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

[Kennebec_Guy]

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?

My largest tap line has about 20 taps on it, which generate about 2.5 gallons of sap per day apiece at the peak of the season. Collecting every 2 days, that means I'll likely never be lifting more than 100 gallons of sap at a time and the ~1500lb class FEL on a compact will be fine.

 

[Kennebec_Guy]

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

Yep, and that reputation is why I'm not even thinking of TYM, however nice their machines may be. Both the indie Deere dealers and United seem to have good reputations, as do the guys selling Kubota, Kioti, Massey Ferguson, and Yanmar. LS, Mahindra, and CNH dealers are rare in my part of the state, too, so they're out of the running as well.

 

[Peter 315]

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

I don't need another tractor LOL

 

[paulsharvey]

For the forks; I bought clamp on forks for very cheap; but I Don't think they would suit your purpose well. They're fine for limited light use; but are kinda a pain in the butt, not as strong or easy to use as SSQA Forks. I would 100% tell you to get real forks for moving 1000+ lbs.

The grapple; size it/style it for your intended use; lots of types that are better for say debris vs raking vs logs; and heavier/wider could be a disadvantage for one use vs an advantage for others.

If you are serious about the Kioti; I think its the 2610/2620 SE that comes default with dual rear remotes; cruise control; and a couple other features that my base model doesn't have.

Cab or no Cab; I prefer an open station; but I'm not north of the artic circle. Cab can be Great, but it does limit where you can fit; AC draws additional (already limited) HP from a PTO implement. A pretty fair compromise can be a ROPs open station, with a sun/rain PVC or diamond plate cover; that can be removed if needed; with a 12v DC fan mounted blowing on you (it's hot here in FLa; and we hide inside when it drops below 50 degrees).

I'll add; a tractor with loader is longer then you realize sometimes; and keep the loader/bucket swing in front of tires in mind while placing stairs/fences/terraces/ect as well as an transporting and storage solutions.

 

[tacticalturnip]

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?

Kioti CK series is the 3 series equivalent, except Deere doesn't offer a 3025R, and that's how my Kioti is configured.

There's also Manchester Motors and their newer location, Topsham Tractor; I've got high praise for them.

Seriously though, Mama Deere is losing money not offering a premium 25 horsepower CUT; the 3025E is a laugh.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I don't need another tractor LOL

That's a damn dirty lie, lol.

 

[Peter 315]

I was going to buy a dump trailer from them put down a deposit. when the trailer came in the tail gate was off about 1'' in the center 1 door higher then the other . They refunded my money no problem.

 

[tacticalturnip]

The CK2610/20SE isn't available in open station, only as a cab; however, the CK2610/20 can be outfitted with almost everything the SE has. You can't add tilt steering, and I'm sure I am forgetting something.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I was going to buy a dump trailer from them put down a deposit. when the trailer came in the tail gate was off about 1'' in the center 1 door higher then the other . They refunded my money no problem.

Oh I have no doubt about that; the issues I've heard (so grain of salt, etc.) are more after the sale.

Add to that, my visits during the early days of their tractor venture soured me on TYM as a brand for a long time. I have no doubt they've improved in the years since, as they're still selling tractors, so I'm not going to go into detail.

So my words are biased, and I admit to that. My views on TYM as a brand have improved considerably in the years since.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I haven't seen much of the smaller Yanmars but the local dealer had a YT235 on display at one of the fairs last year and my word, what a capable and beautifully put together machine for the price.

Waterman's Farm Machinery in Sabattus sells Yanmar, and has since the Cub Cadet/Yanmar era; they've also got Massey Ferguson, and Case IH, if that floats your boat. They're good folks, and about as far from a corporate store as it gets.