Buying Advice Help Spend My Money

[Silverado21]

10K Cash Budget or ~200 a month for 20K or less total package product. Raleigh NC

5.5 Acres of "flat" (10 ft change over the width of the property) land. Mostly brush and annoying small growth, some 1-3 inch trees. Wont remove anything bigger than that. There are some downed trees already that I would want to move with a grapple / FEL but I dont want to buy a big tractor just for 5 trees that I could just chainsaw smaller instead. The builder is going to clear the lot for the foundation but wont haul off the brush, that's on me to move and burn later.

Thinking about the following implements:

Bush Hog (5hp per foot from what I've researched) - Cutting down brier patches and small growth.

Tiller - Breakup the dirt, destroy brier roots and will have a garden later on

FEL possibly w/ grapple for moving brush and small growth.

And thats about it. I dont see mowing my nice lawn with the tractor since I'd imagine I'm going to end up with something fairly large and heavy. The rest of the area once cleared will be rye grass and such. Once all the brush is gone a smaller sub compact may be enough to maintain the garden and rye grass. I also know that I'll have a million more projects once I have a tractor than I can imagine now. Im thinking I want a hydrostatic unit since with the brush clearing and FEL usage im going to be going back and forth quite often. I have no aversion to buying new if the numbers make sense and theres a good selection of dealers within say 45 minutes.

I can drive and bring one home within around 12 hours of my home. There is a used L3130 that I've been looking at along with some B series units. Im thinking 20 PTO HP is about the lowest I should go but im not sure on that. I've got about a year before I'd really be itching to start working but can start anytime. Purchase will occur whenever theres a great deal on something used or a dealer offer that makes it competitive. My issue is not knowing exactly what I'm needing and not yet having enough data to know what a good deal looks like. I can see what others have sold for and get a rough idea but im not very confident in my d


Thanks everyone!

 

[4570Man]

Could you have the builder pile and burn the brush. It’s not much work to do with heavy equipment and a lot of work to do once it’s in a tangled mess with little equipment.

 

[Silverado21]

Could you have the builder pile and burn the brush. It痴 not much work to do with heavy equipment and a lot of work to do once it痴 in a tangled mess with little equipment.

Pile yes (Anywhere I ask within reason), Burn no. They wont burn it and I cant until the house is done for liability.

 

[4570Man]

You cant burn until the house is done? That makes no sense. When there’s no house to burn down would be way better. I’d have them pile the brush and be careful to pile tight without much dirt or you’ll have a pile that won’t burn.

 

[Silverado21]

You cant burn until the house is done? That makes no sense. When there’s no house to burn down would be way better. I’d have them pile the brush and be careful to pile tight without much dirt or you’ll have a pile that won’t burn.

It's very possible the reality will be different from what I've been told thus far by more admin staff but they said as long as they have anything on site they ask that I not burn

 

[jeff9366]

Yes, something like a Kubota 'B' or 'L' series would be fine. These are in a bare tractor weight range of 1,600 pounds to 2,700 pounds and have 12" of ground clearance. You will want 12" ground clearance for tractor cultivating your garden until plants reach 12" height.

Opt for SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach) FEL connection so you can alternate between FEL bucket and other front attachments quickly. Consider SSQA pallet forks for moving brush, in lieu of a grapple. For 5-1/2 acres pallet forks are ample and simpler. (I like simple.) It is important to purchase Pallet Forks where fork width adjusts easily and locks securely.

VIDEO: Demonstrating a Kubota quick attach loader - YouTube

I have found these very high quality SSQA pallet forks entirely satisfactory in 50 acres of woodland and trail maintaintenance.

ETA: Small Compact Tractor and Mini Skid Steer Pallet Forks

Kubota B models have mid-PTO, so you can mow with either a MMM or a Three Point Hitch mounted Finish Mower. B's are the lightest tractors in the compact tractor category. Light enough to mow at any time.

~~MMMs are specific to tractor brands, therefore somewhat expensive.

~~Three Point Hitch mounted Finish Mowers are generic, as are all Three Point Hitch implements, therefore relatively cheap.

MOWER CHOICE: Comparing Finish Mowers (midmount VS 3-point) - Kubota B26�1 - YouTube


Kubota L models do NOT have mid-PTO, so you can only turf mow with a Three Point Hitch mounted Finish Mower.
L models with liquid filled rear tires: you will have to wait for 36 hours after a heavy rain before mowing to avoid rutting with heavy rear tires.





IMPLEMENTS: https://www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media...aa214276e14dacb/pub2917tractorimplements1.pdf

 

[prof fate]

I got a ck3510 kioti for 22500 out the door, the 26hp was 1800 less, so still over 20k. w/ loader, nothing else (no implements, trailer, etc) Zero down it's 327/mo.

Not sure how you can work that into your budget. Used had to paid for (LOL) up front - so interest on the loan, money down, etc. And no idea what issues I might be buying.

I'm using it on 25 ac horse farm, running a 6' brush hog (28.x pto hp). Most of the implements were bough used and are 5' - disks, back blade, box blade and a post hole digger. the box and digger i ran on a 17hp kubota (14 pto) and 4' hog. It weighed 1400lbs or so, the kioti 4300 is w/ loader nd filled tires. NO comparison on what it can do and how it feels to operate.

I just use forks instead of a grapple for branch moving - works fine and lots cheaper (since a front remote for the grapple can run a grand, plus the grapple..forks were $269)

A kubota B should be fine for your needs. bx a tad small, L would work too, but bigger frame might be a PITA at times. I had the kubota and the kioti at my 2 acre house property and the kioti is like a bull in a china shop. But i'm used to bx sized equipment here.

 

[Diggin It]

I don't see needing a rotary cutter for such a small property. A tiller, yes, but you don't need a big machine to do that. A SCUT under 30HP should do everything you need with power left over.

And burning brush is far safer before a structure is built. If your builder doesn't want to be bothered, considering hiring someone else to do it before the builder begins.

Also, don't focus on orange when there are so many other alternatives available at better prices. I paid (am paying) about $18500 with a backhoe, loader, mower, tiller and subsoiler.

 

[Silverado21]

I don't see needing a rotary cutter for such a small property. A tiller, yes, but you don't need a big machine to do that. A SCUT under 30HP should do everything you need with power left over.

rotary cutter was more for clearing out the brush and small growth that the builder wont be clearing out for us. There are 30 year old bushes and such that I thought a rotary cutter would be best for. I used Kubota as a reference since it happens to be what I know but have no brand loyalty yet.

 

[Silverado21]

Yes, something like a Kubota 'B' or 'L' series would be fine. These are in a bare tractor weight range of 1,600 pounds to 2,700 pounds and have 12" of ground clearance, which you will want for cultivating your garden until plants reach 12" height.

Opt for SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach) FEL connection so you can alternate between FEL bucket and other front attachment quickly. Consider SSQA pallet forks for moving brush, in lieu of a grapple. For 5-1/2 acres pallet forks are ample and simpler. (I like simple.) It is important to purchase Pallet Forks where fork width adjusts easily and locks securely.

VIDEO: Demonstrating a Kubota quick attach loader - YouTube

I have found these very high quality SSQA pallet forks entirely satisfactory with 50 acres of woodland and trail maintaintenance.

Small Compact Tractor and Mini Skid Steer Pallet Forks

Kubota B models have mid-PTO, so you can mow with either a MMM or a Three Point Hitch mounted Finish Mower.
B's are light enough to mow at any time. MMMs are specific to tractor brands, therefore somewhat expensive. Finish mowers are generic, as are all Three Point Hitch implements, therefore relatively cheap.

Kubota L models do NOT have mid-PTO, so you can only turf mow with a Three Point Hitch mounted Finish Mower.
Heavier L models with liquid filled rear tires, you will have to wait for 36 hours after a heavy rain before mowing.

MOWER CHOICE: Comparing Finish Mowers (midmount VS 3-point) - Kubota B26�1 - YouTube

Hadnt ever heard of or considered the forks option. Looks awesome! Thank you. I think the L is likely overkill but happens to be available locally on the used market more often than B's. Im not sold just on the one brand it just happens to be the sizes that I know and understand.

 

[Silverado21]

I got a ck3510 kioti for 22500 out the door, the 26hp was 1800 less, so still over 20k. w/ loader, nothing else (no implements, trailer, etc) Zero down it's 327/mo.

Not sure how you can work that into your budget. Used had to paid for (LOL) up front - so interest on the loan, money down, etc. And no idea what issues I might be buying.

I'm using it on 25 ac horse farm, running a 6' brush hog (28.x pto hp). Most of the implements were bough used and are 5' - disks, back blade, box blade and a post hole digger. the box and digger i ran on a 17hp kubota (14 pto) and 4' hog. It weighed 1400lbs or so, the kioti 4300 is w/ loader nd filled tires. NO comparison on what it can do and how it feels to operate.

I just use forks instead of a grapple for branch moving - works fine and lots cheaper (since a front remote for the grapple can run a grand, plus the grapple..forks were $269)

A kubota B should be fine for your needs. bx a tad small, L would work too, but bigger frame might be a PITA at times. I had the kubota and the kioti at my 2 acre house property and the kioti is like a bull in a china shop. But i'm used to bx sized equipment here.

Awesome, thank you. Im thinking the B should be enough for 90% of what I'll do and the other 10% I'll just go slow with

 

[Diggin It]

rotary cutter was more for clearing out the brush and small growth that the builder wont be clearing out for us. There are 30 year old bushes and such that I thought a rotary cutter would be best for.

But if that's all you're going to use it for, you could have someone do that for you. Don't get me wrong, they're not all that expensive and if you think you'll use it, fine. Mine can handle a 50" or so and with 5 acres you probably won't need any wider.

 

[jeff9366]

I dont see mowing my nice lawn with the tractor since I'd imagine I'm going to end up with something fairly large and heavy.

Hardly~~~~~

Kubota Bs are the lightest tractors with 12" of ground clearance. Ls are a 50% heavier, but heavier tractors have bigger wheels and tires so ground loading is not that much greater ~~~~ until you ballast the rear tires.

6 Reasons to Liquid Ballast your Kubota’s Tires | OrangeTractorTalks
Comparing Types of Liquid Tire Ballast | OrangeTractorTalks

I have owned three tractors, all with AIR in the rear tires. I cross lawns every day in the 200 acre gated community in which I live and operate. My Kubota L3560 weighs 5,400 pounds. I carry an implement attached to the Three Point Hitch most of the time, in lieu of rear tire ballast. My soil is sandy Florida loam. This might not be the case if you have clay.




A quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important for tractor neophytes. Almost every new tractor is delivered with a glitch or two requiring correction. My kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment after seven years. Dealer proximity is less important to those experienced with tractors and qualified to perform their own maintenance.

 

[jeff9366]

Add Raleigh, NC to your T-B-N PROFILE.

 

[L120]

Get your butt out there and clear the land like I had to with a bad back, bare hands, and a chainsaw...(lol?) Leveled/cleared the heavy grown over 2-acre lot using a Lawn tractor JD L120 & 7P trailer and a shovel along with a tiller. Dug out all stumps with a pick axe. Had it all done in about 2-months of hard work and week long burn piles. There is nothing left to do to the land now except mow & string trim.

Purchased a brush cutter blade for the string trimmer Echo 225. That was a good idea and it cuts the crap out of everything up to 2" dia.

 

[Diggin It]

^^ There is always that option. Many of us have done similar without tractors of any kind.

Location is optional despite those who may hound you for it.

 

[jeff9366]

Rotary cutter was more for clearing out the brush and small growth the builder wont be clearing out for us. There are 30 year old bushes that I thought a rotary cutter would be best for.

A Ratchet Rake bucket attachment will pull out 30 year old bushes, roots and all, fast. Ratchet Rake may be enough to prepare your garden with only a little supplementary spading. (I like simple.)
Ratchet Rake beats any other attachment for collecting/piling brush for transport on Pallet Forks.

VIDEO: Ratchet Rake - YouTube

SUPPLIER: Ratchet Rake, LLC - All Terrain Rake, Snow Edge, Tractor attachment, Bucket attachment, Loader, Skid loader, Kubota, Skid steer, Landscape rake, Brush remover, York Rake, Harley Rake, Rock Rake, Tractor rake attachment, Construction attachment, New Holland, Bobcat, Fire safety, Home fire safety, Fire prevention, John Deere, skid steer attachment, tractor implement

 

[MossRoad]

Add Raleigh, NC to your T-B-N PROFILE.

Say please.

 

[jeff9366]

Say please.

Nah.

Its in the OP's interest.

 

[Tennsawdust]

You may want a rear blade as well. One that will angle and tilt is good. One that will angle tilt and swing is very good. Either that or a box blade. You will likely have to move material around and smooth it out while you are getting the property settled. A grapple can be expensive, but if you are grubbing roots it may be money well spent. It depends on what you have to do. You may also want a landscape rake. Those can generally be found used because people buy them to get a piece of property squared away and then it just sits until they decide to get it out of the way.

I would encourage you to look around quite a bit and climb on a few models before buying. With your equipment list you are probably not looking at a new machine from the big brands. A new green model or similar is going to start about where you would like to stop. Don't be afraid to look at others that are out there. Smith's Enterprises is just south of you in Salemburg. They advertise a lot of package deals on LS and TYM tractors. LS, TYM and Kioti all have assembly sites near you so there should be several dealers in the area for those brands. You can also configure a tractor on the RK Tractor website to give you an idea what a "best market price" would be. Check out several. See who will sharpen their pencil!