Buying Advice 57 mixed acreage

[SouthernSooner]

I just bought 57 acres with apprx. 23 to 25 that will need mowed, to include mowing around five ponds. I'll need to be able to do other projects on the property as well. If you had $15k ONLY to start off with in regards to tractor/implements, what should be the first choice? I'm thinking just a cheap old 50 to 60 HP tractor and six foot brush hog. Then later when I have more money get a utility tractor with FEL and backhoe. Thoughts?

 

[SouthernSooner]

Here is another pic. It's the driveway that is about 200 yards long and in bad shape.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Most important thing in buying used older iron is condition and tires. Usually you can buy higher HP at a lower cost. Here is a local add that demonstrates the softer maket here for higher HP tractors.
white 2-105 tractor and bushog

 

[newbury]

I'd get a used



Kubota M4700 (w/ dual remotes) for $12K a used Bushhog for <$1K and try to figure out what to buy with the other $2K.

Oh wait, I already did that!

/edit - M4700 is 50HP.

 

[vtsnowedin]

That is a beautiful chunk of ground. :thumbsup: Yes an older large tractor that some retiring farmer is done with is probably your best bet. But if your risk adverse you could buy a new open station 4wd tractor with rotary cutter for about $30.000 at zero percent interest. Put $5000 down on it and the payments would be about 417 a month for 60 months. The $10K you didn't spend now would last through the first two years of payments.

 

[nybirdman]

With all those pond edges to mow be real careful what you purchase.I would look at some sort of off-set mower regards of what tractor you purchase.Maybe something like the towns use for road-side ditches.

 

[SouthernSooner]

With all those pond edges to mow be real careful what you purchase.I would look at some sort of off-set mower regards of what tractor you purchase.Maybe something like the towns use for road-side ditches.

Thanks. As for now, I am only concerned with keeping the banks mowed on the pond just behind the house. Thought about using my ATV and buying an offset pull-behind mower for the pond and fence rows.

I'm eventually going to need a grapple bucket since there is so much wood debris and limbs on the lower acreage that is semi cleared.

Wish I had the money to get everything I need now. Lol.

 

[SouthernSooner]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I think I've come to the conclusion that there will not be a "one size fits all" tractor. This is perfectly okay, but will just take a bit longer to acquire what I need to maintain the property properly.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I think I've come to the conclusion that there will not be a "one size fits all" tractor. This is perfectly okay, but will just take a bit longer to acquire what I need to maintain the property properly.

You've come to the right conclusion, two is about right and three is great. Some of our tractors were made in the 50's, but get regular use while the newer ones are needed for something else.

 

[flusher]

Welcome to TBN. Join the fun.:thumbsup:

You can buy a new 6-ft brush hog for $1200. Used for half that price.

For $13.5K you have a lot of options for used 50-60 hp tractors depending on how comfortable you are maintaining and repairing old tractors.

I would start by checking out local tractor dealers to see what's in their used inventories.

Also check Craigslist. I bought 6 old tractors off CL over a 10 year span ranging from a 10 hp 1948 Farmall Cub gasser ($1100) to a 45 hp 1964 Massey Ferguson 135 diesel ($3600).

Good luck.

 

[TJP89]

I agree you will need 2 tractors if you're not going to spend the money now to get the perfect tractor with implements.

I'd go on the small side to start. 6 ft brushog will need 30 PTO HP, which needs a 35-40HP tractor. You can probably find a used 4WD tractor with loader in that range for 14K, then find a brushog for 1K or under. With that you are set, down the road you can get a higher HP tractor that can more easily mow and handle higher loads. You should be able to get by with a smaller machine that has more utility and will keep its use down the road.

 

[tjkadar]

Look at Tractorhouse.com and get a feel for what is available near you in your price range.

 

[ishiboo]

I would be looking at a 35-45hp used modern tractor, with ROPS and hydraulic loader. You can do it plus a brush hog for under 15. Then it's a matter of adding and upgrading as you need it, if you are going to routinely cut that many acres, you're going to need a long-term solution for it.

That size tractor you can eventually add a grapple and backhoe as needed, or upgrade in a few years.

 

[SouthernSooner]

I would be looking at a 35-45hp used modern tractor, with ROPS and hydraulic loader. You can do it plus a brush hog for under 15. Then it's a matter of adding and upgrading as you need it, if you are going to routinely cut that many acres, you're going to need a long-term solution for it.

That size tractor you can eventually add a grapple and backhoe as needed, or upgrade in a few years.

Thanks, I have been going round and round on what to get. I think you may have a good point. I almost need an FEL with grapple before I do anything. There is so much debris all over (from fallen limbs, a few dead trees, etc.) that I need to clean the property up before attempting to mow. I think I may go for a smaller utility so I can afford the FEL and grapple now. In a few months, I'll buy an old used 50-60 HP tractor strictly for mowing.

 

[HCJtractor]

As a owner of a Kubota M 6800 with a FEL , 4WD, and a 30 year old 2 wd Massey Ferguson 240 (40 horse), I can tell you the Kubota is infinitely superior in terms of ease of operation, stability and comfort. If I were you, I would look for a Kubota in a M series in a 40 horse approximate size. But definitely a 4WD and with a FEL. I would not get an older tractor for what you describe

 

[Sysop]

Thanks. As for now, I am only concerned with keeping the banks mowed on the pond just behind the house. Thought about using my ATV and buying an offset pull-behind mower for the pond and fence rows.

I'm eventually going to need a grapple bucket since there is so much wood debris and limbs on the lower acreage that is semi cleared.

Wish I had the money to get everything I need now. Lol.

Offset mowers on an ATV suck for offsetting enough to allow them to drop over the edge of even a small slope. I have a Foreman 500 and a Rhino side by side. Neither can keep the backend from getting dragged over the edge onto the slope, even with added weight. Problem is a mower that weighs enough to not bounce around weighs nearly as much as an ATV and on slopes they'll drag you right over... If you have one, make a mount and trail it beside a tractor mounted cutter. At least a tractor has the heft to handle it. With an ATV you'll find yourself travelling sideways along the hills spinning all four tires to stay on the hill and make forward progress.

If your pond banks are near level, go for it. If they're not I'd rethink the solution.

 

[RollingsFarms]

My Ford 3600 diesel would be up to the task. That's what it does around my farm (bushhog) and then a lot of extra stuff. You could have a nice setup (tractor, bush hog, box blade/rear blade for roads) for $8k easily. Maybe even a little less. Believe me when I say, my 3600 diesel is the smallest on my farm by far but it does twice as many "odd jobs" as any other tractor I have!

 

[Piston]

The most important thing for people like yourself to remember, is that it's the IMPLEMENTS that do the work, NOT the tractor. The tractor is simply an engine on wheels which is used to power the implements. So keep that in mind when shopping. As nice as newer, fancier tractors are, they are completely useless without implements or attachments.

I will always be one to recommend a grapple, so I won't try to sway your decision on that, as it is the single most USEFUL tool I've ever purchased (including all non tractor related items). A basic, older tractor will do the same amount of work as a nice new fancy one, maybe a little slower if you don't have HST or power shuttle, but it will still do the work.

I always suggest to make a list of implements or attachments (I refer to 3 point hookups as implements, and FEL hookups as attachments) that will accomplish the jobs you want done, then pick the tractor to run the implements. Obviously budget will have a lot to do with things. I purchased everything but my my grapple used, and saved an incredible amount of money doing it. Used is the only way to go for someone on a budget. :thumbsup:

 

[Sysop]

The most important thing for people like yourself to remember, is that it's the IMPLEMENTS that do the work, NOT the tractor. The tractor is simply an engine on wheels which is used to power the implements. So keep that in mind when shopping. As nice as newer, fancier tractors are, they are completely useless without implements or attachments.

+1 and well said. Bad part about it is, a tractor is actually only a small part of the cost too. First implement that comes to my mind that is very well made if not ideal for many of the primary cleanup tasks he mentioned as being a priority, would eat the entire $15k budget up and a tractor would still be needed to run it.

 

[SouthernSooner]

There is a farm show here in OKC tomorrow thru the weekend that I am going to check out. Hope to get lots of ideas for not only tractor choices, but the latest in implements and such. I have been dreaming about owning this type property for lots of years. Having a long and messy driveway that needs immediate attention actually excites me more than upsets me. I absolutely can not wait to close on this property and get to work. I want to contribute to this forum, not just ask goofy questions and read. Lol