Talk to me about compact tractors!

[Jammez]

Hi Folks

Looking for some pointers on compact tractors. We recently bought a property that sits on 4 acres of paddock/ woodland.

I’d really like a multipurpose small tractor that can be used for numerous things like

Mowing the paddock
Front loader/fork attachments
Backhoe attachment

It needs to be small enough to mow the paddock without wrecking the grass but I’d also like it to be able to lift bulk bags no more than 1t. Does such a thing exist or am I asking to much from one machine? Probably looking at a budget of £15k for something used. Been looking online at Kubota and Iseki stuff but there seems lots of choice and would like to be a bit more informed before I go and look at stuff. Any thoughts, anyone have anything they use for similar?

Edited by Jammez on Saturday 20th February 10:28

[biggiles]

Have you found this useful thread? https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=13...

Backhoe attachment is controversial - usually on a compact, it's 100x better to hire in a proper (little) excavator. Much more efficient. And removing a backhoe on an older machine can take some time.

Lifting 1 tonne (weight) bags on the front isn't usually possible or safe with a compact tractor. I usually get full bags placed on pallets, which can then be moved with rear forks on the 3pt hitch (to a certain weight/height), or a rough-ground pallet mover which I can tow with the Wheelhorse.

Edited to remove mention of lawns! For a 4 acre paddock, you'd probably want to go with a B-series Kubota and a flail mower as a starting point. Or just get a contractor to cut it for you with bigger kit. Other marques are good, but the Kubota is arguably the gold standard and easier to find info on.

Edited by biggiles on Saturday 20th February 11:57

[Misaps]

Kubota is the starting point, and for the size of area you mention = one of the B series. I have BX20 which is a lovely piece of equipment, not used for grass cutting though but I would say to look at a topper or finishing mower attachment depending on the type of grass you are looking to have.

[K9bllx]

Have a look at Kioti tractors. I only have a little CK20 but it has a front loader which is really useful and tows a decent size topper using the rear PTO no problem.

I looked at Kubota but decided Kioti was better value/quality and havent been diappointed.

[sfella]

Have a look at solis, Indian made and seem to be selling lots of them here. 50hp 2wd is £10k plus a loader new I think from looking. Some bigger farmers seem to be buying into them and have been around a few years now. Have been tempted myself.

Backhoe attachment is a pain in the backside and not that useful, save the few k and hire a 1.5t machine as and when or have a look for a cheap one if you really want your own. Cattoway carriages up north is always posting on fb cheap machinery inc diggers sub 5k and seems to have a legion of happy customers.

Personally bought a straight and tidy 1970's Ford 4000, pallet forks on 3 point link for moving stuff. Will tow a 4 ton trailer for moving muck heap.and does everything else I need. Sub 5k to buy, loads of spares and knowledge out there plus can be worked on myself.

[Condi]

Look at something older, the technology on most newer small tractors is not much changed from the technology of 1970's frontline tractors, and the older ones are not much bigger than a modern Kubota or whatever. David Brown 995 is 50hp, will likely have power steering, can lift 1t with some ballast on the rear and will cost you £3k-£5k at most. It has "live drive" PTO for running a mower.

As has been mentioned forget the idea of a backhoe on a compact. If you do get a bigger tractor (50hp+) then you might get something worthwhile, but below that the machine doesn't have the weight or power to do what you want. Even then a small excavator will do heaps more work than your tractor will, and you'd probably wish you'd hired one anyway.

[Jammez]

Thanks for the info guys, particularly on the backhoe. What's the issue with them? I do have access to a 1.3t mini digger but was hoping the backhoe would limit me having to borrow it. I've never used a backhoe so no idea about them.

You guys have now split me between going for a more modern Kubota type tractor or going for something much older, cheaper & hopefully simple to maintain and spending more on implements!

[sfella]

Jammez said:

Thanks for the info guys, particularly on the backhoe. What's the issue with them? I do have access to a 1.3t mini digger but was hoping the backhoe would limit me having to borrow it. I've never used a backhoe so no idea about them.

You guys have now split me between going for a more modern Kubota type tractor or going for something much older, cheaper & hopefully simple to maintain and spending more on implements!

You can't move about like on a mini digger, instead of 360 degrees you only have 180 at best. To go forward and backwards means changing seats. They also dont have the power of a mini digger. It's just a compromised option.

I'm in the older camp, neither my old fergie or ford have thrown an engine management light of reduced power mode! The main control box was broken on my ford when I bought it so wasn't charging, £45 and 15 mins it was away. That is the extent of the electrics.....

When I need a bigger machine than my ford 4000 I'll be looking at a late 80's 100hp ish 4wd. Happy to use older machines and forgo mod cons like ac.

Edited by sfella on Tuesday 23 February 18:02

[biggiles]

Jammez said:

Thanks for the info guys, particularly on the backhoe. What's the issue with them? I do have access to a 1.3t mini digger but was hoping the backhoe would limit me having to borrow it. I've never used a backhoe so no idea about them.

You guys have now split me between going for a more modern Kubota type tractor or going for something much older, cheaper & hopefully simple to maintain and spending more on implements!

sfella has given a good response to the "why backhoe". A 1.3t excavator will run rings around a compact tractor backhoe.

I recall you wanted to lift 1-tonne bags. That's not a common requirement- maybe it's worth adding some detail there? *If* say you were planning on doing some building work, the 15k gets you a JCB 3CX which has a much-better-than-compact-tractor backhoe. It won't mow the paddock, but mowing 4 acres is an easy contractor job. Once your building work is over then you can get a compact.

I started out spending £less on a 20-yr-old Kubota; now I'm about to spend much more on a slightly bigger new/nearly-new. Nothing wrong with older Kubotas if you are mechanically inclined, and have the time to tinker. They are more simple to work on.

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

Vintage tractors are cool, and hold their money. I would get a TE20 aka the little grey fergie. You could tidy it up as you go along and drive it to the pub on sunny Sundays.

[anonymous-user]

sfella said:

You can't move about like on a mini digger, instead of 360 degrees you only have 180 at best. To go forward and backwards means changing seats. They also dont have the power of a mini digger. It's just a compromised option.

I'm in the older camp, neither my old fergie or ford have thrown an engine management light of reduced power mode! The main control box was broken on my ford when I bought it so wasn't charging, £45 and 15 mins it was away. That is the extent of the electrics.....

When I need a bigger machine than my ford 4000 I'll be looking at a late 80's 100hp ish 4wd. Happy to use older machines and forgo mod cons like ac.

For the OP’s budget of £15k you can buy a mint (and I do mean mint) MF 390 Turbo 4x4 with a front loader. That is what I would be looking at if I was the OP.

You can then take your pick of rear mounted mowers or pasture toppers etc.

[Evoluzione]

Lord Marylebone said:

sfella said:

You can't move about like on a mini digger, instead of 360 degrees you only have 180 at best. To go forward and backwards means changing seats. They also dont have the power of a mini digger. It's just a compromised option.

I'm in the older camp, neither my old fergie or ford have thrown an engine management light of reduced power mode! The main control box was broken on my ford when I bought it so wasn't charging, £45 and 15 mins it was away. That is the extent of the electrics.....

When I need a bigger machine than my ford 4000 I'll be looking at a late 80's 100hp ish 4wd. Happy to use older machines and forgo mod cons like ac.

For the OP’s budget of £15k you can buy a mint (and I do mean mint) MF 390 Turbo 4x4 with a front loader. That is what I would be looking at if I was the OP.

You can then take your pick of rear mounted mowers or pasture toppers etc.

I haven't seen one so cheap, they tend to be £15k + VAT for average ones.


What is a '12 x 12 shuttle' and '2x spools' ? Shuttle is something to do with gears I think.

Edited by Evoluzione on Tuesday 23 February 20:11

[sfella]

12 forward, 12 reverse and direction change is via a stalk on the column normally, very handy. Spools is the hydraulics at the back end

[rehab71]

Chainsaw Rebuild said:

Vintage tractors are cool, and hold their money. I would get a TE20 aka the little grey fergie. You could tidy it up as you go along and drive it to the pub on sunny Sundays.

My dad has a TE20 and an FE35. I'd have the FE35 over the TE20 if you're actually using it for working as you run implements from the FE35 at a different speed to the tractor so you can bale with it etc. Faster on the road too.

[Mammasaid]

rehab71 said:

Chainsaw Rebuild said:

Vintage tractors are cool, and hold their money. I would get a TE20 aka the little grey fergie. You could tidy it up as you go along and drive it to the pub on sunny Sundays.

My dad has a TE20 and an FE35. I'd have the FE35 over the TE20 if you're actually using it for working as you run implements from the FE35 at a different speed to the tractor so you can bale with it etc. Faster on the road too.

MF135 would beat both, has Multipower for easy implement use.

[stichill99]

I also would suggest something like a Massey Ferguson 390 with a loader. Simple practical tractor with no ecu. You could start it with a screwdriver if need be. It will always be worth good money!

[smifffymoto]

Big tractors are better for ground work,tillage etc but a small Kubota or Iseki is ideal for equestrian type work. The lighter weight certainly has benefits in winter when the ground is boggy.
1 Tonne vs 3 or more.
The Solis 26 looks an ideal tractor for your needs OP.
I have had an Iseki TM 3265 with loader for the last 10 years and it has done everything I have thrown at it and more without any trouble.

[Shed_Jensen]

Hello,

I have a few tractors from full size to compacts and vintage / classics, my compact is a Kubota B2231 – a 23hp 3 cyl diesel with 60” mid mulching deck with a loader will be about £20k new, they hold their value incredibly well. It’s a very good light duty allrounder – but very easier to tip up if you overload the loader, it won’t have much lift capacity beyond about 6-700Kg? don’t have a loader attached on mine but I have a full size Claas 330 100hp loader tractor for those duties. I bought my Kubota nearly new with 100hrs.

As others mentioned you can get a small 1990s 60-80 hp “full size” tractor like a 4wd Case 895 with loader that will lift what you require safely for £10k. Better value than a compact by far, and will do everything you’ll ever need.

Ref Vintage / classic tractors I have a couple of old Fordson super majors - which are very useful bits of kit, a good size bigger / heavier being a 40-50hp nearly 2.25t tractor compared to the little grey fergie. A Massey 35 or grey Fergie is well over a ton, and a bit less user friendly and very few creature comforts. £4-5k will get you a very nice Massey 35 (go for a 3 cylinder), or Fordson Dexta (same size) or a bit more for a more modern 135/165 or Fordson Super Major. All can be found with loaders.

Good luck!!

[Shed_Jensen]

Also to add, don’t bother with a backhoe attachment - they are compromised in every way, hire very reasonably or buy a reasonable 2nd hand digger if the right size for you. I also own an old 1980s Kubota 3t digger that has earned its purchase cost many times over, and is still worth what I paid for it after many 1000s of tons shifted!

[astroarcadia]

Can someone list a general hierarchy of quality compact tractor Brands?

So much out there - MF Ford John Deere Kubota Solis Yanmar Iseki Kiot Solis NewH?