Posted by Joe Lorenzino [216.197.153.67] on Thursday, July 25, 2013 at 13:30:35 :
In Reply to: Kubota posted by Jerry in Idaho [24.223.94.244] on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 13:07:43 :
Gordon’s post goes through many of the points in looking for a suitable tractor.
Note that he has 2, as there may not be a one size that fits all of your tasks.
At first, I was doing all my yard work with a 1947 Allis Chalmers WF tractor, and a 6 foot disc.
I now have a Kubota MX 5100. After looking around at the new tractors available, this had the highest horsepower in the smallest package with the best financing: 10% down (to cover the taxes), and 0% over 5 years.
It is a 2 wheel drive, manual transmission with 2 hydraulics. It does not have a loader because I have a skid steer that is more suited to that task.
With a Kubota of this size, getting the 4x4 option will also get you the “telescopic lower links” on the 3 point hitch.
REGARDLESS of which tractor you get, “telescopic lower links” are a HUGE benefit when it comes to hooking up to any implement.
Quick attach mounts are available for the 3 point, but it takes a “power top link” to really make them useful.
If you do not plan on doing lots of “field work” ie: pulling unpowered implements, go for the hydrostatic drive, as the engine RPM required for proper PTO speed on “modern” tractors yields too high of a ground speed in even the lowest gear without the creeper box Gordon mentions.
A hydrostatic also makes it easier for others to help out with grass cutting, etc.
If you want to put a loader on one, get the 4 wheel drive model if only for the added strength of the front axle.
If the tractor/loader is big enough, another handy option is the quick attach front plate that lets you mount Bobcat attachments directly to the loader. If you want to run hydraulic powered attachments off this mount, make sure the tractor has sufficient flow, and auxillary valves/connections to power them.