I have been thinking about purchasing a new compact tractor, and have been trying to decide what brand to go with. My current tractor is mitsubishi MT160D 4x4, it is a terrific tractor, and I will probably keep it unless they give me a darn good trade in, but I want something a little bigger and with a loader. Probably around 25 HP. I have looked at JD, New Holland, Mahindra, and Kubota, but I'm thinking about some of the other less popular brands too. Agco makes them and as does MF, the bought out challenger line also makes them. Of course there's the off brands- northern tool's Nortrac and a local dealer sells both bobcat(like the skid-steers) and another orange tractor, maybe hinomoto? Have seen branson at shows too. Anybody have any input on these? Cost is always a factor, as is reliability. It's not a less expensive tractor if you're fixing it all the time.

The John Deere's have a terribly slow top speed, less than 10 MPH. That is slightly unappealing, as I do put a few road miles on them. Would prefer something a little faster than my mighty mit, it does 11MPH. The challenger line(bought from caterpillar by agco) states theirs do almost 19MPH. that would be fantasic, but I've never seen one in person. and this line is very new and probably at best untested.

Of the ones I've seen I think I'm leaning towards mahindra, but there's so many I haven't even looked at online.

Thanks

 

I have a 99 cub 7275 which is a Mitsu. that cub repainted/named and marketed. It uses a Cub loader (417), woods 7500 hoe and just about anything else cat1 I can put on.

I have the K3M engine and hydrostat

I would avoid gray market or 'bolly' tractors as they are hard to obtain parts for. the new cub 7000 series are way smaller than what the old ones are (engine HP does not matter to me as much as total weight does - 2 tons dressed is the minimum)

the northern machines, are varying makes, but mostly gray market- whomever sell them the cheapest.

I can complain about my little cub/Mitsu - I used it to knock over an old sporting goods store once. I had a crowd of onlookers.

 

the conservation dist I worked at used JD 4400's They were great tractors. Cant telol ya much more, other than I'd probably stay away from chineese knockoffs, parts availibility will be an issue

 

My mitsu is great and I forgot I looked at cubs too. My cousin's father in law has one, it's probably an 03, I was going to check it out too someday before I bought.

 

the local rental yards are having drive train problems with the new hollands, I have owned and run Massey Ferguson's my whole life and would not shy away from them. as for Chinese made I have a shibora ( stiger ) that my uncle imports from china, they can only run them for like 8 or 10 years and must get rid of them for emissions, the one I have only has a couple hundred hours on it. it is 4X4 diesel and easily has a loader put on it.

 

My dad has a Kubota with loader and all the goodies. I think it's around 25hp. Top speed is higher than 10.. way higher if I can remember right. Has had it for a couple years with no problems. He has always wanted a tractor like it and probably loves it more than us kids most days.

 

I was just checking out the agco st24a, very decent unit to the equivalent kubota. The base MSRP is right at 11k. Called a local dealer that can get em he said he could do right around 12,500 with loader, but otherwise standard. Anybody know anything about the agcos? They are the company that bought out allis chalmers, white, and massey ferguson. They still make tractors under the massey name too.

 

u ever think of looking at tractorbynet or equivalent? (I have the links at home) just about everything is covered in there....all makes models tech and parts info

 

I have a new holland at work. 33 hp. Nice tractor but the hydraulics are so weak it is pathetic. Can't lift a full bucket of stone.
Dealer has checked it and it is working to specs.
JD has far stronger hydraulics.

 

TractorByNet.com | Compact Tractors | John Deere, Kubota, New Holland = excellent source of info.

I like John Deere. Pricey, but top quality.

Something in the 2000 series John*Deere 2000 Series Compact Utility Tractors should cover your needs.

 

Kinda curious what model that is. I'm a tech at a NH dealer and, in my experience, none of our models are known for pathetic hydraulics. I'm also wondering what that "full bucket of stone" actually weighs, and how that compares to the rated capacity of the equipment.

As to the original post, I may be a bit biased, but in general terms the NH stuff is pretty good, but Kubota makes good small tractors too. Don't shop soley on price, either. Availablity of parts and a service department with a good reputation should also be considered. I'd stay away from the cheap Chinese crap that are sold through farm supply stores. Little to no parts/service support.

 

I have a Branson 3820 w/loader. Strong little 38 HP 4 cyl diesel, 4x4 with 12 speeds (3 ranges w/ 4 speed gear box). Seems to be ready service and parts available but haven't had to repair anything yet. I don't have many hours on it but no complaints thus far. One item to consider is that for engine parts/service the motor in these little buggers is the Cummins A Series Diesel engine. Tractor is made in Korea and assembled in Texas and Georgia.

Shop around and don't overlook a good used unit. I just sold a 1961 Ford 3000 that still had some life (but no loader). There's lots of hobby farmers (like me) that don't work a tractor as hard as they are built to handle.

my $0.02

 

Im not sure if you have checked out ingersoll (im not sure if they have something that meets your needs) but they arent half bad.

If you ruled out JD, I would probably get a kubota, they are pretty solid machines.

 

ok ill chime in here those lil tractors are ok but wat to high priced you can find a 50-75hp tractor thatll do more then you want for half the price. there to small for todays big farms and to big for the lawn care guys. i picked up another 65 hp nuffield with a loader for 2500 bucks! its got a 8 foot bucket and will lift the back of my pickup

 

I would pick either John Deere or Kubota. Avoid the gray market tractors.

Doesn't agco also have the McCormick brand along with the Challenger, MF and such?