[Vigo]

By no means am i the mental catalogue of all existing 4n1 buckets but the only one ive seen that really did seem 'appropriately sized and weighted' for a SCUT is the one Land Pride makes for the Kubota BX. 50" wide and 260lbs. Past that all the SSQA ones are waaay oversized and even the mini-skid QA ones are heavy.. Titan sells a 42" 4n1 for mini skid steers, which is 340lbs.

I would like a 4n1 but i am expecting to either buy a mini-skid one, or build one myself. Totally agree with Shaun on that one.

 

[soloz2]

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.

I think those thing are all reasonable to wish for and honestly as I'm looking at tractors I'm asking about 3rd function, grapple, and rear remote. One thing I really like about the SA325 is the two rear remotes. The only thing I won't get here if I go Yanmar is SSQA... unless I pay extra to adapt it. I'm not sure if it's worth switching or not. I think for the front I will want:
bucket
grapple
pallet forks
snow pusher/plow
stump bucket

I think out of this list, a plow can be had and my dealer said they can get a stump bucket from HLA. It's more expensive than others I've looked at though. I think I'd probably either switch to SSQA right away before buying a grapple, or I'd just stick with Yanmar QA and adapt just the stump bucket. It is something to think about.

I'm also trying to determine what I would need for rear ballast. I know this will vary from tractor to tractor. I like liquid as it's out of the way, but it would also be nice to be able to remove ballast when not needed so I'm not impacting my lawn anymore than necessary.

 

[UrbanTractor]

I think those thing are all reasonable to wish for and honestly as I'm looking at tractors I'm asking about 3rd function, grapple, and rear remote. One thing I really like about the SA325 is the two rear remotes. The only thing I won't get here if I go Yanmar is SSQA... unless I pay extra to adapt it. I'm not sure if it's worth switching or not. I think for the front I will want:
bucket
grapple
pallet forks
snow pusher/plow
stump bucket

I think out of this list, a plow can be had and my dealer said they can get a stump bucket from HLA. It's more expensive than others I've looked at though. I think I'd probably either switch to SSQA right away before buying a grapple, or I'd just stick with Yanmar QA and adapt just the stump bucket. It is something to think about.

I'm also trying to determine what I would need for rear ballast. I know this will vary from tractor to tractor. I like liquid as it's out of the way, but it would also be nice to be able to remove ballast when not needed so I'm not impacting my lawn anymore than necessary.

Liquid ballast in tires would only be a minimal starting point. It’s more for traction and stability than for counterbalancing a front load. If you get an FEL, you WILL need rear ballast unless you only plan on lifting very lightweight loads. If you plan to use the full FEL lift capacity, rear ballast is a must.

A 3PH ballast box is a great way to add rear ballast. As is a weight rack such as a Heavy Hitch. Some owners prefer to purchase a rear implement and use it for rear ballast instead. However that can be awkward in tight operating areas.

 

[3 Legged Dog]

I'm also trying to determine what I would need for rear ballast. I know this will vary from tractor to tractor. I like liquid as it's out of the way, but it would also be nice to be able to remove ballast when not needed so I'm not impacting my lawn anymore than necessary.

I bought a nice rear ballast box from Titan.

It's Cat 1 with Cat 0 spacing, so it fits well on my SCUT. It has a trailer hitch receiver built in, and slots for pallet fork lift. It also has 2 tubes for rakes and other long-handled tools.

I put three 80 lb sand tubes in the box, so that gives me about 350 lbs of ballast.

I like the idea of a factory SSQA on the loader because the aftermarket kits tend to add extra weight, which reduces the total loader lift. It you want a future grapple, real pallet forks, stump bucket, etc. then you will appreciate SSQA.
Cal

 

[soloz2]

I bought a nice rear ballast box from Titan.

View attachment 2582406

It's Cat 1 with Cat 0 spacing, so it fits well on my SCUT. It has a trailer hitch receiver built in, and slots for pallet fork lift. It also has 2 tubes for rakes and other long-handled tools.

I put three 80 lb sand tubes in the box, so that gives me about 350 lbs of ballast.

I like the idea of a factory SSQA on the loader because the aftermarket kits tend to add extra weight, which reduces the total loader lift. It you want a future grapple, real pallet forks, stump bucket, etc. then you will appreciate SSQA.
Cal

I was looking at this one and the one from Earth and Turf attachments.

 

[soloz2]

I have another update. I drove by three dealers today. The first, I had spoken with a salesperson a couple weeks ago, but he was not in and when I arrived they did not have anyone in sales available. I went out and sat on the tractors anyway. I sat on a New Holland Workmaster 25, the small one, and then a Kioti CS2510 and CS2520. Someone did come back and I was able to test the CS2510 and CS2520. I quite liked the CS2520, it was just a more comfortable tractor and the lift capacity was noticeably better (I played around in a snow bank). Unfortunately, the sales person bad mouthed other brands and dealers, and the sales rep I had already spoken to and liked. He also told me I was wrong when I asked about the CS2510 having lower lift capacity despite the loader having 2 curl cylinders when I thought the old ones only had one like the Kubota BX series. I said maybe I was mistaken and let it rest. This guy did give me a "lower" price, but he wouldn't put it down on a quote and just wrote it on the back of his card. Shady car salesperson tactics...

Next dealer just had big ag equipment so I didn't even go in. I didn't have time to call ahead so no big deal.

3rd dealer sold Kubota and Bobcat. Honestly, this was the best dealer so far. It's a small mom and pop place, and there was just one guy there manning both sales and parts as they were short as a couple guys were out. He was attentive and took time to ask me questions and answer my questions. He recommended a B or L series instead of the BX, which was a concern of mine due to the low lift capacity and plan to get a grapple. I played around on a B2601 and got a quote. We then got to talking about what I do for work and they asked quite a few questions so we just stood around and talked about mental health for some time. I had initially gone just to "rule out" Kubota, but now I think out of all the dealers and tractors I've looked at I'm going to get either a Yanmar SA325 or Kubota B2601. Just need to think about if the added cost of the Kubota is worth it. It did put me about $2k over the budget I had in mind.

 

[UrbanTractor]

Whether you end up with a Yanmar or Kubota, either way you will have a top-notch tractor. The B2601 is a very nice machine. The 3-speed transmission is a real bonus. 👍

 

[steddy]

I have another update. I drove by three dealers today. The first, I had spoken with a salesperson a couple weeks ago, but he was not in and when I arrived they did not have anyone in sales available. I went out and sat on the tractors anyway. I sat on a New Holland Workmaster 25, the small one, and then a Kioti CS2510 and CS2520. Someone did come back and I was able to test the CS2510 and CS2520. I quite liked the CS2520, it was just a more comfortable tractor and the lift capacity was noticeably better (I played around in a snow bank). Unfortunately, the sales person bad mouthed other brands and dealers, and the sales rep I had already spoken to and liked. He also told me I was wrong when I asked about the CS2510 having lower lift capacity despite the loader having 2 curl cylinders when I thought the old ones only had one like the Kubota BX series. I said maybe I was mistaken and let it rest. This guy did give me a "lower" price, but he wouldn't put it down on a quote and just wrote it on the back of his card. Shady car salesperson tactics...

Next dealer just had big ag equipment so I didn't even go in. I didn't have time to call ahead so no big deal.

3rd dealer sold Kubota and Bobcat. Honestly, this was the best dealer so far. It's a small mom and pop place, and there was just one guy there manning both sales and parts as they were short as a couple guys were out. He was attentive and took time to ask me questions and answer my questions. He recommended a B or L series instead of the BX, which was a concern of mine due to the low lift capacity and plan to get a grapple. I played around on a B2601 and got a quote. We then got to talking about what I do for work and they asked quite a few questions so we just stood around and talked about mental health for some time. I had initially gone just to "rule out" Kubota, but now I think out of all the dealers and tractors I've looked at I'm going to get either a Yanmar SA325 or Kubota B2601. Just need to think about if the added cost of the Kubota is worth it. It did put me about $2k over the budget I had in mind.

You might like that 2601. I just sold mine about 2 weeks ago. The 3 range transmission is a great benefit. The biggest thing for me, though, was the bigger tires and more ground clearance. Wasn’t all that much bigger than my Massey GC2300, really, and a more capable machine to boot.

 

[MARK (LI)]

Sounds like the Mom & Pop Kub dealer will give you more personalized service and attention

 

[Shawn T W.]

I too walked away from a dealership that the salesman could only bad mouth other brands, but ... Never told me how much better his was either!

He also knew more about my trailer than me, and the laws of taking a trailer down the road, than me who has been doing it for 30+ years! He then tried to sell me one of his trailers!

Go with the dealer that treats you right, and has what you want ...

 

[lx176mainer]

B2601 is real nice and small for its abilities. Had there not been a waiting list for loaders I was there to put money down on one when I went to my local Kubota dealer, then ran across mt Massey package barely used and went that route.

Adam

 

[Country1966?]

For what you are saying you want to do with it. Loader lift matters a lot. You start putting Grapples and SSQA on it and it absorbs a percentage of your lift. When comparing tractors. Compare lift capacities at the Pins. This is told by dealers and others as a deceptive standard to use because nothing is ever lifted at the Pins. However, I argue that it is a standard that filters out all of the Bucket weight, SSQA weight, Quick attach weight etc.

The pins is actually the most accurate "standard" you can really use. Anything beyond the pins then subtracts from the actual material lift capabilities. Some tractor makers put all of the extra SSQA, quick attach etc. on their tractors and then try to tell you well loader lift isn't a big deal or loader lift at the pins isn't an accurate standard. The heck it isn't, its a STANDARD that doesn't change regardless of the color of your tractor.

A tractor that only lifts 950 at the pins will not lift 950 at the 500mm mark. Most likely 30% less or 665 in this example. Add a Grapple and you can subtract the grapple weight depending on the grapple and if you have the SSQA or Quick attach you can subtract more weight that your tractor can lift. Maybe now in the 500# range.

But if your starting at 1200# at the pin you can subtract about 30% to get you to 840# at 500mm lift Cap. Now, you can start to see why this actually matters quite a lot.

I lifted a 900lb car lift off of a truck a few months ago. I couldn't lift it at the 5' gate from the delivery truck so he helped lower it with the gate until my tractor could lift it (SA425). Then I lifted the 900lb lift when it got to the ground and took it into the barn. The load stuck out to the end of my forks so it was well out beyond the pins.

I have had a MF GC2400 (loved it) and a Case IH DX24e (loved it too) they were both SCUTs. I could have never even gotten that load off the ground with the two SCUT. I'm pretty sure if I had SSQA or a quick attach moving my forks out a few more inches I may not have lifted it. I don't have SSQA and may never but if I ever do, I'll go into it understanding what that means to my lift capacity.

Loader lift doesn't matter, until it does!

But I agree with others who are saying that it isn't the only thing that matters.

 

[soloz2]

UTs. I could have never even gotten that load off the ground with the two SCUT. I'm pretty sure if I had SSQA or a quick attach moving my forks out a few more inches I may not have lifted it. I don't have SSQA and may never but if I ever do, I'll go into it understanding what that means to my lift capacity.

Yes, I think you are correct in that. I plan to use the loader extensively for many things around my property and in addition to bucket, and grapple, will likely also add pallet forks, stump bucket, and maybe a snow pusher. I'm really torn on SSQA or not. I really like that the Kubota has SSQA so I can search for forks on Facebook marketplace or get them anywhere. I can get what looks to be a nice stump bucket from good works tractor for $1k, where my dealer said a stump bucket that fits Yanmar QA was $2800... ouch. That really eats into the price gap between the Yanmar and Kubota. But at the end of the day, lift is important for moving around logs and getting materials loaded and unloaded.

 

[3 Legged Dog]

I have a Kioti CS2210 with the SL2410 loader. The bucket is pin-on, and is rated for 675 lbs at the pins.

The newer Kioti CS2220 uses the SL2420 loader. It's SSQA and is rated for 1,062 lbs at the pins.

Perhaps you could use that 1,062 lbs of lift for comparison when shopping for a SCUT.

Cal

 

[Vigo]

A $2800 stump bucket is offensive.. unless it's built for a 75+hp skid steer that can literally pry its own 7000lb *** end off the ground and into the air curling up on that bucket under an immovable object (they can do that). At which point they have to be built to the hilt, and yeah they're expensive.

Honestly, the $600 stump bucket that Titan sells is sufficient for any small tractor to not break it. The GWT one may be highly preferable in terms of where your money ends up going, and i absolutely get that.

If you're going with a Kubota i think the B is a huge jump over the BX for loader work, and rough terrain in general where the clearance is massively better.

Having 3 speed ranges is nice too, although not a necessity. I have a kubota with Hi/Lo and one with Hi/Med/Lo and to me the main difference is that if you are a patient person and don't have to cover much distance you could leave it in medium for everything and still do ok pushing the loader on things, but i personally like maximum pushing force and frequently travel hundreds of feet so im constantly shifting from lo to hi anyway and medium range i could take it or leave it. I see it being really useful for doing repetitive tasks like off loading 12 pallets from the side of a semi trailer or something, or just moving a bunch of loose stuff around on pallets or loose material in the bucket etc. When im pushing the bucket into packed ground im in Low, and if im going very far im in High. Take that for what it's worth, lol.

 

[soloz2]

I haven't looked at the Titan stump bucket, but I was looking at their ballast box. I will take a look!

I got a late quote on a MF GC1723E that's several thousand less than the others and I'm tempted to give it another look, but I don't recall the seat being as comfortable and it's lower HP than the others I've looked at. Honestly, I really liked the one Kubota dealer and even though it's more I'm leaning towards the B2601. I think the SSQA is a huge bonus over the Yanmar QA even though overall lift capacity is a bit lower. I also really like 3 ranges as my SO is one that will just put it in whatever works and leave it in that gear. This often means she will only use low range gears when driving my Wheel Horse even though it takes longer to get somewhere. I talked to the dealer again today and they said they would see if they could do anything for me on price.

 

[steddy]

Conversely, I use medium and high ranges much more than low.

Snowblowing, brush hogging, and most loader work is in medium, moving the tractor around just to get it out of the way, pull around to the back side of the barn to grab another implement, etc - all in medium range. It’s rare to get down and dirty in low range for anything, really… maybe pushing on trees and actually digging down with the loader. In low, the tires on my L4610, and my former B2601, spin and dig down long before the engine starts to lug down. Of course, high range used on flat ground when not towing anything, and moving relatively long distances on smooth levelish terrain.

 

[Shawn T W.]

I went with the MF GC 1725MB, as it has more HP than 1723E, which I wanted for the rear pto...

I find my seat is comfortable, but the M model has a few upgrades over the E, one of which I believe is arm rests (which I never use) and mine might be completely different, as mine has a swivel for the backhoe feature ...

I would have been happy with a much larger tractor, originally when I talked with the Kubota dealer, I was talking about a L2501, which he didn't have... He did have a B2601, but it didn't have the backhoe on it that I wanted, all he had was a BX23 with the backhoe ... So I kept shopping, the Massey Ferguson dealer also didn't have the larger GC 1825 I was interested in ... I wanted to stay in the under 25 HP range to avoid emissions stuff ...

The Little Baby Over Grown Lawn Tractors, as I call them ... Are an Amazing little working tractor, and can get around and in places the larger tractor may have trouble ... But have more limited hydraulic capacity.

 

[soloz2]

Well, went back to the Kubota dealer and brought my SO with me this time. We made a deal for a B2601 with 3rd function, Land Prode grapple and pallet forks. They said probably 2-3 weeks to get the 3rd function installed and switch fr R4 to R14 tires for me as those items were already on order, but the grapple and pallet forks may take a bit longer.

I'll need to get a ballast box. And I'd like it to be quick hitch compatible. The Land Pride box was stupid expensive so I'm looking elsewhere. I started looking at Earth and Turf or Titan. However, there are some cheaper boxes that look like titans on Amazon for less. Seems hit or miss about QH comparability.

 

[MARK (LI)]

Hey @soloz2 ...congratulations you do realize that once you get it home that