New land... need a tractor!!

docsfarm · Dec 28, 2015

So, we finally closed on our property. 197 acres in north-central PA. About 60 acres is field the rest is woods. 25+ acres is in the CREP program and will need the associated maintenance. I would like to plant a few food plots for deer, etc. I will need to open and clear out old logging roads and keep them cleaned out. Once we build our house, we will have approximately 1/3 mile driveway to maintain (stone, smooth and snow removal, etc..) And, about 2.5 acres to mow (minus whatever would go into garden). And of course any other projects I stumble into!!

The land is not flat except where the house and 2.5 acres will be. The rest is rather hilly. I would like 4WD.
My real question is how big of a tractor w FEL would I want here... I don't want too big so that I can maneuver in the woods. I'm thinking a 35-45HP CUT? It seems in what I've been researching that there is quite a difference in size and weight going from 35 to 40HP (at least in the NH Boomer line catalog that is near me right now).
I'm interested to hear everyone's thoughts.
Oh, budget... I don't know? 20k? new or lightly used (200 or less hours) is fine by me. Trying to stay somewhat flexible.
Thanks

DT86 · Dec 28, 2015

Congratulations on the property!

I believe you'll be disappointed in what $20k will buy in a new or slightly used tractor.

I would lean towards a utility tractor for the size place and tasks you have.

jeff9366 · Dec 28, 2015

docsfarm said:
We finally closed on our property, 197 acres in north-central PA.

About 60 acres is field the rest is woods. 25+ acres is in the CREP program and will need the associated maintenance.

I would like to plant a few food plots for deer, etc.

The rest is rather hilly. I would like 4WD.

I'm thinking a 35-45HP CUT? It seems in what I've been researching that there is quite a difference in size and weight going from 35 to 40HP (at least in the NH Boomer line catalog that is near me right now).

Do you have tractor operating experience?

What do you intend to do with the 60 acres in field? Revenue producing land would get my attention and budget dollars first.

Tractor are inherently unstable. Heavy tractors are more stable than light tractors. Heavier tractors have more inertia, wider stance and wider tires. I would move up one increment and research tractors 40-hp to 45-hp because of your property size and having land with slopes.

Tractors from 20-hp to 60-hp are usually sold with FEL, 4-WD, HST transmission and R4/Industrial tires.

Tractors are highly theft prone and seldom recovered. Plan secure, humidity controlled storage, with a door tall enough so you can move the tractor in/out without folding/erecting the ROPS.

Here is a LINK to used tractors being offered on eBay, customized for Williamsport: Industrial Tractor | eBay

Here is a Kubota, about the right size and $20,000: Kubota L4400HST 4x4 Tractor w LA703 Loader 45 HP Hydrostatic 309 Hrs Nice | eBay

Here is a heavier, more powerful Kubota MX5200: 2010 Kubota MX5100 HST 4x4 Compact Diesel Tractor Loader Low Shipping Rates | eBay

Luke'sScreenName · Dec 28, 2015

Congrats!
Want a Cab? (good in winter, bad in woods). Front or rear snowblower? (need mid PTO for front)
New Holland probably is not the place to start looking (IMO).
Might look at a small M series kubota, MX series Kubota, or a DK40 or NX series Kioti. Go to some dealers and browse.

CDennyRun · Dec 28, 2015

You can pick up lightly used 4x4/FEL Mahindra 50-ish HP tractors for around $20k. They make a pretty good tractor. You could get away with a 40HP rig, and probably be pretty happy. Just keep in mind the more tractor you have, the happier you'll be. I'm a big Ford/New Holland fan. If you can get a NH 45HP Workmaster, you'll more than likely be thrilled. The Workmasters are the less expensive of the NH CUTS, but are excellent machines.

Don't forget to look at Kioti, Branson, or LS if you have dealers locally.

Congrats on the new property!

Chris

Terry1040 · Dec 28, 2015

jeff9366 said:
What do you intend to do with the 60 acres in field? Revenue producing land would get my attention and budget dollars first.

Tractor are inherently unstable. Heavy tractors are more stable than light tractors. Heavier tractors have more inertia, wider stance and wider tires. I would move up one increment and research tractors 40-hp to 45-hp because of your property size and having land with slopes.

Tractors are highly theft prone and seldom recovered. Plan secure, humidity controlled storage, with a door tall enough so you can move the tractor in/out without folding/erecting the ROPS.

Jeff - good advise. The tractor theft is certainly a consideration also. More tractor = more stability for his rough land. Looks like nice property ! ENJOY.

gladehound · Dec 28, 2015

A few things to consider...

- stability - look for adjustable rear wheels (wider is more stable), fill the rear tires, appropriate other balast
- manuverability - split brakes make a larger tractor quite nimble
- loader strength and ability to run SSQA attachments - there is a big step up in loader performance when going to the large frame CUTs (as you mentioned, these typically start around 40hp). UTs will typically be another step up in in loader performance but not as dramatic a difference.

My current tractor is a Kioti DS4510HS, it would fit your needs well. I operate in woods all the time. If the vegetation is spaced too tight to get through, just make a path. I would not want any less tractor and wouldn't mind more so go bigger if you can. I got this tractor for $19.6k with loader and rear remote as a 2013 leftover/demo in Dec 2014. It had 50hrs'on the meter.

A lot of people will tell you to get HST. But you can get a lot more tractor for your dollar if you skip on HST. For your uses, a larger gear tractor will probably get more done than a smaller HST tractor.

to get the most at a 20k budget, Kioti and LS come to mind. Mahindra might have a good option for you as well. Many other good manufacturers, but some are pricy. Kubota MX are a decent value as well. Start checking tractorhouse, ebay and craigslist. Some good stuff will pop up. Good luck!

varmint · Dec 28, 2015

With some looking, you should be able to get a clean used Kubota (yah, I am partial to them, other brands might be just as good?) in the 30 HP range, with a loader and have enough money left to buy the rear blade and 6' mower you'll need to start with. A snowblower, if quality, will be costly, and a third of a mile of snow can be tamed with a front blade quite nicely.

If it has over 200 hours, I wouldn't let that stop me, if it was maintained and looks okay, assuming its operation checks out. You might start looking at Messicks used equipment- they have locations in Southern Penn., and are good to deal with. Delivery is no problem.

As earlier noted, R-4 tires, loaded, and preferably a SSQA loader, HST, and if you can find one with extra hydraulics, all the better. Cab would be great in the winter, no so great the rest of the year in the woods, but I don't think it's in your budget. For a while, I had a Kubota L3130, which was a fairly large CUT, very stable with loaded rear tires, and a large loader. With 31 HP, it wasn't a quick beast, but it got stuff done, and I liked it. Just too heavy at over 5000 lbs. to drive on lawns. It sold for just under $15,000, and although it had 1200 hours, it was in fine, clean shape and worked perfectly.

docsfarm · Dec 28, 2015

Thanks for the responses. I'm thinking my budget will need to be more flexible. We can work on that. As far as storage. There is a barn already on the property that I can park the tractor in and lock. Not temp or humidity controlled, but certainly out of the weather.

I have run tractors before, so geared doesn't bother me. I used to mow with a farmall cub when I was younger.

Trying to find that balance of not too big for the woods yet stable for the hills is the challenge.

I don't plan any cash crops. 25 of the 60 acres is in CREP which pays a little. But it is under contract for 9 more years. Food plots will take up some. There is other acreage too steep to do much with.

I think I'll go without a cab for the woods work. I can bundle up for winter.

Keep the comments coming.