- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Are Sub-Compact Tractors worth it?
Posted on 3/31/25 at 6:11 pm
Posted on 3/31/25 at 6:11 pm
I've been eyeing the mini tractors (20HP) for a while, with a front end loader at minimum.
I own/live on right at an acre, but generally take care of (with limited help from in-laws) a little over 4 acres, half of that is open The entire place is getting cut with an undersized zero turn that has zero seat suspension. The other half, (minus my own sanctuary) is scattered with pines, water oaks and a hodgepodge of plants no one would willingly plant anymore.
Other background info:
Medium sized raised garden beds (8-4x8 beds), a couple gravel driveways that need to be graded occasionally, plus all the trees on the other hand
The open area needs to be chopped/tilled and smoothed, drainage needs fixed badly to be able to cut the open area without feeling like you played Atlas for a day.
I know I could find things to use it for, right now, but long term is it worth it? I've always called them Swiss army knife tractors, so I'm wondering it that's a good thing or a bad thing, who uses the scissors on a Swiss army knife, who actually carries a Swiss army knife?, Am I better off borrowing/renting a larger tractor occasionally, or buying a mini tractor?
I own/live on right at an acre, but generally take care of (with limited help from in-laws) a little over 4 acres, half of that is open The entire place is getting cut with an undersized zero turn that has zero seat suspension. The other half, (minus my own sanctuary) is scattered with pines, water oaks and a hodgepodge of plants no one would willingly plant anymore.
Other background info:
Medium sized raised garden beds (8-4x8 beds), a couple gravel driveways that need to be graded occasionally, plus all the trees on the other hand
The open area needs to be chopped/tilled and smoothed, drainage needs fixed badly to be able to cut the open area without feeling like you played Atlas for a day.
I know I could find things to use it for, right now, but long term is it worth it? I've always called them Swiss army knife tractors, so I'm wondering it that's a good thing or a bad thing, who uses the scissors on a Swiss army knife, who actually carries a Swiss army knife?, Am I better off borrowing/renting a larger tractor occasionally, or buying a mini tractor?
10
Posted on 3/31/25 at 7:30 pm to Citica8
i bought a bobcat CT1025 (25hp) with loader a year ago and it is the TITS. i cant belive i used to haul shite around by hand/wheelbarrow. complete life changer
its small, fits anywhere, doesn't tear up the property, easy to use, etc...
i'm on 6 acres, tons of trees
its small, fits anywhere, doesn't tear up the property, easy to use, etc...
i'm on 6 acres, tons of trees
This post was edited on 3/31/25 at 7:34 pm
Posted on 3/31/25 at 8:38 pm to Citica8
100% get one.
Have a b2320 Kubota that is 13 years old and hasn’t missed a beat. Have the front loader and 60 inch belly mower.
Mow, haul mulch, firewood, big potted plants and just about anything. You won’t believe how you lived without one.
Also have a box blade that used to level ground at first and now occasionally for the driveway.
Have a b2320 Kubota that is 13 years old and hasn’t missed a beat. Have the front loader and 60 inch belly mower.
Mow, haul mulch, firewood, big potted plants and just about anything. You won’t believe how you lived without one.
Also have a box blade that used to level ground at first and now occasionally for the driveway.
Posted on 3/31/25 at 9:01 pm to Citica8
What’s the price difference compared to a larger tractor?
I don’t think a tractor gets you out of a Zero Turn. The speed, cut quality, etc is much better.
I have 4 acres and have a 35 hp tractor. It’s been great and used it a lot over the last 6 years. Yard is just about finished now, but I’ll still use it for various things and hauling/cleaning up, cutting trees, etc.
My neighbor had a smaller tractor and it just wasn’t nearly as capable. It’s doable, and if the price was a lot cheaper, probably makes sense.
But is you’ll be chopping/tilling, hauling lots or dirt, grading, etc. I’d recommend a slightly larger tractor, at least for the 4 acre maintenance.
I don’t think a tractor gets you out of a Zero Turn. The speed, cut quality, etc is much better.
I have 4 acres and have a 35 hp tractor. It’s been great and used it a lot over the last 6 years. Yard is just about finished now, but I’ll still use it for various things and hauling/cleaning up, cutting trees, etc.
My neighbor had a smaller tractor and it just wasn’t nearly as capable. It’s doable, and if the price was a lot cheaper, probably makes sense.
But is you’ll be chopping/tilling, hauling lots or dirt, grading, etc. I’d recommend a slightly larger tractor, at least for the 4 acre maintenance.
Posted on 3/31/25 at 9:03 pm to Citica8
I have a Deere 3032e, which is probably more tractor than what you need (or maybe not).
Regardless, whatever you buy, get a front end loader. It in itself makes the tractor worth the money.
Regardless, whatever you buy, get a front end loader. It in itself makes the tractor worth the money.
Posted on 3/31/25 at 9:14 pm to LSUtigerME
quote:
What’s the price difference compared to a larger tractor?
They certainly don't seem much cheaper to me.
Posted on 3/31/25 at 9:22 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
I don’t know what the bigger ones cost, the 25 I bought was 16,000 with the loader. I want to say the next size up was low 20’s
Posted on 4/1/25 at 12:12 am to Citica8
I inherited a little Kubota B1600 (which is a 3 cylinder 16 HP). And can say that is too small for anything other than a garden tractor. I do have a little 4’ bushog, but it is overloaded with that and a decent size zero turn should be a heck of a lot faster cutting. It would be too light for a front end loader.
Where tractors are concerned, horsepower is your friend!
Where tractors are concerned, horsepower is your friend!
Posted on 4/1/25 at 12:18 am to Citica8
Years ago I bought a 31 hp John Deere, had around 40 acres of land total, raised cattle. Had a pecan orchard. Cut and bailed hay. It did everything we needed. They depreciate very little. Put it up for sale, sold in a day.
Posted on 4/1/25 at 5:46 am to cgrand
quote:
the 25 I bought was 16,000 with the loader.
That's no bad at all. I don't think I've seen a regular utility tractor under 20k since I started looking.
Posted on 4/1/25 at 6:16 am to Citica8
It's really not that much more to bump up to the 30+ HP range and have something more capable.
Posted on 4/1/25 at 6:22 am to Citica8
I looked very hard at compact tractors last year but due to a shakey job I haven't pulled the trigger yet. The Kioto/Bobcat tractors are considerably cheaper than deere or kubota. They out lift them and have a lot of nice features. They were not even on my radar until I was talking to my dirt/gravel guy when he was doing my driveway. He told me if you're not farming and not using one to make a living that I didn't need to spend the premium. Than;'s when I stared researching Kioti, I still look used Kubota and will be buying soon I hope.
Posted on 4/1/25 at 6:30 am to LSUtigerME
We are 100% keeping the zero turn, this wouldn’t be a replacement, and I would not buy the belly mower.
I know a compact tractor (2/20/200 or 3/30/300 series brand depending) would do everything I’m looking to do, the question is are the subs worth having around. They’re still expensive, especially new, but having a front end loader and the other implements would be a life and back saver. I can’t justify buying and keeping a 30 or 40 horse tractor for the house because we have one at the camp (not mine).
The question I have, is am I better off buying a mini tractor and slowly work on everything at a slower pace since it’s small, or should I just use and borrow a big tractor to knock out those things in a couple weeks?
I know a compact tractor (2/20/200 or 3/30/300 series brand depending) would do everything I’m looking to do, the question is are the subs worth having around. They’re still expensive, especially new, but having a front end loader and the other implements would be a life and back saver. I can’t justify buying and keeping a 30 or 40 horse tractor for the house because we have one at the camp (not mine).
The question I have, is am I better off buying a mini tractor and slowly work on everything at a slower pace since it’s small, or should I just use and borrow a big tractor to knock out those things in a couple weeks?
Posted on 4/1/25 at 6:38 am to way_south
quote:those along with Mahindra, bad boy, yanmar, and LS were where I was looking.
The Kioto/Bobcat tractors are considerably cheaper than deere or kubota
Posted on 4/1/25 at 7:56 am to Citica8
I talked to the dealier in Columbia MS, they sell Kioti and Mahindra. They told me that they had recently had issues getting Mahindra parts. This was last year, so maybe it's been worked out. I have a buddy with a Mahindra and he's been happy with it for years.
This post was edited on 4/1/25 at 8:31 am
Posted on 4/1/25 at 9:06 am to Citica8
quote:thats a question only you can answer. your question in the OP was whether or not a subcompact tractor is useful...and the answer is absolutely yes
The question I have, is am I better off buying a mini tractor and slowly work on everything at a slower pace since it’s small, or should I just use and borrow a big tractor to knock out those things in a couple weeks?
Posted on 4/1/25 at 9:40 am to Citica8
quote:
The question I have, is am I better off buying a mini tractor and slowly work on everything at a slower pace since it’s small, or should I just use and borrow a big tractor to knock out those things in a couple weeks?
Don't think this would ever work out unless you're borrowing a tractor from next door. You could try and plan that but as soon as you borrow one and then return it you'll have a tree fall that needs cut up and moved. The wife will want a large potted plant/tree moved etc etc.
Now this is just the convenience aspect; they are expensive but if it's within budget you'll be amazed at how often you use the loader.
Posted on 4/1/25 at 9:56 am to Citica8
quote:
Are Sub-Compact Tractors worth it?
Are you asking if a sub-compact tractor is better than a compact tractor or are you asking if having a tractor is worth it vs not having a tractor?
If the former, then go for the larger tractor. The only time I have ever thought we needed a smaller tractor was if I wanted to fit into a tighter space (which isn't very often).
If the latter and you are asking if you should get a sub-compact over not having a tractor, then hell yes you should. You will end up using it for way more than you think.
Posted on 4/1/25 at 10:31 am to Citica8
Compact tractors are amazing and definitely get one as long as it can handle all the task you plan and do not need more weight or PTO power. I have an LS2025H and use it for:
* Tilling garden with 48" PTO tiller
*Row hippers for garden
*grading dirt and gravel driveway
*Loader work
*picking up and moving trees and anything else that's heavy.
Having a loader with forks is life changing and I use it constantly to pick up and move things around. My tractor was the best purchase I made for my 4 acres and i've put already put 200 hours on it in the past three years!
Every once in a while I encounter things I wish I had a larger tractor (like lifting a pallet of bricks or picking up a giant oak tree) But a 50HP tractor would be major over kill and rut up my property and catch trees, etc.
* Tilling garden with 48" PTO tiller
*Row hippers for garden
*grading dirt and gravel driveway
*Loader work
*picking up and moving trees and anything else that's heavy.
Having a loader with forks is life changing and I use it constantly to pick up and move things around. My tractor was the best purchase I made for my 4 acres and i've put already put 200 hours on it in the past three years!
Every once in a while I encounter things I wish I had a larger tractor (like lifting a pallet of bricks or picking up a giant oak tree) But a 50HP tractor would be major over kill and rut up my property and catch trees, etc.
Posted on 4/1/25 at 12:42 pm to BayouBengalRubicon
Everyone always says get more HP than you think you need. I have 4 acres that needs work, I also am lucky enough to have access to about 500 acres of pine timber for hunting. I have a 40 year old 25 hp tractor that I use there to take care of roads, food plots, etc. I really want something similar in size with a bucket so I can repair roads and bring home for work. I still need to get off the beaten path to a few spots we're clearing and no way I can use a bigger tractor in that situation.
Page 1 of 2
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News