Buying Advice tractor advice/

[Stephen NY]

Am a NY homeowner on 6 plus acres...5 heavily wooded with heavy sapling and thorny bramble overgrowth.

Trying to sort out size and features of a tractor to deal with getting the back usable (clear saplings, dead trees pulled..brush hog to get rid of heavy undergrowth, some chipping)...I'd like to be able to access use that back 5 acres for ATV trails, archery stands, etc..I am not looking to mow all 6 acres...

Currently use a smaller lawn 'tractor' (wheel horse) just for mowing lawn..and atv pushes a snowblade for 125' driveway..am thinking I could consolidate assuming I get enough tractor for the back while still being nimble enough to mow without the tires destroying the finished lawn...

Appreciate any advice..most have said 30hp, etc. etc... but hard to take advice from someone who barely knows more than you . Ive had a few recommend the kubota 2910 (lighter weight yet capable)..I don't have any brand allegiance..would just like to get the right one the first time. Thanks for any help!!

Also should have added (perhaps obvious) that given it would be my first tractor any advice/guidance appreciated...am a bit cautious/concerned about getting both way too much tractor (where its unwieldly) or even worse way too little and not being able to get done what I need to. The back is heavily wooded..used to be an old farm way back..so there are some large rocks...large dead trees..the usually heavily overgrown bit...am just looking to open it up get some use since I am paying the taxes regardless! Thanks again...

 

[jlsmith]

Am a NY homeowner on 6 plus acres...5 heavily wooded with heavy sapling and thorny bramble overgrowth.

Trying to sort out size and features of a tractor to deal with getting the back usable (clear saplings, dead trees pulled..brush hog to get rid of heavy undergrowth, some chipping)...I'd like to be able to access use that back 5 acres for ATV trails, archery stands, etc..I am not looking to mow all 6 acres...

Currently use a smaller lawn 'tractor' (wheel horse) just for mowing lawn..and atv pushes a snowblade for 125' driveway..am thinking I could consolidate assuming I get enough tractor for the back while still being nimble enough to mow without the tires destroying the finished lawn...

Appreciate any advice..most have said 30hp, etc. etc... but hard to take advice from someone who barely knows more than you . Ive had a few recommend the kubota 2910 (lighter weight yet capable)..I don't have any brand allegiance..would just like to get the right one the first time. Thanks for any help!!

Look into the MF1635l. Its a great cut that will work good in the wood and on the lawn. Good clearance for the trails and the weight to handel the job. Not to mention the 0% for 60 months:thumbsup:

 

[Pushing_Tin]

I have 5 acres and started off with a John Deere 2320, after a few years of use I realized that I needed something that was more stout with more hp, so I sold it and bought a JD 3320 which is a much heavier duty machine.

Somebody earlier this week said something to the effect of "never once in my life have I said, WHOA, that's too much horsepower!" :laughing: Better to have too much and not have to use it, than need it and not have it at all.

I bought my tractor in July and all of the manufacturers were still offering 0%.

 

[TripleR]

As much as I like tractors, I believe the "right" size tractor to do your chores is going to significantly surpass what you will need to maintain your property. I would personally check on the price to have someone do it since you don't have the experience to rent a machine and operate it yourself.

Now if you just want to do it yourself, perfectly understandable, AND are in no hurry, all of this can be done with a 25 or so HP along the lines of the Kubota B Series or the equivalent in John Deere, Kioti, MF etc.

You can also get a good used bigger tractor to accomplish your tasks and sell it when you are done and then buy a maintenance machine; lots of options and good luck.

 

[Stephen NY]

Thanks very much for the quick response....so your saying you think a tractor along the lines of a 2910 (30 hp, my sole frame of reference for the moment) is too much after the initial work is done? I have run a tractor a few times at my in-laws place but would not consider myself more than just basically experienced.

You hit the nail right on the head as far as getting someone..its tedious work given its up in my back treeline...anyone you would trust to do it is far too pricey...and I definitely don't want it clear cut...I want to save many of the trees..put in atv trails, clear out the underbrush..grade a bit...the kind of work thats too time consuming that would cost too much to hire out. Seems my best bet to get it done right (vs. half *ssed) without costing me near the price of a tractor is to do it myself...

The above mentioned 2910 is a 4wd, low hours (150), nearby and seemingly good shape..has a large chipper, block heater, scraper blade, etc...seems a bit pricey (12K)... Definitely appreciate all the input! I don't want buyers regret at these prices 15 minutes (or hours!) later...

 

[jgrreed]

I think that Kubota is a nice choice, and the price seems reasonable with those attachments. You'll be able to run a smallish flail mower (check out Caroni from Agri Supply), tiller, etc. What tires does it have on it? Ag's (R1's) will chew up your lawn, but turfs wont pull roots well. R4's are a compromise, but not a good one.

Be safe if you do get a machine. Go slow, don't sidehill, keep your loader low, beware of the PTO.....

You'll have a lot of fun.

-J.

ps - "too much" machine is almost impossible!!!

 

[peterc38]

Thanks very much for the quick response....so your saying you think a tractor along the lines of a 2910 (30 hp, my sole frame of reference for the moment) is too much after the initial work is done? I have run a tractor a few times at my in-laws place but would not consider myself more than just basically experienced.

You hit the nail right on the head as far as getting someone..its tedious work given its up in my back treeline...anyone you would trust to do it is far too pricey...and I definitely don't want it clear cut...I want to save many of the trees..put in atv trails, clear out the underbrush..grade a bit...the kind of work thats too time consuming that would cost too much to hire out. Seems my best bet to get it done right (vs. half *ssed) without costing me near the price of a tractor is to do it myself...

The above mentioned 2910 is a 4wd, low hours (150), nearby and seemingly good shape..has a large chipper, block heater, scraper blade, etc...seems a bit pricey (12K)... Definitely appreciate all the input! I don't want buyers regret at these prices 15 minutes (or hours!) later...

IMO that would be a great tractor for your lot size and described usage. You don't say if the 2910 has a loader but assuming it does and is in good shape with 150 hours, 12K is a very good price.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks very much for the quick response....so your saying you think a tractor along the lines of a 2910 (30 hp, my sole frame of reference for the moment) is too much after the initial work is done? I have run a tractor a few times at my in-laws place but would not consider myself more than just basically experienced.

You hit the nail right on the head as far as getting someone..its tedious work given its up in my back treeline...anyone you would trust to do it is far too pricey...and I definitely don't want it clear cut...I want to save many of the trees..put in atv trails, clear out the underbrush..grade a bit...the kind of work thats too time consuming that would cost too much to hire out. Seems my best bet to get it done right (vs. half *ssed) without costing me near the price of a tractor is to do it myself...

The above mentioned 2910 is a 4wd, low hours (150), nearby and seemingly good shape..has a large chipper, block heater, scraper blade, etc...seems a bit pricey (12K)... Definitely appreciate all the input! I don't want buyers regret at these prices 15 minutes (or hours!) later...

Certainly not as it is in the category I mentioned. I have done this kind of work with my old NAA, but it took a long time. Of course the FEL and 4WD will do much more than my NAA.

My personal choice for the work would be along the lines of a 50 HP or bigger. Unless a person is willing/able to own more than one machine, just about any one machine is going to be a compromise. Nothing wrong with a compromise mind you; done it plenty of times.

 

[KU Gator]

We live on 3 acres that is just a big open yard with minimal obstructions. We also have about 12 acres, half wooded, half field. When we bought the 12 acres, we knew the JD garden tractor would not be able to handle it and bought a Kubota B2920 and kept the garden tractor.

I would not expect something in the size of a B2910 to come in and push over even saplings with ease. You will be able to get them out, but as you say, it will be tedious at best. Brush, brambles, etc you can attack with a rotary mower and it will go through it pretty well. Large rocks will depend on how large is large. Big rocks are very heavy. You can roll them out of the way, maybe make a skid and pull them, but when you start trying to pick them up with the bucket, the tractor can get pretty unstable.

As for mowing the yard, I do that sometimes with the B using a MMM. But because I kept the JD, I do it more with garden tractor. But if I didn't have the garden tractor, the B would be fine to use and it does a pretty decent job. If the ground is pretty wet like in the spring, you have to be aware of not turning too sharp or it will tend to tear the grass out and leave tracks.

For snow removal, I just use a rear blade and the FEL. It does ok for my purposes, but we don't typically get a lot of heavy snow here.

That size of tractor will not likely be too big, even once you get much of the work done. You will likely find it is out matched or at least struggling for some of your tasks. As TripleR said at that point you can either hire some work out, rent something bigger, or just keep plugging along the best you can.

I did not notice that you said the one you looked at had a FEL. I would consider the FEL absolutely necessary. I would also want it easily detachable which is the case on the current Kubota's, but I am not familiar with prior models.

Good luck.

 

[Stephen NY]

KU Gator, Triple R, peterc38, jgrreed, PushingTIn, and jlsmith,

Thanks for all the replies! Guess I might really be showing my ignorance..I really thought a 30 hp tractor would be able to push over small saplings and even smaller trees with relative ease. To me 30hp seemed alot...apparently not compared to what I want to be able to do with it! Id say that the 4 plus acre clearage maintenance is first, lawn and driveway nice to haves given i have stuff that covers that fine today.

The Kubota I mentioned does have an FEL..but I definitely don't want to be one of those newbies who decides on the solution before figuring out the problem...only to find out I don't have even close to whats needed.

I do of course have a chainsaw for any larger trees that were in the way..my 'plan' was to use the FEL to kind of push the saplings and smaller brush down and then brushhog over the top...to make a useable work trail...actually several..and then work off of that clearing a bit at a time...if there is a better way(s) I am all ears!

The rocks I had mentioned are likely in the 100-200 pound range..I can roll them or use pry bar into a bucket..but getting too old (and sore!) to move them manually....

Thanks again..already have learned alot in one day! - Stephen
Guess I could try to take a couple of pictures

 

[TripleR]

KU Gator, Triple R, peterc38, jgrreed, PushingTIn, and jlsmith,

Thanks for all the replies! Guess I might really be showing my ignorance..I really thought a 30 hp tractor would be able to push over small saplings and even smaller trees with relative ease. To me 30hp seemed alot...apparently not compared to what I want to be able to do with it! Id say that the 4 plus acre clearage maintenance is first, lawn and driveway nice to haves given i have stuff that covers that fine today.

The Kubota I mentioned does have an FEL..but I definitely don't want to be one of those newbies who decides on the solution before figuring out the problem...only to find out I don't have even close to whats needed.

I do of course have a chainsaw for any larger trees that were in the way..my 'plan' was to use the FEL to kind of push the saplings and smaller brush down and then brushhog over the top...to make a usable work trail...actually several..and then work off of that clearing a bit at a time...if there is a better way(s) I am all ears!

The rocks I had mentioned are likely in the 100-200 pound range..I can roll them or use pry bar into a bucket..but getting too old (and sore!) to move them manually....

Thanks again..already have learned alot in one day! - Stephen
Guess I could try to take a couple of pictures

It all depends on your definition of "small". I have been pushing some over with my L5030 and "mulching" them or dragging them off. A lot will also depend on your soil type and moisture content as well as type of tree.

With a little bit of practice and maybe even a tooth bar, you can probablt get a lot of those rocks in your bucket without leaving the seat.

 

[KU Gator]

I guess a lot depends on the type of sapling too. I think we have a lot of sumac. If you push it, it just bends over. I can acutally cut it with the brush hog or using a brush blade on a heavy duty weed wacker. I also bought a brush grubber to grab onto the saplings and pull. It is actually a pretty good product and using two people, it works pretty well. With only one person, there is a lot of getting on and off the tractor.

BAC Industries Brush Grubber, Model# BG-01 | Weed + Brush Removal | Northern Tool + Equipment

We also have some cedar which are pretty tough to pull out as well as black locust. The smaller Kubotas are pretty light, so they tend to run out of traction before they run out of power when trying to pull trees out of the ground. I don't have liquid in my tires, but usually keep my box blade on for extra traction, but still spin the wheels.

Rocks the size you are talking about are easy with the FEL. We have a lot of those which are no big deal. We also have some that are close to the size of a office desk that were stacked I guess when a water line was put in along the road right of way.

 

[Grandad4]

KU Gator, Triple R, peterc38, jgrreed, PushingTIn, and jlsmith,

Thanks for all the replies! Guess I might really be showing my ignorance..I really thought a 30 hp tractor would be able to push over small saplings and even smaller trees with relative ease. To me 30hp seemed alot...apparently not compared to what I want to be able to do with it! Id say that the 4 plus acre clearage maintenance is first, lawn and driveway nice to haves given i have stuff that covers that fine today.

The Kubota I mentioned does have an FEL..but I definitely don't want to be one of those newbies who decides on the solution before figuring out the problem...only to find out I don't have even close to whats needed.

I do of course have a chainsaw for any larger trees that were in the way..my 'plan' was to use the FEL to kind of push the saplings and smaller brush down and then brushhog over the top...to make a useable work trail...actually several..and then work off of that clearing a bit at a time...if there is a better way(s) I am all ears!

The rocks I had mentioned are likely in the 100-200 pound range..I can roll them or use pry bar into a bucket..but getting too old (and sore!) to move them manually....

Thanks again..already have learned alot in one day! - Stephen
Guess I could try to take a couple of pictures

Stephen, I think many people find removing trees by knocking them down with the tractor becomes an exercise in frustration. Horsepower is not the requirement; it's weight and traction that limit what a tractor can do. Tractors aren't bulldozers, and the physics of leverage just aren't in favor of a tractor pushing or pulling trees at or near ground level. As TripleR says, if the conditions are right, a good sized tractor can do it up to a certain size, but, inevitably, some trees require another tactic. So the idea you can blaze a semi-straight trail through the woods with a tractor often becomes the reality that some trees, maybe even most of them, need to be cut with a chainsaw and the stumps removed by other means or cut off flush to the ground and allowed to decay (for an atv trail, why not?). If your intended trails can meander some, you can often find a path that keeps the stump problem to a minimum, and a B sized Kubota might be perfect for snaking the downed trees out of the way. The other work... mowing, grading with a blade and the FEL, etc... you'll be amazed at what those little Kubota's can do. Of course, a bigger machine will work faster and do more if the budget allows for it.

All that said, if you don't have some experience doing this sort of thing, and you decide to go this route, please go easy and exercise the greatest of caution as you learn. Operating tractors - even one as small as the B Kubotas - can kill you if you're not careful. Downing trees - even small ones - can also kill you. Please learn what is and is not safe, so you can regale the folks here at TBN with your successes!

 

[TripleR]

All that said, if you don't have some experience doing this sort of thing, and you decide to go this route, please go easy and exercise the greatest of caution as you learn. Operating tractors - even one as small as the B Kubotas - can kill you if you're not careful. Downing trees - even small ones - can also kill you. Please learn what is and is not safe, so you can regale the folks here at TBN with your successes!

I couldn't agree more. I exercise the same degree of care and caution on my BX2660 as my L5030 or M8540. I have been driving tractors for over 50 years and am still learning. When I see what a pro can do with a tractor, it is kind of embarrassing.

I give the same advice on operating a tractor as riding an ATV, dirt bike RUV, etc and that is in a lot of situations, just get off the machine and walk the area to get a better idea of the terrain/conditions etc and think it over. If you have any doubts what so ever, don't do it until you can make any needed adjustments or get a little more practice/experience.

Some mishaps are just funny, see "Embarrassing Tractor Moments", it's on a thread somewhere here, but sometimes they can be deadly. We have lost two experienced operators in my area this year.

Not trying to scare anyone, just reinforcing some very good advice.

 

[peterc38]

Just my two cents but I still think a B2910 is a good match for you. If you need to have someone come in with a dozer for a few hours and clear some of the larger areas.

What we are talking about is a B2910 which is an outstanding proven tractor w/ premium features in good shape (per your description) that has:

1.) only 150 hours
2.) FEL
3.) block heater
4.) scraper blade
5.) chipper

for 12K I'd buy it in a heartbeat. :thumbsup:

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

30 to 35 HP in a 3000 lb tractor would do a good job for you and not be to heavy for the lawn. A larger tractor would do the job faster, but after the clearing is done they would be larger than you need. Where are you located in NY?

 

[logan97]

Thanks very much for the quick response....so your saying you think a tractor along the lines of a 2910 (30 hp, my sole frame of reference for the moment) is too much after the initial work is done? I have run a tractor a few times at my in-laws place but would not consider myself more than just basically experienced.

You hit the nail right on the head as far as getting someone..its tedious work given its up in my back treeline...anyone you would trust to do it is far too pricey...and I definitely don't want it clear cut...I want to save many of the trees..put in atv trails, clear out the underbrush..grade a bit...the kind of work thats too time consuming that would cost too much to hire out. Seems my best bet to get it done right (vs. half *ssed) without costing me near the price of a tractor is to do it myself...

The above mentioned 2910 is a 4wd, low hours (150), nearby and seemingly good shape..has a large chipper, block heater, scraper blade, etc...seems a bit pricey (12K)... Definitely appreciate all the input! I don't want buyers regret at these prices 15 minutes (or hours!) later...

Don't know if these machines are in your area. I do not know what exactly they are called. They have a large rotating drum on the front of a big Bobcat style skid/track loader, they are one heck of a machine. We had HEAVY under brush on our property alot of laurels huge Rhododendron. I flagged all the trees we wanted to save and the fellas chipped everything else. The beauty of these machines is they do not disturb the soil just leave wood chips.We have had them out twice and they will be back again this winter. $100 per hour but it is worth every penny. The Forrest is thick on our property when they were done last winter the area they did was transformed to a park like quality. They also make great paths as the machines width with a little wiggle is approx. 8' If you need more specifics I can call them and ask. No piles, No windrows, No soil disturbance just chips.

 

[doall]

You were right, the 30 horse is plenty of horses. The body size of the tractor is what someone was referring to as being to small for the tree clearing. An L series like the 30 horse one would do a lot more because of the extra weight. But I also agree that if you take your time the kubota you are looking at would be fine.

 

[leonz]

Greetings,

You should see about having someone

coming in and clearing the property with

tracked Fecon forest tractor with a brush

and tree chipping drum/land clearing head

or other brand to solve the issue for you,

and avoid issues like getting hurt from

making a mistake you cannot back away from.



leon

 

[Gittyup]

For the bush hogging and chipper, I'd be looking for 30+ HP, preferrably 35.

As for pushing over sapplings, it's all about tractor weight plus the strength of the loader. I have pushed over hundreds of 2 - 3" cherry, walnut, sassafras, maple, etc. with my 25 HP Kioti. Of course, it weighs about 5500 lbs with loader, backhoe, and filled tires. I've even pushed over 7" diameter spruces with little trouble. It's about weight. Then add a toothbar to help you.

The 2910 is a good buy if it has a loader.

For weight consider Kioti, Bobcat, Branson, Mahindra. If you can afford the MF1635, that's a real sweet tractor.

Don't buy too small and regret it later.