Tractors...

I dot have a tractor LOL

 

No thanks LOL

Have zero need for one

 

Picked up this grey market Yanmar YM2000 the other day. Runs but needs a fair bit of work from neglect.

 

We bought a good size piece of rural property a few years (6?) ago and started building a house. We hired a builder, but I did some of the work, including the utilities and site work. Bought a 2016 LS 4140 new just before the build started. Cab, AC/heat, hydrostatic trans, $35k new. I probably did double that amount of work with it. Worked it a little too hard, if I'm honest,...but I'm keeping it forever. This thing doesn't owe me a nickel. This is a pic from just before it came home. it looks a little rougher now. I upgraded all the work lights, but it's missing the back window and a mirror now. 500+ hard hours and no issues. It's the only brand I have any experience with. No complaints.

 

I love my LS. For the price difference and it's capabilities it is hard to beat.

 

Used I have bought 2 Kubotas (L2350 and a B1750) and they are awesome. I do think that in used, the manual transmissions seem to have the least problems. My favorite feature is the FEL and 4WD comes next.

Also bought a Ford 3930 and it is down more than up. I keep throwing parts at it but it hasn't given me 25% of the reliability of the other two. Won't buy another tractor that isn't Kubota.

 

I have a soft spot for Fords, the older the better though. Kubotas are great workhorses, i looked at a lot of them but they're like Toyotas, the reliability comes at a premium in price. I prefer manual trans but the ease of use with hydrostatic is nice.

 

We used an older Kubota similar to the one shown in the pic. Only thing is it was blue and white. Can't seem to find any pics of them with that color scheme though...

4WD and never ever let us down. Insane how dependable that thing was.

 

To clarify, my Ford has a heck of a lot of operating hours but I keep replacing parts (alternator, starter, hydraulic lines, fittings, seals are going, etc) that keep me from using it. The L2350 Kubota has much less hours but was left on the beach for 20 years so salt ate away 25% of the sheet metal. I have abused it far more and never had a stoppage that wouldn't operate. All my buddies in landscaping love Kubota as well.

 

Anyone using a compact tractor as a forklift? My 3930 has a FEL with bolt on forks but is too long to turn within my 40' wide barn... I can bring stuff in and out but can't pull from the sides. With all the weight in front I have to counterweight with a 6' bushhog which ruins my turning radius. I have plans to cut the bucket off and weld on skidsteer brackets which will bring the forks closer in but the tractor is still too big.

 

It sounds like your tractor is too big.

Sorry, had to.

 

Using 48” clamp on forks on my B2650 with loaded tires and backhoe BH77 (can turn to the side to shorten tractor length) but theyre hanging out front a lot and I cant see shit without a spotter most of the time because the loader bucket is in the way. Was $200 for clamp on or $900+ for the attachment that replaces the loader which wouldve brought them a couple feet closer and made visibility better but for how little we use them couldnt justify spending that much. Same issue with the turn radius though.

 

By loaded tires you mean you have them filled with liquid? Thinking of purchasing another Kubota and loaded rear tires would solve some of problem with the counterweight. But I don't have experience with them either. Any disadvantages to filling them?

New Kubotas have the quick attach bucket which is also appealing. Just purchasing the quick attach mount is pretty expensive and then there is a ton of welding to get it lined up right on an older tractor. Lots that I can screw up while the tractor is unavailable to do much else.

 

Is there some type of antifreeze in it?
The tractor dealer where I bought mine told me they use a product that's basically windshield washer fluid. It's been in there since at least early 2017.
I'm wondering if I should replace it.
But it would have to be something that doesn't freeze.
I suppose a counterweight would work too and skip loading the tires. Moving dirt will probably be the worst the bucket sees at this point.

 

A couple of disadvantages, but the stability of the tractor outweighs all of them.

1- Using a lesser tier product. Some companies will use materials that have corrosive properties. It will eat away at your rims. Rim Guard is great and easily worth the money.
2- Added weight can easily tear up a lawn. I find myself moving a lot slower around the house than I would out in a field.

Both of these disadvantages are nothing compared to the stability you gain with loaded tires. Outside of a very specific case, I will always have the tires filled.

 

I just sold my Kubota L2350 to a friend but had turf tires on it for over 10 years. Trying to buy agricultural tires and rims was insane. I basically watched CL and FB for 4 years and finally snagged the 2 rear rims for $400 or so driving an hour each way. So after that, yeah, I would never use anything corrosive in the tires!

I am building a house now on a farm. No lawn whatsoever so won't have to worry about tractor marks!

 

Beet juice is an excellent option. Its nontoxic, water soluble, and noncorrosive. Freeze point is also like -35f.

 

So was down at the farm property the other day - and finally got a chance to play with my “newest - er latest purchased” toy - a Ford 3000.

Just something about an old 3 cylinder that evokes memories for me. Growing up remember grandad buying one slightly used - that was around 1978-1979. Traded in an ancient Oliver for it - it was closest anyone in our family ever came to buying a “new” tractor.

Love the sound and size of this thing - iDK what it is…always heard the old timers talk about JD 2 cylinder put putts and the sound taking them back - well this does it for me. Put up a lot of hay with one of these - and an 8n pulling rake duty. The red belly is still on my list - no need for one - but why not. Bought this thing for 3k - has 8900 hours (amazing the tach still works) and can’t find a leak on it. The rattle can paint job will be cleaned up some day - but for now it’s a user.

Stupid I’ve got 2 new/small tractors and I prefer this one. Obligatory pics in a few days of all 3 together.

 

Glad you did those! Worth the money? I have gone back and forth on them for over a year now.

 

Obligatory 'TWSS'