skidding logs, moving things with pallet forks.......I would never want a compact tractor for that work. Will it work, probably, but I'd rather have the hp of a real tractor - again, I would step up into a mid 50 hp tractor at least bare minimum for a single tractor. I have never yet heard anyone say oh I wish that would not have lifted that so easily or I wish my tractor struggled more....subcompact and compact tractors cost just as much as many full sized, better equipped, heavier tractors

I agree with that, except that a smaller tractor is more portable.

I prefer my 70hp turbocharged Brute!

and I prefer my 90+ hp of my old JD4020 with an old 46A loader on it over my Ford 3000 for most jobs.....and you could buy one for the price of a newer compact tractor and still find all the parts you need. Its kind of like trucks - will an F150 or Chevy 1500 pull it - probably but a 350 or 3500 will not struggle as much....

A new Case 580 with loader and backhoe runs $100,000.00-$120,000.00. A new Kubota in the 40-50 hp range will run about $50,000.00-$55,000.00

The full size hoe weighs about 15,000lbs. and is not easily transported by the average property owner. A compact tractor weighs 4,500-6,500lbs. and can be towed behind most heavy duty pick up trucks.

And there is something wonderful about all that horsepower and torque!

However, my 35hp NH makes good money for me whe I take it on a job. It is certainly no slouch.

A guy could buy a Ford 3000 or 4000 series and do about anything. At least as late as the 4610 and maybe later they had almost no unnecessary baggage.

But, the original question was about a compact tractor. That is what I was trying to help him about. And give him many cautions like the tail wagging the dog scenario.

Even a big tractor can easily get overwhelmed. All it takes is a slope and wet ground. One of the best men I ever knew was killed by his own tractor on a wet slope at a slow speed. Another of my best friends was crushed when his started in gear while he was working on it. He survived and recovered.

Every tractor sold should come with extensive instruction. The horsepower, torque, gearing, leverage, pivot points, and countless other forces and issues can be deadly. Some things cannot be made completely safe or they can’t do the job - a tow chain, a chainsaw, or how about a vehicle. People kill and maim each other and themselves everyday on the highways in crappy cars.

It is disturbing to me when I see someone who is clueless and obviously unqualified buy something with which he can easily hurt himself or others. A kid with a brand new driver’s license especially scares the he!! out of me!

Well getting back to compact tractors,....,,..,,

i have a 90 horse n.h skid steer and moved it out of my way so i could pull them with the kubota.having the skid steer also taints my ability to judge the effectiveness of certain elements of the 35 hp kubota.