Introduction w/ Question

[GIJOE]

Hello Guys,

I've been lurking in the shadows quite some time reading and learning. I would like to introduce myself and thank everyone for a great forum. I am in the market for a compact tractor. Without being brand specific in a general forum, at what point do I need to be concerned about the weight of a tractor compacting the soil and killing my oak trees? The tractor I have my eye on weighs about 3500#, plus the weight of a FEL ?? that could be removed until needed, plus about 700# for a RFM. Between mine and my parents property there is about six acres, not at the same location, but all in the Baton Rouge, La. area. The soil is a clay sand mix. I don't feel like it will be an issue with the sand content, but would like other opinions.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[roxynoodle]

Tires might be more of an issue than weight as far as your grass goes. Turf tires are the easiest on a lawn. Ag tires are the most aggressive. I have a grey market with rice tires that are ag tires to the tenth power and I do not mow with it if there is any moisture visible on the ground because it will tear up the grass and even make ruts. However I like the traction for loader work and I'm sure I will like them in the winter so I keep the rice tires. I am on rock hard clay though. With some sand mixed into your soil, I would strongly consider turf tires.

 

[GIJOE]

Roxynoodle,

Thanks for the reply. That's one thing I forgot to mention, the tires. I'm not to concerned about tearing up the grass. I know I will never get yard of the month. I was considering the R4 tires. I figured with the extra width of the R4s there would be more flotation and less psi on the ground which would mean less soil compaction.

Joe

 

[roxynoodle]

I would think the R4s would be just fine. The wider the tire, the less likely it is to dig in. I have a neighbor who mows with an old Oliver ag type tractor. His tractor is considerably larger than mine and must weigh quite a bit and it seems to mow nice.

 

[ovrszd]

Hello Guys,

I've been lurking in the shadows quite some time reading and learning. I would like to introduce myself and thank everyone for a great forum. I am in the market for a compact tractor. Without being brand specific in a general forum, at what point do I need to be concerned about the weight of a tractor compacting the soil and killing my oak trees? The tractor I have my eye on weighs about 3500#, plus the weight of a FEL ?? that could be removed until needed, plus about 700# for a RFM. Between mine and my parents property there is about six acres, not at the same location, but all in the Baton Rouge, La. area. The soil is a clay sand mix. I don't feel like it will be an issue with the sand content, but would like other opinions.

Thanks,
Joe

I'm personally, very weight conscious. What are you going to do with the tractor besides mow??? Is mowing the principle duty??? If you look around on here you will see people doing some pretty amazing landscaping, loader work, brush hogging, box blading, etc., with tractors considerably lighter than 3500 lbs. On the other hand if you intend to work it hard with the loader, weight is your friend. I principally mow with my compact so my wife and I wanted a tractor that was light but had plenty of HP for tougher jobs. We bought a 1850 lb tractor with 30 HP. We figured we could add weight when needed.

 

[Soundguy]

Sand? Sand don't compact worth didly. I drive my ford 5000 and NH 7610s all over my pastures for mowing. One of my pastures is soo soft.. i -WISH- I could compact some of that florida dark sandy soil. My tractors easilly weigh twice what yours do. Though.. I can say.. . an ag tire can eat some grass in soft soil if you turn sharp.. etc.

Also.. welcome tot he forum.. and I gotta ask..

You a ham?

if so

De Ke4rrd

73's

Soundguy

Hello Guys,

I've been lurking in the shadows quite some time reading and learning. I would like to introduce myself and thank everyone for a great forum. I am in the market for a compact tractor. Without being brand specific in a general forum, at what point do I need to be concerned about the weight of a tractor compacting the soil and killing my oak trees? The tractor I have my eye on weighs about 3500#, plus the weight of a FEL ?? that could be removed until needed, plus about 700# for a RFM. Between mine and my parents property there is about six acres, not at the same location, but all in the Baton Rouge, La. area. The soil is a clay sand mix. I don't feel like it will be an issue with the sand content, but would like other opinions.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Fredex]

Welcome Joe. As soundguy mentioned, sand doesn't compact so you should not have much of an issue unless you have more clay than sand.
What hasn't yet been mentioned is the relationship between tire pressure and compaction. Ground pressure, in psi, is just a hair over tire pressure. Therefore a 3000 lb tractor running 20-25 psi in the tires can do more compacting than a 5000lb tractor running 12-14 psi. I run through my vineyard every 2 weeks with a 60hp utility tractor & sprayer. I keep the tire pressure low to minimize compaction. When I do loader work I pump 'em up for load carrying capacity.
Fred

 

[GIJOE]

Thanks for the welcome and the replies.

ovrszd

What are you going to do with the tractor besides mow???

The property mentioned above was purchased almost two years ago. After remodeling the inside of the house, and moving in several months ago, it is now time for the outside. The property is grown up on both sides and across the back. I plan to clear the overgrowth and regain my yard. So to answer your question: A loader and boxblade for clearing and moving dirt to low areas (very unleveled yard with no drainage), a rear blade to maintain a 550' gravel driveway, and a mower when its nice and smooth. I'm also interested in looking for another 15-20 acres of land, so who knows what that will bring.

Soundguy

You a ham?

Yes I am. KE5AUR
I haven't had much free time for my hobby in a while, hopefully that will change soon. Maybe we can make contact if the band opens up.

Fredex

relationship between tire pressure and compaction.

I haven't thought about that. It does make sense.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[CDsdad]

I can't speak much toward the compaction issue, but the R4s I have are easy on the grass, and I haven't had any traction issues yet. My tractor weighs about 5000 lbs w/FEL and the loaded tires.

 

[Soundguy]

Soundguy

Yes I am. KE5AUR
I haven't had much free time for my hobby in a while, hopefully that will change soon. Maybe we can make contact if the band opens up.

Joe

Glad to meet you.

I know what you mean about no time.

I don't even have a permanent tower at my home and I've been here 6 years.. just never put it back up after the move.

I do have my 2m / 70cm handheld and base radio out every now and then... but realistically.. havn't used them in a year, other than to just scan the bands a few months ago.

Soundguy