10 hilly/mountainous acres

[mattbatson]

in western NC...
There is very little flat land, with two hills that have a ravine between them...the land goes from hilly to moderately steep depending on where you are.
I have a few pictures, but I can be hard to tell the grade from these to a point.
pic below is my wife hiking up behind me to the top of the property ...I'm not sure about the grade...not good at judging that sort of thing being a native floridian, lol. It isnt too steep that if paved a two wheel drive car should be able to drive right up it...but much steeper and a front wheel drive would have a hard time going up. Pretty much right at the limit in that picture anyways, for driving straight up if paved.

pic below is a road I built with the rental tracked skidsteer....I can do it pretty easily like it is with my 4whl drive 4runner. My mom's paved driveway in the adjoining town is steeper...
to the right of this new road is a hill, and to the left is the other hill...this road goes right up alongside the ravine...where a little creek flows.

pic below is this section of flat area that used to have a single wide on it, from what we are told...We widened and leveled it, and cleared all the kudzu out. This is where we plan to put our quonset hut garage/apartment which we will stay in when we visit the land every few months.
As we visit, we will fire up the tractor, or whatever we have, and work the land. We have driveways to cut, basement to dig for our future home up at the top of the land, and maybe some terracing also.

below is looking down from the future quonset hut area

below is a shot of the driveway, paved and about 40 ft long, up to the flat area where the quonset hut is going. The 4 runner is sitting at the base of the driveway I cut that goes up to the top of the property.

yes, that is my 2 yr old pretending to talk on the phone, lol


anyways, we wont be doing a whole lot of mowing, and I do have a john deere 52 inch cut riding mower already for much of that....
Not sure how much bushhogging we will be doing either

Mostly digging, some grading of driveways, moving dirt...that sort of thing i suspect.

I had bought a kubota B1750 with fel about a year ago...ordered it from Tx auctioneer for what i thought was an awesome price only to discover that it had all kinds of problems...I have a rebuild thread going on in here about it.

I think the b1750 is going to be too small.
The size backhoe that I could get with it will have little reach and power, and the fel will struggle with all the heavy clay and granite rock we have up there.

The T190 bobcat skidsteer that we rented a few times is just amazing...but that is coming from someone who has little experience with tractors in general.
It was amazing how much work and how quickly we could accomplish it with the T190.

The other thing is the steepness of the land. Will a T190 be more stable on the hills than a traditional tractor with hoe and fel?


We are trying to decide between buying a bigger tractor or a skidsteer.

I will be excavating, moving dirt, grading, and auguring fence post holes.

Also, I know the tracked bobcats are more expensive, but heard they are quite a bit better? never driven a wheeled one

thoughts?

 

[PatasColo]

Hey Matt,
Great to get a real feel for your land via the pics you posted.. thanks for those.

It seems most of your work revolves around earth moving. If that is the case, a skidsteer might really have the upper hand for you. And because of their weight, they do well with a backhoe attachment as well. I can't really say much about the tracked vs. wheeled comparison. I'd recommend that you rent a wheeled one next time, and compare for yourself! If you refuse to rent a wheeled one, then there's your answer! :laughing:

Yes, I can see that the B1750 would be way too small, again based on the fact that most of your tasks involve digging and earth moving.
Keep us posted!
-Mitch

 

[mattbatson]

Hey Matt,
Great to get a real feel for your land via the pics you posted.. thanks for those.

It seems most of your work revolves around earth moving. If that is the case, a skidsteer might really have the upper hand for you. And because of their weight, they do well with a backhoe attachment as well. I can't really say much about the tracked vs. wheeled comparison. I'd recommend that you rent a wheeled one next time, and compare for yourself! If you refuse to rent a wheeled one, then there's your answer! :laughing:

Yes, I can see that the B1750 would be way too small, again based on the fact that most of your tasks involve digging and earth moving.
Keep us posted!
-Mitch

Hey,
Yes renting a wheeled bobcat was something I had thought about and we will probably do that next time.
It is cheaper anyway, at only 150 per day as opposed to 200.

From what I understand you can get backhoe/excavater attachments for skidsteers but it is more expensive....
but would be a one time cost I guess....

Yeah, for the occasional dig or something the 1750 would probably be fine. When I bought it I was really not very knowledgable about tractors and such...but having done much more research i now know I bought too small.

On another note, I have read that Case skidsteers can run forever?

Still need to do more reading....

 

[Samandothers]

Looks like you are gonna have fun! Are you relocating or have you relocated? What town are you near in Western NC?

 

[mattbatson]

Looks like you are gonna have fun! Are you relocating or have you relocated? What town are you near in Western NC?

hey, we lived in charlotte for a few years ...liked that town...

lived just north of the airport.

we have not relocated, and still have yet to put up the quonset hut even...so still a ways away from full time relocation.
we will be using it for vacations for probably a few years.

we are in marshall, just north of asheville.

Used to live over in canton, which is where my mom lives now.

 

[creekbend]

When we bought our property in NC, about 15 years ago, we were still living and working in Florida. Twice a year, I would take a hiatus from my job and work on this property. I rented a skid steer a couple of times, and borrowed a dozer - D6 from one of my Uncles. Both had their specific uses. One year, I had a well dug and built a pump house myself. Another year, I had a septic system put in. Best wishes in regards to your endeavors. One step at a time, and most certainly your dreams will become a reality. BTW, I ejoyed the pictures. :thumbsup:

 

[mattbatson]

When we bought our property in NC, about 15 years ago, we were still living and working in Florida. Twice a year, I would take a hiatus from my job and work on this property. I rented a skid steer a couple of times, and borrowed a dozer - D6 from one of my Uncles. Both had their specific uses. One year, I had a well dug and built a pump house myself. Another year, I had a septic system put in. Best wishes in regards to your endeavors. One step at a time, and most certainly your dreams will become a reality. BTW, I ejoyed the pictures. :thumbsup:

thx
we looked in yanceyville and many other places before deciding on marshall...
it was really more a case of the right price more than anything..

plus, yanceyville is pretty far out if I remember...have to look it up

but yes, that is pretty much what we are doing...next trip is in early july.

how steep is your land up there? what tractor are you running?

thx

 

[creekbend]

thx
we looked in yanceyville and many other places before deciding on marshall...
it was really more a case of the right price more than anything..

plus, yanceyville is pretty far out if I remember...have to look it up

but yes, that is pretty much what we are doing...next trip is in early july.

how steep is your land up there? what tractor are you running?

thx

My Wife and I have 30 acres. 15 acres are somewhat hilly, not very steep. 10 acres are mostly flat meadow and 5 acres are wooded. I have a Kubota L4400 -4WD with FEL, tooth bar, box blade, rotary mower plus 2 utility trailers and a heavier trailer. I have a trailer made from the bed of a full size Dodge pickup that I use all the time with a 3-point trailer hitch on my tractor. If you can locate or make one of these utility trailers, you will discover that it will prove to be an invaluable asset. Yanceyville is in the Piedmont area of NC - about 35 miles west of Durham. The following website will provide you with info and specs in regards to tractors www.TractorData.com The forums here are TBN contain much info to assist you in many areas such as tractors, implements; etc. Best wishes.

 

[MarkV]

Just an opinion from someone with similar property in N. Georgia. Spend a couple of thousand and bring in someone with a dozer to cut your road and install proper ditches. Other wise I am afraid you are going to see a good deal of erosion. That grade could be handled with stone if the road bed is built properly. Paving can get real expensive.

MarkV

 

[boggen]

Just an opinion from someone with similar property in N. Georgia. Spend a couple of thousand and bring in someone with a dozer to cut your road and install proper ditches. Other wise I am afraid you are going to see a good deal of erosion. That grade could be handled with stone if the road bed is built properly. Paving can get real expensive.

MarkV

thoughts as well. or get tractor. you have a lot of ditches to put in, culverts to put in, stump removal. being able to box blade, and use rear blade to maintain roads and fix ditches as needed. along with snow removal.

skid steers are nice little units. and keep center of gravity low, plus have a roll cage. so if you do go rolling down the hill you have some protection. but price of skid steer vs tractor, with same like implements, i would suspect you would end up with a bigger tractor with more "weight" and more "horse power" going tractor route.

=============
determined what you want to do. do you want a "muscle of machine" to do all the work yourself and get the major large stuff out of the way, and then once done sell the large machine, and go with more of a smaller machine for just general upkeep?

going this route myself, with a used 555c TLB (tractor loader backhoe) bigger machine than what i really need, but makes moving and digging much faster. once done with big things. will sell for a smaller size tractor.

 

[mattbatson]

Just an opinion from someone with similar property in N. Georgia. Spend a couple of thousand and bring in someone with a dozer to cut your road and install proper ditches. Other wise I am afraid you are going to see a good deal of erosion. That grade could be handled with stone if the road bed is built properly. Paving can get real expensive.

MarkV

Thanks for the advice.

I have a working knowledge of what drainage ditches designs need to be, how to build them, etc.

I've cut a new driveway with rental excavater/skidsteer years ago in canton, and learned a lot from that. It was a steep enough drive that you needed 4wd everytime you wanted to drive up it

I agree that I will need an excavator attachment if I decide to go the skidsteer route, and I do know they are more expensive too.

And yes, having a boxblade ability will be important...although, I bet you could get one of those for a skidsteer too? I dont know, I'll have to look...

I guess one of the really important factors to consider in this comparison/decision for me is how each respective machine handles inclines?

Are skidsteers THAT much better on inclines...or is the difference not really all that significant?

Thanks again everyone for the input

 

[mattbatson]

thoughts as well. or get tractor. you have a lot of ditches to put in, culverts to put in, stump removal. being able to box blade, and use rear blade to maintain roads and fix ditches as needed. along with snow removal.

skid steers are nice little units. and keep center of gravity low, plus have a roll cage. so if you do go rolling down the hill you have some protection. but price of skid steer vs tractor, with same like implements, i would suspect you would end up with a bigger tractor with more "weight" and more "horse power" going tractor route.

=============
determined what you want to do. do you want a "muscle of machine" to do all the work yourself and get the major large stuff out of the way, and then once done sell the large machine, and go with more of a smaller machine for just general upkeep?

going this route myself, with a used 555c TLB (tractor loader backhoe) bigger machine than what i really need, but makes moving and digging much faster. once done with big things. will sell for a smaller size tractor.

I'm pretty determined to do all the work myself :drool:

The people around there want a lot of money for dirt work...plus, I can kinda take my time at this point.
I dont need to rush anything from here on out, and it will be pretty much fun as much as work. I can pick away at it.

Now, that said, I still dont want to try and tackle this with such a small tractor as my b1750...a 1000lb tractor with 20hp, means an excavater attachment will have little power or reach...and would be a lesson in frustration more than anything,

As it said, it is either a bigger tractor, or a skidsteer (and then it would be deciding wheeled or tracked )...

ha ha, the research is almost as much fun as the buying

 

[mattbatson]

My Wife and I have 30 acres. 15 acres are somewhat hilly, not very steep. 10 acres are mostly flat meadow and 5 acres are wooded. I have a Kubota L4400 -4WD with FEL, tooth bar, box blade, rotary mower plus 2 utility trailers and a heavier trailer. I have a trailer made from the bed of a full size Dodge pickup that I use all the time with a 3-point trailer hitch on my tractor. If you can locate or make one of these utility trailers, you will discover that it will prove to be an invaluable asset. Yanceyville is in the Piedmont area of NC - about 35 miles west of Durham. The following website will provide you with info and specs in regards to tractors TractorData.com - information on all makes and models of tractors The forums here are TBN contain much info to assist you in many areas such as tractors, implements; etc. Best wishes.

I will look into a trailer like that! Seems like they would have good ground clearance too...
I'm on tractor data all the time, for sure lots of good info on there.
I'm wondering how steep parts of your land are, and how you handle it with your tractor?

I've read elsewhere that you can go up some pretty steep grades by backing up and using the fel as an assist with it just slightly dragging on the ground...to keep you from tipping...

 

[creekbend]

I will look into a trailer like that! Seems like they would have good ground clearance too...
I'm on tractor data all the time, for sure lots of good info on there.
I'm wondering how steep parts of your land are, and how you handle it with your tractor?

I've read elsewhere that you can go up some pretty steep grades by backing up and using the fel as an assist with it just slightly dragging on the ground...to keep you from tipping...

15 acres- somewhat hilly, not very steep; 10 acres- mostly flat meadow; 5 acres wooded. I use my box bade for ballast and my rear tires have ballast. Please be careful and alert when transversing hilly or steep terrain when the conditions are wet and muddy.Be sure to use a lower gear suitable to handle the conditions. Another word of advice? Please don't change gears while climbing or descending hilly and steep terrain. This may cause you to lose control of your tractor. BTW, I leave my FEL on most of the time because I usually find a use for it when I am working. The tooth bar is also an asset. Just remember to take your time and consider the conditions before undertaking any task with your equipment. Best wishes. Stay safe.

 

[Gittyup]

Kioti ck45 HST. Heavy. Excellent loader lift. Great hydraulics......wear your seatbelt!

 

[boggen]

I'm pretty determined to do all the work myself :drool:

The people around there want a lot of money for dirt work...plus, I can kinda take my time at this point.
I dont need to rush anything from here on out, and it will be pretty much fun as much as work. I can pick away at it.

Now, that said, I still dont want to try and tackle this with such a small tractor as my b1750...a 1000lb tractor with 20hp, means an excavater attachment will have little power or reach...and would be a lesson in frustration more than anything,

As it said, it is either a bigger tractor, or a skidsteer (and then it would be deciding wheeled or tracked )...

ha ha, the research is almost as much fun as the buying

it would be nice to have a skid steer if i lived in the city or the day job was working on folks yards that lived in the city, there small, light weight making them easy to trailer. and good amount of attachments. but costlier.

with that said. i doubt i will own a skid steer. as much as i would like one just to play in. i would prefer tractor myself.

as for filpping / rolling. we all have are butt clinching episodes, of ok that is to steep of a hill to work on. never ran a skid steer around the 80 acres here or any were else, it has always been a tractor.

for me, i have to many sticks and wash outs, and mud holes that can come up. and having tractor with FEL and then bush on back is a life saver when getting unstuck, and snagging falling limbs down in the grass.

when backing down around lakes with bush hog on, the FEL comes in pretty handy to get my rear tires back up on solid ground, because when i tried to stop i kept on sliding down into the lake.

areas were i need to get, the larger tractor can get into. granted if i was in the city, i would be in trouble with such a large tractor. the only exception, is i want to dig a small trench in my shed, and 555c TLB is way to big to do anything *cries* a well, i can hand dig that short length trench, and let the 555c TLB dig the couple hundred feet of trench outside of the shed for me with ease.

shed i have is large enough to house the tractors. but not enough room with all the junk in it at moment. that can be a "stopper" for some folks. and not having enough garage clearance height.

=============
getting back to tipping over. i think if i really wanted to, i could flip any skid steer or tractor over pretty quickly on flat ground. i think it is more about experience and judging your own fear factor of how far you want to push things.

on other thing to remember skid steers do not have "high gears" for like driving on roads. vs a tractor. your grandpa with a walker may be passing you. as you move stuff around the property with a skid steer. vs a tractor. do not get me wrong, some of the bigger skid steer machines, can get a moving pretty good. for me with an easy mile length of driveway to cross. skid steer just did not cut it. your smaller acreage it may be ok, that it takes a couple minutes longer to get around entire property.

 

[mattbatson]

thanks again for all the advice :thumbsup:

hadnt thought about how slow those skidsteers are if you have a ways to go...certainly something to consider.

it does sound like maybe a tractor at this point...decisions decisions

 

[mattbatson]

Okay, old thread, but thought I would give updates...

Rented a B21 for a week and used it all over my property.

I was amazed at how well it handled the hilly terrain. It felt more stable than the skidsteer if you can believe it. I think part of that is the longer wheelbase.

And yes, having a backhoe saved my butt one time when i got stuck in a little mud hole. I was able to pull myself out, uphill no less, with the hoe. And it was really easy to boot.