Compact tractors

[Livestockandveg]

Hi,

I'm after some advice on compact tractors. If buying new, what are the best brands? I'm looking at a Mitsubishi MTU26, any thoughts or experiences with these.

It will be mainly be used for topping, cultivating and for support to the main tractor on pasture jobs where a smaller HP is not an issue.

 

[thesilentone]

I've had a MF 1020 for several years with a power loader on. It's mainly used for topping with a 6' topper which it manages with ease.

Topped a field yesterday in 2nd high, so far very impressed with reliability and hydraulic power of the loader.

 

[Highland Mule]

I'd suspect you'd get a more reliable, easier to source spare parts for, less steeply depreciating, better all round machine by buying an old MF35 or the likes.

 

[NUFF465]

Hi,

I'm after some advice on compact tractors. If buying new, what are the best brands? I'm looking at a Mitsubishi MTU26, any thoughts or experiences with these.

It will be mainly be used for topping, cultivating and for support to the main tractor on pasture jobs where a smaller HP is not an issue

I believe the best Compact is a JD, I am not such a fan of the bigger JD units but having had MF Compacts which I believe is made by Iseki, we have also had a Kioti, both of which we were stuck for weeks getting parts for,
The JD has always been quite reliable, the parts are easy to get and it does sell well second hand and is comfortable the only criticism, it could do with a larger cab,

 

[Dave W]

Hi,

I'm after some advice on compact tractors. If buying new, what are the best brands? I'm looking at a Mitsubishi MTU26, any thoughts or experiences with these.

It will be mainly be used for topping, cultivating and for support to the main tractor on pasture jobs where a smaller HP is not an issue.

What country are you in?

 

[steveR]

Look for a good local Dealer.... Then check your budget...

In spite of the comments above, I have found my Kioti to be bombproof over 10 years here. I know others with the same sort of reliability.

Spares for any tractors/machinery where the parts are coming from Yurrup are a PITA at present Look at the thread for Kuhn sipply!

 

[Livestockandveg]

What country are you in?

Sorry, I completely forgot about this post.
I'm in the UK

 

[Livestockandveg]

I'd suspect you'd get a more reliable, easier to source spare parts for, less steeply depreciating, better all round machine by buying an old MF35 or the likes.

Yes, I love the 35s but my problem is that we have a range of abilities on the farm and the 35 drives like a tractor whereas a modern compact is more like a mower with rocker pedal and most things being automatic

 

[Dave W]

Sorry, I completely forgot about this post.
I'm in the UK

You mentioned the Mitsubishi which isn't a uk spec machine. That's why I wondered

 

[Dave W]

Yes, I love the 35s but my problem is that we have a range of abilities on the farm and the 35 drives like a tractor whereas a modern compact is more like a mower with rocker pedal and most things being automatic

Absolutely. Can never understand why there's an obsession with vintage tractors.
a decent compact will run rings round a 35

 

[Highland Mule]

Absolutely. Can never understand why there's an obsession with vintage tractors.
a decent compact will run rings round a 35

Depends on the landscape - wouldn't have a compact with a topper or cultivator on any decent hill ground. Would you put a 600kg fert spinner behind a compact?

 

[Dave W]

Depends on the landscape - wouldn't have a compact with a topper or cultivator on any decent hill ground. Would you put a 600kg fert spinner behind a compact?

Yes. Regularly

 

[Highland Mule]

Yes. Regularly

You must have very flat fields, or else your compact is bigger than I'm imagining.

 

[Dave W]

You must have very flat fields, or else your compact is bigger than I'm imagining.

40hp iseki i used to use at work is rated at 1.3t on lift arms

 

[Highland Mule]

40hp iseki i used to use at work is rated at 1.3t on lift arms

I was more thinking of wheel width/ length. Do you have to put weight on the nose and take extra care with side slopes?

 

[Lazy Sod]

If you're buying new, get a Kubota and make sure it has an hydrostatic transmission.

 

[Dave W]

If you're buying new, get a Kubota and make sure it has an hydrostatic transmission.

I'm not convinced new Kubota are what they once were. Still fantastic machines mechanically but the quality of the shiny bits isn't up there now.
I'd put iseki, Kioti and JD as market leaders more

 

[steveR]

Depends on the landscape - wouldn't have a compact with a topper or cultivator on any decent hill ground. Would you put a 600kg fert spinner behind a compact?

I do pretty well all of my fert spreading with the compact these days... Amazone sits in the shed, gathering dust.

And use a 1.65 drum mower, 4 rotor tedder, 3m rake, Krone Baler. 2m topper etc etc

But I will grant you, we are fairly flat about here, but of the above, only the baling would bother me on gentle hills.

 

[steveR]

Absolutely. Can never understand why there's an obsession with vintage tractors.
a decent compact will run rings round a 35

Neighbour swears by his old girl, but more often, swears at it!

Best left for a spot of gentle haybobbing when he has time to start it, and no frost!!

 

[40 series]

Depends on the landscape - wouldn't have a compact with a topper or cultivator on any decent hill ground. Would you put a 600kg fert spinner behind a compact?

Same here and towed disc top dresser holding 4.5t of sand and all ran from the spool valves on a 45hp kubota. #bigheart