Does it exist?

[Otto33]

Greetings everyone! Been lurking a while and thought it was time to jump in!

Looking for my first tractor, so here's my situation:

8 acres, gently sloped, mostly old pasture. 4 of that is planted in a new, mixed variety orchard.
Tractor duties will be (in order of importance)

1. Mowing. Ideally will be using a small flail to mulch cover crops, fallen fruit, limbs. Will also be mowing a vineyard with 7' rows.
2. Moving mulch, dirt, etc..
3. Light cultivating between rows of trees before planting cover crops.

What I THINK i want/need is
Something with a smallish footprint for mowing and maneuverability.
Something with as high PTO hp as i can find to run the flail.
Something with enough hydraulic oomph to lift the flail.
Weight isn't a huge concern, although I'd prefer more to less.
HST highly preferred.

The closest I've been able to fit these parameters is a Kioti CK2510. The CK2610 looks good, but it seems to be a considerably bigger machine.

The Mahindra Max line is attractive, but it is considerably more expensive than the Kioti.

Any other ideas? Not opposed to older tractors if any would fit the bill.

Thanks!

 

[nybirdman]

B2650 Kubota or maybe even a L2501.Neither has the pollution controls of the higher H.P.models.

 

[oosik]

Good morning Otto and welcome to TBN and the forum. If you look closely, I think you will find, most major tractor manufacturers make a narrow version tractor with around 50 hp. Its normally called their "vineyard model" or something similar to that. New, they are fairly expensive, but as a used unit with lower hours it might be what you are looking for.

 

[Grandad4]

Why would you want a heavy tractor for orchard work where minimizing soil compaction of the area surrounding your trees is - or should be - something to avoid?

 

[Otto33]

Why would you want a heavy tractor for orchard work where minimizing soil compaction of the area surrounding your trees is - or should be - something to avoid?

Yes, you are probably right about that.
There's something about a heavy for size tractor that is comforting, but clearly that's something I need to get over.

I appreciate the advice.

 

[jeff9366]

Yes, you are probably right about that.
There's something about a heavy for size tractor that is comforting, but clearly that's something I need to get over.

No it is not. Most people new to tractoring are surprised/appalled how unstable traditional tractors are. Plus, you will be operating on sloped ground. Heavier tractors are more stable under load and on slopes than light tractors, something I would weight as a newbie purchasing a tractor for the first time.

Another option is to have wheel spacers installed to spread the rear wheels 3" on each side. Wheel spacers are around $300/pair, plus installation. Installation would likely be 'free' on a new tractor purchase, as tractors arrive at dealers without wheels installed to save space on the truck. Six inches of added width makes a BIG difference in stability.
LINK: Bro-Tek

Vineyard specialty tractors are expensive new as volumes are limited. No Vineyard Tractor that I know of is available with a loader.

For cultivating you probably want a PTO powered Roto-tiller, adjusted to cultivate shallow. Roto-tillers require minimum tractor horsepower. Most, not all, unpowered Three Point Hitch cultivators will not stand up to the work you propose.

A Rotary Cutter/Bush Hog requires less maintenance than a flail. But to each his own.

You did not specify it but I am sure you want a Front End Loader to work as a tractor powered wheelbarrow.

Over simplifying somewhat, tractors come in 48" width, then 60" width. Not much in between. When considering implements, a 48"/60" implement will have that WORKING width, OVERALL width is a bit wider.

Your first big decision is whether you can make do with a tractor with 9" of ground clearance or need a tractor with the more traditional 12" to 14" ground clearance.

I too recommend looking at the Kubota L2501.

Kioti makes a fine tractor, as does LS, both equal in quality to Kubota, in my opinion.

 

[ericm979]

How wide a mower do you want to use? That will determine the HP, 3pt lift and weight requirements.

 

[Otto33]

How wide a mower do you want to use? That will determine the HP, 3pt lift and weight requirements.

Yes, that's the other part of the equation I'm struggling with. I'd like to at least cover my tracks. I'm guessing a 5 ft flail would be the absolute max I'd be able to run. Hydraulic side shifting would be great to help mow around trees, although that really increases the weight and narrows down the options.

 

[jeff9366]

Off-set anything is not for sloped ground.

 

[Cataclysm]

No it is not. Most people new to tractoring are surprised/appalled how unstable traditional tractors are. Plus, you will be operating on sloped ground. Heavier tractors are more stable under load and on slopes than light tractors, something I would weight as a newbie purchasing a tractor for the first time.

Another option is to have wheel spacers installed to spread the rear wheels 3" on each side. Wheel spacers are around $300/pair, plus installation. Installation would likely be 'free' on a new tractor purchase, as tractors arrive at dealers without wheels installed to save space on the truck. Six inches of added width makes a BIG difference in stability.
LINK: Bro-Tek

Vineyard specialty tractors are expensive new as volumes are limited. No Vineyard Tractor that I know of is available with a loader.

For cultivating you probably want a PTO powered Roto-tiller, adjusted to cultivate shallow. Roto-tillers require minimum tractor horsepower. Most, not all, unpowered Three Point Hitch cultivators will not stand up to the work you propose.

A Rotary Cutter/Bush Hog requires less maintenance than a flail. But to each his own.

You did not specify it but I am sure you want a Front End Loader to work as a tractor powered wheelbarrow.

Over simplifying somewhat, tractors come in 48" width, then 60" width. Not much in between. When considering implements, a 48"/60" implement will have that WORKING width, OVERALL width is a bit wider.

Your first big decision is whether you can make do with a tractor with 9" of ground clearance or need a tractor with the more traditional 12" to 14" ground clearance.

I too recommend looking at the Kubota L2501.

Kioti makes a fine tractor, as does LS, both equal in quality to Kubota, in my opinion.

X2.

Look at getting turfs (R3) or industrial (R4) tires and load them for stability. The R3/R4's will provide a big foot print and minimize compaction. Based on what you have posted your probably looking at a 60" wide tractor and it will probably be around 25 to 30 hp. Your probably looking at a 60" wide flail or RC (rotary cutter). Any of the modern 25/30 hp tractors will easily spin a 60" flail or 60" RC.