Shopping for a tractor is 10x worse than shopping for a car. 10 brands, 10 models each, and 2 that look the same can be $20k apart in price, even with the same manufacturer.
I'm not a Deere fan, mainly based on dealer attitude anytime I've stopped in, and the whole right to work issue, so they're out. I'm shopping what's considered "compact" with a loader and backhoe. From what I've seen so far a Mahindra 1626 checks all the boxes, at a reasonable price, so that's currently at the top of the list.
Anyone have experience? Ideas? Suggestions?
ShawnG
MegaDork
4/1/25 9:58 p.m.
I have a Kubota L4760. It's a 50hp tractor, bigger than what you're shopping but it sure works a lot harder than it should.
If you're buying one with a loader, make sure the loader uses the Bobcat quick attach system. Opens up a world of affordable attachments to use with your loader. Mine has this system and I love it.
The hydrostatic transmission is great too.
If you're clearing snow, 4wd is pretty much mandatory. I tried running mine in 2wd to see how much difference it made. The tractor is completely useless in 2wd on snow.
John Deere is like Harley Davidson. You pay extra just because it's green.
Agree on 4WD (and mud is as bad or worse than snow). I also wish I had skid steer quick attach rather than a pin-on bucket.
It might be different with a new tractor vs used, but when I bought my 15-year-old tractor, I bought a "name" brand (Kubota) for parts availability and for 3rd party add-on availability. I can still buy just about any part for my now 20yo tractor from Messicks, and if I am looking for some 3rd party accessory or something it will always be available for a Kubota. Don't know if Mahindra has been around long enough for that to be the case yet.
I have a LS MT 125 sub compact loader with backhoe. 4wd is a must. Get the most tractor you can afford. I used brunos, free delivery from arkansas and i didnt pay a cent of tax. The same tractor locally was a couple extra thousand $'s and i would have had to pay a ton of sales tax.
https://www.brunosfarmandlawn.com
Where are you located? I'm in northeast PA and a neighbor is selling his very lightly used Kubota LTB with a belly mower. He told me low 20's and low hours, so if you were willing to travel, I can get you all of the particulars.
Personally, I bought a used skidsteer and sold my JD 4300 when I found out they only work on flat ground. I have too many hills on the property and the bucket just didn't have the lift capacity that I was going to need. It's been 8 years and I can honestly say that I will never be without a skidsteer again. I use it weekly doing something around the property.
In reply to lotusseven7 (Forum Supporter) :
Maryland, so not crazy far. Don't need the mower, but that's not a deal breaker. It's funny you mention a skid steer, because I'm shopping those as well.
I appreciate all of the thoughts so far, and they line up with mine. 4wd, quick attach, etc. Budget was @$20k, but like always keeps inching up, so I'll assume $30k now.
It started with a $5k mini backhoe.....
So I bought a tractor from a friend who needed to liquidate a bunch of stuff. I figured it would be good for property maintenance and fun having a new toy. I quickly learned a few things. First, it was terrible on ice even after spending a couple hundred bucks on chains(ayes it was 4wd). Second was the very limited bucket lift capacity. Next was how slow the controls were due to having an SCV(selective control valve/single control valve) which only allows one function at a time. So when you try to scoop or dump something it has to be done in 2 motions, lift then dump rather than one smooth fluid motion. It wasn't as bad with the bucket as it was with the backhoe. It was frustrating having run larger equipment with multi-function valves. I'm sure it's an easy fix fitting a new valve, but the lift capacity was a deal breaker for me.
The skidsteer with all of the attachments is like a Swiss Army knife. It lifts 3x's more, has more "break-out pressure", higher flow rate for attachments but at a cost. It does much more damage to grass and terrain with the wheels or tracks and weighs much more. Also, I found the running costs to be a bit more since my machine was older and I've had to replace a bunch of hoses and incidental pieces. I weighed the pros and cons of each machine and it was an easy decision to buy a skidsteer. I believe resale is going to be better on the skidsteer as well. The problem nowadays is the price of used skidsteers is a bit crazy. They seem to really hold their value in todays market.
As of today, I've accumulated the following skidsteer attachments: smooth bucket, pallet forks, rock/skeleton bucket, stump bucket, backhoe/grapple/ripper tooth articulated attachment, snow plow(angle, float and down pressure). Mine is a John Deere 270 and is a wheel machine. It now has OTT tracks(over the tire) which have been a HUGE upgrade! It's like a tank, it goes anywhere and is great for plowing snow.
The old JD 4300 with cab, heater, snowblower, belly mower, weight box, rough cut mower and backhoe. Awesome machine, just the wrong tool for my needs.
John Deere 270 with McLaren rubber OTT tracks.
