Need Advice on Which Model

[josephny]

Hi,

I'm starting from scratch and would appreciate some advice.

I've got about 120 acres of land that I'd like to put some trails in. The land is mostly light wooded, but has an area about 600' deep and the entire width of the property that is wet/swampy and impassable with rhodedendrum/mountain laurel. I've hiked it on foot, squeezing through the woody plant, but the fun wears off quickly.

Besides making these trails, mowing about 6+ acres, gardening and maybe some log/tree hauling would also be like to be done.

So, what do I need to make this happen?

I'm partial to Kubota, but that's not particularly relevant to what machine will do what I need done.

I'm hoping a relatively basic machine with FEL will do the trick, but the marshy wet area concerns me.

I had a guy in with a bulldozer early this Spring and he couldn't get through out of concern for sinking.

Thanks very much,

Joe

 

[Johndeere3720]

Tractor wise, id look at the 3000-5000 series Deere tractors but the marshy area will be a problem. People will suggest track skidsteers but from my experience in one, you cant realy go in deep swampy conditions. My dad has a Deere CT322 skidsteer and with the type of tracks it has, tracktion is limited on wet steep or slick surfaces. If you goy say a Deere 4320, you will have plenty horsepower and with those big tires equipped with chains in the swamp, you will get good traction. What ive learned from loggers is to use down trees (delimbed) to make a road to drive on. put them two different ways them to make it like a road, put wood chips over top. I would consider a backhoe on the tractor too. I hoped this helped.

 

[gumshu]

Hi,

I'm starting from scratch and would appreciate some advice.

I've got about 120 acres of land that I'd like to put some trails in. The land is mostly light wooded, but has an area about 600' deep and the entire width of the property that is wet/swampy and impassable with rhodedendrum/mountain laurel. I've hiked it on foot, squeezing through the woody plant, but the fun wears off quickly.

Besides making these trails, mowing about 6+ acres, gardening and maybe some log/tree hauling would also be like to be done.

So, what do I need to make this happen?

I'm partial to Kubota, but that's not particularly relevant to what machine will do what I need done.

I'm hoping a relatively basic machine with FEL will do the trick, but the marshy wet area concerns me.

I had a guy in with a bulldozer early this Spring and he couldn't get through out of concern for sinking.

Thanks very much,

Joe

The JD 4000 series should work fine for you and they have 4 cylinder engines with plenty of HP; the more the better.

 

[flusher]

The JD 4000 series should work fine for you and they have 4 cylinder engines with plenty of HP; the more the better.

That dozer probably had lower lb/sq inch ground loading than most wheeled tractors.

Around here there is quite a bit of rice farming. You see tractors with rubber dozer tracks wrapped around the tires. Maybe that's what you should check out. Caterpiller Challenger is a big name in tracked tractors.

Challenger Tracked Tractors, Combines and Agricultural Machinery | International (English)

Yanmar makes the T-80 that has dozer tracks

Track tractors - YANMAR-CONSTRUCTION - Trailer, Utility vehicle

 

[SideHillBill]

Whatever make/model you choose, you might want a winch on your tractor. If you only have one tractor, that'll probably be your only way to get unstuck.

 

[BarryinMN]

A dozer with swamp pads may work. Swamp pad tracks are 50% wider than normal.

Pipeliners here use really big excavators to swim across and then drag the other stuff over like 1 ton weld trucks, trailers, etc.

Also seen a small TLB with a really determined operator swim out in a bog & tear down a beaver dam for county hwy maintenance.

If you can wait for winter freeze before clearing it will be easier.

 

[flusher]

That dozer probably had lower lb/sq inch ground loading than most wheeled tractors.

Around here there is quite a bit of rice farming. You see tractors with rubber dozer tracks wrapped around the tires. Maybe that's what you should check out. Caterpiller Challenger is a big name in tracked tractors.

Challenger Tracked Tractors, Combines and Agricultural Machinery | International (English)

Yanmar makes the T-80 that has dozer tracks

Track tractors - YANMAR-CONSTRUCTION - Trailer, Utility vehicle

You can also retrofit whatever 4WD tractor you get with track conversion systems to get you in and out of your swampy areas

Track-Tor-Assist - MATTRACKS rubber track conversions systems for 4x4 vehicles

 

[Soundguy]

gonna need to dry the wet areas out.. might have to bring in some fill to do that... once tht is fixed.. get a machine that matches your long term needs, vs short term 1-time jobs.

soundguy

 

[foggy1111]

Hi,

I'm starting from scratch and would appreciate some advice.

I've got about 120 acres of land that I'd like to put some trails in. The land is mostly light wooded, but has an area about 600' deep and the entire width of the property that is wet/swampy and impassable with rhodedendrum/mountain laurel. I've hiked it on foot, squeezing through the woody plant, but the fun wears off quickly.

Besides making these trails, mowing about 6+ acres, gardening and maybe some log/tree hauling would also be like to be done.

So, what do I need to make this happen?

I'm partial to Kubota, but that's not particularly relevant to what machine will do what I need done.

I'm hoping a relatively basic machine with FEL will do the trick, but the marshy wet area concerns me.

I had a guy in with a bulldozer early this Spring and he couldn't get through out of concern for sinking.

Thanks very much,

Joe

Welcome to TBN Joe!

I have a similar amount of land and a wetland much like you describe. My wetland splits my land in two parcels and I need to access the second parcel by a private road at the edge of my property. Here in MN....you don't want to start dozing or altering a wetland, or your going to have the DNR on your case.

I think you best be sure your wetland is not listed on the National wetlands inventory before you do too much work. Having said that....I would dearly like to connect two points into a trail...which beg to be connected across my swamp. However, I think for any wet work I may possibly rent or contract the work done. My 790 and small implements take care of trails and food plot work for me.....so far.

 

[Egon]

You may be able to end dump a pad across the swampy area. Lighter equipment may require less fill material to support the equipment.

I have seen pictures of where a fellow has bolted tires together to make a base for the dirt on a road across a swamp but that may not be in accordance with local ordinances.