is a 2008 Kubota B2620 too small for a horse farm?

[Lmabernathy]

I saw a used 2008 Kubota B2620 tractor with BackHoe and Quick-disconnect Front End Loader for sale for $17,000 and was wondering what you guys think? I don't know much about tractors and I inherited my 16 acre horse farm and a gas 73 ford 3000 but it doesnt have a front end loader or a back hoe. Would the Kubota be a good investment for me or is it too small?

I am also renovating the farm house so I can move in over there, I plan on either regraveling or paving the driveway, making it a horseshoe shape to make getting trailers in and out easier, and puting up a pole barn for the horsies-they live out 24-7 right now. Currently I have 6 horses on the property.

I have never had a front end loader or backhoe before so I don't really know what I can use them for yet. I always hear I need them though:yes:

[equusus]

I don't kow anything about that particular Kubota, but I will say that you will LOVE a front end loader! Even if it is a small one, it will be so handy you will wonder how you ever managed without. We don't find ourselves needing a bachhoe so much.
If your Ford is in good shape, you could always get a loader for it- should be less than $5000.

april

[MistyBlue]

Ooohhh...you can use a front end loader and a back hoe for TONS of stuff. :yes: Back hoes are great to have already on a tractor purchase because although you won't use it as much as the front loader...the back hoe attachment costs a small fortune to purchase.
The front end loader...I can't begin to count ways I use mine. Lifting, shoving, scraping, knocking down smaller trees, shoving posts back upright, lifting logs (w/chains), moving snow (I "plow" with the rake and then lift the piles of snow with the loader to dump somewhere else) syanding in it to reach high things (not suggested for safety purposes though :winkgrin: ) ...you name it and I've probably done it or at least tried it with my front loader. I even move my big-ass generator around with it...the thing weighs 580 lbs and even though it has 2 wheels on it I have a helluva time lifting one end and rolling it. Last month I was using the front loader as a lawnmower lift so I could put new blades on the riding lawnmower...just tossed some chocks under the front tires and lifted the arse-end of the lawnmower with the bucket. :D Last year my daugher got her car stuck on the stone wall in my driveway (Love that kid, bad driver) so we lifted the tire off the wall with the front loader. :yes:

That model kubota...I'm guessing a 26hp by the model number? If it's a 2008 it might be a 3 cylinder diesel instead of a 4 cylinder. You should be able to lift anywhere from 900-950 or so lbs with the loader. Hydrostatics are *easy* to drive...like driving and using an automatic car. I have a 33 hp diesel New Holland for 4.5 acres. It's the largest of the mid-frame models for New Holland and lifts 1200 in front. We went with that only because I live on the land of rocks and ledge and heavy woods and I often lift pretty heavy stuff with the front end. Otherwise I would have gone smaller...

Someone with more tractor experience will tell you more, that's about all I got. :winkgrin:

[secretariat]

Depends on the size of the farm and the jobs you want it to do.

26 HP is perfect for most small farms, the loader is a "must have" and I'm envious about the backhoe tho you won't use it much -- but when you need it, it's gold.

HP generally relates to the rate at which you can do work, and the size of the implements you'll use. For instance, we have a 10' bush hog which cuts mowing time in 1/2 (compared to a 6'); my 45HP tractor is just barely big enough to pull it efficiently -- but we've got 60 acres of grass to cut, so speed is important. And most of the palleted materials we buy in truckload containers come a ton to the pallet -- a 26 HP tractor rarely has a 2000# capacity loader, so you wouldn't be able to unload the truck with it. I wouldn't pull a baler or haybine with a 26HP, and a scycle bar will beat it up pretty badly (might do OK with a 5', slow). Final example -- my JD 757 zero steer lawn mower is 26HP!

If I were rich, I'd have the zero steer mower (for trimming all the fence lines), a 20-30HP compact tractor with loader for most of the work, and a 60-80HP with bat wing bush hog. But I'm not, so I'll make due with my 757 and my 3930.

[Tom King]

I rent a mini-excavator for the few times I really need a hoe and in 28 years have never come close to the investment of a backhoe. A frontend loader is a must though.

[woops]

Post your question on the tractor forum I think it is tractor forum .com --- just google it --- that is how I decideded too!

[MistyBlue]

That's my plan too Tom...for what the hoe costs and for how often I'd need it, I'd rather rent for those times.

[asanders]

Try tractorbynet.com (http://tractorbynet.com/). My DH is a tractor net junkie, and that one is his favorite. You'll find all the info you need.

[flypony74]

That sounds a little high to me for a B series. I have an L2800 that I bought new last year, and with a front-end loader, hydrostatic transmission, industrial tires (with fluid), and a really good bushhog, I paid about that much. I have 7.5 acres and my 28hp is a good size for me....small enough to be maneuverable, but large enough to handle what I need it to do.

BTW....I use the crap out of the front end loader, for all sorts of things. I've not really had a need for a backhoe attachment....that is, not enough need to go buy one.

[onthebit]

I can't imagine having a tractor without a front end loader on our farm. A front end loader is a must have IMO. Our smallest tractor is a 60hp Kubota and our bigger one is 90hp New Holland. We love the Kubota and hate the New Holland as far as maintenance and reliability. We also have over 100 acres and some decent slopes in areas, and a 16' bushhog. Aside from dragging my arena I don't really know what I would do with a 26hp tractor, although it would probably pull a small 5' bushhog well enough, although slowly. HP determines not only the size of implements you can use but also the rate of speed at which you can use them. I would also think that you couldn't accomplish a whole lot with such a tiny backhoe attachment and that would really be pushing the price up.

I wonder what the price would be without the backhoe attachment? That might make it a better deal and then you could use use the savings towards a bushhog.

[MistyBlue]

flypony...how do you like the filled tires? I flirted with the idea after my neighbor had her tractor tires filled (we have the exact same tractor, hers is a year newer) and she loves it. But despite having some serious dips and hills on my property I haven't felt off balance yet. Not sure if I can justify that price at this time if it's not a huge difference...the dealership quoted me $900 to have it done. :eek:

[Guilherme]

This size tractor would be adequate for most chores around a small horse facility. The operative word, though, is "adequate." If it were up to me I'd look for something 30+ hp. and a loader capable of at least 1000 lbs. I'd not bother with the back hoe attachment. The money would be better spent on hp and a good loader.

One thing to consider on a smaller tractor that will not be used for "agricultural" work is to get "industrial" tires. These are more aggresive than turf tires (meaning you won't get stuck in the mud as easily) but a much less aggressive than "ag" tires and won't tear up yards while mowing.

Regarding "filled" tires, we've had them for several years in our Massey tractor. They work well in the front tires provide you don't do a lot of "highway" driving. Because they are filled with solid substance they do not dissipate heat well. If you have to "ferry" the tractor between work sites on a public road you MUST keep your speed down and you'll likely be limited to 30 min. of running at 15-20 mph. Then you'll have to stop for half an hour or so to let the tires cool. If you don't ever go on the highway you'll likely not find any significant limitation in their use.

Good luck in your selection.

G.

[MistyBlue]

Thanks Guilherme...the only road driving I do is to shortcut from one side of the property to the other or to drive to a neighbors to help with snow plowing. The farthest I drive on anything paved is about 400 feet.

[philosoraptor]

I saw a used 2008 Kubota B2620 tractor with BackHoe and Quick-disconnect Front End Loader for sale for $17,000 and was wondering what you guys think? I don't know much about tractors and I inherited my 16 acre horse farm and a gas 73 ford 3000 but it doesnt have a front end loader or a back hoe. Would the Kubota be a good investment for me or is it too small?

I have the Kubota BX23 which is even smaller, also with backhoe and FEL. I LOVE it. It meets all my needs for my 15 acre farmette. My bx23 can do everything a big tractor does, but just scaled down a bit. I would not reccomend a bx23 for baling or for roundbale handling, but I'm thinking your 2620 might be big enough? Ask kubota for the max lifting weight of the front bucket; this is what determines how much hay it can lift at one time.

Is this tractor at a dealer? Odd that it's being sold as used but it's barely a year old. I'd find out more about it.

I bought mine new. This way I got the warranty and at the time 0% financing for 3 years. We never needed the warranty but it was peace of mind.

[Lmabernathy]

well I would be keeping the Ford 3000. It only has about 700 hours. My great aunt bought it new and it has been inherited several times. I already have a bush hog for it. Although, the bush hog is a little too big for that tractor, I'm fine in the fields but I can't cut the brush on the pond bank because I have a fear that I am going to roll back into the pond:eek: I already have a lot of implements actually. A drag harrow, disc harrow, bale spear, augers. Just not the front end loader and backhoe. My Daddy passed away last Dec. and he always said we should have gotten diesel tractor, I guess that is why we never got the front end loader attachment, he was looking at buying a new tractor before he got sick so I am just continuing the search.

Oh about the kubota being used-its for sale by an individual who bought it to clear some land and doesn't need it any more. It has 118 hours but he said he left the key on and the hours got ran up before the battery went dead it really only has about 18 hours working. He said he bought it for $22,000 about 4 months ago

[flypony74]

flypony...how do you like the filled tires? I flirted with the idea after my neighbor had her tractor tires filled (we have the exact same tractor, hers is a year newer) and she loves it. But despite having some serious dips and hills on my property I haven't felt off balance yet. Not sure if I can justify that price at this time if it's not a huge difference...the dealership quoted me $900 to have it done. :eek:

I only have the rear tires filled, which counter-balances a load in the FEL. The FEL is plenty of counter balance for rear implements. The quote you got is HIGH....I think I only paid about $150 to fill my tires, so you might check around. Once in a blue moon I'll run the tractor around the corner to spray my neighbor's fields (maybe 1/4 mile), but otherwise, my tractor never leave the property unless it is on a flatbed, so the road issue is a moot point for me.

I have the industrial tires that Guilherme mentioned, and for the same reason. It is an aggressive tread, but the tops of the treads are flat, and don't tear up the yard so much, as I use a finish mower on the tractor to mow the large yard.

[subk]

I try not to buy new anything major that depreciates in value. Maybe tractors are different, but we've been very happy with our used purchase. As for piece of mind, that comes from mr. subk handiness with a wrench! (You haven't seen sexy if you've never seen your hubby working on your farm equipment!)

[Guilherme]

Oh about the kubota being used-its for sale by an individual who bought it to clear some land and doesn't need it any more. It has 118 hours but he said he left the key on and the hours got ran up before the battery went dead it really only has about 18 hours working. He said he bought it for $22,000 about 4 months ago

Ah, I'm not a tractor mech but my AN/ASA-4A (Detector Set, Night Soil, Bovine, Male) is flashing red and giving me a BIG warning tone!!!!! :lol:

IIRC hour meters on tractors (and anything else with an interal combustion engine) run off oil pressure. Meaning that if the engine is running so's the "clock." Shut the engine down, the "clock" stops. Meaning that the story about the "key being left in and that's why the hours are up" is the sort of stuff you wouldn't want to track into the house. ;)

Now if he let it idle for 100 hours or so (and I'm not sure it would do that based upon fuel consumption) then maybe it's not a big deal. Diesels idle very nicely for long periods without issue. But if he's telling one big story, are there any more?

Check this out very carefully.

If your Ford will do the job for you then I'd stick with it. There's no magic in diesel in a tractor doing what you'll be doing. Buy an aftermarket FEL and, maybe, different bush hog and you're in business. Gas engines do not idle as well as diesels but you'll not be doing so much of that to be an issue.

Good luck in your choice.

G.