HorsePower For the Newbie

Bhoyle · Aug 5, 2003

Well I have went a plunged head first into home purchase that includes 10 acres of trees so thick you can't shoot a rifle through it, a 600 ft gravel driveway on a slope that makes a ski jump look tame, a "lawn" isn't, and a wife that wants it to look like Better Homes and Garden.

Actually, we are very excited about this house because is the log house my wife as dreamed of for 18 years and the acreage I have always wanted. The good news is I now have no trouble justifying a tractor. The bad news is I have a lot of trouble figuring out what to buy. I have a good deal of experience on skid loaders and such, but I just drove them, I didn't by them. I would appreciate some feedback the following:

I have looked at smaller tractors, including the BX22 and the JD2210. Fearing those were too small, I got a quote on a JD4010 with FEL, box blade and scrape. New was/is $12,200. Of course, my fear is the 18HP engine. Is it enough? I was surpised the BX22 and the JD2210 had more HP, but how much is enough? I will be using a rotary cutter, FEL, and grader blade mostly, but some of this work will be on hilly terrain. What size tractor should I be looking at? The BX22 looks like my garden tractor? I'm lost but eager /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks in advance

frank_f15 · Aug 5, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Well I have went a plunged head first into home purchase that includes 10 acres of trees so thick you can't shoot a rifle through it, a 600 ft gravel driveway on a slope that makes a ski jump look tame, )</font>
ok now the question is how many total acres? what do u want to do withe thw 10 acres of trees? what do u need to do with the driveway? move snow? and how much snow if any? just giving u more to think about /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif and welcome aboard! u might want to fill out your profile a little bit.

Bhoyle · Aug 5, 2003

I get right on the profile....

Snow is no biggie (NC). The driveway and the area around the house (landscaping, bushhog) is the immediate concern. The 10 acres is roughly 1600 X 200, with it being 350 ft wide at the front and 100 at its narrowest near the back. I hope to "develop" a center strip over time, leaving a 25 yard buffer around the edges. Mainly, I have large oaks and popular with very few pines. I will hire the removal (or sale) of any trees, but I will have to deal with the thickets.

There is a lot of work to be done, and I have a budget of 10-15K for a tractor. I'm trying to decide whether to go new and small or used and a little larger.

Hambone · Aug 5, 2003

I have found to run out of traction before I run out of power.

rbargeron · Aug 5, 2003

My recommendation would be to find a used Kubota or Yanmar 4wd in the 30-35 hp range with front end loader. Stay with a simple gear-drive tractor. The late '80's machines are getting down in the $10K range and with 1500 hours or less they still have a long life ahead with minimal trouble. With the left over money you can get a rotary and a box blade, maybe a small finisher someday when the lawn is developed. Have fun ! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

frank_f15 · Aug 5, 2003

stay in the 25 to 30 hp range, like hambone says u run out of traction before u run out of power. NC? DON'T BE TOO SURE ON THE SNOW! they way you have been getting rain this summer. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif good friend of mine lives in Winston Salem . see by your profile u are law enforcement. just like 2 of my kids. 1 is k9 LVMPD, AND THE OTHER IS prosecutor mariacopa county az.(phoenix) keep up the good work and be CAREFUL OUT THERE!