'Bout to get a new 'Bota

[CptTrog]

I'm a newbie to the forums and need advice from all you "old timers". Just bought a piece of dirt in SW VA covered in trees and rocks. BIG trees and even bigger rocks. Some of the terrain is STEEEEP. Some of that rock is covered by anywhere from 6 inches to 20 feet of dirt mixed with gravel to boulders and all of it covered with slick moss and leaves. I'll need to cut some small roads through the property [read hanging from cliffs in some parts] just to move around, much less take any timber out of it. My plan is to remove anything gnarly-looking that's 18" to 24" dia. or less to let the truly big stuff take off. I hope. There's some 36" Maples and Black Walnut that have earned their right to stay. For now.

So, I've been looking at an `08 L4400 HST with FEL, Grapple, Gill boxblade and a 3PH backhoe.

My question to you folks is this: would this little machine -slowly but surely- do what I need to do yet keep my inexperienced butt in a single piece provided I do plenty of practice in the meadows first? (first time tractor owner, in case I failed to mention that) Or am I gonna end up wearing this beast as a butt plug? A good friend and fellow HOG rider reminded me of a simple rule: "you got the horses, you're gonna use 'em." Thus my enjoyment of a GeezerGlide in my old age and a feeling that a 60HP or better machine will just get me dead.

Thanks in advance for the advice, folks.
Much respect,
Cpt Trog

 

[CptTrog]

Failed to mention most of that rock is shale and peels apart fairly easy. I'll have a small skid-steer with a jack hammer to break up the bigger stuff.
Thx again.

 

[have_blue]

When you talk about large trees and rock and steep terrain, you're talking heavy duty construction equipment and experienced operators.. The L4400 is a great little tractor, but not really commercial duty. Nor is it heavy enough to move anything really heavy. 3PH backhoes are another source of grief. They're relitavely light duty, and if care is not taken, can break your tractor.

Some pictures would help clarify whether the job is do-able with an L4400.

Not trying to discourage you at all, just pointing out some realities in taking on a sticky project, which yours sounds like.

 

[LBrown59]

3PH backhoe.



Thanks in advance for the advice, folks.
Much respect,
Cpt Trog

stay awaw from these.

 

[N80]

I've got an L4400 and love it. Have done a lot of heavy duty type jobs which were really better done with larger equipment, but it gets it done and there have been no problems.

My property is also rocky and hilly.

However, you might want to consider renting equipment to do the big stuff, or even hiring it out, and then use the 4400 for upkeep and lighter duty stuff.

Or, look at an M5040 or 6040 with a heavy duty bucket with teeth and/or grapple.

Problem is, once you get much bigger than a 4400, getting around in the woods and tight places can be pretty tuff. Mine does great in the woods and on the jeep trails but anything bigger would not.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

checkout the MX5100

 

[Matt_Jr]

checkout the MX5100

What's Nebraska got against the MX5100?

Yes, I read the small print.

 

[CptTrog]

Thanks for all your replies so far. Guess the 3PHBH is out. Besides, the $5 to $8K one would cost would go far toward renting a small track hoe (skid steer maybe) that I could also put that jackhammer on.

Here are links to a few pics.

Pic1:The walnut you see in the foreground and trees on the south-facing hillside are 12" diameter or less. I plan to take 90% of them down to make room for an fruit tree orchard and will cut a road (no larger than about 8') across the face and around the back up to the top.

Pics 2,3 & 4: Typical of the 4-wheeler trails that exist now. The hills they wind through are fairly shallow. Lots of boulders, roots and small to large stumps that will have to go.

Pic 5: A small pond with shallow mud/gravel bottom and 12' levee in the foreground with a blown out levee corner ajoining the hill on the far end. (that oughta be fun to repair, eh?) A ridgeline in the background that is actually almost a quarter mile away. The terrain leading up to its crest (and the 3' diameter oaks and black walnuts) goes from tough to walk steep to gotta have a rope steep.

Finally Pic 6: The old homestead built in 1850 that is actually livable! About 650 sq. ft of living space. Will put up a steel barn (to be ultimately replaced with stone and timber) in the hollow behind it.

One other question: Spoke briefly with a dealer in TN requesting a quote on all the equipment above and he stated, "Be aware that if you buy your tractor down there in MS and have it up here, and have to have major warranty work done, Kubota may require you to take it back to the dealer of purchase."
Have any of you ever heard this??? In my mind, warranty work is warranty work and the check from Kubota for their shop spends the same wherever. True?

Thanks again, everyone.

Respect,
Cpt Trog

 

[Gator6x4]

From the photos it looks like you have some steep hills. Removing trees will cause erosion problems.

 

[bx1860]

What part of SW Va is that? I live in sw Va.

 

[CptTrog]

From the photos it looks like you have some steep hills. Removing trees will cause erosion problems.

My plan is to leave the stumps of the majority of the larger trees and build up terraces (with the aid of those stumps every 15 feet or so across the hill's face and perferated 6 inch pipe at the upper edge of each terrace to pick up excess water and drain it off toward a stream to the hill's left. This should let all the fruit trees take hold fairly quickly. Additionally, allowing the stumps to rot should cycle some nutrients back into the soil.
Note: I said PLAN. Our county extension guy may have a better plan. Like leave it alone. That would suck. Really do want some fruit trees up there.

The land is just north of Kingsport, TN.

 

[bx1860]

Cool, I live about 10 mins from kingsport.

 

[CptTrog]

Cool, I live about 10 mins from kingsport.

Howdy neighbor! When's the bar-b-que?!?
All joking aside, you and I may need to stay in touch. Seeing as how I'm a rookie when it comes to tractors any larger than my JD riding mower, I may have to watch you before I crawl on mine!
Just got a call from Matt at Johnson City and a quote on a loaded L4400 and it looks like we may be doing the deal within the next couple weeks. I'm going to take the advice of some of the "old timers" on here though. Think I'll leave the serious terrain to somebody hired with a D6 Cat and keep my new toy on the low ground.

 

[LBrown59]

Howdy neighbor! When's the bar-b-que?!?
All joking aside, you and I may need to stay in touch. Seeing as how I'm a rookie when it comes to tractors any larger than my JD riding mower, I may have to watch you before I crawl on mine!
Just got a call from Matt at Johnson City and a quote on a loaded L4400 and it looks like we may be doing the deal within the next couple weeks. I'm going to take the advice of some of the "old timers" on here though.
*Think I'll leave the serious terrain to somebody hired with a D6 Cat and keep my new toy on the low ground.

*Good idea no doubt!

 

[dodge man]

To answer your original question, I don't think of the L series Kubota being small tractors, I think of them being more medium sized. I own a BX2350, in my mind that is small. I would think an L would do what you want, anything bigger may just be to large and akward. That is a great looking piece of property, and looks like you will have a lot of fun with it. Nice pics.

 

[dex3361]

I purchased a 4400 HST and am well pleased with it. I looked at the MX5100 and liked what I saw the only probably problem is that it does not come with HST and with the hills and a front end loader a HST was a must for me. My property looks a lot like what you have. Good luck with the new toy.

 

[RadarTech]

Well, I am not quite a neighbor-- But I have a similiar problem..
I live in the moutain area just south of Asheville and went for a L3400..
A relative does construction work so I got the loader and trac hoe work down a little cheaper..

I agree with a lot of what was said--
A few notes:
1. being a newby myself- the mountain side pucker factor will put you on edge alot... The 4400 is bigger than mine and I think you may get more risk..

2. whenever doing anything at an angle-- Low gear and lower the RPM..
This has saved my but more times than I can count.....

3. When you work with the loader-- and you are lifting anything--- slowly and if you are on a bank be very careful with extra care for any angles.....


Maybe I should come that way on my next trip up to Mars Hill...


Good luck and stay safe...

Later,
Jim

 

[Oldchuck]

I've got a 4400 and about 300 acres of Vermont forestland. Needless to say it is hilly and rocky, plenty wet in places too. The 4400 can do some pretty heavy work but I think you might be overestimating its ability to do some kinds of work. Road building from scratch on steep rocky terrain may be possible but not the best use for the machine and dangerous. A 'dozer and a track hoe are better tools.

You can certainly pull logs with it although less efficiently than with skidder - forewarder combo. Grapple is a good idea. It's the next item on my shopping list. I would also recommend a logging winch for the 3 Pt. There are several brands. I have a Wollenstein. It allows you to pull logs from over 100 feet from the trail and then hitch the nose off the ground to drag it home.

 

[Oldchuck]

P.S.

I like the old homestead a lot. When are you moving in?

 

[CptTrog]

P.S.

I like the old homestead a lot. When are you moving in?

Either when the economy goes to heck, the folks where I work finally tick me off for the last time, the gov'ment decides to give away what I've worked hard for down here, whichever comes first. Making two trips up in Nov. and Dec. to work on springs, plumbing (wife just HAVE to have indoor toilet, and putting up a bridge (two stream fords).
Just started the paperwork on the L4400 and associated implements of destruction. Gotta look into that winch, OldChuck. Know anyone with a used one in good condition?