Tractors, and their immediate relatives, have played a large part in shaping the modern world. Their history can be traced back to the early to mid 1800s with the first machines being steam-powered plows. And though they may always be most closely connected to agriculture, tractors have been found to be of great use in other fields, pun intended, including landscaping and construction.

The classic models are often referred to as utility tractors, and some younger cousins that show a close family resemblance are called, among other names, tractor loaders, backhoe loaders and wheel loaders. The following spec rundown will look at all these varieties, and because landscape professionals tend to opt for, and manufacturers tend to target the industry with, the compact models of those varieties, that is where the focus is here.

But first, a couple of notes. "Compact" tractor loaders, backhoe loaders and wheel loaders are much larger than compact utility tractors so a direct comparison is not practical. On the smaller side, sub-compact utility tractors, again because of their value to the industry, are also included in this rundown.

As for what distinguishes a sub-compact model from a compact one, Kubota, which states to have created the sub-compact market category in 2000, places the dividing line after a model that weighs 1,570 pounds. However TYM lists a 3,108-pound model as a sub-compact (though we have it in the compact category here).

One of the biggest advantages of traditional tractors is that they tend to have rear power take-off systems or PTOs that can provide rotary power to attachments that may be stationary or pulled. And to make utility tractors better suited for the landscape industry, different tires are usually available.

A common configuration for tractors used in landscaping is to be outfitted with a front loader, which are an add-on most of the time but integral to wheel loaders, tractor loaders and backhoe loaders, so when pricing the utility tractors, we included a front loader in the price.

Also, on the pricing found here: LC/DBM arrived at the numbers through the manufacturers, and when not available, by researching online equipment sales sites, dealer price lists and other sources. Actual prices may vary of course depending on numerous circumstances so caution should be exercised when comparing these numbers.

And where multiple loader specs were listed for a given model, the largest figure was used - where multiple weights were listed, the smallest was.

TKioti
Price: $12,400
Model: CS2210
Engine: S773L-F21 diesel with pressurized radiator
Horsepower: 21.1
Weight: 1,485 lbs.
Wheelbase: 55.1"
Lift Capacity: 675.3 lbs.
Lift Height: 71.3"
Breakout Force: 1,332 lbs.
Special Features: Twin HST pedals, mid PTO, 4WD.
Website: www.kioti.com/products/tractors/cs-series/cs2210

TYM
Price: $14,500
Model: T254
Engine: Yanmar 3TNV80F
Horsepower: 24 gross
Weight: 1,638 lbs.
Wheelbase: 57.5"
Lift Capacity: 722 lbs.
Lift Height: 75.3"
Breakout Force: 1,190 lbs.
Special Features: Cast iron, hydrostatic transmission with 2-range speed control, cruise control.
Website: www.tym-tractors.com/tractors/t254-compact-utility-tractor

John Deere
Price: $17,907
Model: 1025R
Engine: Yanmar 3TNV80F-NCJT diesel
Horsepower: 23.9
Weight: 1,444 lbs.
Wheelbase: 57.1"
Lift Capacity: 836 lbs.
Lift Height: 71.2"
Breakout Force: 1,819 lbs.
Special Features: Hydrostatic transmission with Twin Touch™ foot controls, optional iMatch™ quick-hitch feature.
Website: www.tinyurl.com/yam442u7

Massey Ferguson
Price: $18,867
Model: GC 1710
Engine: 2-side, 3-cylinder diesel
Horsepower: 22.5
Weight: 1,433 lbs.
Wheelbase: 57.1"
Lift Capacity: 870 lbs.
Lift Height: 72.8"
Breakout Force: 920 lbs.
Special Features: Backhoe comes as standard equipment and features a fully integrated four-point sub-frame, large-diameter cylinders, and boom float control.
Website: www.tinyurl.com/y88mo3a4

Kubota
Price: $19,782
Model: B2680
Engine: Kubota D1005 diesel
Horsepower: 25.5
Weight: 1,521 lbs.
Wheelbase: 55.1"
Lift Capacity: 739 lbs.

Avant Tecno
Price: Mid-$20,000s
Model: 420
Engine: Kubota D722 diesel
Horsepower: 20
Weight: 980-1,030 lbs.
Wheelbase: 43.3"
Lift Capacity: 1,210 lbs.
Lift Height: 108.3"
Special Features: Articulated body, telescopic boom comes standard.
Website: www.avanttecno.com/www/us/machines/400-series

KIOTI
Price: $17,450
Model: CK2610
Engine: 3A165LWM-U ECO-friendly diesel
Horsepower: 24.5
Weight: 2,646 lbs.
Wheelbase: 65.7"
Lift Capacity: 1,252 lbs.
Lift Height: 98.4"
Breakout Force: 2,110 lbs.
Special Features: Power Steering, 9x3 manual transmission.
Website: www.kioti.com/products/tractors/ck10-series/ck2610

Kubota
Price: $18,497
Model: B2601
Engine: Kubota D1105 E-TVCS Diesel
Horsepower: 25.5
Weight: 1,632 lbs.
Wheelbase: 61.4"
Lift Capacity: 948 lbs.
Lift Height: 78.5"
Breakout Force: 2,144 lbs.
Special Features: Hydrostatic 3-range transmission, tilt steering wheel, telescoping stabilizers.
Website: www.kubota.com/product/BSeries/B2301.aspx

John Deere
Price: $19,737
Model: 2025R
Engine: Yanmar 3TNV80F-NCJT diesel
Horsepower: 23.9
Weight: 1,793 lbs.
Wheelbase: 63"
Lift Capacity: 1,027 lbs.
Lift Height: 78.5"
Breakout Force: 2,363 lbs.
Special Features: Hydro transmission with TwinTouch™ pedals, optional iMatch Quick-Hitch implement hookup, cruise control.
Website: www.tinyurl.com/y834scdb

TYM
Price: $21,050
Model: T354
Engine: Yanmar 3TNV88C-KKTF
Horsepower: 34.2
Weight: 3,108 lbs.
Wheelbase: 64.5"
Lift Capacity: 2,166 lbs.
Lift Height: 102.3"
Breakout Force: 3,435 lbs.
Special Features: Cruise control mode, hydrostatic transmission, heated cabin.
Website: www.tinyurl.com/yb3rn22b

Kubota
Price: $22,169
Model: B3350SU
Engine: Kubota V1505-T-E4-D26-R E-TVCS diesel
Horsepower: 33
Weight: 1,874 lbs.
Wheelbase: 65.6"
Lift Capacity: 1,146 lbs.
Lift Height: 84.6"
Breakout Force: 2,321 lbs.
Special Features: Hydraulic power steering, HST 3-range transmission, tool box.
Website: www.kubota.com/product/b3350SU/B3350SU.aspx

Branson
Price: $22,500
Model: 3515R
Engine: Vertical, water cooled diesel
Horsepower: 35
Weight: 3,014 lbs.
Wheelbase: 65.78"
Lift Capacity: 1,835 lbs.
Lift Height: 98.4"
Breakout Force: 3,456 lbs.
Special Features: Hydrostatic steering, 4-wheel drive, cast iron frame and body.
Website: www.bransontractor.com/Series/15-Series/Tractors/3515.aspx

LS
Price: $23,100 Model: XR3135H
Engine: 4-Cylinder, CRDI, water-cooled turbo diesel
Horsepower: 35
Weight: 3,285 lbs.
Wheelbase: 66"
Lift Capacity: 2,178 lbs.
Lift Height: 92.7"
Breakout Force: 3,450 lbs.
Special Features: Dual pedal, 3-range hydrostatic transmission, power steering, fender mounted joystick for front end loader.
Website: www.lstractorusa.com/products/compact-tractors/xr-series

Kubota
Price: $23,974
Model: L4701
Engine: Kubota direct injection vertical diesel
Horsepower: 47.3
Weight: 3,307 lbs.
Wheelbase: 72.8"
Lift Height: 105.2"
Lift Capacity: 1,684 lbs.
Special Features: Hydraulic power steering, HST transmission or gear drive with synchro-shuttle, bevel gear front axel (4WD model).
Website: www.kubota.com/product/L3301/L3301.aspx

John Deere
Price: $26,355
Model: 3038E
Engine: Yanmar 3TNV86CT-NJT diesel
Horsepower: 36.7
Weight: 2,222 lbs.
Wheelbase: 62.8"
Lift Capacity: 1,186 lbs.
Lift Height: 84"
Breakout Force: 1,704 lbs.
Special Features: Standard four-wheel drive, hydro transmission with Twin Touch™ pedals, on-board diagnostics, optional iMatch Quick-Hitch implement hookup.
Website: www.tinyurl.com/ycwfzff4

Mahindra
Price: $27,490
Model: 2538 HST
Engine: Mahindra common rail diesel (mCRD™)
Horsepower: 37.4
Weight: 3,130 lbs.
Lift Capacity: 1,634 lbs.
Lift Height: 101.4"
Breakout Force: 2,696 lbs.
Special Features: Diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) on engine instead of diesel particulate filter (DPF), hydrostatic power steering.
Website: www.mahindrausa.com/tractors/2500-series/2538-hst

Massey Ferguson
Price: $38,177
Model: 1742
Engine: 1.7L 3-cylinder diesel
Horsepower: 41.6
Weight: 3,803 lbs.
Wheelbase: 71.1"
Lift Capacity: 1,840 lbs.
Lift Height: 102.4"
Breakout Force: 2,190 lbs.
Special Features: Electronic 3-range hydrostatic transmission, 12X12 power shuttle, optional mid PTO.
Website: www.tinyurl.com/ydhpmu22