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