What Am I getting Into?

[EarlyAcres]

I just bought 20 acres mostly wooded and now I need to buy a tractor. Yes! Most likely will be a Kubota. I'm looking at a B2710 with a loader and 3 point finish mower (approx 1 acre is grass). I have been looking at 3 point accessories like a dual action 20 ton log splitter, grader and others.

 

[TBN Support]

:welcome: Welcome to the forum.

Congrats on your new acreage!

 

[sandman2234]

Welcome!
West Virginia hills means 4x4 in case the one your looking at isn't. Buy one size bigger than you want, (at least). Most of the time, a log splitter is better as a separate item so it doesn't keep the tractor tied up. You can use it to haul wood while splitting, if you don't have it tied up in splitting mode.
David from jax

 

[EarlyAcres]

Welcome!
West Virginia hills means 4x4 in case the one your looking at isn't. Buy one size bigger than you want, (at least). Most of the time, a log splitter is better as a separate item so it doesn't keep the tractor tied up. You can use it to haul wood while splitting, if you don't have it tied up in splitting mode.
David from jax

Good points, both. Yes the B2710 is 4X4 and thanks for the tip on the splitter, I wouldn't have thought of that. I like the idea of having less cylinders to keep track of and maintain. My cylinder index is pretty high right now. With a 3 cyl tractor AND a separate log spliter I'd be at 24, so one less is appealing right now, but good point on hauling while splitting. I am looking at the B2710 because it is the most HP I can get with the two accessories that I think I'll use the most and it is the newest unit in my price range. We'll have to see how it goes when I take a look at it in person. You probably know how that goes when buying something used.....Ok, then..happy tractoring..or what ever you say when sittin' in the seat puttering around with a smile.

 

[sandman2234]

Interesting, I don't count cylinders, I count batteries. Seems that is the part I have the most trouble keeping up with, although a battery tender tends to want to make that easier nowadays.
I don't know what you have in mind for the 20 acres but I would seriously consider a larger tractor for most of the things I do on my little piece of dirt. Mowing is the easy part, moving dirt requires weigh and time. The less weight, the more time!
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

Just remember, we love to spend other peoples money!!
I have done jobs with a Ford 1100 4x4 sub compact tractor and the same job with a JD2555 2wd. I loved the little Ford, but the weigh and hp of the Jd really made a difference in the time I was doing it. Brute horsepower with weight that you can get to the ground makes all the difference in the world for most jobs. If at all possible, a FEL is a plus, so keep that in mind.
David from jax

 

[RalphVa]

I'm partial to smaller tractors. I liked the B2301 when I was looking to replace my buggy JD 1025R. JD dealer had been good to me and is the closest. Went with a 2025R which is very much like the 4010 I had for 9 years, which in today's JD terminology is a 2019E.

You're wise in looking at the Bs. I would not want any of the BXs with their underbelly hydraulic cooling fans in any kind of woody situation. I even had brush remove the dipstick from my Gravely.

Ralph

 

[300UGUY]

Run, Forest, Run!!!

 

[Budweiser John]

Buying a tractor is just the beginning, a tractor with out an inventory of ‘tractor’ equipmen Is still just a tractor and your future goals in developing your property will dictate your equipment inventory and order of aqusation.
First off, buy a tractor big enough to get the job done. Forty to fifty horse four wheel drive hydrostatic drive would be my choice equipped with a SSQA FEL and a third function hydraulic system. Next up, a material bucket (usually comes with the FEL), pallet forks, and my most favorite attachment, a grappel.
As has been stated, hold the log splitter as a stand alone unit and from my experience, the same goes for lawn mowing equipment. Tillage, back hoes, and other ground engaging equipment varies according to your desires on gardening, wildlife food plots, or future pasture management.
Good luck on your new Adventure.

B. John

 

[EarlyAcres]

Run, Forest, Run!!!

Run (through) the forest? I wouldn't get far as there are a number of downed trees. I think I need a log splitter and a chain saw.....

 

[EarlyAcres]

Buying a tractor is just the beginning, a tractor with out an inventory of ‘tractor’ equipmen Is still just a tractor and your future goals in developing your property will dictate your equipment inventory and order of aqusation.
First off, buy a tractor big enough to get the job done. Forty to fifty horse four wheel drive hydrostatic drive would be my choice equipped with a SSQA FEL and a third function hydraulic system. Next up, a material bucket (usually comes with the FEL), pallet forks, and my most favorite attachment, a grappel.
As has been stated, hold the log splitter as a stand alone unit and from my experience, the same goes for lawn mowing equipment. Tillage, back hoes, and other ground engaging equipment varies according to your desires on gardening, wildlife food plots, or future pasture management.
Good luck on your new Adventure.

B. John

I get it, more HP is better. I wish I could increase the horsepower of my wallet.....Thanks, I'm likin' this forum already.

 

[jeff9366]

110 volt electric log splitters are not very fast but they are cheap and simple. I value simplicity.

220 volt electric log splitters are faster.

Shop Home Depot, Lowes, TSC on-line, plus specialty venders.

LINK: electric log splitters for sale - Google Search

 

[sandman2234]

Run (through) the forest? I wouldn't get far as there are a number of downed trees. I think I need a log splitter and a chain saw.....

Or a grapple on a big enough tractor to just pick up the whole tree!
David from jax

 

[ovrszd]

Run, Forest, Run!!!

I missed that one, which part should he run from???

 

[EarlyAcres]

I missed that one, which part should he run from???

I think it's run "to" the tractor dealer and take a look at all of the accessories for sale.....they take credit right?

 

[EarlyAcres]

Or a grapple on a big enough tractor to just pick up the whole tree!
David from jax

I think you guys have already spent $40,000 of my money that I don't have....grapple hooks and lifting trees....you guys are killin' me....I'm a poor blue collar lout with a few pennies saved and not much more than that..well a few downed trees now....

 

[ovrszd]

I totally understand. I'm the cheap guy all the way!!!

 

[EarlyAcres]

I know it has been a while since my initial post but I've been busy alright! I ended up with a B2920 that came with a 3 point blade, post hole digger, 60" mid finish mower and a 3 point rake. I already have 10 hours in the saddle. It has been interesting figuring out how to attach the accessories that came with it. This thing is a work horse for sure. I went after a few of the downed trees right away, and skidded them out with the Q-bota. One tree was so big I could only lift the small end and the rear tires were just lightly bouncing on the trail (the rear wheels are filled). I'm using a choker chain and just lifting the end off the ground and dragging the logs out on the trail that was already on the property. I have a fairly good pile of logs now. I have one that is an oak about 26" diam but it is going to be too heavy to skid out with the Qbot so I'll have to figure out a log arch to assist getting it out. I am trying to leave some of the bigger logs intact as there is a sawyer right down the road and I'd like to eventually turn some of these longer logs into furniture. I did also find a used Stihl 20" MS290 and put a new bar a chain on it, so making fire wood out of these will also be some quality time in the woods. Alrighty then....