[UrbanTractor]

I wouldn’t get too hung up on lift capacity specs. Different manufacturers often use different rating standards, so it’s not always an apples-to-apples comparison. Pretty much any current SCUT with an FEL and 3PH will be a big help around your property with heavy lifting chores.

Even a garden tractor with an FEL is a back-saver. I can’t tell you how many times mine has turned a 2-4 person job into something I can easily manage on my own:

When lifting any heavy object, it’s every bit as important to have adequate rear ballast as it is to have lift capacity. Whatever machine you end up with, plan to make an investment in a ballasting system:

 

[soloz2]

I wouldn’t get too hung up on lift capacity specs. Different manufacturers often use different rating standards, so it’s not always an apples-to-apples comparison. Pretty much any current SCUT with an FEL and 3PH will be a big help around your property with heavy lifting chores.

Even a garden tractor with an FEL is a back-saver. I can’t tell you how many times mine has turned a 2-4 person job into something I can easily manage on my own:

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When lifting any heavy object, it’s every bit as important to have adequate rear ballast as it is to have lift capacity. Whatever machine you end up with, plan to make an investment in a ballasting system:

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Thank you, Yes I do plan on loading the rear tires and probably getting a ballast box. I am wondering if the more expensive weight bracket and suitcase weights might be better, but I’ll probably start with a ballast box for starters.

 

[MARK (LI)]

If it has a 3 point hitch , you can make something inexpensively...if you have a scrap yard near you, ask to look around and see if they have something that you can convert into a rear weight....post#7 in this thread shows what I did with elevator counterweights from a scrap yard

 

[soloz2]

If it has a 3 point hitch , you can make something inexpensively...if you have a scrap yard near you, ask to look around and see if they have something that you can convert into a rear weight....post#7 in this thread shows what I did with elevator counterweights from a scrap yard

That's a great idea. I actually need to find a local scrap yard anyway as I have a non-working fridge and some old brake rotors I need to dump.

 

[UrbanTractor]

That's a great idea. I actually need to find a local scrap yard anyway as I have a non-working fridge and some old brake rotors I need to dump.

Your new scut can help you load those!

 

[soloz2]

Your new scut can help you load those!

Oh I know! Actually at this point, I’m probably going to wait until I get a SCUT to load the fridge.

 

[steddy]

I just re-read your original post. For as much 3pt work you’ll be doing (and apologies if it’s been mentioned already and I missed it), you might want to ensure your machine has position control on the 3pt. It’s been awhile since I’ve been SCUT shopping, but I’m not sure if too many SCUTs are equipped with it. It allows for much more user friendly 3pt operation. Usually it’s a feature reserved for the next step up, which truth be known don’t have a much larger footprint than the 1025r, BX, or GC size machines, such as the Kubota B series.

 

[Shawn T W.]

I don't have position control ... I just eyeball it, and then lock it in ... The MF have a knob to control how fast the 3pt drops, and this also will lock/hold it where you set it ... If you move it, you may not set it back exactly like before, but for me, it's close enough, position control has a numbered position, kinda like a mmm deck height control, if I remember it right!

Basically if you want to lift something with the loader, you need ballast on the back, behind the rear axles ... Filled tires are more for traction aid, and lowering the center of gravity, so it's not quite as tippy ... The little tractors are fairly tall.

 

[UrbanTractor]

I just re-read your original post. For as much 3pt work you’ll be doing (and apologies if it’s been mentioned already and I missed it), you might want to ensure your machine has position control on the 3pt. It’s been awhile since I’ve been SCUT shopping, but I’m not sure if too many SCUTs are equipped with it. It allows for much more user friendly 3pt operation. Usually it’s a feature reserved for the next step up, which truth be known don’t have a much larger footprint than the 1025r, BX, or GC size machines, such as the Kubota B series.

JD 1025R (but not 1023E) has a position control 3PH. As does the Yanmar SCUT (I believe.)

The BX machines don’t have position control but they do have a “quarter inching valve” that permits better control over the rate of decent for the 3PH, allowing for fine tuning if not perfect repeatability.

 

[Nouveau Redneck]

I don't have position control ... I just eyeball it, and then lock it in ... The MF have a knob to control how fast the 3pt drops, and this also will lock/hold it where you set it

That is position control. The other possible mode is draft mode, which is used for plows and other ground engaging implements to control how much "draft", or resistance to the tractor pulling the implement, is allowed before the 3 point system lifts the implement enough to reduce the draft set by the control handle. Draft control mode is used to prevent damage to the tractor when the implement encounters a large root or rock that t cannot muscle through.

 

[Shawn T W.]

Hmmm .. learned something new, thanks!

One thing to keep in mind in regards to loader lift ratings ... While they usually are using "at the pins" ... They also state at what height it will lift that to, then check maximum height to compare ... While my Little Baby Fergie may lift 1,000 lbs, it can not lift it to full height!

My forks are way over rated for my little tractor, a set of lightweight 36" forks are much more appropriate for this size of tractor, in my opinion, could easily gain another 100 lbs lift capacity, the back rack also adds weight, while it adds a safety factor, depends on what is your moving, on how big and strong (heavy!) it is ...

 

[Vigo]

I agree with everyone else saying dont get too hung up on the lift capacity because they will ALL lift probably 95% of everything youd ever want to, based on how you described your needs.

Having a set of QA forks to bring the load in closer to the pins will make the lowest rated tractor lift more than the highest rated one trying to use clamp-on forks, for example.

And they will all lift much more ‘off the ground’ than their rated capacity which is usually ‘all the way to full height’.

My littler Kubota is only rated to lift 500lbs to full height but i still lifted this thing.. ~36” diameter ~60” long 3/8” wall.

My slightly larger small Kubota is rated to lift 700lb to full height yet this pallet weighs ~1150lbs and its hanging on bucket forks, so with bucket and forks total load probably over 1350 and centered fairly far out in front of the pins.

That was backing away from a truck bed so i lowered it right after pic 😂.

Honestly, the rear remotes you mentioned matter a LOT more to me than the differences in stated lift capacity.

 

[soloz2]

I just re-read your original post. For as much 3pt work you’ll be doing (and apologies if it’s been mentioned already and I missed it), you might want to ensure your machine has position control on the 3pt. It’s been awhile since I’ve been SCUT shopping, but I’m not sure if too many SCUTs are equipped with it. It allows for much more user friendly 3pt operation. Usually it’s a feature reserved for the next step up, which truth be known don’t have a much larger footprint than the 1025r, BX, or GC size machines, such as the Kubota B series.

I agree, I think. I've been paying attention to the PTO HP and looking at position control, although I don't fully understand where it would be needed. I get where it might be useful and was looking at that.

I don't have position control ... I just eyeball it, and then lock it in ... The MF have a knob to control how fast the 3pt drops, and this also will lock/hold it where you set it ... If you move it, you may not set it back exactly like before, but for me, it's close enough, position control has a numbered position, kinda like a mmm deck height control, if I remember it right!

Basically if you want to lift something with the loader, you need ballast on the back, behind the rear axles ... Filled tires are more for traction aid, and lowering the center of gravity, so it's not quite as tippy ... The little tractors are fairly tall.

How do you lock in the position? I didn't think the GC1725M had position control.

JD 1025R (but not 1023E) has a position control 3PH. As does the Yanmar SCUT (I believe.)

The BX machines don’t have position control but they do have a “quarter inching valve” that permits better control over the rate of decent for the 3PH, allowing for fine tuning if not perfect repeatability.

The JD 1025R has true position control as does the Yanmar SA series. (I don't think the 221 does, but I wasn't looking at that one. I believe the new 223 does and the 324/325 and 424/425 do). I don't believe the MF GC 1725M has it. When I looked in person, I didn't see a log and the salesperson said it didn't.

Hmmm .. learned something new, thanks!

One thing to keep in mind in regards to loader lift ratings ... While they usually are using "at the pins" ... They also state at what height it will lift that to, then check maximum height to compare ... While my Little Baby Fergie may lift 1,000 lbs, it can not lift it to full height!

View attachment 2581966

My forks are way over rated for my little tractor, a set of lightweight 36" forks are much more appropriate for this size of tractor, in my opinion, could easily gain another 100 lbs lift capacity, the back rack also adds weight, while it adds a safety factor, depends on what is your moving, on how big and strong (heavy!) it is ...

How might I tell? I thought the height was as high as the bucket could go level and weight is what it could lift to full height? I thought the rated weight at the pins was full height and then greater than rated weight below, but I'm just learning here.

 

[Vigo]

I thought the rated weight at the pins was full height and then greater than rated weight below, but I'm just learning here.

Exactly. That was what my post was getting at. It is usually at least 50% more and sometimes it is close to double. If you find loader ‘breakout’ spec it describes this ‘lift from ground capacity’ even though i absolutely despise the term breakout being used that way. Just fyi, if you are ever trying to ‘break out’ some material from a pile, use the bucket curl function, or both the loader lift and bucket curl functions simultaneously but DONT ‘just’ try to lift the loader straight up while its stuck under something. I feel like using the term ‘breakout’ to describe ‘lift from ground height’ is like an underhanded way to convince people that their small machine is inadequate and they should go right back to the dealer and trade up, because using ONLY the lift circuit to break out material is pathetically ineffective compred to using the bucket curl, or both functions simultaneuously. Ok, rant over.. 😅

 

[daman1]

I would pass on the comparable BX the front loader hydraulics are inferior compared to the GC or the JD, either one will provide you with years of great service I know the GC with an added expense can get you a extra 5 years on the powertrain warranty for a total of 10 years warranty. And if you do get the backhoe version of the GC the three-point hitch arms can stay on not ike other brands where you have to remove them.

I went with the GC and I've been nothing but impressed and pleased with the purchase good luck.

 

[Shawn T W.]

I'm not sure if MF calls it "position control" ... But this is what it does ... There is this knob down under the seat ...

It controls the 3pt rate of speed it drops ... Rabbit to turtle, then has a "lock" position, which stops it from dropping, even if you hit the lever on the fender! With it "locked" you can still lift it, but it will not go down!

The images are "right side up" if you're sitting on the seat looking down past your leg! (Sorry I'm not home now, so just looked through a few 100 pictures to find this)

If you have lots of time ... This is a thread I started less than a year ago, when I bought my AWESOME little tractor, it shows what I've been able to do with it, so far!

Meet "Baby Fergie"!

Just for more confusion/options ... In case you didn't know Bobcat is a brother/cousin to the Kioti tractors ... They are owned by Doosan ... The Bobcat has a unique feature in regards to the 3pt ... In that it has a additional lever on the back to control the 3pt arms, to assist in hooking up an implement ... A moot point if you are getting a quick attach 3pt ... JD has their own called an "iMatch" ...some Kubota's have a unique sliding lower arms to help line up things, that then lock up, but I don't remember what they are called, or if they are available on the SCUT size, again a moot point "IF" you decide to go with a quick attach 3pt, which I HIGHLY recommended, if you plan on having more than one 3pt implement ... If there is no pto shaft involved, you don't even need to get off the seat to swap out a implement!

 

[Shawn T W.]

This is my Quick Attach (QA) 3pt ... The black painted piece ... The gray arms hook onto it like it was any 3pt implement, which takes a bit of "fiddly work" to get the pins through ...

On the back side of the QA, near the bottom is a stationary hook on both sides, with a spring loaded lever just above it, which is controlled by the handles up on the top ... What is not visible is the upper hook, which I drew in purple ... (Zoom in up near the upper arm)

All you do to hook up to an implement, is back up to the implement, with the top handles down, which has the spring loaded levers out, or in the "trap" mode ... Once you are under the three pins, just raise the 3pt, and the spring loaded levers get pushed in, then snap back over the top of the lower pins, the top is just a big hook.

To release the implement, I raise it up all the way reach around from the seat, and pull each handle up, which release the trapped levers, then lower the 3pt, and drive forward, then slap the handles down, and go hook the next implement!

Here is an unusual pictures, and yes, it shows I'm only human ... I forgot to close the left side lever!

Purple highlights my mistake, and yellow shows the lever pulled into the "release mode" ... Blue shows the lever out, and the bottom pin captured!

Here is a picture of the upper hook, circled in white ... It hooks to a "floppy link" for the brush hog, as it's so long, it can get hung up going through a ditch ...

 

[steddy]

The knob is a “drop rate” adjustment. It only controls how fast the 3pt lowers, which is very handy for heavy implements. Common on most machines. I refer to “position control” as a control lever that relates directly to the height of the 3pt. All the way forward is all the way down, all the way back is all the way up, and anywhere in between. The height of the 3pt corresponds to where the lever is put. There’s usually a little set screw that can be easily adjusted to the minimum or maximum height you want to stop it at. Most SCUTs I’ve operated employ a momentary hydraulic valve. Push forward to lower, pull back to raise, return to center when the 3pt gets to the desired height. Good to hear that more SCUTs may offer position control! It was a feature I wished my Massey GC2300 had. That and a glow plug indicator light. And a tachometer.

The adjustable length for the lower arms I think is called “telescoping lower links.” For SCUT, most of the implements can be slid a couple inches one way or another because they tend to be pretty light weight compared to full size implements. Might come in handy for a brush hog that’s a bit heavy, though. Maybe available as aftermarket upgrades to many machines.

The added lever to raise/lower the 3pt IMHO is an unnecessary feature on a SCUT. Due to the small machine size, it’s easy to reach the control lever next to the seat from behind the tractor, or even lift the lower arms by hand. On a larger or cab equipped models, this would be an indispensable feature.

Quick hitches are great for those of us that change implements on a regular basis. I cycle through different implements that have different 3pt pin spacing so I don’t think it would be very practical for me, plus I use some drawbar implements that might require removal of the quick hitch for clearance during tight turns.

Features I wish my tractor had: universal skid steer quick attach, 3rd function loader valve (for a grapple or 4 way bucket), and rear hydraulic remotes. They can be added of course, but they’re really expensive. I wish I would have looked for a tractor that had those features from the factory (or previous owner added), or put them on 5 years ago when it was like half the price they are now! Oh yeah… and maybe a heated cab with AC.

 

[DKvince]

In case you didn't know Bobcat is a brother/cousin to the Kioti tractors ... They are owned by Doosan ...

Bobcat is owned by Doosan.
Kioti is owned/built by Daedong.
Daedong builds tractors for Bobcat

 

[Shawn T W.]

The knob is a “drop rate” adjustment. It only controls how fast the 3pt lowers, which is very handy for heavy implements. Common on most machines

Most SCUTs I’ve operated employ a momentary hydraulic valve. Push forward to lower, pull back to raise, return to center when the 3pt gets to the desired height.

Yes, this describes how my MF GC 1725 works!

Your description of the "position control" is similar to what I thought it was, I described it as similar to a mower deck weight control ...

The fourway bucket is cool, but ... Adds quite a lot of weight to these little tractors ...

-----------------------

DKvince, thank you for the clarification ...