Help Me Decide On My First Tractor - Central Texas

[torchrider]

I have been on this forum for awhile, but mainly reading in an attempt to learn as much as I can before asking questions.
I am hoping the experts here can help me decide on my first (used) tractor or at least what features/options I need. My budget is about $10-$15K.
I have no actual tractor experience other than living vicariously through those on this forum.

I purchased a fenced 60 acres in Central Texas (Goldthwaite / Mills County area) that I need a tractor for. I currently have the land leased to a guy who is running from 4-10 head of cattle at a time. I am thinking about starting with a smaller tractor and going up in size as budget allows. The land is mostly flat with some slight grade to it. It is about 35 acres of grass, brush, cactus and 25 acres of hardwood trees along a wet weather creek. I have a single small tank right now.

The tractor will be used for:
Shredding ~35 acres - Smaller shredder is fine because it doesn't have to be done in a day or two and just want to keep things from getting too overgrown.
Pulling dead wood / brush - Pulling logs and small/medium downed trees out to cut them up and stack them. Moving brush piles around for burning.
Making a shooting berm - Piling dirt for small berm for handgun and rifle shooting.
Making a driveway - Smoothing dirt and laying gravel for a driveway.
Clearing brush from under hardwoods - Not sure this is a job for a tractor or not.
Gathering and moving small rocks - Strewn over surface of property

I'd also be interested in learning what other uses you think I might have for the tractor.


I am thinking of the following:
30-40 HP
4 wheel drive
FEL
5'-6' Shredder
Box Blade
Rake

Hopefully the photos will give you a good idea of what I am dealing with. I would like to get your recommendations on brand, features and dealers in this area. Thank You.

 

[k0ua]

I think you are on track. I would add a grapple and of course hydraulics up front to to run it. Look at what I have, I think that would work for you. Or something similar. Now it is just a matter of the money.
Of course I can't comment on area dealers, and there are a lot of good brands.

 

[jeff9366]

I am thinking about starting with a smaller tractor and going up in size as budget allows.

This is impractical. Implements have to be matched to tractor width and weight. If you buy a bigger, heavier, tractor you will need wider, heavier implements. (Been there, done that. Wish I had bought ENOUGH TRACTOR the second purchase, rather than third purchase.)

I am thinking of the following:
30-40 HP
4 wheel drive
FEL
5'-6' Shredder
Box Blade
Rake
RATCHET RAKE FOR FEL - Good for loosening rocks, which the boys can gather. Good for removing and piling brush. Completely different function from a Landscape Rake.


Good thinking. Forty HP better. Weight is as important as horsepower. Get HST transmission so the boys can do the mowing safely.

I would like to get your recommendations on brand, features and dealers in this area.

If you are buying used, look for equipment in good condition with complete maintenance logs; brand tertiary.

Make sure you have service within twenty miles. My Kubota dealer is just six miles distant and I am often grateful. It is quite costly to have a tractor trailered to dealer for service.

Austin is one of my favorite cities. Nice land. Good luck. (Get a hat on that one boy without.)

LINK: http://www.ratchetrake.com/images/ratchet_rake_brochure.pdf

LINK: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/NR/rdonl...45263BDD8/11557/pub2917tractorimplements1.pdf

 

[Clay45]

Nice mott of running oaks for the cattle. Looks like a great place for quail too.

 

[torchrider]

Thanks for the recommendations guys. I am going to see a local dealer this weekend to see what they have used.

 

[tamu94]

Used is your best bet. If you plan on doing much brush clearing a grapple is extremely handy and you may want to consider one.

Nice looking place. Like you I live in Austin and our place is in Lampasas. It will be 10yrs this November and we love it up there.

 

[Grandad4]

Welcome torchrider. What a great place you have there! That's going to give you and your family many years of enjoyment (and work!). Your plans for equipment are sound, but I think finding a setup like that in any kind of decent condition may be hard with the budget you've outlined. Good used equipment holds a high percentage of its original price. Would agree with Jeff that going with a small tractor initially poses implement sizing problems that would cost you in the long run. Also, you get a lot more for your money when you move up into the larger frame tractors. I'd be flexible about what brands you're shopping for. With used equipment, it's more important to find a good individual machine than to be overly fussy about what color paint it has. All the major brands make good products anyways. Thanks for sharing your photos and have fun tractor shopping!

 

[Citydude]

Hi Torchrider, very nice pictures! Some very good advice above. Your tractor search will be fun and confusing at times so keep asking questions. For road building, weight is important as Jeff pointed out. For running a 6 foot shredder, 30 horse power at the PTO is important. Maintaining 35 acres with a 5 foot shredder is more than doable however if your vision is to keep it mowed down, be prepared to be on the tractor longer than with a 6 foot shredder. I own a contracting business that mows right of ways and water impoundments. Many a day I wished I had a 7' instead of a 6' cutter. Size does matter if time and operating costs are tight. My 2 cents. Have fun!

 

[torchrider]

Thanks for all the friendly replies and info guys. I am not tied to brand at all. Had enough of that when I was younger and looking for trucks. I am all about getting a deal though, so not too proud to look at Kioti, Mahindra, TYM and others.
I think you have given me enough to at least sound halfway intelligent when I go talk to the dealer this weekend. I am also looking on CL, Tractor House and eBay, but pickins seem to be a little slim in this area.
It seems like one of the most important things is to be able to get it serviced without towing it for 100 miles. That makes a lot of sense.

The dealer I am visiting this weekend is Moore's service center in Star, TX. They are a Kubota dealer.

Also, I thought I would throw in before and after photos of a camping area my wife and I cleared by hand using a walk behind shredder, machetes, chainsaw and line trimmer. I know a tractor with the implements you suggest would make it much easier.

BEFORE



AFTER

 

[jeff9366]

Nice motte of running oaks for the cattle.

My new vocabulary word for today. Thank you.

motte
noun

1. a stand of trees, especially in the southwestern US; a grove.

2. historical; a mound forming the site of a castle or camp.