Apples to Oranges

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

Apples (Wheel Horse red) to Kubota orange.  I might buy this Kubota L245. I wanted a compact tractor, and really wanted a Ford compact, but price have been too high, same with John Deere's. So I might settle for the next best thing, an orange thing.

[davem1111 2,024]

You *could* buy it and paint it  red.... 

 

Personally, I've owned gray, blue, green, and red tractors. All better than having no tractor, or one that can't handle the job you need it to do.

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

I have also own a few brands, Wheel Horses, John Deeres, Cub Cadets, Farmalls, and Fords.  I haven't own the other orange thing yet (Allis Chalmers) nor a Case, nor the other green thing (Oliver), but I like them all.....

[oliver2-44 9,605]

1 hour ago, T-Mo said:

 nor the other green thing (Oliver), but I like them all.....

Oliver's are a great way to avoid the other Green thing.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,439]

I like Red... 

 

But, looks like a nice unit... 

[ebinmaine 67,106]

I've had a few brands over the years. 

 

For the foreseeable future they'll be Wheelhorse.  

 

Around here the Kubota is definitely a well liked brand. 

 

[Handy Don 12,066]

On 10/30/2024 at 8:15 PM, ebinmaine said:

Around here the Kubota is definitely a well liked brand. 

 

Agreed, if only the orange paint didn’t cost as much as the green stuff!

I looked at a very tired, 70’s K with 3-cylinder diesel and a bunch things that needed work. With no attachments, over $3k and firm!

[953 nut 54,907]

The hydroponic green house operation I managed back in the '80s had a mix of brands of compact tractors when I got there. The Kubotas were very dependable and user friendly but the body and paint jobs were terrible. I had an air conditioning shop make up new fenders and hoods from 14 gauge. Over the next few years whenever I came across a good deal on a used Kubota I would buy it to replace the others. Each summer we would rebuild the engine and transmission on one so the fleet would remain dependable. The center cylinder was always egg shaped, poor cooling circulation is my thought. 

[OoPEZoO 504]

I've been chewing over the addition of a subcompact for quite some time now.  I almost pulled the trigger on a new Kioti last week, as they are running a "free" FEL with the purchase of a new tractor right now.  I was quoted out the door pricing of $13-16K depending on which base model tractor was chosen.  I can't even touch a decent used Kubota around here for that price.  I still may do it, but that means I need to get rid of the 522xi I purchased with the intent of building it a FEL.  The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of more weight, 4wd, factory ROPS, and a proper 3-pt / rear PTO. 

 

I don't care what color it is......when you have work that needs to be done, you get the tool that is best suited for the job.  Thats what bums me out about the 5xi series.  It was such a great starting point for an awesome platform, then nothing was done with it.  Such a shame, as I love using it around the property.

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

Interesting youtube video of Kubota suing Kioti:

 

 

[peter lena 8,562]

@T-Mo  good opportunity , to have a heavier unit for the tough stuff , also  detail built , for that  purpose , allowing , (   if you wanted to , reduce the wear and tear on the much older horses ,) think a thorough basic service , verifying what you have  , is what to do . looks very capable to me , ,might even give that a much needed , paint lubrication job , would just spray it down , let it soak  for days / weeks , penetrating oil , mineral oil , kerosene, then a clean cloth , rub down with same lube , probably bring out a  period correct patina , also stop rust . everything I see is just , neglect and could care less ,  like an oil sheen , pete