Lawn tractor to Compact tractor

Oldmisery

Member
So we just moved to Wyoming from a much warmer climate where we had a 1/2 acre yard. Our new place has several acres and lots of hilly road to maintain. I tried to plow 10" of snow with my JD X350 and it was a sad joke. I have decided to buy my first diesel tractor. I'm thinking of getting a Bobcat CT2040 (there is a dealership near my house with a good reputation). I was hoping you guys would be willing to offer some advice to a newby in the tractor world: my JD has 19HP and the tractor I am buying has 40HP; that seems to me to be not a lot more considering my JD was utter useless. I know the HP in a diesel CT is different than in a JD gas riding mower, but I'm concerned about spending a lot of money and the 40HP CT is under powered. Thanks so much for any and all advice you're willing to share!

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Here is an old mans advise , take it for what it is worth.. The BobCat tractor is a rebadged Kioti. Manufactured by Di Dong. They have already tried this once , they put the repainted tractors in the bob cat dealers for 5 years then dropped the idea for about three now have them back. You will find the same tractor in the Kioti line cheaper by right smart. Do yourself a favor and go find a KUBOTA or John Deer dealer and look. Be advised shopping horsepower is NOT the way to shop. Get some one that is familiar with tractor features. Almost all the manufactures now make economy lines or cheaper tractors to attract the price shopper. YOU want , 4 wheel drive, hydrostatic or glide shift, (Not manual) a good seat with arm rest , rubber floor mats, lift out lift links. All these are options so do your home work.
 
A 40 hp 4x4 will do a lot of work,, not super fast, but light years more than your little lawn tractor. Any good dealer should be willing to let you do a demo on your place. This allows you to know if the machine will indeed do what you are asking of it, We always offered this as we did not want to sell you something that you were not happy with. I have a 42 hp Kubota here, you for sure want a 4x4 for what you are looking at,, depending on where you are here in Wyoming ad how long your road is,, by that I mean how long you will be out there running it to open the road and how often, you may want to consider hard buying one with a cab and heater,, I am a Wyoming Native so i know what kinds of winters and snow fall we can get,,
 
Roger that and thanks for the input Jim. Unfortunately, both Kioti and JD dealers are a few hours drive away from my home. If you were in my shoes, would you buy a Bobcat (or Case) since it's in my town, or buy from a dealer much further away and hope it doesn't need service?
 
Go talk to a John Deere or Kubota dealership. Tell them what you are wanting to do with the land, and they'll hook you up with the "right" tractor.
 
You might also consider a UTV - something like a Kubota RTV-900. These come in 4x4 gas or diesel and are handy for many things including plowing snow. I have a smaller Kubota RTV-500 (for snow and moving all kinds of stuff), a Farmall A (for grass cutting), and a MF 202 (for digging and lifting). It just depends on your needs. Its more stuff to maintain, but each has its benefits. I would also talk to some neighbors to see what they have. Your annual snow this year may or may not be what is normal.
 
Hello Misery, and welcome to YT!

Clearing snow isn't so much about horsepower as it is traction and the machine's ability to move the snow.

I started in SE Texas and now live in NW Minnesota near the Canadian border. No neighbors around, and town is more than just a hike away!!

Started off here with a JD 4010 gas with FEL. No cab. Got a JD snowblower for it. Our winds would pack the drifts so hard that the blower would ride up and over. We now use a 2001 Dodge 1/2-ton with Western plow, and LOVE it!! Far less investment than a tractor.

Keep in mind, we normally have dry snow here. Also, it's fairly rare that we get more than a foot of snow at a time. The most we've had at once in 20 years is a hair over two feet. That could be asking a lot of a truck & plow, depending on the type of snow and how much room you have to plow.

It also looks like you have a paved driveway? Not here. It's all grass and a bit of gravel. But the Western plow leaves everything MUCH cleaner than the snowblower ever could, does it faster, and while using FAR less fuel.

Listen to Case Nutty and others from your area. They won't steer you wrong!
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Wow! THAT is a lot of snow! Thanks a million for the advice. The idea of a plow on my pickup is tempting, but my wife (who is from the White Fish chain) prefers a tractor so we can use it for landscaping and mowing in the summer.
 
To get away from the lunatics where I lived (they trashed half the city during the riots). Plus, I like the cold and freedom
 
(quoted from post at 15:46:08 02/11/21) You might also consider a UTV - something like a Kubota RTV-900. These come in 4x4 gas or diesel and are handy for many things including plowing snow. I have a smaller Kubota RTV-500 (for snow and moving all kinds of stuff), a Farmall A (for grass cutting), and a MF 202 (for digging and lifting). It just depends on your needs. Its more stuff to maintain, but each has its benefits. I would also talk to some neighbors to see what they have. Your annual snow this year may or may not be what is normal.
hose look super cool, but I was hoping to get just a single machine for mowing, landscaping, snow removal, etc...
 
One more word of advice - Always try to move the snow to the East (NE, E, SE), but where wind cannot use the piles to create trouble drifts for you.

In my 2nd pic, you'll see a snow ridge. That is the ONLY side I move snow to. Our winds are predominantly out of the NW, so if I plowed to the other side, I'd get really deep drifts to move. Work 'with' the wind, when possible.

Also, that ridge you see would normally be higher, but the pic was taken near a sharp corner with ditch. I push snow away from that corner to help prevent wind-blown problems later in Winter. About 50' away, that ridge is nearly 4' high.
 
I will definitely keep that in mind! I'm sure my neighbors had a good laugh when the wind grabbed the snow from my snowblower and blasted it into my face today. We have constant (and often strong) winds here. I appreciate the good advice!
 
(quoted from post at 14:52:22 02/11/21) The idea of a plow on my pickup is tempting, but my wife (who is from the White Fish chain) prefers a tractor so we can use it for landscaping and mowing in the summer.

I've never been to Wyoming (though we've always wish we could visit). Do you need a 4WD tractor for landscaping? That would add to the price of a tractor. If landscaping only needs a tractor with 3-pt and PTO, you can get a tractor for much less.

Also, I would HIGHLY advise that anyone who plows snow with a truck, that the truck not be their primary means of transportation.
 
oldmisery, As much as I like tractors, may I suggest you keep the mower you already have, and find yourself a decent skid loader. Landscaping and snow removal will be no problem, and you will have a cab. If
the snow really piles up, or if it is windy in your neck of the woods, you can get a blower for the front of your skid loader instead of on the 3 point and having to twist around. Just my $.02.

Mike
 
Depends a lot on how much land you have and what else you may want to do with your
lawn tractor. You already have it and as you discovered it will not move a lot of snow efficiently with a blade, BUT
it will with a blower. They are readily available all over the place, even by uncle Deere.
Go on some of the machinery websites. Lots of good used ones.
The trouble with plows is they leave nice big snowbanks and the first time it blows hard the drive fills in with snow
and it gets progressively harder to get rid of. I used to live in eastern Ontario with lots of snow Glad I moved to an island in the pacific.
A neighbour back then had a John Deere B, and he built a snow thrower. Used the pto and flywheel from his hay baler, switched it back in summer.
His blower blades were 5" channel iron. each two ft x 2ft.
He built a cab with small angle iron and canvas (like the old heat housers) and one season used some old large cardboard boxes for a shield
kept the wind out and a bit of heat from the motor blew back
Pray for warmer weather and climate change.
Kris
 
Thanks so much Kris! I've got around 10 acres. What if I just used the bucket to clear the snow off the drive and then dumped it off the edge of the hill (I live at the top of a hill)? Then I wouldn't have to invest in a snowblower or sweat the snowbanks.
 
Bobcat makes a dang good skid loader. Dont think they're in the tractor business other than buying elsewhere with their paint and stickers attached. For probly a considerable markup in price from the original machine.
 
If you are going to spend that kind of money, I (IMO) think that you would be better off with a Kubota. Much more reliable than most. Don't have to worry about a close dealer, you won't be going there often! I have a New Holland TC 33 and it has been great! 33hp rear snow blower, 5 foot tiller and loader. Skids are great, but the compacts offer a lot of flexibility due to all the 3 point attachments.
 
Look into getting a John Deere one series compact tractor. Sounds like it would be ideal machine for your property .
 
Thanks so much for the input. It seems like LOTS of folks favor Kubota. Any thoughts on Kioti? I have a Kioti dealer that's closer than Kubota.
 
Oh man, idk. I just looked the JD 1 series up and they have only like 23HP. My X350 has 19 and it is utterly useless in this snow and hills (even with chains). I was thinking I needed something with 40 or more, but I really don't have any experience with compact tractors
 

Yeah, it seems a lot of folks think my Bobcat purchase plan isn't great. I guess I thought Bobcat had a really good reputation.
 
(quoted from post at 15:29:09 02/11/21) (I live at the top of a hill)

Well that settles it then. Just get as big a blade as you can afford (on payments if need be) and just push all the snow and everything else over the side of the hill. To heck with any neighbors down there! *lol*

I used to dream of having a Bobcat tractor also. Am glad now that it never happened.

General consensus is that Kubota has the best new tractors out there. You can also shop around for a good used machine, although finding a carrier in this nnalert mess might present a problem.
 
The bobcat name is ood for bobcats (skid steer units) but there adventure into tractors with free loaders is badge engineering with the tractors at
least. My suggestion is a 40 to 50 hp machine with Front wheel assist. used is OK from a dealer or if, well checked out, a private sale.
Horse power in a lawn/garden tractor is not the same as horse power in an agricultural rated tractor. Different rules. 40 hp on a farm/commercial
rated tractor would equal about 70 if found on a lawn mower. The tractive force of 28 inch tires that stand 4 feet tall, compared to tires that are
28 inches tall is very dramatic. Welcome to the West. and keep in touch. Jim
 
I will only buy from a reputable dealer that's closest.

Sooner or later, whatever you buy, will need repairs that you may not be able to do yourself or find parts.
 
First you have a lawn mower,look at the size of the tires. You could step up to something like a x740 JD and do what you want to do. But by the time and money it will take to make it do what you need it to do, me I would go with the compact and keep the 350 for trim work around the buildings. I have no opinion on the Bobcat,except the wife's uncle used to work as a salesman at the local BC dealer and retired from there,he is mowing with a JD.
 
Kioti and Bobcat are made by Daedong out of South Korea. I have had a DK 55 Kioti since 2005. I have had some issues, but nothing we could not fix. Mine had 200 hours on it when I got it. The 4wd and loader have been nice. Look on the engine frame rails of the Bobcat, and you should find a Daedong manufacturer's plate. I can't say I'm I would buy another, I'd just have to look at other makes. My hydraulics have been good, had to replace the headgasket last winter. The factory replacement was a much improved version to me. I also cracked a cast iron piece on the right side of the front axle. That was my fault. I was probably asking too much of it. If I need another tractor similar I would look at them and others as well. The Kioti assembly plant is located in Wendell, NC, about 100 miles away. I have 2 neighbors who have bought Kubotas within the last 5 years. So far so good with them as far as I know. Best of luck. You will appreciate a loader and 4wd.
 
We have a 2001 JD4600 compact utility with fwa, 43 hp, it would be useless in the snow without the fwa, and I have 300 pounds of wheel weights too. It would work better with chains on it, but then you tear up your driveway. It is great for a 6 foot brush cutter and doing loader work, but If I had to clear much snow I would have something different.
 
I have a JD 325 lawnmower that is semiretired. I bought a Jd 2520 that does my mowing and has a loader for cleaning out a livestock shelter with to low of a roof for my skid steer. It does really well doing double duty. If you are looking at compact utility tractors try to get one that will be capable of multiple tasks. Look at different manufacturers and decide which one has the most options you want. I went with a Jd mostly because I like the mower deck better than Kubota and I like the pedal arrangement better. That's not a knock on the Kubota at all. They make a nice looking machine just the jd had more options I wanted. Do your homework and determine every possible job you want this tractor to do and make sure it's capable of it.
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My god!
What did the hundreds of thousands of he man soles do back in the 60's and 70's and before and after with piddling little 12hp garden tractors outfitted with a sissy sized 3 foot wide front snow thrower??
And no heated cabs either!
No four wheel drive ones either!
Oh the inhumanity of it all.

I am blessed to still be alive after all that misery back then.
 
Here is what I have to blow snow. 38 HP Mahindra. Has loader too and 3pt. I had a john Deere compact before with rear blower, this is way better going forward. Ron MN
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Back in the 60s and 70s the 12 hp garden tractors could actually do things. My 62 7.25 hp Sears Suburban is more tractor than a 18 hp Cub
Cadet I had.
 
You usually in the long run get what you pay for.If you have a little time look for a used Kubota. The resale value of a tractor will tell you a lot about the quality. There is a reason Deere and Kubota hold their value, and will have a dealer years down the road. The Bobcat could turn out to be the highest cost option 5 years from now when the dealer is no longer there.
 
(quoted from post at 18:25:39 02/11/21) Kioti and Bobcat are made by Daedong out of South Korea. I have had a DK 55 Kioti since 2005. I have had some issues, but nothing we could not fix. Mine had 200 hours on it when I got it. The 4wd and loader have been nice. Look on the engine frame rails of the Bobcat, and you should find a Daedong manufacturer's plate. I can't say I'm I would buy another, I'd just have to look at other makes. My hydraulics have been good, had to replace the headgasket last winter. The factory replacement was a much improved version to me. I also cracked a cast iron piece on the right side of the front axle. That was my fault. I was probably asking too much of it. If I need another tractor similar I would look at them and others as well. The Kioti assembly plant is located in Wendell, NC, about 100 miles away. I have 2 neighbors who have bought Kubotas within the last 5 years. So far so good with them as far as I know. Best of luck. You will appreciate a loader and 4wd.
thanks for the advice.
 
have you been happy with your decision? If you were in the market for something new right now, would you by John Deere again?
 
dang! Thats kind of my dream set up. I just dont know enough about Mahendra to know if its a good choice. How do you like your tractor?
 
yeah, that does concern me. Is Kioti up there with John Deere and Kubota? Theres a Kioti dealer thats only two hours from my house.
 
stay with the john dear brand, skid loaders are mainly for construction work, beside ten acres, is not a lot , for spending that kind of money, unless you know more of what you need or want, rent or buy used, or have it done for you and watch how they do it, living in snow country, you will eventually get a snow blower. just a thought, mark55
 
NOT sure if you are a TROLL, or WHAT, but if you set that X350 with a two-stage snowblower it would be a LOT more useful in snow that your photo of it with the mover installed.
 
Don’t know what your budget is but In Wyoming you are likely to get lots of wind. Wind blower snow can be hard as a rock. Therefore a 40 HP tractor will be under powered. I would not be happy with anything under 100HP for moving snow 10" of wind blower snow. First you will need the weight, second you will need the power. I would not buy one without a cab or front wheel assist. Loader on the front and snow blower on the back. A hydro would be a nice addition too.
 
(quoted from post at 22:01:31 02/11/21) NOT sure if you are a TROLL, or WHAT, but if you set that X350 with a two-stage snowblower it would be a LOT more useful in snow that your photo of it with the mover installed.
Haha! Im definitely not a troll (who trolls for tractor advice). Thats an older picture from my last home. Of course I removed the mower deck before I attached the plow (you have to or the plow wont go on)
 
yikes! Id love all that but, theres no way I can afford 100HP plus a cab plus a snowblower. My budget is around 30k for new (financed) or 18k (cash).
 
The HP ratings in lawnmowers are an outright lie. There was a huge class action lawsuit on small engine power ratings a few years ago, and you'll notice that small engines are rated by CC's instead of horsepower now, though sales people will still try to push the old HP ratings.

Plus there is no comparison in weight. Your lawnmower weighs all of maybe 400lbs. A 40HP compact is going to run at least 2000lbs for the bare tractor.

4WD is pretty much universal on compact tractors. You have to look hard to find one that isn't.
 
thank you for the education on HP! That makes sense re. the inflated numbers. It never made sense to me that my 19 HP mower couldnt push hardly any snow but so many guys on the forum have said they get all this work done with a 25 HP tractor. Thanks again!
 
IMHO 40hp is overkill. I have a 24hp Mahindra. bucket and three point snowblower. Does what it needs to do without complaint.
If you are going to buy a new package. Do not take a midmount mower. Renders the machine almost useless when installed. Get a rear finish instead.
 
thanks a million for the advice. Im so confused though: Im getting mixed messages. Someone just told me I need 100 or more HP.
 
(quoted from post at 18:39:56 02/11/21) Sure: 919-671-4591

You have gotten lots of advice on what to get for a snow mover so I won't muddy those waters any further.

However, I will advise you not to put your phone number out in plain view on a platform that is accessible world wide.

A 5 second, if that, Google search of your number reveals this among other things.

https://clustrmaps.com/person/Cannon-78dq1m

Now I don't know how accurate that result is but there is a lot of info there. I'd be quite curious as to the accuracy of that link.

Suit yourself though.
 
The advice given by many of the others here is very good. As always, what will work best is situation dependent. I have a Deere 1025R sub-compact. I clear 1000' of gravel driveway with a front-mount snow-blower and live in a "snow belt," getting 10-12 feet a year. I use the machine for mowing in the summer, with a mid-mount mower. I did not pick out the tractor as it came with the house when I moved in.

If I had to do it all over, I would have picked out a compact tractor as opposed to a sub-compact. The larger tire size and ground clearance is important. For me, anyway. A sub-compact is essentially useless off of a lawn or groomed road--certainly no field work.

The HP numbers on sub-compacts and riding mowers are accurate but misleading. The HP rating is the engine HP, not the tractor. For the tractor, HP = traction (lbs) x fwd speed (ft/sec) /550. The "traction" number is where they fail. There is not enough ground contact force to pull much of anything, and even if there was, the drive train couldn't handle it. You maybe get 2-3 HP if you are lucky from a riding mower.

I have been disappointed in my 1025R due to poor reliability and the difficulty in fixing it. It is apart again right now as the mid-mount PTO bearing failed. You have to disassemble the whole tractor to fix it. In contrast, my older machines--a 1982 Deere 650 and a 1941 Farmall H, have been nearly bullet-proof. They both took work to get them that way, but now are reliable to the point of boring. I've had to do a significant repair (>1 week down-time) on the 1025R every year that I've owned it. Only 400 hours on it!

Like many of the others, I would suggest a good used diesel compact tractor. You'll be able to grade your driveway, move snow, mow, pull things, etc. Kubota, the older Deeres, & Fords are all good. Many were actually Japanese-built by Yanmar or Mitsubishi and have excellent track records for reliability. Even 2000 hours is not a lot on these machines, and they will cost a quarter of what you would pay new. They are also easier to fix & parts can be had aftermarket or from salvage.

ROPS is a must, so is live PTO if you want to blow snow. 4WD is important on a lighter tractor as the extra two driving wheels help get that "traction" number up higher. My 650 will spin its rears on dry gravel but chugs ahead in 4WD. Of course the H has so much ground contact that this is never a problem, even with 2WD. If you want a loader, or eventually may want one, power steering is very nice. Aftermarket loaders are expensive and brackets can be hard to find, so getting one that already has it is helpful.

I don't know your budget but where I live (WNY) a decent compact machine with loader can be bought for $7K-$10K. A Ford 1310 recently went at auction for $4500, and you could do better. Good luck, Dave
 
Pitch is right. Mid-20's HP is fine. It's the rest of the tractor that matters. My Deere 650 has only 17 and it is fine for just about every chore I give it. A few extra HP is nice for loader work and some other tasks like snow blowing.
 
Thanks so much Dave! That was incredibly helpful and informative. I will definitely check out the used market. Initially I planned to buy new since I know so little about tractors I doubt I could sniff out a lemon. But I LOVE the idea of spending ~10K and getting something bulletproof.
 
A solid older machine (1980's-1990's, under 2000 hours, loader, ROPS, 4WD) can be bought for under $10K. Massey-Ferguson, Kubota, Deere, and Ford were all solid.
 
Plowing snow is like moving dirt. It takes power and weight with traction. The 100 horse is not impractical. Also with the wind WY gets in the winter drifts can be substantial. After all a calm day in WY in the winter is 40 mph wind. Look at those snow fences along the interstate they are not there for entertainment. Wind blown snow is hard like a rock. For WY I would find a 4040 or similar sized tractor with a blade on the front or put one on. A loader for other work sounds fine then keep the mower for just that a mower. Now a shed to keep it all in. The bigger the better. You can fool around with putter toys for snow work and never get done or get bigger and get done. I like my 806 with a pickup front blade on it to plow with. I do wish it has MFWD for it some times mostly for traction. It steers pretty much fine with it as it is. A cab with heat will become a requirement in WY with temps in the -0 figures regularly.
 
I did a quick search. Cheyenne too far? There's a MF 1240 there. That's about the size you want. Iseki-built, good reputation. Box blade is the ideal tool for the gravel driveway. Note that the 30HP is "engine," 23 is closer to "actual." (Which is still fine for you).

Ski mask and goggles are a must for me when moving snow without a cab. Block heater too for winter starts. Buy a rear-mount mower for the summer.

Start a new thread here or at one of the "newer" tractor discussion boards to get opinions on the 1240 if you want to go that route. I otherwise don't know anything about them other than that is a good reference point for size/features/price combination that might work for you.

Of course I'm 2000 miles away so it is easy for me to suggest how to spend someone else's money, sight-unseen. It might be a complete lemon, it might be great. Probably in-between. Others here will have better advice for how to negotiate the price. It will eventually break, so a manual, tools and mechanical skills are always good to have. The first two can be bought and the last can be learned. Good luck, Dave
 
You called it on the wind in WY. Since we got here we have seen winds over 50mph at our house on a few occasions. It is rare it isn't blowing >10mph at all times. Unfortunately, anything anywhere near 100HP is completely out of the question. I just can't afford that (new or used). I'm not particularly handy with mechanical contraptions and motors (plus I have a full-time job) so I need something dependable and not in need of constant work. Thanks a million for the input!
 
Thanks Dave, that MF sounds promising. You called it on the googles and mask mask (I found out the hard way how important that is yesterday when it was -18 and my tears froze). Do you have a link to the one in Cheyanne you mentioned? I'd be willing to drive there to get it, just not to commute there if it needs service. Thanks again for looking out for opportunities for me!
 
The seller is "4 rivers equipment." The link won't post here, but its a 1995 MF 1240, w/ loader & box blade (in the pictures, at least).
 
I never read all the posts below.
I will add my 2 cents though.
You said some hills, double the HP right away. Those guys telling you 30-40 hp is enough have never driven up an icy hill and tried to blow snow. You say 18 Grand for used. I'm in Manitoba and for that you could buy a 140 Hp tractor.
You mentioned buying new. I would go with the biggest front assist Kabotta or John deer you can afford. Used, look at something in the 65 Hp front assist. My friend has a 784 Ih front assist with loader and 3 point no cab he paid 12G for it. There are alot of tractors in that Hp for that kind of money. Just stick with case, JD, Or ford. as they will have the best parts supply available I would think. Stay away from landini, Belarus and such odd balls.
If not front assist you will need tire chains.
I don't know where you plan on parking it but if you have room get big enough. I have used those little tractors and you can fight till you pull all your hair and finally go get a big enough one or start big and be happy
 
Fot the money you said would be good to you you can buy a 66 series Ih and be pretty trouble free in the 100 horse range or most any of the more common brands like case ford oliver/white and even with some looking a deere. And to trade for a new compact tractor you will have more in that then you will in a 100 horse tractor used of most any brand. Deere and Case/Ih seem to be more prevalent out on the plains than most others. There is a Cat dealer in Cheyenne too. Then there is always anIndustrial/commercial models of Deere,Cat and all that can be had in the price range of around 20,000. They would move snow and dirt for your landscaping work there and be able to do the work. 40 horse will just not get it done in a timely manner out there with the conditions that can and do exsist at times out there. I've been there in all of the seasons from Cheyenne to Utah and up to MT across to Cody and all sorts of places in between in WY Hauled hay up in the wind river canyon by Riverton a few times also.
 

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