Mowing City Slicker needs eduction on taking care of land

[radar026]

I purchased 46 acres in the country. As an investment, and a place to be outside and let kids ride 4 wheelers, have campfires etc. Hoping to buy adjoining nearby home as a rental and maybe retire here (hard work makes us live longer right)?

I need education on how to care for the property and how to mow it. If you can be so kind to provide or point me who to specifically talk to (not a neighbor).

Most of the land is rented to neighbor for cattle grazing. The front 3-4 acres is what I want to take care of. It is flat, few trees, near the fence line, two out buildings next to fence, and a irregular shape. The old tree's are so cool but much underbrush. With attention this property will look amazing.

Do I need to use herbicides? I had no plans to do anything other than mow it. What is the best option/tool for mowing? We have busy kids and realistically will mow 1-2x's month. Budget: can get a loan if that is the right choice but I hate debt and look for the BEST, cheapest option first. Like the idea of old tractor but have no mechanical education (willing to learn). Remember I don't know what is involved with farm machinery so please consider maintenance of machine and any safety concerns in suggestions; oh and what horsepower is needed?

#1 priority: time, I don't want to spend 3hours mowing
#2 reliability: b/c it supports #1
#3 cost: I have heard zero turns about 5k, small tractors 15k, this is feasible, but want to spend as little as needed lol.

Thank you for any wisdom you care to share to this "what the H-E- double L am I doing" mamma.
-Darlene

 

[chestnut valley farms]

Hey there
Kinda funny
I am from the STL area and just joined today seeking new tractor purchase advise. I am upgrading from a MF 231 (38HP diesel) to a newer 40hp hydro unit. My current tractor is for sale if your interested. It is a 99 Massey Ferguson 231 with 1019 hours on it. It is turn key ready tractor. I have been offered 6500 trade in. Looking to sell for 7k. Shoot me a PM if your interested.

However 3-4 acres is not to terribly much to mow MF 231 be more tractor then what you need. If its thick an nasty now you could always negotiate with a local to bush hog it then buy a commercial zero turn to maintain.. If mowing is all you want to do good zero turn will be the fastest and make it look the nicest. If you want to do other farm chores or projects a small tractor with a loader, bush hog and finish mower be another great option...

Good luck in your decision! Lots of good options out there!

 

[jeff9366]

How rough the front 3-4 acres are will probably control your decision.

Zero Turn mowers have small wheels relative to most tractors, therefore ZTs cannot cut over rough ground.

Your will likely want a tractor with 12" of ground clearance. Most would recommend a Rotary Cutter (AKA Bush Hog, which is a brand.) for mowing rough ground behind a tractor. One of the most durable tractor implements.

A Rotary Cutter is sized to the tractor. Unless being used to maintain woods trails, where passing between trees is an issue, Rotary Cutters should be slightly wider, to 24" wider than the outside-to-outside width of tractor's rear tires. Usually this will also give the proper tractor horsepower relative to the implement.

Rotary Cutters come in various weights with corresponding price tags. Light Duty cuts grass and up to 1" diameter brush. Medium Duty cuts grass and up to 1-1/2" brush, Heavy Duty cuts 2" to 2-1/2" brush.
VIDEO: tractor rotary cutter - YouTube

Normally a Rotary Cutter is all that is necessary to regenerate grass. Herbicide is not usually necessary.

A Ratchet Rake bucket attachment is good for removing brush around trees, minor grading and removing sod as prep for a garden.
VIDEO: ratchet rake brush clearing - YouTube

Tractors are often stolen, seldom recovered. Be sure you have secure tractor storage on your acreage.

 

[audsp98]

I purchased 46 acres in the country. As an investment, and a place to be outside and let kids ride 4 wheelers, have campfires etc. Hoping to buy adjoining nearby home as a rental and maybe retire here (hard work makes us live longer right)?

I need education on how to care for the property and how to mow it. If you can be so kind to provide or point me who to specifically talk to (not a neighbor).

Most of the land is rented to neighbor for cattle grazing. The front 3-4 acres is what I want to take care of. It is flat, few trees, near the fence line, two out buildings next to fence, and a irregular shape. The old tree's are so cool but much underbrush. With attention this property will look amazing.

Do I need to use herbicides? I had no plans to do anything other than mow it. What is the best option/tool for mowing? We have busy kids and realistically will mow 1-2x's month. Budget: can get a loan if that is the right choice but I hate debt and look for the BEST, cheapest option first. Like the idea of old tractor but have no mechanical education (willing to learn). Remember I don't know what is involved with farm machinery so please consider maintenance of machine and any safety concerns in suggestions; oh and what horsepower is needed?

#1 priority: time, I don't want to spend 3hours mowing
#2 reliability: b/c it supports #1
#3 cost: I have heard zero turns about 5k, small tractors 15k, this is feasible, but want to spend as little as needed lol.

Thank you for any wisdom you care to share to this "what the H-E- double L am I doing" mamma.
-Darlene

1). What are all possible jobs do you need equipment for? (mowing, maintaining driveway/roads, snow clearing, etc.)
2). Will you always keep the large part of your property rented or are you planning on taking over care of it at some point?


I think the answers to these questions will help determine what you should purchase.

 

[TheMan419]

Also if you are planning on taking over care of all of it at some point, when is that point? No point in buying a large tractor and not using it fully for 10 years.

Unless the acreage you are planning to mow is really rough, a zero turn is good. A mid mount mower for a tractor will run you a couple grand. Then you are in the price range of an entry level zero turn. Those will mow much faster if the land is relatively smooth.

If it is in bad shape now see if the guy renting the land for grazing has a tractor with a rotary mower to get the weeds and scrub cut down to where a zero turn will work.

Also pictures would help others give you more precise advice.

 

[riptides]

If most of the land is used for grazing, and you plan on riding ATV's there, then let the ATV make the trails for you. You can clear an area with a weed whacker for a campfire or two. I just don't see spending time maintaining property if you are not on it full-time or have a vested interest in agri-business. Heck, let the cattle grazer, manage it for you by offering dollars for bush-hogging if you need more cleared space.

The 3-4 acres you want to make look nice, I'd get a ZTR after someone bush-hogs it. The ZTR can be utilized at the house if you get that too.

Good luck and welcome to TBN!

 

[JRobyn]

I fail to understand why folks are recommending a zero turn radius mower over a much less expensive conventional riding mower. If it's currently clear and smooth enough for one, it is for the other. If it's NOT clear and smooth, a bushhog (or having the renter bushhog it) is the solution.

 

[riptides]

I fail to understand why folks are recommending a zero turn radius mower over a much less expensive conventional riding mower. If it's currently clear and smooth enough for one, it is for the other. If it's NOT clear and smooth, a bushhog (or having the renter bushhog it) is the solution.

Acres vs Acre. Time to cut, ZTR's are just quicker IMHO.

 

[TheMan419]

I fail to understand why folks are recommending a zero turn radius mower over a much less expensive conventional riding mower. If it's currently clear and smooth enough for one, it is for the other. If it's NOT clear and smooth, a bushhog (or having the renter bushhog it) is the solution.

OP said that time was a factor as well. The ZRT will cut much more quickly than a conventional riding mower. However you are right that a conventional will be much less costly than a ZRT. So if the land is smooth enough for those options OP will have to balance that issue for himself.

My neighbor bought a JD 1025 with a MMM. I would bet he could come close to buying a ZRT for the cost of that MMM and have a machine that is better at mowing. He needs the FEL and bush hog that he has for the JD, so it is not like he just bought an oversize lawn mower.

 

[newbury]

Also if you are planning on taking over care of all of it at some point, when is that point?

Yup.

Several factors here - why in H E double toothpicks does anyone want to MOW 3 or 4 acres unless it's their golf course??

Grow trees, blackberries, something that takes up the land or graze it all.

The first thing you should do is get a secure storage unit on the land. A used 40' High cube shipping container would be a starting point if your present outbuildings are not secure.
Figure out a good place to put it and where your future house will be.

Cut out an acre or less around that spot then plant or graze everything else. Don't just let it "revert" back to nature because that usually results in a mish-mash of weeds, scrub, undesirable trees which require a forest fire to reclaim.

Then put cameras up on your container and make sure it's secure. Then you can store your ATV's there.

You might also check out ATV pull behind mowers. They are like small tractor mowers with an engine.

After you've got the little part taken care of you can start dreaming about what to do with the other 40 acres.

/edit - and with ATV mowers you could get the kids to mow

 

[def38]

A ZTM will only mow. They ride uncomfortably (small wheels).

I would buy the used Massey 231 (good, tough tractor with a Perkins diesel engine) and a flail mower. That way, you'll have a means to mow through brush up to 3 inches (get the duck foot flails) and mulch it. Also, with a tractor, you'll likely find other chores to do like plow for a vegetable garden, etc.

 

[kebo]

My suggestion to the OP... since you don't want to spend a lot of time mowing, and don't want to go into debt to buy a mower whatever it may be, consider having the neighbor who rents the property to raise cattle mow it for you. That's assuming he has something to mow it with, and I would think a cattle farmer would have a tractor & bush hog. If you decide to do that, you and him can work out the details, maybe let him cut it in exchange for a reduced rental fee, etc.

As for atv trails, you don't need anything for them really. As someone else already pointed out, 4-wheelers will make their own trails. Every hunt club has a system of trails they use to gain access to their hunting property, and with time, you will have your own trail system.

Another point to make, should you decide to purchase a piece of equipment to do your own mowing with... is a safe and secure storage for it. That's a big issue that comes up in a LOT of threads here, with absentee owners who have equipment located at a remote property. Or, maybe your neighbor that rents the land for cattle would let you store it close to his house for better safe keeping??? Or maybe the property is close enough you can just haul it out there every time it needs mowing?? Anyway, just another point to consider.


But welcome to the forum, and I hope you get it all figured out. I envy you for being able to purchase some land, maybe one day after I hit the lottery, I'll be able to buy some too....

 

[radar026]

Wow, Thank you so much Jeff9366. You gave me such useful information that made sense. We do have a wood hay barn, however door is missing. Will secure b/f any purchase b/c theft is everywhere. So kind of you to include the videos. I was not aware of a racket rake. I could see that being helpful in some areas that I want to mow.

I agree with you,TheMan. prob will be 10+years bf I take over the grounds. The acrage is actually pretty flat, just quite a bit of over growth around the outbuildings. And some weed/tree patches that need cleared. I think having the renter use his tractor to clear property makes the most economical sense.

Riptides I did not know they made cutters for the ATV's. They are just 80cc but if I can put the kids to work Ya-Baby? It might be the newness of the property but I do want it to look nice and manicured. I also am hopeful keeping it clear makes it easier to spot creepy/crawly creatures if we are hanging out. We have considered building a barn to rent for weddings/receptions but more as a hobby as again I don稚 want this to be full time job, just to have property help pay for itself.

JRobyn: I have a Cub Cadet riding mower and it's pretty quick, but I won't be able to mow 1-2x's/week so the grass could be pretty high if I only get out once/month.

I think def38 read my mind b/c I'm sure there will always be more chores. Lol

So I love the tractor idea b/c of it's versatility. There are some woods, ponds and if the farmer ever decides not to keep cows I will have to figure out how to manage it. The ZT mower would be the fastest and makes the most sense as most of you have pointed out to have the renter bush-hog it. Are the ZTM good with tall grass? If they are similar in price is the used tractor a better option than a newer ZTM.

Thank you all so much!!!! It's great to know people still take time to help another.
Darlene

[back 40/pasture] [area that I need to mow]

 

[4570Man]

ZTRs mow fast, but they're no good for trying to reclaim land. They're also useless for anything except mowing. It sounds like a small tractor is what's your need. The old Kubotas are cheap and tough. Don't expect luxuries though. My Kubota B7200 has had a rough life for as long as I've owned it and the only problem it's ever given was a bad diode. It's never given any mechanical problems. I can cut 5 times the grass on my 50" deck ZTR VS my Cub Cadet traditional riding mower with a 42" deck. In a large area the ZTR beats my Kubota B7200 pulling a 60" finish mower by probably 20 percent ( but that's a unfair comparison right for the start )

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I really think newbury has the right idea with an atv mower. Lowest cost till you know more about the land. It will mow the rough ground/high grass/small brush (the second picture is much too rough too mow with a ztr at any favorable speed IMHO).

Wait on the tractor until you are more certain you need one.

 

[airbiscuit]

I'm still trying to reconcile your preferences. How far is this property from your residence? You will be able to have a secure/locked storage building?

It sounds like your primary interest is keeping the tall grass/undergrowth mowed down on the 3-4 acres.
It sounds like you view this as an unpleasant task. I am not arguing the point, it's just that a lot of us actually enjoy our tractor time.

I haven't got you figured out yet, but near term, I think your need is a rotary cutter (aka bush hog, brush hog, rough cutter, shredder) and an older farm tractor (25-35 hp) or a higher cost newer Compact Utility tractor (24-35 hp).

If you want to Fred Flintstone it with bargain basement cost, you could buy a $500 riding mower and beat the dickens out of it. I used my 15hp MTD rider to cut 3/4" brush and tall weeds.

I sure like having a loader on a tractor, but you haven't really talked much about tasks where you would use a loader. In fact, it sounds like you don't so much want to work on the land as play on it (nothing wrong with that)

.Keep giving us feedback, and we'll figure this out eventually.

 

[tractorshopper]

Personally, with that much land, you'll eventually need a tractor anyway IMO. The part you need to mow picture isn't that bad that a SCUT with a belly mower would handle it easily every few weeks or once a month, but I'd probably buy a 30-40 HP CUT and get a 6' Rear Finish Mower with it. That way, you have the tractor already for other tractor tasks in the future.

Like airbiscuit said, most of us like our tractor time, and I'd use my BX-2370 to mow that. I was cutting my other property "pasture" type area every 2-4 weeks with my current tractor with belly mower with absolutely no problems. Plus, I have a loader, tiller, box-blade, grapple, etc, that allows me to do other tractor chores with. Previously I had a 38HP Cut and was bushhogging that same property, but it took longer (some areas had quite a few trees to back around with the bushhog) and was overkill for mostly grasses and weeds.

 

[ALauer]

Honestly, I would purchase a Ford 1520 of 1720. Plenty of HP, Plenty of attachments, Plenty of traction with industrial tires. I have one and love it. All you need to do is bush hog it off every once and a while. No need for anything else really. If you have a gravel road, get a box blade or angle blade and loader with bucket for gravel. Simple as that! Enjoy the Missouri Country Life! I know I sure love it!!

 

[radar026]

I'm still trying to reconcile your preferences. How far is this property from your residence? You will be able to have a secure/locked storage building?

It sounds like your primary interest is keeping the tall grass/undergrowth mowed down on the 3-4 acres.
It sounds like you view this as an unpleasant task. I am not arguing the point, it's just that a lot of us actually enjoy our tractor time.

I haven't got you figured out yet, but near term, I think your need is a rotary cutter (aka bush hog, brush hog, rough cutter, shredder) and an older farm tractor (25-35 hp) or a higher cost newer Compact Utility tractor (24-35 hp).

If you want to Fred Flintstone it with bargain basement cost, you could buy a $500 riding mower and beat the dickens out of it. I used my 15hp MTD rider to cut 3/4" brush and tall weeds.

I sure like having a loader on a tractor, but you haven't really talked much about tasks where you would use a loader. In fact, it sounds like you don't so much want to work on the land as play on it (nothing wrong with that)

.Keep giving us feedback, and we'll figure this out eventually.

Yes you are very close haha. The property is 45" away from my house and currently I work part time as RN (swing shifts & weekends). I still have school aged kids so mowing is a chore when it needs to be done 1-2x's/week (like spring at home). The 2nd pic is after neighbor bush-hogged it last fall. Now it's tall, green, and laying over. Thick brush/weeds grows under the tall trees. I would like it clean it up once and try to maintain it for those (realistically infrequent) trips out there. Once I get it in shape I hope to plant some flowering tree's, that's when the dreaming will begin. lol.
There are 3 acres of woods on side of property loader could be helpful moving wood but I don't see that as a project now.

I might be making more work for myself than need be and that's where this forum is helping me open my eyes. Thank you for helping me make the best decision.

 

[radar026]

Honestly, I would purchase a Ford 1520 of 1720. Plenty of HP, Plenty of attachments, Plenty of traction with industrial tires. I have one and love it. All you need to do is bush hog it off every once and a while. No need for anything else really. If you have a gravel road, get a box blade or angle blade and loader with bucket for gravel. Simple as that! Enjoy the Missouri Country Life! I know I sure love it!!

Simplicity is what I like. Thank you