Looking for a tractor to work around the house. It'll have a Loader and back hoe.

I REALLY want a Kubota in the 30HP range. People are incredibly proud of 'em new or used$$$$.

The John Deere is a Yanmar in the smaller units and also seem to be pricey.

I've found a Korean tractor with a lot of features and a Mitsubishi diesel motor that is reasonably priced. They're called LG Montana.


Any personal experiences are appreciated and any sales/dealers are welcome to spam me..........I'm ready to buy.

 

I have a Kubota B21 with the loader and hoe. I love it. It is actually a commercial machine. PSE&G has hundreds of them working. It does everything I want it to. But too big to cut grass.

 

Kubota is the best.
Can you get Iseki's over there? They are IMO as good if not better than Kubotas

Recently Korean build quality has improved so much, I would be pretty happy with this LG Montana.
If you have ever been to Korea and seen how they use some of these small tractors, I am sure it will do everything you want it to do.
I saw a Korean tractor that was probably built in the 70's towing a 30000lb truck out of a bog hole...
That is every day affair over there, and I assume you want it to dig a few holes, should be a piece of cake.

 

Be sure to compare hydraulic flow rates and lift capacities. Engine hp is only 1 indicator of tractors capabilities. If you are only going to use it for pulling implements, then hp is the main concern, But if you want a bucket on it, and especially if you are looking for hydrostatic tranny models, scrutinize those flow rates.
We have a New Holland 32 hp compact tractor. Was marginally less expensive than a comparable JD, but has less than 2/3 the lift capacity. It is very frustrating to fill your bucket with gravel and not be able to lift it and move it!

 

Thanks for the replies, fellas.

I've never heard of a product that appears to have 100% support like Kubota does. If only our Fords could be so lucky!!!!

The problem is the compact tractors from Kubota are close to 30K new and over 20K for used(not thrilled buying used but not totally against.

I've sorta bumped myself after talking to a dealer. Here are the specs on the Korean tractor I'm SERIOUSLY looking at. It's a "utility" model. Larger than the "compact."

Engine...............Mitsubishi

Model......................... S4QS

Gross Hp................... 43hp

Rated speed.............2600rpm

Type...........................Vertical, indirect, Diesel

No. of Cyl. ................. 4 cylinder

Displacement...........141.03 CU. IN.

Dual Air Cleaner ..... Dual dry element

Cold Start ................. Glow Plugs

Cooling System ...... Liquid cooled

Fuel Capacity .......... 15.9 gallons

PTO

Independent PTO .... Independent

PTO speed................ 540

Safety Interlock........ Yes

Control...................... Electro hyd switch

Power Train

Synchro Shuttle Trans ...... 16 fwd - 16 rev

Speed Range ....................... 1.18- 13.98 mph

Main gear shift type............ Full synchro shuttle

Rear diff. lock....................... Foot operated

Brake type........................... Wet multi-disc

Parking Brake.................... Hand Lever

Steering type..................... Hydrostatic

Hydraulics

Control...................................... Position, Draft

Pump Capacity cc/rev........... 12.87

Delivery gpm........................... 8.43

Lift Capacity............................ 3,197 lbs

Remote valves........................ 2

3-point Category.................... Cat. 1

Electrical

Battery Capacity ...........12 Volts

Work light........................ Yes

Alternator....................... 12 Volts, 45 Amps

Axles

Wheel Base....................... 74.8 in

Turn Radius...................... 125.67 in

Standard tire front........... 8.3 - 20.0

Standard tire rear............ 12.4 - 28.00

Dimensions

Lenght (in)........................ 125.67

Width tire center (in)....... 49.45 -61.57

Height (in)......................... 94.69

G. Clearance (in)............. 13.39

Weight (lbs)...................... 5063 no loader


Ckal, good point on flow rates. Please give me an opinion on the above specs.

The above tractor is 23k BRAND NEW delivered to the door.

 

It has been 4-5 years since I bid out for the tractor we ended up buying for my school. I am not trying to pass the buck, the fact is I am no longer well versed on flow rates and capacities, since it was a while ago and I don't do that kind of work everyday. But all you need to do is get fact sheets from other manufacturers of similarly sized equipment. Most major manufacturers (JD, New Holland, Kubota, etc) have this info available on their websites. You can print and do side-by-sides.

The tractor we ended up with is a New Holland TC33D. The hydraulic capacities really come into play due to the fact it has hydrostatic transmission. If you are travelling and want to operate the bucket while in motion, it is really slow. And, like I said in my previous post, it is just wrong to fill the bucket and not be able to raise it. The John Deere had almost 35% greater flow and lift capacity, but I was forced to accept the New Holland because it was bid $12.00 (yes, that is correct: twelve dollars) less than the JD we really wanted. PA school code: low-bid wins. End of story.

It appears that you are looking at gear-drive transmissions, so 100% of the hydraulics are dedicated to operating the implements and thus the rates and capacities are not quite as critical. Look at the volume of the bucket that is appropriate for the tractor you are looking at and figure stone at 100 lbs per cubic foot to calculate wether or not you can fill the bucket.

Most of the compact tractors out there will do the job eventually. It is a matter of how long you want it to take to get done what you want to get done.

Hope I helped-let me know if I can do anything else.

 

our local high school just bought a new john deere and when they move a pallet of paper the back tires barely touch the ground when they pick it up and this is with a blade on the little 3 point if that says anything about lifting capacity. we just recently bought a kubota ZD21 diesel pro mower. that mower is a beast no other way to put it. i know they are expensive but i am a 100% kubota follower.

 

Most tractors used for heavy front end lifting will also emply some kind of rear ballast. It can either be liquid filled rear tires or a counterweight attached to the 3 point hitch. Likewise tractors pulling heavy loads from the rear will have added weight to the front. It is all about center-of-gravity, not so much lifting capacity. I would bet my danged New Holland couldn't even lift that pallet of paper off the ground!

 

Another one you might want to check out is the Ingersoll 6000 series and 7000 series tractors. American made and about half the price of what you've been looking at.

http://www.nhlawn.com/ingersoll.html

 

Thank you. Not quite in the same league though as far as transmission(2 speed vs 8, 12 or 16 speed) and engine choices(2 cylinder gas vs 3 and 4 cylinder diesels).

 

try looking here if you are only looking for a loader back hoe that is built in America

http://www.allmand.com/PRODUCT1-1_fr.HTM

LENGTH: 16' 10" ( 5.13 m ) Front: 23 x 10.5-12
HEIGHT: 84.5" ( 2.15 m ) Rear: 31 x 15.5-15
WIDTH: 56" ( 1. 42 m )
WHEELBASE: 65" ( 1.65 m )
BUCKET WIDTH: 56" ( 1.42 m ) CAPACITIES
GROUND CLEARANCE: 11" ( 28 cm) Fuel: 12 gallons ( 45.6 L )
Hyd. Oil: 12 gallons ( 45.6 L )
ENGINE
Diesel: LOADER
Kubota D1105, 25 hp, liquid-cooled Single Lever Power Hydraulic with
Bucket Float
Bucket Capacity: 1/2 cu. yd. (.38 cu. m)
POWER STEERING Breakout Force: 3400 pounds (1530 kg)
Load-sensing hydraulic steering with Lift Capacity: 2100 pounds (765 kg)
balanced steering cylinder
BACKHOE: ESL™ design
TRANSMISSION Digging Force:
Eaton HD Servo-controlled 4611 pounds (2075 kg) @ Bucket
Hydrostatic ( 65 hp rated ) 2424 pounds (1090 kg) @ Dipper
Digging Depth:
DRIVE MOTOR 8' 8" ( 2.7 m )
Axial piston motor ( 8' 4" [2.54 m] 2' flat bottom )
Buckets:
DIFFERENTIAL 10" (25.4cm), 12" (30.5 cm),
Off-highway, planetary limited slip 16" (std.) (40.6 cm), 18" (45.7cm),
24" (61 cm), 36" (91.4 cm)
SPEED RANGE Swing: 180 degrees w/ cushioned
0 to 5.5 MPH ( 0 to 8.8 km/h ) swing cylinder
Steel grouser pads
BRAKES Stabilizers extened to 10" ( 25.4 cm )
Hydrostatic service brake below grade
parking brake
TRANSPORTATION LENGTH:
WEIGHT 13' 7" ( 4.14 m )
4320 lbs. (1963 kg)
AUX. HYDRAULIC OUTPUT
8 gpm @ 2400 psi



Photos shown may include non-standard equipment.
Specifications are subject to change without prior notice.



Allmand Brothers Inc.-
helping build America for more than half a century

Since 1938, Allmand products have been making construction sites brighter, warmer, safer and more efficient. Since that time, Allmand products have continually evolved to readily meet the needs of our valued customers. The Allmand Tractor Loader Backhoe continues that heritage and has quickly established itself as a market leader. All products that bear the Allmand name have been designed to reflect high performance, reliability, and a good return on investment. We hope you'll give Allmand a try.

Steve and Roger Allmand.
Same family. Same Ownership,
since 1938.

 

One thing that I recomend is to try and to rent the tractor first from a tool rental store to see if its going to fit your needs,kinda like test driving it before buying. if you get interested in the allmand product PM me and i'll get you in touch with someone close to you.

 

I'm definitely no expert, but I've been looking a lot and have been most impressed with Mahindra. They seem to be a good price for the features offered.

Another highly respected "new" brand is Kioti. A little more expensive than Mahindra, but cheaper than the "big 3" (NH, Deere, & Kubota).

If you haven't already, check out the forum at http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/index.php/Cat/0/C/5

 

Thanks again. That Allmand looks like a rebadged Kubota and is a little pricey.

I'm really leaning toward the upstart Korean tractors and I'm hoping they have something to prove!

The specs that I listed are for a back hoe/loader delivered to the door for under 23K!!!

 

I just want to point out a few things you should consider before making a puchase, one is parts , how easy are they to get and how long of a wait if they have to be ordered.
are they coming from overseas?

Next are the hoses S.A.E. standred fittings or are they metric? with SAE you can get them made locally, mertics generally have to be ordered. also look into dealer network, do you have a choice of places to get it serviced.

Do you want a dedicated(its job specific) or a utility tractor (mutli-task), there are big differances between the two.

When choosing a brand , there is good reason to go with one of the better known brands then a lesser established one. ie JD , kubota ect...ect....

and on the allmand its not a re-badged kubota, it was built ground up to be job specific to perform its job well.(2100lbs lift capacity at full dump height and the backhoe has a breakout force of 3400lbs at the dipper and a 180 degree boom swing) a fair comparison would be the Teramite mini back hoe which is also built in the USA . as to cost of the allmand they have several models to choose from. and you can get into one for well under 20 G's .

But I think that a utility tractor is more what you are looking for and I would be very concern with lift , hydro gph, Engine type with kubota engines being the easiest to get parts for, or a JD.

This is just some things to be aware of, and price is not always the best way to compare these products, there will always be someone cheaper in this market. I hope this helps