third tractor … I already have a TLB SCUT & CUT, I'm looking for either another SCUT, or a tiny CUT … the big question is … loader or not on this third tractor?



This was my “list” … tractor MUST adhere to the following …
1. 48” max width
2. HST
3. No MMM
4. 4X4
5. NO Loader
6. No additional attachments (that I don't need!)
7. Less than 200 miles one-way from my house.

My search has been going on for a few months now, up until the other day I refused to accept the idea of a loader also … but go ahead and try to change my mind why I should basically get another loader so close to what I already have!

The “requirements” I set, made it very difficult to locate anything within 200 miles … I just recently saw this one come up, a Kubota B2320, just a plain jane tractor which FINALLY checks all the boxes for me.

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/255498291/2012-kubota-b2320-less-than-40-hp-tractors

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In researching it, I found another one not too far away, half the hours, but it has a loader for another $6K (but I like the R1 tires!) … I find it hard to justify the extra money, for something while bigger than my SCUT, the hydraulics are kinda anemic … And it has a “Live” PTO, compared to my “Independent PTO” on my current one … seems like I don't gain anything other than bigger tires and a 3 range transmission … should that be a concern?

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/244903489/2015-kubota-b2320-less-than-40-hp-tractors

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The same dealer also has a newer Kubota B2301, which has better hydraulics, and Independent PTO, and less hours … for another grand! Worth it?

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/247427101/2020-kubota-b2301-less-than-40-hp-tractors

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He also has a little BX 2370, which surprisingly has very similar capabilities as the B2320? Other than 3 range trans, 3pt lift capacity, and obviously larger tires … why not just buy the BX instead of the B2320 w/Live PTO?

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/256463489/2016-kubota-bx2370-less-than-40-hp-tractors

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I also saw this John Deere 2305, half the travel distance from my house, which is still just a SCUT like I have, but pretty impressive capabilities, plus the highest lift of them all?!? (If I'm buying a loader this seems like the best deal, and no silly reverse pedal!)

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/256987001/2009-john-deere-2305-less-than-40-hp-tractors

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I have the cash sitting in the bank to buy any of these outright.

None of these have SSQA like my Little Baby Fergie has, and probably not worth trying to adapt any of them just to use the SSQA 42” forks I have now …

I like the idea of the larger tires on the “B Series”, even though I already have tire chains for all four tires on my tiny SCUT …

I currently have these attachments for my SCUT -

4' rototiller
5' land plane
5' brush hog
6' rear blade
12' 7 nozzle 6 roller pump 65 gal sprayer
3pt trailer mover
3pt ballast box
SSQA 48” factory bucket
SSQA 42" forks

So most all of that could be shared between Little Baby Fergie and whatever this third tractor ends up being … I also have 2 - 3pt QH’s

The 90" RFM & 48" 3pt forks are really too much for Little Baby Fergie, or this proposed third tractor …

My purpose of this third tractor is primarily to be able to leave my TLB with the BH on most of the time, but it's just handy to have to grab a different set of keys … and I like tractors! I'm not the least bit brand loyal!

Here are the specifications of these tractors, all data taken from “tractor data” …

Massey Ferguson GC 1725 MB (What I currently have!)
3pt at ends -1191 lbs
FEL - 922 lbs lift (full at pin)
74 inches height (at pin)
Independent PTO
19.6 PTO HP

John Deere 2305
3pt at ends - 1433 lbs
FEL - 902 lbs lift (full at pin)
89.5 inches height (at pin)
Independent PTO
18 PTO HP

Kubota B2320
3pt at ends - 1,356 lbs
FEL - 772 lbs lift (full at pin)
74 inches height (at pin)
Live PTO
17 PTO HP

Kubota B2301
3pt at the ends - 1808 lbs
FEL - 948 lbs lift (full at pin)
78.5 inches height (at pin)
Independent PTO
17.5 PTO HP

Kubota BX2370
3pt at ends -992 lbs
FEL - 745 lbs lift (full at pin)
71.3 inches height (at pin)
Independent PTO
17.7 PTO HP

 

[PaulL]

A B lifts quite a bit more than your Massey Ferguson does, even though it's not a lot larger. Tractors with a loader are easier to resell if you ever needed to. If you find a good machine without a loader, then fine, buy it. But if they all have a loader.....no harm done.

 

[jimh406]

What do you plan to do with the tractor?

 

[Shawn T. W]

What do you plan to do with the tractor?

It's two biggest jobs will be to run the 48" rototiller & 60" land plane ... The rear blade and sprayer maybe once a year ...

 

[PaulL]

Rototiller probably fine. 60" land plane is a bit of a stretch. It'll work, but that's a reasonably big implement for a BX. If you want the rippers down and turn up quite a bit of depth, it may take a few passes. Not impossible, but I think it's a task the L would do better. But you have that option, so no biggie.

 

[Shawn T. W]

I pull my Land Plane now with my Massey Ferguson SCUT, no rippers, but it's FULL, It's mostly for weed control ... To be fair though I have filled rear tires and 70 Lb Steel wheel weights also, and the option to add another 275 Lbs to the BH frame when using the 3pt for TRACTION!

Video -
Land plane working!

And it will drag a big pile (for a little tractor!) Video -
Using a Land plane

If I expand my search a little bit, this shows up ...

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/255543589/2006-kubota-b7510hsd-less-than-40-hp-tractors

My real question though is just how useful is have a second very similar capable loader, since I already have one, why get second duplicate?

If I have the BH on, I still have the loader up front to use on that tractor.

 

[biketopia]

Why not get a small excavator since the MF does all your CUT duties as is? Then you can sell off the MF backhoe, utilize all the implements and such you already have for it, and end up with a more capable digging machine vs. a third tractor to use for a few specific chores that you can already accomplish with the equipment you have.

 

[jyoutz]

Since your 5030 doesn’t have a loader, I would think that you would want something with more lifting capacity than your scut.

 

[Farm Fun]

To me another loader would only be justified if it's going to offer you something you don't have now. Ex; more lift capacity. However, you open up more options for finding a tractor by being open to with/without a loader. Another thought could be that you could do something like have a bucket on one loader and forks or a grapple on another loader.

 

[William1]

Why 48" width? Your tiller is 60"

I ask because I have a little BX25D, 48". I needed narrow to fit through gates and make it easier to get between trees.

With the loader, if I have 20' logs, I VERY carefully get square to the gate and slowly lift over the gate/fence then back to being 6' off the ground. But having the loader lets me move them where a larger machine won't fit. Otherwise, I am carrying....

Being the BH is such a easy on/off, I only put it on when I need it. Keeps the length down. Loader on/off is just a little more work but the loader is used often, even if it is just carrying the chainsaw and other felling stuff.
As long as you can store it, you can always sell/include it when the time comes.

 

[Shawn T. W]

I thought of a Mini-X, but it just doesn't seem the right fit for me ... And my BH is VERY specific to my exact model, only way to get it is to get it from the factory that way, while anything is possible with enough time, money, and skill anything is possible, but probably not worth it ... It would only fit in another BH version ... Even the ROPS is different!

My property is probably 98.5% open grass ... So no real use for a grapple, my Massey Ferguson has SSQA and I have the bucket and forks for it ...

Why 48" width? Your tiller is 60"

Tiller is 4' = 48" ... Land plane and brush hog are 5' = 60" ...

 

[NCL4701]

You’ve likely already considered this, but unless you just want another tractor, the most cost effective (and long term efficient) solution might be to sell your land plane, brush hog, and tiller; then replace with implements sized to work with your L5030. You’d also get the potential bonus (depending on your preferences) of using all those implements from the comfort of your L5030’s cab.

Don’t know exactly how wide your 5030 is. That can vary based on wheel spacing and tire selection. The tiller would definitely have to be upsized. Land plane most likely. Brush hog, depends on what you’re doing with it and how much you’re doing with it.

You’d have to run the numbers on what you could get for your current stuff v cost of replacements, but might be something to consider. Long term costs for maintaining, insuring, and storing an additional tractor might also figure into that calculation.

Just a thought.

 

[jyoutz]

You’ve likely already considered this, but unless you just want another tractor, the most cost effective (and long term efficient) solution might be to sell your land plane, brush hog, and tiller; then replace with implements sized to work with your L5030. You’d also get the potential bonus (depending on your preferences) of using all those implements from the comfort of your L5030’s cab.

Don’t know exactly how wide your 5030 is. That can vary based on wheel spacing and tire selection. The tiller would definitely have to be upsized. Land plane most likely. Brush hog, depends on what you’re doing with it and how much you’re doing with it.

You’d have to run the numbers on what you could get for your current stuff v cost of replacements, but might be something to consider. Long term costs for maintaining, insuring, and storing an additional tractor might also figure into that calculation.

Just a thought.

Except that it would be difficult to find a loader and subframe for the 5030.

 

[Shawn T. W]

@NCL4701
That's a thought, spend my money on upgrading my attachments ... And might get away with only the rototiller ... I have my wheels at there widest setting which IIRC is about 68"- 69" wide, so trade my 4' for a 6' ...

I pretty much only use the 5' brush hog for clearing out the creek banks once a year, now that my fields are mowed ...



I tried it the other day after I got done mowing with the finish mower, but didn't really like doing it with that ... It very heavy hanging way back there, I'd need more weight up front, started to wheelie if I tried to go forward too quickly!



The 5' brush hog actually only has a 56" cut, and while I did use it on the L, before I got my 90" finish mower, it's kinda a narrow and for my once a year use at this time, not worth upgrading ...



The rear blade is pretty much worn out, and while it works for me, and was free, that's about I could expect to get out of it ...



Something to definitely think about ... It's always good to options, and different perspectives!

The other stuff is not really critical, but spraying the fence lines with the wand is a open station task ... While I can easily take the BH off, take less than 15 minutes to take off and set up the 3ptand put the QH on, and same amount to put it back on ... At this point in my life it's kinda of a hassle and I question myself if it's worth the time to do it ...

Last week I had opossum to bury, was faster to just use the Piranha Tooth Bar to dig out a spot I had already dug partially and it was damp ... Then to put the BH on!

 

[Shawn T. W]

Except that it would be difficult to find a loader and subframe for the 5030.

I'm not really convinced yet, that I really need a second loader ... The loader on my Massey Ferguson is available no matter what is on the back ... Yes whatever size loader that would have come with my L5030 could probably lift twice what My Little Baby Fergie can, but it's been doing the job for four years ...

 

[jyoutz]

I'm not really convinced yet, that I really need a second loader ... The loader on my Massey Ferguson is available no matter what is on the back ... Yes whatever size loader that would have come with my L5030 could probably lift twice what My Little Baby Fergie can, but it's been doing the job for four years ...

It’s ok if you don’t need to lift anything heavy. Only you can decide this. I like a loader with the capacity to lift a one ton pallet.

 

[Trustable]

Loader would be nice (even if you never used it) just for resale value IMO.

A bit off topic, but I like the cinderblocks on your rear blade, im gonna have to try that next time I need to do some serious grading.

 

[Shawn T. W]

In regards to the "resale" ... While I could be wrong I believe if you buy it cheap, as in no loader or mower, than you also sell it cheap, if you pay extra for the loader and/or mmm features that you than get to sell it for the premium you paid for it, that once they are on the used market they both also holds there value ...

Now if your talking in speed of sale, then yes if it has a manufactured attachment with it you more than likely will find a buyer sooner, at least on these CUT and smaller sized tractors.

 

[Trustable]

In regards to the "resale" ... While I could be wrong I believe if you buy it cheap, as in no loader or mower, than you also sell it cheap, if you pay extra for the loader and/or mmm features that you than get to sell it for the premium you paid for it, that once they are on the used market they both also holds there value ...

Now if your talking in speed of sale, then yes if it has a manufactured attachment with it you more than likely will find a buyer sooner, at least on these CUT and smaller sized tractors.

Yeah you are right there, it should sell close to the amount you bought it for regardless. In terms of the speed/convenience of sale I agree with ya.

 

[MOOTS]

My opinion, a BX or B would be my pick. No loader or mmm. That should cover your bases for just 3 point work. Nice property btw.