Another Newbie looking to buy a tractor

[MaineBarn]

You could consider this Kubota L47 with 516 hours and $42K which is built for what you are going to do in the woods - these are tough machines and you can add a cab if you need to. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2140475443020986/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp:412b3e4b-efcb-4a3b-9124-6eaf8a288bd5

That looks very solid. Didn't realize that Kubota specifically made more construction grade tractors.

In a couple weeks is when I'm going to make the purchasing decision. Have only been looking at new machines so would look at the "how to" of financing a used machine and what the APR is.

Can't you just make brush piles and burn them, rather than using a wood chipper?

My home lot is pretty small and essentially all either grass or covered in tree trunks/gardens/hardscaped areas. Those trees drop so many big branches that I'm thinking I need a decent sized chipper either way. At the lake site, burning would be possible.

 

[paulsharvey]

With taxes, that comes out to just over $60k.

Check on that, most states. zero sales tax on agricultural equipment.

 

[Rustyiron]

Welcome to TBN!
What area of the state is this project?
Do you have any clearing and machinery background?
I'd find a week of time and rent a 6- 10 ton mini excavator to see what you project looks like and what you're up against as far as the soil and rock ratio. Usually 3 days of rental gets you a week. (40 hrs)
Pushing trees over (whole) combined with a little digging around it is the best way to go. Take advantage of the leverage and weight of the tree to pull the stump.
My little part of Maine it's about 3 rock to 1 dirt.
I might be able to steer you to a rental outfit with a general location.

 

[paulsharvey]

Once he has his route staked/painted out, he will have a much better idea of what obstacles need to be removed. I would recommend at that point, some pictures and post it here. Believe it or not, there are some knowledgeable folks here (as well as some very confident fools..., so do your do diligence).

 

[Carl_NH]

That looks very solid. Didn't realize that Kubota specifically made more construction grade tractors.

In a couple weeks is when I'm going to make the purchasing decision. Have only been looking at new machines so would look at the "how to" of financing a used machine and what the APR is.

My home lot is pretty small and essentially all either grass or covered in tree trunks/gardens/hardscaped areas. Those trees drop so many big branches that I'm thinking I need a decent sized chipper either way. At the lake site, burning would be possible.

It's the Kubota TLB Series - Tractor - Loader - Backhoe - Specifically made for construction and commercial use with a very rugged frame and underframe protection - these machines are pretty indestructible in most applications. For the rocks and rough ground we have in NE it's one of the best. The only other smaller TLB is the older John Deere 110 Machine. You can get close to this with the Yanmar YT359 with a BH but no other machines are close in this price range ($42K for a 500 hr machine)

 

[MaineBarn]

With taxes, that comes out to just over $60k.

Check on that, most states. zero sales tax on agricultural equipment.

Ya. Unfortunately Maine seems to charge taxes. There's a dealer with both ME and NH locations who quotes monthly prices. Looking at the same item starting price, the monthly payment for the ME one is greater by exactly how much the tax would impact the initially financed amount. Also stopped today at a John Deere dealership and the sales person had said how taxes are calculated into the initial cost. I had looked previously and there are some exceptions if you have something like $400,000 dollars in gross agricultural income per year.

Welcome to TBN!
What area of the state is this project?
Do you have any clearing and machinery background?
I'd find a week of time and rent a 6- 10 ton mini excavator to see what you project looks like and what you're up against as far as the soil and rock ratio. Usually 3 days of rental gets you a week. (40 hrs)
Pushing trees over (whole) combined with a little digging around it is the best way to go. Take advantage of the leverage and weight of the tree to pull the stump.
My little part of Maine it's about 3 rock to 1 dirt.
I might be able to steer you to a rental outfit with a general location.

Thanks Rustyiron. It would be in Southern Maine. I bet we're pretty close as I'm just outside of Standish and see in your signature you're from the Lakes Region. Zero machinery background. Drove a forklift years ago as a small part of my job.

Once he has his route staked/painted out, he will have a much better idea of what obstacles need to be removed. I would recommend at that point, some pictures and post it here. Believe it or not, there are some knowledgeable folks here (as well as some very confident fools..., so do your do diligence).

Definitely seeing there are knowledgeable folks on this forum! It would likely be in April when I get out to the property to take any photos/figure out a route. At that point I'll probably have a tractor and be inquiring if it's worth bringing it out there or not.

 

[MaineBarn]

It's the Kubota TLB Series - Tractor - Loader - Backhoe - Specifically made for construction and commercial use with a very rugged frame and underframe protection - these machines are pretty indestructible in most applications. For the rocks and rough ground we have in NE it's one of the best. The only other smaller TLB is the older John Deere 110 Machine. You can get close to this with the Yanmar YT359 with a BH but no other machines are close in this price range ($42K for a 500 hr machine)

It looks like a beast and the price is right. My only concern is used and seeing how I've never had a tractor before, wouldn't be totally comfortable looking at the wear points. That being said, am going to keep it in mind well looking at all the options. Much appreciated

 

[MaineBarn]

Having stopped at the local JD dealership today to get a better understanding of the physical size of tractors based on weights, totally can understand why it's likely not the right tool for the job. Around me the brands are well represented and I can look at several models for each. There are some recommended brands (either here or on youtube) that aren't around me which reduces the possibilities.

What I think I'll do (taking in mind the normal advice regarding getting the right tractor) is spend the next couple weeks researching/honing in on two routes: the tractor that would give me the best chance of possibly doing the hillside project and the tractor that would be best for my property. If I were just getting a tractor for my house, I'd be flipping between a 1 and 2 series John Deere equivalent. My major requirements for my home use would be cab/backhoe with maybe 20HP at the PTO. I wouldn't need substantial mass for any tree work and the most taxing thing I'd be getting would potentially be a forward facing rear snow blower.

If I ended up getting the one for the hillside, I'd never have too little tractor for my home. In fact, I'd need to find bigger projects which isn't a bad thing.

I'll then get quotes on both options, weigh the pros/cons, figure out what I'm giving up in terms of features between the two, and make a decision at that point. Because honestly, if I'm doing that big project as a favor, and it wasn't really utilized or appreciated, it'd be both a drain in terms of time and finances. I shouldn't let it dictate the decision. More of a if I can do it, it would be nice. If the general consensus on the forum was "yeah a 50+ HP tractor with 40+ PTO can certainly get a 800ft driveway put in over the course of a summer" then I think be pretty convinced about the bigger tractor.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, I dont know the JD families that well, but I would start the look at the 2 and 3 series. The 1 has very very low ground clearance, and I Think only a 2 speed HST.

That would likely be the Kubota L series,
Kioti CK series, 26/35/40
LS I think it's MT3?
Massey is the 1825/35/40E, and 1840/50/55/60M series

 

[Rustyiron]

Thank you for your service to say the least ! I knew from your posts that there was a vast depth of knowledge in the conflict business, this explains it ! We are in the company of giants at times on TBN , I certainly count you as one of them !

$5000 of seed and fertilizer and high tensile fence ... Initially the bill was $7800 when she told me I turn white and asked for a chair lol, she saw the disparity in my face and gave me bulk prices and took $1500 out then some stocks issued in the fences and I removed a few bags a fertilizer and got it down to 5k.... that should put my fields up to par.

Thanks Rustyiron. It would be in Southern Maine. I bet we're pretty close as I'm just outside of Standish and see in your signature you're from the Lakes Region. Zero machinery background. Drove a forklift years ago as a small part of my job.

Stop in at MB, they have a big rental fleet and balancing the machine to your site (via various types of rentals) would be smart. I think the Standish area is a little less rocky than I have about 14 miles away.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

One thing that may help you determine the path is using google earth combined with the topo lines/map. Then you may see water flow issues before they show up unexpectedly. You can also use the history feature of google earth to see older logging trails. While they do grow up over time they still give you a good idea of the "path" of least resistance...

We (grandson, BIL and I) built an UTV trail about 8ft wide across my BIL land for hunting/hauling out deer etc. Took us about a month of Saturdays all day to go about 600 ish feet. Following logging trails as much as possible. The land had been selectively harvested about 5-6 yrs prior. Lots of left over limb trash that had mostly rotted away. What ever we needed to cut we simply pushed into the woods not spending time to mulch it. If you don't mind looking at it for a few years it will rot away. This was done during the winter/early spring so bugs, snakes were a minimum. Our main tools were chainsaw's, bush ax and sweat labor. Didn't even use a tractor for any of this part.

AFTER we cut the trails BIL hired a forestry mulcher dude to come in and grind it down to ground level. Its a fairly rocky area (compared to my farming land) but not so much the FM had many issues.

The grapple will be one of your bestest friends around any house and a good tiller for gardens if you plan to do them each year.

Sounds like you have a lot of work ahead but it's doable, one day at a time. If you kinda plan out your goals per day/week it seems to help me stay focused. Easy to lose focus when there are so many individual tasks to accomplish.

He just purchased a kubota to keep down there. His SIL is a bota dealer and is hooking him up with good pricing on equipment/attachments. Mainly path management and grapple to move the rocks around and bush hog to keep the paths from closing in.

Sounds like a fun/high reward project. Good luck on it.

 

[rScotty]

Alright so I'm hearing loud and clear to not pick a tractor based on that potential project but instead to focus on the right tractor for my at home needs. The driveway project would be too much for essentially any tractor.

I think that is a good way to look at it. You'll find plenty of work for the tractor you get. But it will be more enjoyable work you do to maintain your land and driveway rather than building it from scratch.
Good luck,
rScotty

 

[MaineBarn]

So, I dont know the JD families that well, but I would start the look at the 2 and 3 series. The 1 has very very low ground clearance, and I Think only a 2 speed HST.

That would likely be the Kubota L series,
Kioti CK series, 26/35/40
LS I think it's MT3?
Massey is the 1825/35/40E, and 1840/50/55/60M series

I hadn't researched the JDs too much but it felt like the 1 series was a (significant) step up from a regular "tractor mower" as they like to say at Home Depot. Haha. From there, it was like each series improved 50-75% in terms of capabilities. The 4 series is their biggest compact tractor. The 5 is considered a utility tractor.

I did watch some videos today about the JD series and it seems like they split each level into almost an A and B up through the 3 series- then the capabilities are more equal.

Almost certainly not going the JD route but figured I'd stop there first to get at least a broad prospective of the whole process.

The closest Kioti dealer to me looks a little suspect if I had any issues. The nearest real Massey dealer is about 2 hours away. My next stop (next weekend?) is going to be a Kubota dealership and then likely the Kioti dealer (they also have Mahindra but I think they mostly work off brochures and not in-stock items). There is a similar situation at a LS dealership nearby as well. There is also a bigger TYM dealer that has various used brands that I'll make my way out to.

Driving somewhere to look for brochures isn't exactly ideal but if they have any models on hand, I can at least get a baseline feel for the brand.

 

[MaineBarn]

Stop in at MB, they have a big rental fleet and balancing the machine to your site (via various types of rentals) would be smart. I think the Standish area is a little less rocky than I have about 14 miles away.

The MB dealership actually is where I'm going to look at the Kubotas. They have a huge yard full of all sorts of fun looking toys. I'll wander around a bit to see what they've got. Checking the site for rocks and cutting trees ahead of time, bet a skid steer with a mulching attachment would get that entire path cleared in 2 days. Then it'd just be moving the materials into place.

 

[MaineBarn]

One thing that may help you determine the path is using google earth combined with the topo lines/map. Then you may see water flow issues before they show up unexpectedly. You can also use the history feature of google earth to see older logging trails. While they do grow up over time they still give you a good idea of the "path" of least resistance...

We (grandson, BIL and I) built an UTV trail about 8ft wide across my BIL land for hunting/hauling out deer etc. Took us about a month of Saturdays all day to go about 600 ish feet. Following logging trails as much as possible. The land had been selectively harvested about 5-6 yrs prior. Lots of left over limb trash that had mostly rotted away. What ever we needed to cut we simply pushed into the woods not spending time to mulch it. If you don't mind looking at it for a few years it will rot away. This was done during the winter/early spring so bugs, snakes were a minimum. Our main tools were chainsaw's, bush ax and sweat labor. Didn't even use a tractor for any of this part.

AFTER we cut the trails BIL hired a forestry mulcher dude to come in and grind it down to ground level. Its a fairly rocky area (compared to my farming land) but not so much the FM had many issues.

The grapple will be one of your bestest friends around any house and a good tiller for gardens if you plan to do them each year.

Sounds like you have a lot of work ahead but it's doable, one day at a time. If you kinda plan out your goals per day/week it seems to help me stay focused. Easy to lose focus when there are so many individual tasks to accomplish.

He just purchased a kubota to keep down there. His SIL is a bota dealer and is hooking him up with good pricing on equipment/attachments. Mainly path management and grapple to move the rocks around and bush hog to keep the paths from closing in.

Sounds like a fun/high reward project. Good luck on it.

Thanks for the encouraging words and advice part-time-Farmer-NC. I think you've hit the nail on the head: "plan out your goals per day/week." Back of the napkin plan was to pick the path, cut the trees, get them into manageable chunks, figure out where to dump them (it's 10 acres so I could find a spot or keep them nearby to provide an edge to slow water), then start moving them out of the way with the grapple. After reaching the top, work my way back down moving rocks as necessary. Then start back up digging out stumps if possible. That way when I'm pushing rocks they'll be headed with gravity and when I'm digging, my back end won't have as much chance of lifting.

Seems like you had a good set of helpers!

 

[MaineBarn]

I think that is a good way to look at it. You'll find plenty of work for the tractor you get. But it will be more enjoyable work you do to maintain your land and driveway rather than building it from scratch.
Good luck,
rScotty

Understand what you're saying there. The measure of usefulness won't simply be any single project but the ongoing things I do with the tractor.

The additional potential benefit is I tend to get bored if not doing something. So when I'm at the lake, it's almost torture. Although it would be a summer of work, doing something useful up there might make me enjoy the location a lot more in future years.

 

[paulsharvey]

I hadn't researched the JDs too much but it felt like the 1 series was a (significant) step up from a regular "tractor mower" as they like to say at Home Depot. Haha. From there, it was like each series improved 50-75% in terms of capabilities. The 4 series is their biggest compact tractor. The 5 is considered a utility tractor.

I did watch some videos today about the JD series and it seems like they split each level into almost an A and B up through the 3 series- then the capabilities are more equal.

Almost certainly not going the JD route but figured I'd stop there first to get at least a broad prospective of the whole process.

The closest Kioti dealer to me looks a little suspect if I had any issues. The nearest real Massey dealer is about 2 hours away. My next stop (next weekend?) is going to be a Kubota dealership and then likely the Kioti dealer (they also have Mahindra but I think they mostly work off brochures and not in-stock items). There is a similar situation at a LS dealership nearby as well. There is also a bigger TYM dealer that has various used brands that I'll make my way out to.

Driving somewhere to look for brochures isn't exactly ideal but if they have any models on hand, I can at least get a baseline feel for the brand.

You are correct that a 1025 is much more than a $2500 lawn tractor; but at its price point, $19,995, it is well below the capability of the Large subcompact (MF 1526, TYM T25, Kioti CK2510), and even further below the capability of the small Compacts, Ck2520/3520/4020, L2502-3702; TYM 2515/3515/4015. The 1 series pretty closely compare to Kubota BX and Massey GC. Some really love the easy attachments though, and if it is what suites your needs, great.

I think it's got like 6.4" of ground clearance? It looks like "front axle clearance is 7.7", but I don't think that is actually the lowest point.

 

[paulsharvey]

I just worry when someone starts out thinking a TYM 574, and then is impressed with a JD 1025. Just seems like you might be setting yourself up to be undergunned.

 

[MaineBarn]

I just worry when someone starts out thinking a TYM 574, and then is impressed with a JD 1025. Just seems like you might be setting yourself up to be undergunned.

Sorry. Was not at all thinking of getting the 1 series. I did ask the sales person what a fully outfitted 2 would run just for a ballpark. That fit my personal property needs but wouldn't allow any bigger projects. Just wanted a frame of reference for comparisons to the cost/functionality of bigger tractors.

 

[rScotty]

That looks very solid. Didn't realize that Kubota specifically made more construction grade tractors.

In a couple weeks is when I'm going to make the purchasing decision. Have only been looking at new machines so would look at the "how to" of financing a used machine and what the APR is.

My home lot is pretty small and essentially all either grass or covered in tree trunks/gardens/hardscaped areas. Those trees drop so many big branches that I'm thinking I need a decent sized chipper either way. At the lake site, burning would be possible.

Yes, Kubota makes a semi-construction grade tractor in small acreage size. Called their TLB line (tractor, loader, backhoe). They used to make their TLB in 4 sizes, now they make it in 3: 25, 47, & 62 hp. They all have similar options & rugged construction. The backhoe is also removable for mounting a 3pt hitch.

Kubota TLBs are heavily built machines, more expensive though. Nice machine to keep for a lifetime.

Another option that hasn't gotten much attention are older used full size backhoes from small municipalities. Usually well-maintained and replaced on a schedule. I have seen some really nice buys there.

As far as using water at a lake-side location.... Many towns use lakes to store their water. It simply requires processing. Home water processing is a popular solution: low tech and low cost.

rScotty