Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Best Compact Tractor for less than $20K?

Yup.

We call em', "2 Gallon overhauls".

....LOTS of burnt out rice paddy tractors find a new home , in this venue.

Good used L-series Kubotas are pretty hard to beat, and where I'd put my $$

GTC

I have a 26hp cub cadet which is the same as mahindra and a few others produced by mtd which is a mitsubishi. I have no block heater and it sits outside and ALWAYS starts right up. I've had zero issues in 500 hours and have used it for lots of grading and tilling. It's swings a 7 foot mower, it doesn't know it's only 26hp....it will do everything my neighbors 35hp will do. I would buy it again.....I don't need a dealer though, I buy filters from Napa and have yet to need a part, which is easily available online.

Give them all a test run at the dealer, if you can. Check all for ease of loader operation. Find out hydraulic pump capacity. Inspect the 3-pt hitch for sturdiness (THAT was one thing that kept NH out of the running for me at the time), compare the front axles for strength (another blow to NH via JD), compare the ease of maintenance access (oil changes, filter changes, zerk fittings) etc..

Maybe the others have this as well, but I do like the Quicktach option on the JD. It makes the changing of implements on the back a snap - taking only a minute or two to accomplish.

Note diesel tank capacity - most probably have enough to run the machine a full day w/o refueling, but check anyway. When you're on board, note how controls, seat adjustment etc., fit you and if you're comfy with all positions..

Finally, let us all know what you end up with and what triggered the decision.. Best wishes.

I didnt read the whole thread, so its probably been said, but go to tractor auctions and by a good used tractor.

My BIL bought a 2004 JD 5105? ( 50 hp tractor) with a JD front-end loader for $12,000 in 2008. The tractor had less than 100 hrs on it and it looked new.

I see a 5105 (50 hp) with front end loader, 184 hours, 2 WD on tractorhouse.com for $14,600 (auction bid price at this time). That would give you $5000 to go get it or have it shipped to you and you would have much more tractor than a compact.

Just my $.02

I don't know what you guys get for fuel economy, but my tractor will till or mow about 40 acres before it needs fuel. The tank holds about 5 gallons. It's a serious fuel miser. I don't like the ergonomics of the older tractor, mine has tilt and you can step through without a shifter in the way. My loader control is the same as a backhoe.

Green ain't bad if it comes with this attachment.

Those attachments sure are fun but they tend to be high maintenance. That and all of your buddies are constantly asking to borrow it.

uh yes I'd really like to borrow that attachment!

Bart mentioned Branson, pard has one here that he had shipped up from Seattle, demo model, just a lil over 20K and he loves the thing.

can't blame him

I'd love it too if he'd let me borrow it more often!

Kubota

[quote=Mink] Green ain't bad if it comes with this attachment. [/quote
I don't know much about tractors. Is that a back hoe?