~85 acre, ~27 clear, general property maintainance

[WLighting]

\de-lurk

New member looking for a WHOLE setup.

I've been lurking for a while but I'm not sure I'm 100% on procedure/etiquette - apologies in advance. Looking for a whole setup and I am without brand loyalty. Details:

~85 acre residential
~27 are cleared (finish mowed)
1/2 mile paved drive/road.
Rolling, hilly, not crazy, some wet spots
There is a pond, trees, etc etc.

Taking all advice but here's what I think:
- 50-80hp cab tractor on turf tires
- >15foot gang mower, maybe a roller (finish, MIGHT look into flail but all those hammers don't seem brilliant for this use)
- Front mount snow thrower (really stuck between hydraulic, Erskine rear pto and proprietary like L60 grand)
- 4 in 1 or a grapple (think 4/1 is fine)
- Prob a broadcast spreader but thats the least of my worries (sand, maybe seed, maybe nitrogen)
- Would love a front flail for clearing trails or edges of finish mow
- Broom would be useful too
- Finally a winning lottery ticket would ease this a bit

What else to burden you'all with.... I'll be the operator. I do have experience on many rigs esp when I lived in MO (and went to school as a mechanical engineer). Last season ran a Toro 580D to handle the grass (long story short, Pal and I bought it, he's using the heck outta it and I don't really wanna be wed to him anymore)

Any and all advice welcome. Pretty much all brands are close 'nuff to work. Not wedded to any dealer.

Thanks in advance,

WL

/re-lurk

 

[TheMadOne]

Main advice?

Stop finish mowing 27 acres. Let the majority go to pasture and bush hog it with a batwing every now and then, or make hay, or food plots, or charity farm. Finished lawn is the least efficient or useful thing you could do with that much ground. Buy a zero turn for 3-5 acres, trails, what have you.

If you insist in continuing this endeavor, something like a Kubota L6060 would probably do what you say you need the best. You'd have the front mount flail and snow blower that you said you want, and enough HP to pull a decent sized gang mower without excess weight. That said, the big daddy Grand L is expensive, and so are the front attachments. You could do the same with a rear flail and blower, M6060, and save thousands.

 

[oosik]

I have 80 forested acres and a mile long gravel driveway. My 2009 Kubota M6040 is just right for all my jobs/projects. I have a very heavy(820#) Land Pride SGC1560 grapple on the FEL, 1550# of Rim Guard in the rear tires and a 1100# Rhino 950 rear blade on the 3-point. This package weights 10,100#.

I can lift 3000#+ with the grapple and the tractor with the rear blade is heavy enough to remove any snow berms that may form along the driveway.

I would look at a Kubota M6060 or M7060. Have your rear tires filled with Rim Guard, windshield washer fluid or RV antifreeze.

Drop the idea of finish mowing 27 acres. Get a 3-point bush hog - do as TheMadOne suggests.

 

[jeff9366]

It takes considerable weight on the rear of an L6060 to maintain traction. You will want 'loaded' rear tires.

Adding a cab increases weight 700 pounds or so, mostly on the rear.

Are you going to buy a Front End Loader? (FEL)

If so, you will be putting more weight than prudent on Turf Tires, which are four ply. Turfs will squash down too much.

Go with R4/industrial tires, which are six ply and unlikely to puncture. R4 tires have much stronger, tear-resistant sidewalls.

 

[WLighting]

\de-lurk

Thank you!

You'all are awesome.

TheMadOne - Yes, I agree not finish mowing all that would be the logical choice. But for some very critical reasons its going to stay mowed. Now, maybe it can be reduced some, but its really gunna be mowed (no, not golf - and if its a moral thing, please note the open fields are used in a positive communal/rehabilitative way)

jeff9366 - Yup, I do believe it should have a FEL. That said it'll prob be my first setup where the FEL is unbolted alot.... If hydraulics for the snow etc, it can be on more than off.

All - Yeah, its not a typical tractor use (one of the reasons I'm reaching out). Since it will be on grass alot alot, turf's really seem like the answer. Yeah, the R4s are the backup choice but I think 6,8,10 or more ply Turfs exist. (they do fo the 16 foot 80+ horse mower, and even factory on something like a Powerstar 75). Oh, and in terms of filling tires, I hear ya. I confess I MUCH prefer wheel weights when you can do it. -yes the weight isn't "on" the ground its "on" the axle, but the advantages hold value to me (happy to take comments).

Lastly, yup, I'm really trying to start picking equipment.

Thanks again,
WL

/re-lurk (hum, I seem to be lurking less)

 

[IH3444]

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/408601-r-14s-have-hit-market.html

 

[rbtjr]

We have 60 acres and formerly 127 acres. Definitely agree with something like 60 hp or more for you. We have the MX5800 now and really like it. Suggest HST transmission or anything other than regular gear shift (we have had both and find not having to shift gears a definite benefit). I agree with the suggestion to use a rotary mower versus a finish mower, and get a zero turn for the area you want "finish mowed". FEL for sure. We have both a 4-n-1 bucket and grapple. Get both if you can. Also, forks are handy. Many TBNers leave their grapple or forks on their tractors the most. We leave the 4-n-1 on the FEL the most. No experience here with turf tires but have had both R1s and R4s and have settled on R4s as a good multipurpose tire. No experience with wheel weights but we always put liquid in our rear tires plus use some kind of additional ballast. Lots of TBNers use something like a heavy box blade for ballast. We have done that also, adding suitcase weights to the box blade for additional weight. Best wishes with your selections.

 

[widefat]

A Toro 580D - is that the mower with a 16 foot cutting width?
Finish mowing 27 acres - I think I would want an air conditioned cab with a small fridge and maybe a hotplate to cook my spam and eggs.
No, I have nothing substantive to add -

 

[TheMadOne]

I'm gonna switch gears for a bit.

You need to mow 27 acres. This is why we're bumping you to such high HP. Have you considered getting a Toro groundsmaster or similar large mower? Then you could get a tractor with R4s and a loader for your other tasks.

It would be expensive, but if you need a finish cut then a dedicated machine for the task is probably your best bet for getting the job done quickly without either tearing up the ground or compromising on other features.

 

[Jchonline]

I'm gonna switch gears for a bit.

You need to mow 27 acres. This is why we're bumping you to such high HP. Have you considered getting a Toro groundsmaster or similar large mower? Then you could get a tractor with R4s and a loader for your other tasks.

It would be expensive, but if you need a finish cut then a dedicated machine for the task is probably your best bet for getting the job done quickly without either tearing up the ground or compromising on other features.

Exactly my thoughts. You need a professional mower for this acreage...like they use for sports fields. Get that and then a tractor if you have money left over.