Needing advice on tractor size

[RayIN]

"Also, my inner 5 year old just wants a tractor to play with."

Don't let my wife see that!

Mine already did, she just patted my shoulder and walked away.

 

[LouNY]

moving logs to a portable sawmill.

This right here would make me want the bigger heavier framed tractor regardless of the brand.
Moving logs to me means picking them up and carrying them, no skidding because of the grit and mud accumulated.
While a smaller hydrostatic tractor would be nicer on a stump grinder, I wouldn't want it for hard working.
Possibly a small hydro with a cab, and a larger two wheel drive used with a loader, and a substantial weight block for use with the loader. Then drop it for pto and tillage work, cabbed also.

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

We have a 125 acre farm that includes wooded terrain that's been logged. I went the 40hp route with a MF 1643 Hydro. It was an ok tractor, but I kind hated it because the hydro was a weak whiny b*tch and I was constantly finding the tractor was not quite up to the tasks I needed to do.

Ended up going to the 4707 and now I don't worry about having enough tractor. Bonus points for the cab and just how comfortable it is to operate. The radial tires provide a smoother ride, the cab is rubber mounted, the floor has a rubber mat, and the seat is air ride. I also got the upgraded FL series loader with self-leveling.

If I need more, I just use my JD 410.

My suggestion is to get the bigger tractor because if you don't, you're just delaying the inevitable.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

I have timber and some Christmas trees. Only about a quarter of what your space though.

If I were you, I would get the bigger tractor for now and budget for a smaller one down the road. (Smaller than the 2850 to save some $$)

You want to be able to easily move between rows of trees.

You didn't mention where in the world you are. If a cab is what you want, get it on the big tractor. You'd probably be fine without on the smaller one.

I wouldn't want the cab on mine working around my trees. It's about the size of the 2850. You've got some years before you need to worry about branches taking your glass out.

As an even smaller Christmas tree farmer, I have to agree that the even the 2850 might be a bit too large for dealing with the Christmas tree operation. I run a Kubota B 2301 and it's too big to handle some of the work among the trees. A bigger tractor will require different tree spacing which, on your acreage will result in fewer trees. (I'm bad a math, so I can't calculate the number of trees difference)

 

[kneedeep]

You should buy a big excavator and the biggest tractor you can afford.
BTDT

 

[kenhar]

No offence, but the questions you are asking show very limited experience in the endeavor you are about to partake. Before investing in a bunch of expensive equipment you apparently have limited knowledge or experience with and won't need down the road, consider hiring your clean up done by someone with the right equipment and experience to get it done right. Then buy your small or mid-size equipment to maintain your "farm".

 

[JVR5333]

I've been reading a lot in this forum and really appreciate the expertise that's freely shared here. I am about to buy my first tractor. I have a 90 acre tract that was just logged and I plan to manage it for hunting (food plots), timber, and Christmas trees. I have a lot of slash to clean up and stumps to grind as the initial surge of work. Longer term, I will be maintaining roads and moving logs to a portable sawmill. The terrain is what I'd call gently rolling hills. I am shopping multi brands, but I'll limit this question to Massey Ferguson options to hopefully get some clear opinions.

I am looking at an MF 2850M and an MF 4707. I've become convinced that a cab is worth the money due to the horse flies and ground wasps in the summer. I tend to think that the 2850 will do everything I need, but I can afford the 4707 and that thing is a real beast and would definitely do everything I need. The only operations I think the 2850 could fall short on is moving larger logs and helping with moving shipping containers around (I know neither tractor can outright move a container, but the 4707 should be able to pick up one end to get rollers under it and then pull it on rollers).

The 4707 is about $20k more than the 2850. That's 20k I could spend on implements like a PTO brush mulcher and a stump grinder. I want a swing arm stump grinder so I can just park and grind, and from what I've researched, it will be at least twice as expensive to get one that can handle the power of the 4707 (have to go from a 24" to a 30" wheel).

Further down the road, I could also see using the tractor and implements as a side gig to remove stumps and clean up brush. I think a smaller, more maneuverable, lighter to haul tractor would likely be a better fit here as well.

If anyone has experience with either of these classes of tractor in these applications, I'd appreciate any knowledge you can share. Thanks!

I am sure you will get a ton of comments from very experienced tractor users in this valuable forum. My little 2-cents worth is this: When we moved to this 30-acre horse property 10-years ago, I remember getting advice from someone that that said don't buy a tractor under 50hp. At the time - I had only one shed to store it in and the 50hp's were too large to fit in the standard roll-up door, so I opted to get the Kubota L3901, which barely fit through the opening. We have all pasture and fencing, so this little 39hp beastie handles 90% of what I need it to do, finishing mower, front loader for gravel, sand, debris, etc., box grader, grading blade, aerator, front forks, etc. What I do miss is being able to lift heavier loads - like bulk hay deliveries, some equipment/material deliveries, etc. I also do not have rear hydraulic controls installed for stuff like an over seeder and excavator. These are the times I wish I had a larger hp tractor, but they are few and far between. If I had a skid steer - then front loader issues would be eliminated. I can rent a min-excavator for the few projects that require it. Moving heavy logs I think would require quite a hefty tractor, but also navigating around wooded areas is easier with a smaller tractor. Also keep in mind what if you have to transport for service issues - do you have capacity to haul a much larger tractor? I hope some of these benefit your decision process and good luck!

 

[Texasmark]

I would consider a skid steer (aka compact track loader) if you're looking at a tractor as big as the 4707 and not knowing the exact nature of your property. Would definitely expand side gig options down the road as you mentioned. I frequently consider trading my equipment around. Tractor versus skid steer is a whole conversation unto itself. I've considered it, but I like to do "tractor patrol" and just drive around, check the mail, or just goof off. I don't think I would go check the mail in a skid steer.

Don't disregard a small-ish excavator either. Combined with a small tractor you can do a lot. The used market is plump right now with low hour equipment. Especially compared to 4 or 5 years ago.

Echo what others have said, you want a cab. Unless you are abusive to equipment. My tree guy is, he's rolled his skid steer several times and admits he beats the tar out of stuff.

My respect for a skid steer is up there with baseball and apple pie. Problem I have would be the cost. They can do anything a tractor can do and do it better except running farm implements....excluding hydraulically operated front end mowers and augers that I have seen and are priceless in that regard.

 

[Highlandr]

Skid steer is also a lot better at tearing up the ground. But, like everything else, that can be managed... with 20 point turns. Of course it doesn't sound like "disturbing the turf" is an issue in the OP's cleanup operation.

 

[paulsharvey]

Skid steer isnt what i would recommend for installing food plots.

I honestly think the MF 2850M/2M50, or 2860M, will do 90% of what you want, without being unwieldy. If there is 10% that its just not enough machine for (im assuming that means clean up), hire or rent. Dont know what you are saying on your mill, but 2570# at pins/1880 at bucket edge; probably about 2250 with forks, is a good sized log. You probably arent saying 30 ft whole logs, im assuming you saw 12/16 ft logs.

Its not that the 4707 won't do the job, but it sounds like its size might be a disadvantage in the future

 

[herefromthere]

Is there a particular reason why you want to remove stumps in a clearcut? Doesn't seem necessary for your intended use, and I can't see either of those tractors being up to the task of doing that. If you're thinking of the ones you want to remove for the roads throughout the property, I think you'd be better renting/hiring bigger equipment to do that, THEN buy the tractor that fits your ongoing use(s.)

My L3200 starts feeling pretty big when I get it in the woods or in a clearcut where I have to navigate around random stumps, and it's smaller than the small machine you mention.

While I don't know exactly how you will use your equipment there, I will say that I have a similar property and do similar things with it. I made the mistake of not getting the extra hydraulics, both front and rear. Don't be me in that respect. I would have really appreciated having top & tilt in back and grapple capability in front. My gut feel is that the smaller tractor would serve you better in most cases, save money, and be more trailerable with less truck and trailer. For the few times you want to do heavier/larger stuff, rent or hire the appropriate equipment.

 

[EddieWalker]

I bought my cabbed 4707 brand new in 2022. I got lucky. That was the first year that they had the new AC System. I own 68 acres that was thick woods when I bought it 20 years ago. I mostly use the Massey for mowing with my 12 foot batwing. It's awesome in the heat of summer to be able to relax while being productive!!! Yesterday the temps droped ten degrees in half a hour, so I quit working on my fence and got in the Massey to finish up my mowing for the year. The heater works almost too good!!!

For maintain your land, light loader work like moving round bales, small amounts of dirt and carrying things like firewood rounds, the Massey is a great tractor.

For clearing land, it's not a good choice. While I don't know what other brands are like, I'm pretty sure they are all poor choices for clearing land because they are not designed for it.

If you had unlimited cash, an excavator is the best thing for clearing and cleaning up land. But it's very limited in moving materials.

I bought a used 1998 2wd open station full sized New Holland 555E for clearing my land. The loader is night and day better than the Massey or my 5065E Deere. The bucket holds a Yard of dirt, and it's rated to lift 6,000 pounds. Being able to dig up stumps, take out entire trees or just pull apart a pile of logs is easy with the hoe. Digging anything is easy with the hoe.

I modified my front bucket so it's now a Quick Attach. I have pallet forks for it and a grapple. The grapple was the big game changer. I can dig out a tree, then pick it up with the grapple and carry it to the burn pile without getting off the seat. A 4 in 1 bucket would be even better because I could haul a bucket of dirt back to the hole from the tree and fill it up. Now I use the Massey for hauling dirt to the hole so I can leave the grapple on the Backhoe.

Another plus to having the backhoe is it's great at pulling my lawn mower out of the mud!!!!!

 

[LNSTrees]

Is there a particular reason why you want to remove stumps in a clearcut? Doesn't seem necessary for your intended use, and I can't see either of those tractors being up to the task of doing that. If you're thinking of the ones you want to remove for the roads throughout the property, I think you'd be better renting/hiring bigger equipment to do that, THEN buy the tractor that fits your ongoing use(s.)

My L3200 starts feeling pretty big when I get it in the woods or in a clearcut where I have to navigate around random stumps, and it's smaller than the small machine you mention.

While I don't know exactly how you will use your equipment there, I will say that I have a similar property and do similar things with it. I made the mistake of not getting the extra hydraulics, both front and rear. Don't be me in that respect. I would have really appreciated having top & tilt in back and grapple capability in front. My gut feel is that the smaller tractor would serve you better in most cases, save money, and be more trailerable with less truck and trailer. For the few times you want to do heavier/larger stuff, rent or hire the appropriate equipment.

I want to grind stumps in food plots so I don't have to work around them to seed and mow. I also want to make roads and trails. The only drawback to hiring out a large scale stump removal operation is that I don't have every single thing I want done completely mapped out and it will be an evolving thing as I learn the lay of the newly clearcut land.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

I would definitely go with the 50 hp tractor.

 

[paulsharvey]

Maybe Eddie can speak on it more, but for a pto stymp grinder, I dont think the 4707 is needed, and the 2850 might actually be better for it.

I see the main upgrade for 2 reasons; mowing, and PTO needed for that; and 2nd, lifting capacity. 4707 is more, but for what you described, I still lean towards the 2850M. Even more so if the question is a 2850 And $20k, or a 4707; short of batwunf mower or field cultivation/bailing hay; id take the 2850/2860 and the $20k

 

[LNSTrees]

Skid steer isnt what i would recommend for installing food plots.

I honestly think the MF 2850M/2M50, or 2860M, will do 90% of what you want, without being unwieldy. If there is 10% that its just not enough machine for (im assuming that means clean up), hire or rent. Dont know what you are saying on your mill, but 2570# at pins/1880 at bucket edge; probably about 2250 with forks, is a good sized log. You probably arent saying 30 ft whole logs, im assuming you saw 12/16 ft logs.

Its not that the 4707 won't do the job, but it sounds like its size might be a disadvantage in the future

I think you're right about the 2M.60 and it's helpful to hear someone say it. And no, I'm not skidding whole trees. Anything I'm sawing is for sale to boutique type local woodworkers, not commercial volume-based enterprises.

It's just real hard to look at that 4707 (especially the rear end) and turn down all that power. Everything in life has tradeoffs tho....

 

[paulsharvey]

I think you're right about the 2M.60 and it's helpful to hear someone say it. And no, I'm not skidding whole trees. Anything I'm sawing is for sale to boutique type local woodworkers, not commercial volume-based enterprises.

It's just real hard to look at that 4707 (especially the rear end) and turn down all that power. Everything in life has tradeoffs tho....

Mission creep is a real thing... You get something sized for every possibility, and you have $125k, and a 155hp machine... At the same time, ive never found More HP in the same size to be a negative. So, I would consider the 2860 if I was looking at the 2850

 

[paulsharvey]

So, one thing thats hard to see in spec sheets, sales ads or even pictures is Size. Try to find a dealer that had a 28M and a 47 onsite, and look at the physical size difference, at the same time. Big isnt all good, nor is small all good. The 28 series falls into a small utility in my mind, not really a compact utility class.

Its weight is around the top of what I would haul with a 1/2 ton truck, when equipped. "Dry" it should be about 5000#; add a rear pto impliment, and loaded tires; your close to 6500#, a 2000# trailer; its going to be close to 9000# to tow. GVWR trailer 9990#, and a properly set up 1500 class truck or a 2500, no issues.

I also like the idea that your in 6/7 ft impliments, but able to use some 8/9 ft used stuff if the right deal comes up. I think for bushhog, a 7 ft is about right, but a double spindle, 3 point 8 ft is do able too. Dont know Christmas tree farm row spacing, but i assume you mow between rows?

 

[paulsharvey]

I think with the 4707, your already over 7 ft wide, and close to 10,000# when ready to work. Meaning, 7 ft inpliments arent really sized right. If you want some sticker shock, start pricing 8 ft box blades, new 9 ft disc, 10 ft dual spindle bushhogs... A Bushhog Ms3110 is around $15k new.


Transport, you go from a $4500 trailer to haul the 2860M vs a $6500 min trailer for the 4707. More importantly, the 4707 is 8'4" tall, on top of that deck over trailer; and we are at 11 ft to 11'6" load height.

 

[Texasmark]

Skid steer is also a lot better at tearing up the ground. But, like everything else, that can be managed... with 20 point turns. Of course it doesn't sound like "disturbing the turf" is an issue in the OP's cleanup operation.

I'll counter that comment with an operator that is turf condition conscious has no problem maintaining the pristine grass lawn....Just like ZT operators that know what they are doing.