What's a good new 25 hp tractor package for the money?

[OK Corgi Rancher]

Is the bucket heavy enough to counter the backhoe or would you need to add some front weight? I'd love to have a backhoe option at our property but can't justify the cost especially if a full size.

I'm not sure I understand. If you're asking about the front bucket being enough ballast for working the backhoe, then, yes, it is. Well, I say that, but I just got this little guy yesterday so I haven't used it yet. I did have a backhoe on my 2038R and it worked like a champ.

We discussed a mini-ex. But a mini-ex only does digging. They're really good at digging, but that's about all they do aside from maybe moving things around...but you can do that with a backhoe bucket, too.

This little tractor filled our digging needs. A TLB setup like this does a lot of things OK. Doesn't do anything really well. Obviously, it's small and limited in how much work it can do at once. But, digging trenches, removing tree stumps, etc, can be done and it beats using a shovel. Plus, it mows. But, it's HUGE for a mower so space becomes an issue. The loader is great for moving material...just at a slower pace.

So, for us, it makes a lot of sense. Machine to dig? Check. Bigger mower? Check. Loader? We already have a larger tractor, but now we have two. So, check. With a mini-ex we're more limited in uses and we'd still have the other needs.

I'd say if you really need a way to dig and that's going to be the exclusive use, go with a mini-ex. They're cheaper and better at digging than a small backhoe.

 

[OKRuss]

I'm not sure I understand. If you're asking about the front bucket being enough ballast for working the backhoe, then, yes, it is. Well, I say that, but I just got this little guy yesterday so I haven't used it yet. I did have a backhoe on my 2038R and it worked like a champ.

We discussed a mini-ex. But a mini-ex only does digging. They're really good at digging, but that's about all they do aside from maybe moving things around...but you can do that with a backhoe bucket, too.

This little tractor filled our digging needs. A TLB setup like this does a lot of things OK. Doesn't do anything really well. Obviously, it's small and limited in how much work it can do at once. But, digging trenches, removing tree stumps, etc, can be done and it beats using a shovel. Plus, it mows. But, it's HUGE for a mower so space becomes an issue. The loader is great for moving material...just at a slower pace.

So, for us, it makes a lot of sense. Machine to dig? Check. Bigger mower? Check. Loader? We already have a larger tractor, but now we have two. So, check. With a mini-ex we're more limited in uses and we'd still have the other needs.

I'd say if you really need a way to dig and that's going to be the exclusive use, go with a mini-ex. They're cheaper and better at digging than a small backhoe.

Yes, the ballast part was my question. I guess you also have the weight of tractor in addition to the bucket.

 

[SoonerP226]

If you're asking about the front bucket being enough ballast for working the backhoe, then, yes, it is.

If you haven’t already, I’d suggest checking the manual to make sure John Deere agrees with you. One of my dad’s friends had John Deere deny a warranty claim on the front assist drive on his tractor because he hadn’t used rear ballast while using the loader. He was super PO’d about it for a long time, and was telling everybody he knew about it (and he may still be, as mad as he was).

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

If you haven’t already, I’d suggest checking the manual to make sure John Deere agrees with you. One of my dad’s friends had John Deere deny a warranty claim on the front assist drive on his tractor because he hadn’t used rear ballast while using the loader. He was super PO’d about it for a long time, and was telling everybody he knew about it (and he may still be, as mad as he was).

I was just generally talking about stability while using the backhoe...as in will the tractor stay stable while digging.

You definitely want rear ballast of some sort if you're doing heavy lifting with the loader. Otherwise you're putting too much weight on the front axle. I agree with what you're saying but I was referring to using the backhoe...not the loader. And the outriggers on the backhoe can take a lot of weight off the rear (or all of it, actually) of the tractor. I've never run into any situation where I needed front ballast myself. But I also don't try to overwork the small tractors I've had.

Sorry if I wasn't clear about that.

 

[cowadle]

I know a guy that has a newish john deere bigger farm tractor that won't run because the muffler is malfunctioning. He has bee waiting over a year for a solution. The muffler cost is over 25 grand alone and jon deere won't guarantee it will fix the problem. Interesting is that the same tractor sold in brazil has none of this problematic stuff on it. The india and china are copied the 855 cummins and are kicking our ass with our old tech. We better wake up soon.

 

[SoonerP226]

I was just generally talking about stability while using the backhoe...as in will the tractor stay stable while digging.

You definitely want rear ballast of some sort if you're doing heavy lifting with the loader. Otherwise you're putting too much weight on the front axle. I agree with what you're saying but I was referring to using the backhoe...not the loader. And the outriggers on the backhoe can take a lot of weight off the rear (or all of it, actually) of the tractor. I've never run into any situation where I needed front ballast myself. But I also don't try to overwork the small tractors I've had.

Sorry if I wasn't clear about that.

No, you were clear about that, I’m just suggesting that you make sure John Deere isn’t doing something icky here. Being safe and being in compliance with warranty requirements aren’t always the same thing.

 

[StLPro2A]

Thanks for quick replies, I never considered a Deere because I assumed it would be way over priced. But that doesn't seem too far from the kabota price and if it's 0 percent interest I'll move my research over there for a bit. Thanks

It's not the tractor that's so expensive with JD....it's the green paint. Look for one in another color to save tons. Have a JD 1025 for the kids learnin' curve and finish work. Very pleased for smaller jobs, works way above it's class, price point. Also, JD 4640 160HP....over kill for for how we're using it, but zero regrets.....Eddie Arnold Green Acres proud. Also have Kubota M105S with front loader, hay/brush hog/finish mowers, round baler....nothing but great. Also, a slight over kill again, a Cat 350 Challenger MT765D.....208,000lb draw....maybe won't reverse Earth rotation, but sure slows it......maybe slight overkill again.....run with the big dogs or stay on the porch. The looks from the local REAL farmers is worth the price many times over. All three brands are totally reliable, work hardened, worth the cost.

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

I farted around with the 1025R a bit yesterday. I took the hoe and the loader off...very simple process. Then I used the mower on a couple acres around the house. This thing is a grass-cutting mofo. Easily took two thirds less time than it did with the smaller mower. We're gonna really get some use out of this tractor. I even took a 200' swipe out of the hay field along the yard. Grass is over 3' tall and it didn't even struggle.

 

[Bigdawg90]

I have almost 100 hours on my Kubota L3302. It’s really transformed our property and I’ve earned enough with it to pay for itself.

I added an auger, box blade, heavy duty brush hog, and rake. I’m on the hunt for a land plane, but I don’t want to pay out the butt for it.

The best invention ever was that 3 point auger. I did about 50 posts with that thing and it turned back breaking work into nothing.

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

I have almost 100 hours on my Kubota L3302. It’s really transformed our property and I’ve earned enough with it to pay for itself.

I added an auger, box blade, heavy duty brush hog, and rake. I’m on the hunt for a land plane, but I don’t want to pay out the butt for it.

The best invention ever was that 3 point auger. I did about 50 posts with that thing and it turned back breaking work into nothing.

I picked up a really nice 3 point auger for my 3025E for chump change. I'm sure it would work great in dirt. It takes forever, though, to get thru the clay on our property. It hits the clay and just spins on it and I can't get enough down pressure to get the blade to bite. If I get lucky and get a spot with little or no clay it powers thru 4 feet of dirt in no time.

The clay here is the bane of my existence. I have a repair job I need to do. I thought it might be dry enough today to start digging with the backhoe on the 1025R. It was fine for the first foot. Below that the clay started sticking to everything and it's nearly impossible to get it to dump out of the bucket. Guess I'll stop for the day and let it dry for a day or two and get after it again.

I'm really impressed with the 1025R. The problem with a machine like this is I can no longer put off things I need to do around here.