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What to buy.. Way too many options. Kubota, Kioti, LS, Bobcat, MF, JD, Branson, on and on. 25 acres, mostly flat. Need to mow about 5 acres, 1/4 mile gravel drive needs to be maintained. No heavy snow, just the storm of the century thing. I would like to clear a path or two and a food plot in the wooded acres. Thinking about 25HP to avoid the emissions BS. Kubota L2501, LX2610 look interesting, many others in the same category. Thinking a box blade, mower, for sure an FEL. Not planing on farm animals, nor a big garden to till. LX (non SU) has a mid mount mower, L2501 would be a tow behind. Last time i spent any time on a tractor was perhaps 35 -40 years ago.. Ford 8n. They sure are different now. Shuttle Shift?? HST? HST sounds like a good option. Extra Hydros? Will be using fire wood, so a splitter would be nice. Perhaps a grapple but they are $$$. Hoping to stay below $25K. Used would be OK, but don't see that many that are that much cheaper. New will have a warranty. I know it's the dealer, and there are several in the area I'm moving to, many different brands to choose from, but I don't know any of the dealers.

mahindra is popular around here. cheaper than orange and green and supposed to be a good machine.

Buy bigger than your present perceived need if you can. By all means get it with a front end loader bucket and 4wd will give you another dimension in the same equivalent horsepower range.

Tractorhouse.com, maybe for comparison sake.

Kubota and John Deere are hard to beat but several here have mentioned that they’ve been very pleased with the Kiota.

I think you’ll get some good input from the gang here for consideration.

And Mahindra as mentioned above.

Should have mentioned 4WD, and Diesel. Just not sure of the emissions issues with higher HP than 25.Perhaps they have sorted that out. None would be preferred. That means under or at 25HP or a used machine.

3200 dolla,...no holla.

https://lexington.craigslist.org/grq/d/washington-ford-8n-tractor/7295130473.html

Jmo but the emissions issues aren’t very problematic from what I’ve been told. Just another maintenance item or two.

Yep, the old 8n, I do know how to run it. no FEL however..

Kubota.

I posted on this subject last month. I picked up a CASE 50C (47hp) pictured in the thread. Its the same machine as the New Holland Boomer 50.
So far great machine. Cleanest burning diesel I've even seen. I originally wanted a Kubota, but I wasn't impressed with my original choice.

Wasn't much love from fellas here after I posted my choice, so dunno about consensus, but I'm happy!

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...re-kubota-l2501hst-thoughts#Post15753176

I'm no tractor expert but isn't that a steal?

It depends on a lot of things, or course. If it runs as good as it looks it's worth the money. If I didn't already have one I'd go check it out.

If I had a place to put 2 of them, I'd go check it out, also. But I don't know what I'd do with 2 8Ns.

I have a 2004 Kubota B2910 (upgraded version of the B7800. 4wd, HST, FEL, 5’ box blade and rotary. Small but 4 cyl 30hp. 500 hours and seems bombproof. I’m hard on equipment and have not had one failure on this tractor.

Just bought a JD 4100 tonight. Needed something smaller for around the house and something with turf tires that’s a little easier on the lawn.

2000 model year, 4wd, 20hp Yanmar diesel, HST, 60” belly mower, 3pt, FEL hydraulics and stick are ready if I find a bucket for it. 1800hrs in great condition. $6500.

I think something like that would be a great option for you based on what you described

After rereading the OP, looking at a 20yo model isn’t probably your best play. You have a much stronger budget and need more of a one-tractor-to-do-it-all than I did. At only 20hp and needing to track down a model-specific fel, probably best to look at something similar to what broomd brought home.

If you’re going to spend money, might as well spend it all. Deere 4066 is the king of dirty fun.

Kubota

I do about exactly what the OP does. Kubota 2501, bucket,blade, hays pears,brush hog. Manure spreader.No worries,

I'm partial to Kubota....but it's what I got and has served me well. Bought a L2800 in 2004ish.... all I had was a 3/4 mile drive and 5 acres.......almost 20 years later, up to 15 acres, livestock, sawmill and wishing I had stepped up a little in HP and lifting capacity. Truth in advertising though, I found my self also looking at some little CUT's from some of the work I do. Ok Ok so I'm a equipment junkie...... Look to the future some, I'm close enough to retirement I'll just make do.....but if hindsight is 20/20 I would have went up to the 35-45 hp size. For a lot reasons... including things like wheel base for the hilly terrain/lifting capacity ect... One of the things that I didn't do was get the quick attach bucket.Wish I would have...My second most used implement is pallet forks, behind FEL. You'll be amazed at the uses you can find for them. They make bolt on's/clamp ons(which is what I have) but the lifting capacity is reduced and you have to secure them, have bent my bucket in a couple places. With quick attach it's an actual pallet fork and it's well....quicker, easier and more secure.

Just my experience

Joe