1.5 acres. Am I nuts for thinking about a tractor?

[Yander]

I think you need a tractor in the size range of Yanmar SA 325 or 425, Kubota b series, John Deere 2025r, Kioti ck2610 (I think this is a little heavier tractor). Massey 1500 series compact would be good as well.

I'm not familiar with the TYM but if you have a dealer nearby I wouldn't hesitate to look at them.

You said you would get a box blade so also get a rear remote for a hydraulic top link. Yanmar S425 and 325 comes with rear remotes standard.

If you don't have a dealer within an hour that would service your tractor that you buy from them, stay away from them.

Don't be in a hurry enjoy the process welcome to the site!

 

[Omega Woods]

I would get a Yanmar with R14 tires. I would NOT get a backhoe. Rent a mini ex once a year for digging tasks. As @Yander said, get rear remotes when you buy the tractor and make sure it has third function in the front as well.

Welcome to TBN!

 

[Torvy]

It all depends on your budget. Of those you have listed the Kioti will be the most for the money. The Yanmar is probably the best regardless of price. The dealership could be all the difference. Too bad there is not a TYM dealer closer to you yet.

 

[Yander]

J

Going off of what I've liked at ag fairs, it seems like it's going to be a grudge match between the CK2610, my current favorite for a lot of reasons, the L2501, and Massey 1825E, the Deere 3025E. The Kioti is definitely the one to beat though and from going over them it seems like a really well engineered and well built piece of hardware for the money.



Wife also has long term plans to possibly buy major acreage up north and build a summer property there, we're already halfway through there. Lots of local family who will need tractor work on their properties, too.

Just re-read and noticed this post. I think all of those are a good size for your described needs. I think the Kioti is a solid choice. It is as good a tractor as any mentioned and probably for less money. Sharp looking tractor too. @tacticalturnip as well as others have them and seem to like them.

 

[paulsharvey]

For the Back Hoe question, you have to ask how often you would Need it. It's every bit of a $5-6k extra, and it's hard to resell by itself. You also have to remove it every time you want to use an implement. 100 gallons of maple sap is going to be over 860 pounds; plus the weight of barrel/pallet/tote. Don't know if you Need a grapple or not; or if forks or debris bucket would do what you need.

Don't know your state tax laws; but it sounds like a bona fide agricultural use, and should be sales tax exempt.

The granite blocks could be moved with forks; and tweeked with a pipe bar. You can nudge into place a pretty heavy item with a solid steel 6 ft lever.

 

[Kennebec_Guy]

For the Back Hoe question, you have to ask how often you would Need it. It's every bit of a $5-6k extra, and it's hard to resell by itself. You also have to remove it every time you want to use an implement. 100 gallons of maple sap is going to be over 860 pounds; plus the weight of barrel/pallet/tote. Don't know if you Need a grapple or not; or if forks or debris bucket would do what you need.

Don't know your state tax laws; but it sounds like a bona fide agricultural use, and should be sales tax exempt.

The granite blocks could be moved with forks; and tweeked with a pipe bar. You can nudge into place a pretty heavy item with a solid steel 6 ft lever.

A lot of syrup guys use the 275gal palletized water tanks for sap collection/moving. Filled to the brim those weigh 2000+ pounds and obviously would require a 50-70hp machine that would be comically oversized for the property, but my longest planned sap line is about 20 taps, so the most I'd ever have to be lifting would be 120 or so gallons or ~1000lbs, and the ability to use forks to lift/move them is really great.

3rd function hydro for me is an absolute must as I definitely see at least a grapple in my future and likely a 4-in-1 bucket as well. Rear remote for a hydraulic top link for box blade work also sounds great.

 

[2manyrocks]

Maybe the water tanks could be moved with a boom pole on the rear hitch to avoid having to buy a 50-70 hp tractor?

 

[Beaver Cove Deere]

Howdy neighbor!!
Leave the backhoe in the lot and rent a mini when you need it.
I’d be looking a JD 3 Series or equivalent. You buying from the Kioti dealer on 201 in Skowhegan?

 

[Peter 315]

Scott's rv sells tym they have locations in ME.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Scott's rv sells tym they have locations in ME.

They're more than happy to sell you a tractor...