Should You Use a Tractor or a BCS?

[@Shambala_G]

I just love the fact that there are people your age who love farming... No matter what your preference on machinery. Great video 👍👍👍

[@zaklanfarm]

Thank you, loving it more and more.

[@bekabeka71]

I’m 28 and I’m a young farmer

[@gabeelton8548]

thanks for the info, I am three years into small farming 6 acres but only 1/3 under production with a BCS 749 tiller and flail mower and am already looking towards adding a small tractor in order to expand my production area. One thing that is severely lacking on youtube is small farming videos with tractors...things like which implements and which bed widths and which tire widths and how much room needed to turn around....I think you could really find a niche here with your channel covering those topics and more.

[@zaklanfarm]

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, we also think that as more and more farms look to grow a bit beyond the 1.5 acre of JM Fortier style there is a need to also increase mechanization and min. the toll on our bodies. A small compact tractor that also works in the same system with the BCS is a great answer to this scale question. We love ours so far and have no regrets on making the upgrade.

[@biosyncfarm]

It might also be worth mentioning the difference in repair cost for BCS vs. other tractors especially if they're diesel.

[@zaklanfarm]

This is a good point☝️

[@DaileysFarmTools]

Hi, Nice video. I have several thoughts. One thing I have to point out about your BCS tractor is that it has the old style "too heavy" BCS 32" power harrow. Having to deal with that implement would make most folks want to consider a 4 wheel tractor, even with the front weights on it. There are way better options than the BCS 32" power harrow. So primarily to folks watching this video, keep that in mind. Disclaimer: I operate one of the top 2 or 3 largest 2 wheel tractor dealers in the USA. Not trying to get people to buy 2 wheel tractors here. Just wanted to be upfront about that. There are "types" of people who like riding on 4 wheel tractors and some that don't. So that will "play" into the decision on purchasing a tractor. Also more importantly scale of the property you are managing is key. In many cases folks run both 4 wheel tractors and 2 wheel tractors especially once they are managing a decent size of land. Personally, I much prefer a 2 wheel tractor to my 4 wheel tractor because I enjoy it much more. I am talking about soil working operations. Its very easy to run and wear and tear physically is minimal. Except in cases when one buys implements that are way too heavy and annoying, such as that 32" BCS power harrow. FYI: There is now a compost spreader for the 2 wheel tractor, and its super nice. you can spread compost very quickly and completely cover a 30" bed with it. For operations like mowing large areas of pasture, I jump on my 4 wheel tractor. I will never mow 5 acres of pasture with a 2 wheel tractor...I have better things to do with my time. But mowing all my steep slopes and around my ponds, I ONLY use my 2 wheel tractor. The way 2 wheel tractor dealers are setup, there are very few who are "experts". So unfortunately for most folks who buy the 2 wheel tractors, they won't get any setup advice or "best practice" advice unless they buy from one of the couple of 2 wheel tractor dealers in USA who specializes in ONLY 2 wheel tractors...like we do. Thanks for the video.

[@ronbell7920]

I echo this statement. I personally love my walking tractor, Grillo G-107d, I mow and bush hog with it in areas that are to steep for my 4 wheel tractor. If one is looking into buying a sub-compact tractor with the little wheels, think real hard about purchasing a two wheel tractor. Less up front cost means one can purchase more implements! Plus you get the benefit of a little exercise when doing your chores. My two wheeled tractor with the rotary plow and power harrow makes seed beds that cannot be replicated any other way!

[@biosyncfarm]

I want the spreader so bad, but I'm already getting the rotary plow and PDR

[@FeralEarthGardens]

I took the opposite approach since my land needed lots of dirtwork for access roads, leveling areas and garden bed making...now Im wanting a 2 wheel to supplement in the fine tuning of growing and property maintenance, mainly for mowing and cultivating when conditions are a bit too wet for the Kubota L2501. Average 15° slopes everywhere this part of Kentucky.

[@thibui765]

I used both of tractor , that what I got Thanks for filming a video L,S&S 🙏👍

[@chadsorganics1380]

Good video. Being the owner of both a BCS853 and subcompact JD.1025r..I wish I splurged earlier on the John Deere. I have strained my body operating the BCS and could have gotten the job done much faster. Having said that I still love the BCS and still use it for the bio-shredder that is usually attached as it's nice not to have change implements often for frequent tasks.

[@zaklanfarm]

Totally agree. I think for the price point the BCS is a great entry level tool, but we also felt the wear and tear on the body has a big cost. We're so happy with the Kabota tractor we purchased and how much easier and faster everything is now.

[@tylerwright6653]

For anyone watching this video I personally on BCS 853 and I can tell you that most of the issues he points out with the walk behind tractor or user error And that the problems are not with the unit it’s self

[@marcuslarson5313]

This video was very helpful for my research, and it was also really well done. In terms of cost and starting up, the Kubota dealer near us finances at zero cost. If possible, building that into your monthly expenses as a newer farmer might help a farmer grow and transition from other income more quickly. I'm so frugal that it is sometimes easy to miss the value in spending more to get more. Thanks for the well done video.

[@curtrn]

Started with the old Gravely walk behind tractor.I now have 5 my favorite implement for each walking tractor.Now that I'm in my 50's I added a 30 HP 4wd with a front end loader. I love them all. My body is not as strong as it once was ,but I believe both styles are a must. It worked out ; I was broke but , young and strong. Now I'm a little less broke and a little less strong. A man adapts.

[@zaklanfarm]

I love this. It's very true how these factors change over time. The other factor is time, it feels like when you start you have all the time and no money and then it flips.

[@mcinnisconstructs2788]

I totally agree with you guys! I used to be young, strong and could work all day. Oh yeah and broke. Time seemed to drag by. Now I'm in my mid 50s not young anymore, can't work all day and time flies by. The good thing is I have a little more money now at least for now. Time changes things it does seem to flip. I enjoyed your video, thanks from South Alabama.

[@yuialde9821]

Thanks for sharing! I love your content! There aren’t many videos and tutorials about tractor market farming. I hope you keep making more videos about it. There’s definitely good market as more people are switching to tractor based farming

[@zaklanfarm]

Thanks for the feedback. We’re going to try to put out more videos this year. Now that the farm is more established and we have more time for it.

[@jasonpeters3228]

I hope you find a nice Farm in BC to farm again and come back to share the creation.

[@soronos8586]

If you’re experiencing body pain from using a BCS you need to spend some time practicing resistance training. Maintaining the farm is great. Maintaining the body is essential. Make farmers fit again. 😂

[@sven471111]

I have just the Chinese copy of the BCS but the work is the same. Forget about plowing heavy soil or untouched greenland. The work is too heavy and the machine has not enough power. Even with iron wheels it's difficult. Also it's too hard body work when you get older. The BCS is very fine in tilling before planting vegetables. It's good for mowing grass when the land is not too big. It's good for cleaning snow in the winter. A friend of mine is a professional gardener. He has some greenhouses and bought one of these very small used japanese tractors and is very happy with it because it saves him a lot of time and work. The BCS is good for greenhouses where you can't enter with a tractor or you don't have many. I bought also a small tractor because it wasn't for me anymore to walk hours behind the machine and the surface per hour is very low. I would advice a small tractor and those japanese ones starts also from 15hp or so. You can use the BCS for tilling weeds if you plant the vegetables with enough space between the rows or use smth similar with a smaller tiller. But that's all for what those things are good.

[@mattryan2288]

Thanks for the video!!! I am currently researching the very question (bcs vs tractor) for the market garden we will be starting. Can you share more about the implements you use for the Kubota?

[@johncraftenworth7847]

With the handlebar height adjustment on the two wheel tractors, you shouldn't ever need to be walking and operating the equipment in a manner that is hard on your back. From experience, I know the tiring effects are felt primarily in the chest, arms and legs. Further, using the 2 wheel tractors is not "abuse" on your body. The human body is different than mechanical machinery because the more it is used (as long as it is not pushed beyond safe working limits), the better, stronger and more durable your body becomes. It's called exercise. It may be tiring, but you'll sleep well at night, and it's all actually *very* good for the health of your mind and body. Also, I disagree with your comments about the two wheel tractors being a cheaper way to go than a 4 wheel tractor. While the cost of a new or used two wheel tractor is far less than the cost of a *new* 4 wheel tractor, it is not commonly less than the cost of a used small utility or field tractor. Farmall small cultivating tractors like the Cubs and As, Ford 9Ns and many others from yesteryear are basically as capable as their modern counterparts, are sized and designed *better* for cultivating work (better ground clearances), and can be commonly found in good running order for 1500-3000 dollars. Also, used 3 point implements on craigslist are often as cheap or cheaper than two wheel tractor implements. Often the new implements are the same cost or cheaper as well, it depends on what you're talking about. The reason for this is that there are so many 3 point implements out there in the hands of consumers, and more being made by competing manufacturers. The smaller 2 wheel tractor market with only a small number of manufacturers makes the cost of implements higher (supply and demand). Also, it is very difficult to find used BCS tractors and implements, and very easy to find used 4 wheel tractors and implements. The advantage of the two wheel tractor is largely in the size/form factor being more appropriate and convenient for smaller fields and garden plots, NOT in its cheaper price tag.

[@zaklanfarm]

great! thanks for your input

[@biosyncfarm]

I agree to an extent but since most BCS models have a differential control and various working speeds depending on the terrain you're working in, it shouldn't really be all that hard on your body unless you're running it all day every day then you're going to be tired out anyway. although I disagree with the affordable deals to be found for a 4 wheel tractor being accessible. At least in my area, all the hobby farmers and new hip farmers bought all of them up and are now harder to find, and expensive to boot because now people are painting them and fixing them up and flipping them for almost as much as you can buy a brand new Kubota these days! we have a few BCS dealers near us that are full service, and thats extremely important that I can pretty much order any part and it won't take that long to arrive. I would buy a kubota before I accidentally bought a lemon someone painted to look nice.

[@Wingnut353]

Yeah but you can buy a BCS NEW... a 50 year old tractor is just that an watch out for 8Ns and 9Ns with cracked and welded tranny cases etc... it happens. Old tractors have old tractor issues that cost $ and time. In any case the sweet spot is no the N series tractors anyway but the later 2000-5000 series tractors of of which are solid workhorses. I wouldn't sneeze at most other 70s-80s era tractors either from MF or International.

[@johncraftenworth7847]

@@Wingnut353 it can be viewed as incorrect thinking, because there were SO many more farmers 100 years ago, and popular tractors like N series sold SO many, and the stuff is so durable, that tractors are available to buy without a lot of effort, as well as spare parts and aftermarket parts (again, on the popular models). The N series actually includes the Jubilee, 600, 800, of which the 800 models are the peaches, almost same size as the NAA with a lot of power, bells and whistles. I get your point on people who will absolutely not roll up their sleeves an get shop manuals, that is where you are 100 percent correct and modern asian diesels are complicated to work on but dependable to use, just like toyotas.

[@Sparkeee1978]

I have both a large 73hp tractor and a bcs 853. The bcs is nice for rotating or changing crops one row at a time mid season. the large machine is fantastic for all the loader work and speed a job gets done. post holes too. The bcs is lighter on the land, like flail mowing rough areas with really wet ground, or down in a ditch. Using a loader with pallet forks allows you to use bulk feeds on pallets that really reduce feed costs and labor moving small bags. Both have their place. If i was more frugal, i would get a 25hp (min) modern 4x4 tractor with loader in the largest most capable frame and loader out there. I will say, hardly anyone ever says I wish i got a smaller tractor. I am partial to the kioti ck2610 with ag tires as a modest starter machine. You can get a backhoe for them as well. The labor savings are so critical and we all know there is never enough time for all the farm chores. I was shocked at bcs implement prices. tractor 3 pt implements can be found for similar prices to bcs implements, and plenty used ones out there too. good luck!

[@zaklanfarm]

Thanks for the comment. We started out with a kioti and moved up to the kabota we have in the video as it straddles the beds and can pull our bed ripper (which means we don't have to broad fork!). So far we have replaced all our BCS work in the main fields with the tractor and just use the BCS for small spaces and our greenhouse.

[@Colonel1Bravo]

I was raised on a massive farm in Mississippi in the 70’s & 80’s. We farmed more than 3500 acres. That said I think the Grillo’s and BCS machines are so awesome. However, it is refreshing to see a new upcoming farmer in this age of Gucci farmers to actually be fair and honest about the benefits of a 4 wheeled tractor. They are both tools that can coexist together and compliment the work of the other on the farm. I agree that if it is possible that both are necessary especially as the area managed becomes larger with more acres. It just makes sense.

[@zaklanfarm]

Thanks for your input. I totally agree

[@offgridcurtisstone]

This was great Doug.

[@zaklanfarm]

Thanks Curtis. Still trying to figure out how to farm and make yt content. I don't know how you do it🤯

[@jamiemelton6527]

Thanks for your thoughts! Well done video

[@zaklanfarm]

Thank you

[@travishammond9802]

Thanks for the video! I'm not sure where Paul got his high horse from, but it must have been a pretty select breeder. Anyway, we are not farmers (yet anyway), but have invested in a 5ac property and plan to maintain some variety of green spaces (trails, etc.). My feeling is that a BCS would be a more suitable option, given a tractor is overkill for mostly flail mower and snow blower work. Not to mention 3-4x the cost at least. We could start adding a few other things (eg. log splitter) and if we start a little personal hobby farm then we'd have something capable of getting us going. Obviously your audience is the small-scale farming community, but for those looking at basic property maintenance BCS seems more practical? I think I would prefer this option over buying separate mowers / blowers, etc.

[@zaklanfarm]

That sounds like a good way to go.

[@steziebear]

Thanks for the advice, Doug!

[@zaklanfarm]

stephen besaw Hey! thanks for watching

[@Fourandaquarter]

I have a couple of observations to make. First off, if you are farming a piece of ground that requires or works nicely with a tractor, then you're probably too big for a walk behind. There is some overlap to be sure, but generally, one will serve you better than the other, depending on the size of property being worked. Second, in general terms, a compact tractor without any attachments costs more than a BCS with a couple of attachments. Even a used compact tractor costs more. Then, take into account any repairs to the used machine, and the costs creep even higher. It's been my experience that it ends up being one or the other in terms of usefulness and practicality. Of course there is always the "nice to have" aspect well, so if cost is less of a concern, then the more pieces of equipment one has, the better.

[@conanruisi]

Honestly the smallest tractor you can get from John Deere is small enough to use in ANY backyard. BCS literally is a tractor, it’s not a unique thing, just the walk behind version. Walk behinds are great if you need to save money but if you were so inclined you could get a John Deere 1025r, operate it in all the same size spaces, and do all the same jobs to the same quality, but with a cab and a stereo and heat and a seat. It really just depends on how much money you have, or are willing to spend. If money is no object, or maybe your goal is just to farm in the backyard while being lazy then you could just use a 1025r or equivalent tractor. I like the BCS but I’m only going to use it for the tiller in one area in my garden, the rest is fine with a sit down tractor

[@grizzle]

We have been using a BCS on our 2 acre farm for three years. We have a new production manager who, as a smaller woman, is hesitant to use the BCS. We are looking into a small garden tractor, but the biggest hang up I'm having is in turn around space. We live with HEAVY deer pressure, and so have deer fencing around the entire garden. What would be the minimum turn around for a sub-compact or compact tractor similar to the one in the video? Would it be better to get a smaller BCS model? Work our different duties (I can do the heavier stuff, she can use tool bar cultivator stuff?) Any thoughts or suggestions would be great. Thanks!

[@zaklanfarm]

I believe our tightest turn around is about 8-10', depending on the implement we have on the tractor we have to approach the bed from a specific direction to make it work. Sometime you can get a loan on a tractor from the dealership to trial and see if it works in your set up. good luck.

[@vrcun]

thank you for the vid. can you point me in a direction of soil amendment video that you'd find helpful? thanks

[@danietkissenle]

have you looked at those BIG Chinese hand tractors they use in Asia on the rice patties and fields you can use them with the big implements and you can take them places the big 4x4 tractors cant go. i cant seem to find them here in the states, but they make those bcs look like toys for hobbiests

[@zaklanfarm]

So many cool tools in Asia that you can't get here!

[@allanmacdougall9455]

Thanks for the info, I'm in the process of deciding what to get. What model Is the tractor? How many HP? Thanks

[@zaklanfarm]

L3901 (39HP)

[@kamaljitsinghpannu2767]

Where are located in Canada or USA please

[@zaklanfarm]

We’re in British Columbia, Canada

[@gaulix75]

great video! can you provide a bit more detail on the Kubota specs (model, size, etc.) ? thanks!

[@zaklanfarm]

It's a L3901 (39HP) with the tires flipped to fit our bed width. We went for that large to pull a few of the bigger implements we wanted like the bed ripper.

[@mountainwise5517]

@Tom-fz6peYou can reduce the width between your tires by swapping wheels

[@sknerl]

I bet you’re loving that quickhitch. Once you figure it out...

[@zaklanfarm]

I love it! It's an integral part of the farm

[@ricuracaribena2925]

Do you guys still use both bcs and the kubota? if so how do you layout the beds?

[@zaklanfarm]

We still use the BCS, mostly just for greenhouse work. Everything is 4' center to center with a 30" bed top.

[@miguelarosariotorres8002]

@@zaklanfarm can you show a video or photo on how to make a raised bed like you do?

[@jasperaj1]

I had a BCS and now have a four wheel drive Iseki with 21 HP. I would never ever swap back to the BCS.

[@oahuguppyguy5797]

They have a riding attachment tho right? Would that solve the body punishing issue?

[@zaklanfarm]

You can connect a cart which you can ride on. The issue is that when that is connected you can't use another implement.

[@gillianlocascio-drutis2320]

I'm used to using a BCS, but haven't used a subcompact riding tractor before - what have you found you require for turning radius at the ends of the beds??

[@zaklanfarm]

8-10 feet

[@erric288]

Would you say the AG tires are necessary for ag specific work? I'm looking at picking up a used Kubota L2800 that has industrial tires and was wondering if it would be suitable for a market garden framework, or if I'll need to get AG tires put on it to do ground engagement work. Thanks!

[@goodbodha]

Ag tires are always the answer if you plan on going over any ground that isn't concrete, gravel, or grass. Once the soil doesnt have a cover of some sort most other tire types have a problem of one sort or another.

[@bert26a]

If you wanted an easier way to change implements for your Kubota look into Lion Forge's Simplement system it takes just minutes to change implements far better than any other quick coupler system out there.

[@zaklanfarm]

Hey Thanks for sharing. We went with the Jiffy Hitch system and love it. It's well worth investing in a quick attach system for sure.

[@karlbinger8346]

Pretty interesting video - I am on the opposite spectrum and wondering if maybe you could help me with some knowledge gaps? I have Kubota with a tiller, middle buster, box blade, etc.; however, I started looking into getting a BCS in order to make 30" beds (i.e. using the rotary plow), flail mower (to mulch the existing crop), and for the power harrow (to till in the compost and amendments). How are you doing this with the Kubota? I heard you mention you have 4' beds, but what implement is making the raised bed? I've looked at some but they require 50 HP.

[@zaklanfarm]

Hey, Sorry for the late response on this. Maybe you’ve figured it out by now. Our beds are 4’ center to center. (30” bed top) So we’ve picked implements that work that width. from flail mower, to ripper, to power harrow. The beds aren’t very raised, but i guess the power harrow does raise a bit. I really need to make a clarifying video, keep an eye out for it.

[@540isilver]

I really like the tractor with a quick hitch and a cab

[@stanroesner2532]

Good job, informative!!

[@zaklanfarm]

Thank you

[@FriendlyCleaningKC]

Is bed prep possible with a tractor in a greenhouse?

[@zaklanfarm]

we can do some initial bed prep in the greenhouse, but we still use our BCS for final bed prep

[@theforexlife3244]

Great video thank you

[@theforexlife3244]

Any chance of a vid on your compost spreader that attaches to your Kubota?

[@zaklanfarm]

Thanks for the request. I'll put it into the queue of videos to make.

[@kamarudinbinhanipah7918]

For a rice planters especially I agrees with the fact that you're battling with the BCS. It's not easy to operate BCS on a muddy rice fields the way rice is planted in Asia.

[@AttilaToth1]

What really makes difference between a two-wheel and a four wheeled tractor is the size of the land you want to work on. For one acre or less you definitely want a two-wheel tractor, it's versatile and effective. Beyond 2 acres working with it will place too much effort to your body, and you will need a bigger machine.

[@ronaldatkinson2051]

Both.I have both and I use both when I can.

[@cristiandemirel1918]

Very informative video, but I don't think that the market for a walk behind tractor and the market for a real tractor overlap, just like people who are in the market for a station wagon don't also look at private jets. Even an old second hand tractor is two to three times more expensive than a BCS. If we're talking about new products, than probably an entry-level tractor from a decent brand is about 5 to 6 times more expensive than a new BCS. I think that walk behind tractors are for people who work 2, maybe 3 acres of soft land at the most.

[@zaklanfarm]

Ya I think that's fair to say. We started with the BCS and loved it. Now that we're a bit bigger we only use it in the greenhouses.

[@dinaablazo5868]

Can you help me where to buy bcs. I am from samar philippines

[@zaklanfarm]

I’m not sure who would be your supplier there. Is there a store locator in the BCS website?

[@tetteviben]

There are walking tractors similar (same technology) to bcs in China. See Zhejiang Pacesetter machine co.ltd on alibaba.com I have two of such chinese made bcs type walking tractors and they work perfectly.

[@paulsalvaterra]

U got a lot to learn How to use a 3 pt hitch and a bcs

[@zaklanfarm]

✌️ definitely never stop learning 🤗

[@matts7975]

Lmao, just the bucket and arms on that tractor cost about as much as a BCS. I would hope you would prefer the kubota, all things aside.

[@paulsalvaterra]

sounds like u do not understand a 3 point hitch either, perhaps a broadfork

[@zaklanfarm]

Hey, we've been farming for 10 years. We're very familiar with 3point hitches, and broadforks. Each have their place ✌️

[@handyman3320]

You call it abuse, I call it a workout that in the long run I'm sure it keeps you fit.

[@zaklanfarm]

Haha I'd love to hear if this is still your opinion after farming with it for multiple years. ✌️

[@josebone8759]

@@zaklanfarm guess I'm thinking of my grandfather who worked on his farm in the Dominican Republic doing it the back breaking way and passed 7 months ago at 107 years old. I'm sure this had something to do with it. What do I know, lm a city boy. Funny thing is my back started hurting and the very tough Physical Therapy exercises is what helped.

[@ericlakota6512]

With kabota you pay for name to their are lot of tractors just as nice but better you need to do your reserch starting out kubota isent the greatest tractor on earth like made out to be vary good tractor but if they arent woried about only having kubota witch is a great name theirs lots of good small tractors with not aswell known names for a lot cheeper the china ones are realy good and ive talked to a few with tracors ive never herd of and they say nothing but good stuff

[@zaklanfarm]

Thanks for your input. Before we bought this tractor we owned a kioti, an off brand tractor. is was a totally fine machine. The reason we went with this kabota was that it straddles our beds perfectly, they also hold their value incredibly well so if we need to sell it we can get a great price for it. I'm not sure that's the same for other brands.

[@mar1video]

Farmer = (mechanik + electrician + plumber) - certification

[@zaklanfarm]

And a million other things too. It keeps it interesting!

[@Tyler-yn5xe]

From what ive seen, its much cheaper to buy a used tractor. The implements are cheaper also

[@benzion786]

Does that guy looks like Diego Luna or is it just me???

[@zaklanfarm]

Thanks for the compliment😆

[@ericcrnkovich4488]

If anyone is really having this debate on what to buy, do yourself a favor and GET A REAL TRACTOR. Your body will thank you.

[@pinseekergaming4760]

Both.

[@zaklanfarm]

If you can. That's what we do

[@paulsalvaterra]

U do not understand how to use a bcs

[@zaklanfarm]

If the BCS works for you, that's great!

[@contemplator1993]

Doesn't BCS gives immense hands & body pains. I feel there is a fix for it by implementing two sets of horizontal tines blades to it. I have seen a person experimenting with it where we don't need to push the handle down at all. It keeps going in a straight line when the differential lock is applied.

[@joeyoliver579]

A tractor is the best tool money can buy. Time is money. The BCS is too limited.

[@zaklanfarm]

I think I would personally agree. At the same time the BCS can fit places a tractor sometimes can't.

[@TRINITY-ks6nw]

1st Tractor 2nd BCS

[@mathewrichards7309]

Lol bcs is way over priced its cheaper to buy a tractor in my country

[@johnstagg7901]

That BCS cost around $9000.00. You can buy a very nice used tractor for less!