New land... need a tractor!!

[airbiscuit]

How about an update?

How are you getting along with your tractor? I see from your posts, you've had a few problems starting and a few problems stopping. How is everything in between?

 

[docsfarm]

Re: How about an update?

Thanks for the question. I really like the tractor actually.
Stopping- I think the actual reason was not having the rpms up high enough. And perhaps low transmission/hydraulic fluid from a smal leak. Investigation pending.
Starting is strange- investigation pending here. I'm suspicious of fuel line or perhaps a bad seal in the hand pump housing. Otherwise, size, power and handling are really perfect for my farm. If anything, I'd go maybe to a 60hp. But not much larger. Once these annoyances are worked out, I will be quite happy.
Looking now for a nice 7-8' maybe 10' at most brush hog to help trail clearing.

 

[airbiscuit]

Re: How about an update?

You have a steady outlook on things. Isn't it amazing what CUTs will do, how much you can find to do with them, and how much fun it all is?

 

[glorybonilla]

Re: How about an update?

This is really nice...

 

[docsfarm]

I thought I'd come back with the update.
The starting issue was due to bad fuel lines. Apparently Mahindra had some bad lines on tractors for a year or so and mine was affected. The good news is that it appears to be a warranty issue The small hydraulic leak became much bigger and 2 new hoses later, I'm back in business.
I also had the tired filled with rimguard.... This was fantastic. I love the way it handles now!!

 

[94BULLITT]

Thanks for the update. I'm glad they got you all fixed up.

 

[BigBearDBIII]

I have read ALOT of threads & posts but with so many opinions & particular type of land it is hard to get the right info. I need before purchasing a tractor. I recently purchased 18 acres that is basically a mtn. in NE Alabama (in AL it is considered a mtn. to others it might be referred to as a hill). I had the top (50 yds. wide) & the front side dozed with four horizontal terraces cut in about 100 yards apart & now I need a tractor that I can spread seed with as well as bush hog once grass grows & dig the dirt out of the terrace grooves from the rain pushing it down. My question is since the steeper areas are +/-25 degrees I need to know what "tractor" (not interested in the front end mower on steroids) is best for me. I have read posts that describe: 1. the heavier the better, 2. the lower profile the better, 3. 4x4 better than 2x4, 4. liquid filled rear tires, 5. Rear tire axles that allow to move tires in & out & can add spacers, 6. dually rear tires, etc... I have looked at numerous tractors but having problems deciding which would be the safest, less likely to tip, etc... I have found: 1. 2000 year Agco Allis 5650, 4x4 that has a bucket (800 hrs), 4500 lbs., 50 hp, AG tires; 2. 2010 Mahindra 3316 HST 4x4 with a bucket & 16" backhoe attachment, 2,566 lbs., 30 hp, AG tires; 3. as well as numerous 4x4 compact or subcompact that weigh less the the previous two. Therefore, I need to know what are the most important things I need to be focusing on (weight, height, 4x4, whether the rear axles will allow tires to move, rear axles accept dual tires, etc...) I have attached several pics of the land from the bottom looking up to towards the top & vice-versa.

 

[ovrszd]

Pictures are so deceiving. To reflect the steepness of a grade, stand at one end of the opening about halfway up the grade and shoot horizontally across the face. Try to get a tree in the pic and turn the camera until the tree is vertical in the view finder.

25 degrees is pretty steep. I'm in steep timber land a LOT with my tractors. Don't have an angle finder onboard so can't confirm any of my slopes.

My 95hp Utility Kubota M9540 is pretty stable for it's size.

My 47hp Utility Ford 3910 is much more stable with lower center of gravity.

 

[IslandTractor]

I have read ALOT of threads & posts but with so many opinions & particular type of land it is hard to get the right info. I need before purchasing a tractor. I recently purchased 18 acres that is basically a mtn. in NE Alabama (in AL it is considered a mtn. to others it might be referred to as a hill). I had the top (50 yds. wide) & the front side dozed with four horizontal terraces cut in about 100 yards apart & now I need a tractor that I can spread seed with as well as bush hog once grass grows & dig the dirt out of the terrace grooves from the rain pushing it down. My question is since the steeper areas are +/-25 degrees I need to know what "tractor" (not interested in the front end mower on steroids) is best for me. I have read posts that describe: 1. the heavier the better, 2. the lower profile the better, 3. 4x4 better than 2x4, 4. liquid filled rear tires, 5. Rear tire axles that allow to move tires in & out & can add spacers, 6. dually rear tires, etc... I have looked at numerous tractors but having problems deciding which would be the safest, less likely to tip, etc... I have found: 1. 2000 year Agco Allis 5650, 4x4 that has a bucket (800 hrs), 4500 lbs., 50 hp, AG tires; 2. 2010 Mahindra 3316 HST 4x4 with a bucket & 16" backhoe attachment, 2,566 lbs., 30 hp, AG tires; 3. as well as numerous 4x4 compact or subcompact that weigh less the the previous two. Therefore, I need to know what are the most important things I need to be focusing on (weight, height, 4x4, whether the rear axles will allow tires to move, rear axles accept dual tires, etc...) I have attached several pics of the land from the bottom looking up to towards the top & vice-versa.>

I honestly don't see any 25 degree slopes in the photos. Looks pretty much like the hill I mow which I measure as about 12-13 degrees with an inclinometer. That said, my sphincter meter goes off at about 10 degrees on a slope with hard to see holes and bumps. I simply mow up and down which simplifies matters greatly and allows faster and safer speeds.

If I really needed to mow 25 degree slopes, I'd get an articulated tractor rather than a big CUT. Having said that, I wouldn't hesitate to mow the land in your photos with my Kioti DK40se which is just a bit bigger than the Mahindra you listed and smaller than the Allis.

You do have a lot of rocks! Must be in the northeast if I remember my geography. Those pictures could pass for New Hampshire or Massachusetts given all the rocks.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Perhaps you meant 25%? That's 1 in 4 or about 14deg. MUCH more manageable with a big CUT.

25deg is closer to 1:2. That's a one foot rise for every 2 horizontal feet.

25% still feels pretty steep especially on a tractor...