Message Board - Machinery: Cushman or Compact tractor?

I'm after peoples experiences, we've got a cushman which we plan to use for spraying, topdressing, scarifying etc. We've decided we are going to upgrade it for a better one, as it needs a bit of work for us to be happy with it.

What I'd like to know is are we better getting a compact tractor or a better condition cushman, (or Toro workman is another option), we're thinking of a budget of around £4k but that may be flexible.

I've seen things like Kubota 3250, 30hp Iseki's etc around our budget, along with a few Cushmans.

Opinions welcomed.

Alex B

What are you looking after?

At the moment it's just a college football pitch, (and the rest of the college ground), but we're planning to get more work for it, so we're looking to buy more than we need if you see what I mean.

Alex B

Hi Alex,

A good question.

Having had experience of both - my thoughts are as follows...

The Cushman \ Workman \ JD Progator type power unit is faster and more manouverable than a tractor - thus if you have large distances between pitches or grounds etc or tight turns with rextricted access, you'd probably be more efficient with the Cushman type.

On the other hand - the Cushman type power unit has to carry all the weight of each implement e.g. sprayer, top-dresser, so if your ground is wet or soft, you might be better with a trailed unit from a tractor with wide tyres.

Also with a scarifier \ slitter \ groomer etc - the Cushman type has to have a pressure frame fitted whereas the tractor has normal linkage to take these implements.

Slopes \ gradients may be another issue - tractors generally have nore gears or may be hydrostatic.

You need to assess the precise needs of your site and select the machine accordingly.

Good luck!! - and regards. Paul.

If I understand this correctly then I think I'd go for a min 40hp compact although "minch"/Paul makes some valid points about access etc..

We're leaning towards a tractor, with 30-40hp, as they seem to be a reasonable size and weight, after that they get expensive and big. Would this be a sensible choice?

It needs to be transported on a trailer so we don't want anything too big, ones we've been looking at have been about 10' long and about 1,300kg.

Alex B

A sensible choice?

Only you can answer that.

I would think demos are in order.