Kubota subcompact tractors... anyone have any experience?

[campgottagopee]

I'll definitely be asking some questions. Stopped in for a basic overview look today. I'll be going back tomorrow or Wednesday.

There's always a decent chance that I won't be approved for the financing anyway. My credit is good, and improving, but half of my income just disappeared at the end of the ski season. No more grooming cash. We'll see how it goes when I turn in the application.

Believe me, good is good enough---banks are looking to loan $$$$. Don't sweat it.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

Believe me, good is good enough---banks are looking to loan $$$$. Don't sweat it.

Hopefully! I'll find out soon enough.

 

[campgottagopee]

How you make out???

 

[Marc]

How you make out???

Head tilted 45 degrees with a little tongue, but nothing pornographic unless the gestures is returned. What does this have to do with tractors?

 

[ctenidae]

Head tilted 45 degrees with a little tongue, but nothing pornographic unless the gestures is returned. What does this have to do with tractors?

Nice.

 

[bvibert]

Head tilted 45 degrees with a little tongue, but nothing pornographic unless the gestures is returned. What does this have to do with tractors?

I find that 47.5 degrees works better..

 

[campgottagopee]

Head tilted 45 degrees with a little tongue, but nothing pornographic unless the gestures is returned. What does this have to do with tractors?

Eyes open or closed.......

Just wondering what tractor was purchased---i like tractors and they like me---one of our local dealers just picked up the CAT sub-compact tractor, sa_weet looking rig.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

How you make out???

Well, it was a rather complicated endeavor. I was all set to pull the trigger on a BX, but the KCC (Kubota Credit Corporation) denied my credit app for lack of credit history. One of the downfalls of being young! My credit is good, but very short.

So... I decided to keep looking at used machines, and picked up a 2003 Cub Cadet 3204 with pretty low hours (280), shaft drive, hydro, power steering, vacuum PTO engagement, shaft driven 48" mower deck, hydro deck lift. Got a great deal. My intent is to use this machine for lawn work, and probably pick up a snow blower or blade for the winter. Ideally, in a year or two I'll upgrade to a subcompact, or maybe keep the Cub and get a larger compact for the bigger projects.

I've gotta admit, I'm falling in love with the Cub, for mowing purposes anyway. It's solid (akin to the IH Cubs of old), rides pretty nice, runs like a top, and mows better than any tractor I've seen. The 3-blade 48" deck is definitely the best part of the setup. It's got full width adjustable-height rollers, and makes an absolutely perfect cut.

I have run into a couple of minor issues, as would be expected with any used machine. The oil had a significant amount of gas in it when the tractor was delivered. I was worried at first, but it just turned out to be a float stuck open, which over time allowed gas to fill the combustion chambers, and then seep past the rings. Changed the oil and filter, and the oil is still clean after an additional 10 hours I've put on it. Also found out that the large front PTO pulley that drives the PTO shaft was bent. It's in a vulnerable spot, so previous owner may have hit something. I replaced the pulley and belts, adjusted the PTO brake, and it's working like new.

Long story short, I payed less than $2k for the machine, put about $200 in tuneup and small repairs, and it's easily superior to most $4-6k new garden tractors.

Here are pics from the dealer (I'll get some of my own, and post them):

Here's what it did with a VERY rough old field that had 6-8" grass/weeds growing:

This isn't the same spot, but this is basically what the field above was like before I spent an hour and a half playing on it:

So........ to sum it all up, Kubota denied me credit for short credit history, so I found a used Cub and I love it. There is still a Kubota in my future, but not yet.

 

[Glenn]

That lays down some nice stripes for a tractor!

I've had that float issue happen to me a few times; on a Briggs engine and a Kawasaki engine..on commercial mowers. I shut the petcock off every time I'm done mowing.

 

[campgottagopee]

Nice stripes!!! Glad you found something that will work for you----I have a cousin who will buy nothing but Cub and has had good luck with them for years---under 2k=great deal.

 

[Marc]

I like deck rollers until you roll them through a big pile of dog shiat.

 

[drjeff]

I like deck rollers until you roll them through a big pile of dog shiat.

been there, done that

 

[SkiDork]

I once accidentally mowed a box turtle when I was mowing some high grass. I ran home crying I was so upset. I love box turtles...

 

[drjeff]

I once accidentally mowed a box turtle when I was mowing some high grass. I ran home crying I was so upset. I love box turtles...

I had an encounter when I was about 8 or 9 with a push mower and about a 15" long garter snake :eek; Really left a lasting impression on me - I still can't stand snakes to this day