landscaping tractor

Tim Keith · Jun 22, 2013

I am looking for buy a tractor for landscaping a rocky Texas hill property. I plan to
construct retaining walls on my sloped 1+ acre lot. There are many large rocks, 500
pounds and greater that I want to drag away. I have been using a 2-inch diameter
10-foot steel bar to pry up the rocks. I would like to get a tractor to help me with
this work.

I have an interest in Wheel Horse garden tractors, eg C-160. For the landscaping
I prefer to get something larger that can handle a box blade. I am considering tractors
like the 8N and Ferguson TO35, up to the MF 135. Most of the older tractors have a
ground speed in low gear that I feel is kind of fast, compared to newer compact
tractors, but I can probably live with that if I am careful. I plan to add ROPS.

I am now looking at an 8N with Sherman over-under drive, and a Ford Workmaster
661 (live PTO and power steering). Both of these tractors are popular with collectors
and I would probably restore the tractor after I work it.

I have no time table for completing the landscape. If I must make repairs, then I
prefer an older model that it relatively easy for me work on with easy to source
parts. I have plenty of experience working with older mechanicals but have never
owned a tractor.

The lack of live PTO on the 8N is a concern but I don't have any immediate needs
for that feature. The Sherman would give the 8N a low ground speed, the larger
661 has relatively modern features and more power, greater weight, while being
about the same size as the 8N.

The asking price of the 661 is $500 more than the 8N. There are several 8Ns for
sale locally for about $1,500. The 661 was a working tractor on a farm for several
decades, has good sheet metal and rubber but could use fresh paint. The 8N has
fresh paint but probably needs a carb repair.

Would either of these two tractors be good choices or should I look for
something else? My budget is less than $3,000.

Tim

94BULLITT · Jun 22, 2013

Lifting 1000lbs with a 8N would be pushing it. The hydraulic would need to be in tip top shape. You would need some weights on the front to hold it down or the 661. 8N's are really light on the front.

Tim Keith · Jun 23, 2013

A contractor told me that he could use a Bobcat to move most of the rock in a couple days. I have lots of other projects beyond the obvious big rocks. I don't think a Bobcat could remove some of the larger rocks. I'll need the services of the contractor regardless of whether I get my own tractor.

I can break up large rocks with a feather and wedge. Some rocks are larger than a bath tub. Much of the property has less than six inches of dirt until rock. With a little summer heat the grass turns brown. I want to gradually remove rock and add top soil. I had been using a jack hammer but that is too slow and tiresome. The JH also turns the limestone to powder. A long pry bar can lift most of the rocks. Using the feather and wedge to break rocks is much easier than the jack hammer.

I figure a homemade skid can be pulled behind any tractor. If I can find a flat skid that mounts to the TPH that would be better. Then, I want to use a box blade to level the ground for a driveway. I can weld. I can make some simple dragging tools. An older compact 4WD Kubota is what I'd like.

madmax12 · Jun 23, 2013

Tim Keith said:
A contractor told me that he could use a Bobcat to move most of the rock in a couple days. I have lots of other projects beyond the obvious big rocks. I don't think a Bobcat could remove some of the larger rocks. I'll need the services of the contractor regardless of whether I get my own tractor.

I can break up large rocks with a feather and wedge. Some rocks are larger than a bath tub. Much of the property has less than six inches of dirt until rock. With a little summer heat the grass turns brown. I want to gradually remove rock and add top soil. I had been using a jack hammer but that is too slow and tiresome. The JH also turns the limestone to powder. A long pry bar can lift most of the rocks. Using the feather and wedge to break rocks is much easier than the jack hammer.

I figure a homemade skid can be pulled behind any tractor. If I can find a flat skid that mounts to the TPH that would be better. Then, I want to use a box blade to level the ground for a driveway. I can weld. I can make some simple dragging tools. An older compact 4WD Kubota is what I'd like.

Someone on TBN has suggested using old car hoods for a rock sled. They said it works great.