While this is true, my neighbor went this direction and had a 39 hp tractor and a commercial grade zero turn. I think the zero turn cost him about $7K. The zero turn lasted 3 years and it began to spend more time in the shop than at his place. Unless your pasture is super smooth, I'd use a tractor. Get a finish mower if you want a really clean cut.
If you're not in a hurry wait until one of the big stock shows. The dealers always run specials.

This, we bought a JDE-3038E and the seat is just terrible, all tractors should have an air soft type of seat. The detachable bucket is really handy and the factory FEL frame is out of the way and way less weight than an aftermarket add on.

I just bought a 25hp JD with loader and 5' shredder for less than $300/mth. I use it on my 5 acres and do some shredding for extra cash, nice little tractor. Use it daily, have 100 hrs on it and bought it less than 3 mths ago. I did have to take it in for a leak, factory mistake but they fixed it. It comes with a 2 year or 2000 hr warranty.

Thanks all, I am going to look at the today and see what I think

I think I am going to go with the John Deere 25 HP, grant it, I can't lift round bales with it, but was assured I can use a rear fork. It seems like it will be enough to move a bale, mow, maintain a horse arena, and stay somewhat in my current budget

ALWAYS buy more tractor than you think you need.

Commercial grade varies just like tractors, Lowe’s sells I quote “ commercial grade”.... any way JD 30hp’ish ZT 10 years old and almost 2000hrs, seen shop twice in its lifetime, one of those was new tires. mows 7 acres weekly, Before that he was using 40hp JD.

Pluses and minus to both. But for under 5 acres no point in a tractor unless AC cab is a must.

I am bias and I will admit that I feel a sub 60hp is like a garden nome, they are funny to look at and can’t really do anything. You get to a point that your time is worth way more then what the tractor is capable of. I honestly feel if you have a few acres you would be better served with bobcat and zero turn... or zero turn and rent a bobcat w/40 attachments

Might be a good idea to give Navasot / Gavin a call at J5 tractor.

The young man knows his stuff, won't lie to make a sale, if he doesn't know the answer to a question he won't make one up or say what you want to hear and won't push his 'brand'.

In my opinion, For a sub compact tractor it is hard to beat a Mahindra when you compare specs, capabilities & capacitys.

^^^^This. Gavin is "the man" when it comes to farm equipment. We bought a used Mahindra from him 3 years ago. Awesome tractor. He made the delivery and was a pleasure to work with. Great guy.

The Mahindra I posted above is from Gavin. Been a good tractor

Agree (with a few changes)

But you'd be surprised how often you need to move something heavy (skidsteer), do a few minutes of dirt work (skidsteer) level ground, or gravel (skidsteer), gather and move brush (skidsteer). Mowing is easy, and 7 months a year. The other chores are 12 months a year.

Before I bought my new JD about 15 yeRs ago, a friend told me that. Tractor without a FEL was half a tractor. And that a FEL without 4wd was useless. Glad I took his advice. Got a new 40 horse and it does everything I need done

You will like that tractor. Very nimble, plenty power for most things on a small ranch, runs a 5' shredder in deep thick stuff very well. The thing that has really been a blessing is the poly hood and side panels, so much more durable than the cheap metal these days other guys use to try to put down the John deere. I have dropped logs on the hood, run into many branches and trees with no damage and I can walk across the hood to climb up the bucket for hanging tree stands etc...with no damage, big bonus as far as I am concerned. My tractor would be trashed if it were metal.skinned.

I would take a hard look at Kioti. I got my 35hp in May and I've put a little over 60 hours on it now and I am extremely pleased with my decision. It will move a roundbale no problem. Runs a 6' shredder no problem.

FYI - all of the compact and subcompact John Deeres are made by Yanmar.

The only ones making their own tractor are Kubota and Kioti.

Whichever you get - I would definitely get a hyrdostat. I passed on Kubota because 1. I don't like their hydrostat pedal layout 2. I don't like the joystick for the loader being mounted on loader frame up forward and high - I have t rex arms so I like it on the fender by my hip.

PM sent

also ... a dealer will make or break your opinion for service to your tractor unless you do 100% yourself.

I bought a JD 3038e before I bought my place. Little dude is a work horse for its size. I use it for shredding, blading our roads and most recently used it to rebuild a road that was totally washed out. I definitely wouldnt go any smaller and yes, get it with a front end loader. Some before and after pics of my recent work.

"FYI - all of the compact and subcompact John Deeres are made by Yanmar."
Yanmar is one of the most proven diesel construction engines ever made. While FYI ...Kioti is made in South Korea made by Daedong Co.