Buying Advice Help me find a tractor to manage my 40 wooded acres

[AllenArmory]

Hello, everyone. I've been lurking on this forum for a few weeks and need to get some advice from all of you experts. Sorry for the length of this post, but I know you guys need as much information as possible to help me make an informed decision. I'm a complete rookie and have only driven a tractor once, a JD 3032e, a few days ago at a dealership.

I have some undeveloped property about 2 hours drive from my home which I use as a weekend retreat. It's 40 acres, probably 80-85% wooded (oaks, maples, cedars, etc.), with sandy soil. It's fairly flat, but has a creek with steep banks. I've had a skid steer operator out there with a forestry mulcher to carve out some ATV trails, but that adds up ($$) after a while. Since then I've been clearing it out by hand with a chainsaw or brush grubber and dragging out downed trees and brush with my SxS (Honda Pioneer 700).

I'm now ready for a tractor. I mostly need it for clearing trees and brush, and I think a root grapple would be best for this. I also have some pastures and other areas which need brush hogging. My budget is $20K for tractor + loader, but the cheaper the better, so that I can afford a grapple and brush hog sooner.

I've narrowed it down to JD, Kubota (since there's full-service dealers nearby) and TYM/Cabela's (farther away, but the price is pretty good).

Subcompact:
Kubota BX1870, John Deere 1023E, TYM 234

Compact:
Kubota L2501, John Deere 3032e, TYM 354

Probably out of my price range, but

Kubota L3301, John Deere 3033R

I've gone to two dealers (JD and Cabela's) and both of them told me that a subcompact tractor will not be able to handle a root grapple. However, I've seen videos like this one from EA which suggest otherwise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDbotIdZn_U

Now, for my questions:
- Is a subcompact tractor adequate for a grapple (assuming a lightweight one like the EA)?
- I know the JD tractors I mentioned don't have the 3rd function hydraulics needed for the grapple. It's an extra cost to add it. What about Kubota or TYM?
- Filled tires or no?
- R1 or R4 tires?
- I prefer the HST transmission. Any drawbacks to them besides price?
- Is my 1/2 ton truck ok for pulling an 18 trailer with a heavier tractor on it?
- Any other advice for my situation?

Thanks,
AllenArmory

 

[2ndhalf]

Welcome to TBN Allen...

I think you probably would be more happy with a compact than a sub-compact for 40 acres. Unless you have lots of extra time it will take you longer to do on a sub-compact what you can do on a compact. Compacts usually have larger motor, lift capacity and loader volume. They also have more ground clearance, usually nice in a woods.

I have had both and there is a noticeable differnce in power and pulling/pushing power. Sub-compacts are great for 5 - 10 acre tracts like I have but the amount of land you have would be a lot to tame with a sub-compact.

Half ton truck will pull a compact
Get the HST no drawbacks
If you will have it on grass get R4 if it is just for clearing the woods R1 has more traction hands down

 

[jeff9366]

A grapple on a light tractor is not very practical.

The grapple uses up the lift capacity of your FEL.

Small tractors have narrow stances and are not very stable with much of a load.

When you lift a load with the grapple, your center of gravity is raised, and the load makes the tractor even less stable, I would say unstable.

Small tractor have small tires. When you are moving a load with the grapple, or a load in the bucket, a hole can swallow a small tire and over topples the tractor.

The JD tractors I mentioned don't have the 3rd function hydraulics needed for the grapple. It's an extra cost to add it. What about Kubota or TYM?

Extra cost for Kubota.

- Filled tires or no? With 4-WD I feel load tires are not needed except in unusual circumstances. Loaded tires do lower the center of gravity for the tractor.

- R1 or R4 tires? R4 tires for woods. Almost puncture proof. Best around burn piles, same reason.


- I prefer the HST transmission. Any drawbacks to them besides price? None.


Safety should be your first priority.

In my opinion, for forty acres, these are the minimum weight tractors you should consider: Kubota L3301, John Deere 3033R

You should buy an FEL with SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach) coupling. Consider a QUAD BALE SPEAR in lieu of a grapple. Picks up debris, you can shake out dirt. Bale Spear REPLACES bucket.

LINK: Construction Attachments Wide Frame Quad Hay Bale Spear

A heavy-duty rotary cutter, judge by weight, when powered by a tractor with sufficient PTO horsepower, can cut pretty thick stuff - 2" for sure. Will grind larger verdure when verdure is lying on the ground.

Also consider a Ratchet Rake: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ratchet+rake+brush+clearing

Ratchet Rake T-B-N Archive: https://www.google.com/search?clien...te:tractorbynet.com+site:www.tractorbynet.com

Ratchet Rake is sold by the T-B-N store, delivered by convenient FEDEX.

I often have Ratchet Rake on the bucket, 'Hog on the Three Point Hitch. Knock brush down with the RR, grind with the 'Hog.


Tractors are prone to theft. Make sure you have secure storage on your property before leaving tractor overnight or it will end up in Mexico.

 

[CDennyRun]

All things said, I wouldn't go less than 30hp, unless you can find a good Kubota, Ford or JD CUT from the late 80's or 90's. Don't be scared of a shuttle shift, or gear shift. I've had both HST and gear, and SCUT and CUT. I wouldn't recommend a SCUT for your application. With my last tractor; HST 24hp New Holland, I could maneuver faster, but I get work done twice as fast with my 27hp gear shift Ford 1715 simply due to more weight, larger bucket and brute force (in comparison).

Have fun tractor shopping!

Chris

 

[s219]

I would skip the Deere "e" models, they are generally stripped down and cut some corners to meet a price point. At the same price, the competition's tractors will have more features and/or be heavier built.

 

[aarolar]

Check out an MX4800 I was amazed at the amount of tractor it was for the cost actually less that some of the L stuff due to less of the fancy stuff. I got a 2wd gear model and I'm very happy with its abilities and I manage my 50 acre tract with it.

 

[Rustyiron]

Unless your Cabella's are a whole lot different than the one's I've been in, I'd take them off the (buy a tractor from) list real fast!
Research used, low hour bigger tractors, 40-60hp. and put them in the "mix". $20k with a loader (new) is not going to serve you well imo.

 

[aarolar]

Definitely second what Rustyiron said you need at a minimum a 40hp tractor and bigger and heavier is better.

 

[motownbrowne]

I'd strongly recommended stretching your budget a little if buying new, or finding a used machine. Something around 40 HP is going to do a lot more work. Here's an example: Kubota 4WD Loader and Heated Cab Brush Hog

Jeff recommended a 3301 as the minimum weight for working in the woods. I'd agree except that the L2501 you mentioned has the same weight, so that's an option. I think we need to know a little more about your situation. First, how big are the trees and what are you wanting to do with them? Next, what's the tow rating of your truck and trailer? You mentioned that you have a half-ton, but in the last ten years, there's been plenty of half tons made that'll do the job, and plenty that won't.

If you can swing it, look at the MX series of Kubotas, or something that specs out similarly from other manufacturers. Otherwise, the L2501 would be the best option out of the Kubotas you listed. I'd basically never consider buying a subcompact for use in the woods. If you've already got one and need to move a few logs, sure, but if you're shopping for a machine and think you'll be in the woods, get something heavier.

It'll be cheaper in the long run to get the right tractor first. That way you skip out on taking the hit when you have to sell your 2 year old tractor that's beat up from being overworked in the woods because it was too small to start with.

 

[Citydude]

I second the Kubota 2501 as it comes closer to your budget without sacrificing weight.