Another Newbie looking to buy a tractor

[MaineBarn]

You could consider this Kubota L47 with 516 hours and $42K which is built for what you are going to do in the woods - these are tough machines and you can add a cab if you need to. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2140475443020986/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp:412b3e4b-efcb-4a3b-9124-6eaf8a288bd5

That looks very solid. Didn't realize that Kubota specifically made more construction grade tractors.

In a couple weeks is when I'm going to make the purchasing decision. Have only been looking at new machines so would look at the "how to" of financing a used machine and what the APR is.

Can't you just make brush piles and burn them, rather than using a wood chipper?

My home lot is pretty small and essentially all either grass or covered in tree trunks/gardens/hardscaped areas. Those trees drop so many big branches that I'm thinking I need a decent sized chipper either way. At the lake site, burning would be possible.

 

[paulsharvey]

With taxes, that comes out to just over $60k.

Check on that, most states. zero sales tax on agricultural equipment.

 

[Rustyiron]

Welcome to TBN!
What area of the state is this project?
Do you have any clearing and machinery background?
I'd find a week of time and rent a 6- 10 ton mini excavator to see what you project looks like and what you're up against as far as the soil and rock ratio. Usually 3 days of rental gets you a week. (40 hrs)
Pushing trees over (whole) combined with a little digging around it is the best way to go. Take advantage of the leverage and weight of the tree to pull the stump.
My little part of Maine it's about 3 rock to 1 dirt.
I might be able to steer you to a rental outfit with a general location.

 

[paulsharvey]

Once he has his route staked/painted out, he will have a much better idea of what obstacles need to be removed. I would recommend at that point, some pictures and post it here. Believe it or not, there are some knowledgeable folks here (as well as some very confident fools..., so do your do diligence).

 

[Carl_NH]

That looks very solid. Didn't realize that Kubota specifically made more construction grade tractors.

In a couple weeks is when I'm going to make the purchasing decision. Have only been looking at new machines so would look at the "how to" of financing a used machine and what the APR is.

My home lot is pretty small and essentially all either grass or covered in tree trunks/gardens/hardscaped areas. Those trees drop so many big branches that I'm thinking I need a decent sized chipper either way. At the lake site, burning would be possible.

It's the Kubota TLB Series - Tractor - Loader - Backhoe - Specifically made for construction and commercial use with a very rugged frame and underframe protection - these machines are pretty indestructible in most applications. For the rocks and rough ground we have in NE it's one of the best. The only other smaller TLB is the older John Deere 110 Machine. You can get close to this with the Yanmar YT359 with a BH but no other machines are close in this price range ($42K for a 500 hr machine)

 

[MaineBarn]

With taxes, that comes out to just over $60k.

Check on that, most states. zero sales tax on agricultural equipment.

Ya. Unfortunately Maine seems to charge taxes. There's a dealer with both ME and NH locations who quotes monthly prices. Looking at the same item starting price, the monthly payment for the ME one is greater by exactly how much the tax would impact the initially financed amount. Also stopped today at a John Deere dealership and the sales person had said how taxes are calculated into the initial cost. I had looked previously and there are some exceptions if you have something like $400,000 dollars in gross agricultural income per year.

Welcome to TBN!
What area of the state is this project?
Do you have any clearing and machinery background?
I'd find a week of time and rent a 6- 10 ton mini excavator to see what you project looks like and what you're up against as far as the soil and rock ratio. Usually 3 days of rental gets you a week. (40 hrs)
Pushing trees over (whole) combined with a little digging around it is the best way to go. Take advantage of the leverage and weight of the tree to pull the stump.
My little part of Maine it's about 3 rock to 1 dirt.
I might be able to steer you to a rental outfit with a general location.

Thanks Rustyiron. It would be in Southern Maine. I bet we're pretty close as I'm just outside of Standish and see in your signature you're from the Lakes Region. Zero machinery background. Drove a forklift years ago as a small part of my job.

Once he has his route staked/painted out, he will have a much better idea of what obstacles need to be removed. I would recommend at that point, some pictures and post it here. Believe it or not, there are some knowledgeable folks here (as well as some very confident fools..., so do your do diligence).

Definitely seeing there are knowledgeable folks on this forum! It would likely be in April when I get out to the property to take any photos/figure out a route. At that point I'll probably have a tractor and be inquiring if it's worth bringing it out there or not.

 

[MaineBarn]

It's the Kubota TLB Series - Tractor - Loader - Backhoe - Specifically made for construction and commercial use with a very rugged frame and underframe protection - these machines are pretty indestructible in most applications. For the rocks and rough ground we have in NE it's one of the best. The only other smaller TLB is the older John Deere 110 Machine. You can get close to this with the Yanmar YT359 with a BH but no other machines are close in this price range ($42K for a 500 hr machine)

It looks like a beast and the price is right. My only concern is used and seeing how I've never had a tractor before, wouldn't be totally comfortable looking at the wear points. That being said, am going to keep it in mind well looking at all the options. Much appreciated

 

[MaineBarn]

Having stopped at the local JD dealership today to get a better understanding of the physical size of tractors based on weights, totally can understand why it's likely not the right tool for the job. Around me the brands are well represented and I can look at several models for each. There are some recommended brands (either here or on youtube) that aren't around me which reduces the possibilities.

What I think I'll do (taking in mind the normal advice regarding getting the right tractor) is spend the next couple weeks researching/honing in on two routes: the tractor that would give me the best chance of possibly doing the hillside project and the tractor that would be best for my property. If I were just getting a tractor for my house, I'd be flipping between a 1 and 2 series John Deere equivalent. My major requirements for my home use would be cab/backhoe with maybe 20HP at the PTO. I wouldn't need substantial mass for any tree work and the most taxing thing I'd be getting would potentially be a forward facing rear snow blower.

If I ended up getting the one for the hillside, I'd never have too little tractor for my home. In fact, I'd need to find bigger projects which isn't a bad thing.

I'll then get quotes on both options, weigh the pros/cons, figure out what I'm giving up in terms of features between the two, and make a decision at that point. Because honestly, if I'm doing that big project as a favor, and it wasn't really utilized or appreciated, it'd be both a drain in terms of time and finances. I shouldn't let it dictate the decision. More of a if I can do it, it would be nice. If the general consensus on the forum was "yeah a 50+ HP tractor with 40+ PTO can certainly get a 800ft driveway put in over the course of a summer" then I think be pretty convinced about the bigger tractor.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, I dont know the JD families that well, but I would start the look at the 2 and 3 series. The 1 has very very low ground clearance, and I Think only a 2 speed HST.

That would likely be the Kubota L series,
Kioti CK series, 26/35/40
LS I think it's MT3?
Massey is the 1825/35/40E, and 1840/50/55/60M series

 

[Rustyiron]

Thank you for your service to say the least ! I knew from your posts that there was a vast depth of knowledge in the conflict business, this explains it ! We are in the company of giants at times on TBN , I certainly count you as one of them !

$5000 of seed and fertilizer and high tensile fence ... Initially the bill was $7800 when she told me I turn white and asked for a chair lol, she saw the disparity in my face and gave me bulk prices and took $1500 out then some stocks issued in the fences and I removed a few bags a fertilizer and got it down to 5k.... that should put my fields up to par.

Thanks Rustyiron. It would be in Southern Maine. I bet we're pretty close as I'm just outside of Standish and see in your signature you're from the Lakes Region. Zero machinery background. Drove a forklift years ago as a small part of my job.

Stop in at MB, they have a big rental fleet and balancing the machine to your site (via various types of rentals) would be smart. I think the Standish area is a little less rocky than I have about 14 miles away.