new to tractors - need advice on purchasing a tractor

[ndamico]

Hi,

We just purchased our first home that isn't in a regular neighborhood on tiny lots.

We are in Greer, SC on 3 acres. see below image for reference. I am looking to buy a tractor for my own personal use. I have never owned a tractor. I've owned a couple forklifts for warehouse use but that's it. the seller is conveying a nice Ferris IS2100Z 61" riding mower with the sale so I plan to use that to cut the grass.

I have no idea where to start so I'm hoping for some advice. I don't want something to small nor WAY to overkill. I want diesel, but no DEF.

The way I see it my needs will be:

1) I plan to turn the old horse arena into a bermuda soccer field (bear i mind I have no idea how to go about doing this yet).
2) add about 175' of fencing
3) convert the majority of the grass around the house to bermuda
4) move palletized items around the property safely. max weight 1000lbs
5) plant trees
6) move some excess dirt from one part of the property to the other
7) lay irrigation lines as there currently are none
8) build a small bmx pump track
9) clear an area around my barn for more concreate to expand the barn
10) we want to add a garden approx 40x60

Again I'm sorry for not knowing squat about tractors. I'm very grateful for any advice.

Thank you

Nick

 

[nybirdman]

Less than 25HP(no def),4wd with FEL about 2500-3000 lbs.Most this size are HST(similar to automatic),easy to use.
Most familiar with Kubota,so 2501 or similar.

 

[General Lee]

I like Kubota so that's what I'll recommend. A B2601 or L2501, Although the loader strength on these 2 don't quite get you to your 1,000 pound requirement. The L2501 may, haven't checked but it'll be close, but your bucket or forks will take away some of that poundage. Kubota loader model numbers are measured in kilograms for lift capacity. So if you see "LA435" on a B2601 loader arm, that is 435 x 2.2lbs=957 lb of lift capacity.

 

[Tractor_Jack]

I am also searching for my first tractor. Something that confused me at first is that rated loader lift is very different from what it will actually lift.

This is because they (usually) measure lift at the pivot pins, just getting off the ground, with no attachments on the loader. Though I think some manufacturers state differently. Kubota was good at telling me what weight they could lift to full height.

So if you know you need to lift a 1000lb pallet say 4ft high to put it on a truck bed, you actually need a tractor with a stated lift capacity much higher than 1000lbs to account for the weight bring forwards of the loader, the weight of the forks themselves, and potentially the height.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I want diesel, but no DEF

That generally starts at 75 HP and up ...

Less than 25HP(no def

While true, they also don't have DPF.

DEF = Diesel Exhaust Fluid
DPF = Diesel Particulate Filter

The DEF goes in a tank and is eventually injected in the exhaust system controlled by a computer and sensors ...

DPF is a filter in the exhaust system kinda like a catalytic converter in a gas engine, except it has a self clean mode, called a "Regen" where extra diesel fuel is injected into the exhaust and burns the junk caught in the filter ...

Most tractors over 25 HP have a DPF, most tractors over 75HP have both a DPF and use DEF ...

From what it sounds like a 25-45 HP Compact Utility Tractor (CUT) will do what you want, like mentioned the "pins" on a loader is where most manufacturers base there lift capacity, either at them, or 24" in front of them, and the stated lift capacity includes not only your "load" but the weight of your bucket/grapple/forks ... The 1000 Lbs is the tricky part ...

This is my Sub-Compact Utility Tractor (SCUT) Next size smaller than a CUT ... The arrow is where the "pin" is ... Notice how far forward the load of wood actually starts?

Here is an example of how far forward the weight is, makes a difference ... These forks are 42" long and very heavy duty, rated for 4,000 Lbs, and weighs 347.4 Lbs, the pallet is a hardwood 40" X 48" pallet which weighs roughly 50 Lbs, the bags are 40Lbs each ... 997 Lbs and that's as high as my Little Baby Fergie can lift it! (The loader is rated at being able to lift at the "pins" 922 Lbs to 74" high!)

Now ... Same everything, EXCEPT how they are loaded ... I got one more bag on, lifted to same basic height ...

So my first question is how high do you want/need to lift that 1000 Lbs?

Is the 1000 Lbs able to be split up into smaller chunks like my bags of wood heating pellets?

If yes, would you be in physical shape to stack down a pallet like I did with my 2000 Lb pallet of wood heating pellets?

How compact or bulky is this 1000 Lbs?

If you don't need to go too high with the pallet, but just move it . . . Most three point lifts on the back of a tractor will lift more than a loader on the front ... I have three point forks on my CUT, as I don't even have a loader on that tractor, but it can lift 3,860 Lbs at the "pins" of the three point lower arms ... But, they only get the skid up 16" or so ... Works for me! (You can see how much higher my weaker SCUT can lift!)

Also keep in mind that a tractor is kind of a jack of all trades, master of none type of machine, I call my SCUT a "Swiss Army Knife Tractor" ... But they are not bulldozers, they are more "scoopers" ... Will they dig? Yes, they can, but you gotta go easy on them ... A Backhoe (BH) is much better at digging!

I had already dug this trench with the BH, was just beveling the edges with the loader with a Piranha Tooth Cutting Bar on the bucket ...

 

[arrow]

A compact in the 2500 lb category will do ya. After loaded tires and fel, you’ll be 3500- 4000 lbs.
Buy from your closest, reputable de@ler. Don’t get hung up on brand. They’re all decent machines.

 

[mapper]

Alll the things you want to do will require a number of attachments, pallet forks for the front end loader (requires skid steer quick attach plate, avoid clamp on forks ), backhoe for trenching and serous digging ($$), back blade of one sort or the other, posthole auger for fencing, tiller for the garden, etc. You can easily spend as much or more for attachments as for the tractor itself.
Tractor ownership can be a slippery slope of acquisition of fun stuff to add for new things to do, have fun and I hope you have a spouse that is understanding (you could end up with her taking it over too!)

 

[ericm979]

So if you know you need to lift a 1000lb pallet say 4ft high to put it on a truck bed, you actually need a tractor with a stated lift capacity much higher than 1000lbs to account for the weight bring forwards of the loader, the weight of the forks themselves, and potentially the height.

Your post was correct. But also note that loaders can lift more weight at lower heights than at full height. They generate the most lifting force at ground level (actually very slightly below). That's "breakout force" on the spec sheet. If lift capacity at full height is 1000 lbs and breakout force is 1300 lbs, then it can lift about 1150 lbs halfway up to full height.

My pallet forks are normal consumer ones and weigh about 350 lbs. Clamp on pallet forks suck. It can be difficult to see the tips of the pallet forks depending on the tractor. I often stand up so I can see over the hood, which presents its own problems.

If you are lifting anywhere close to the loader capacity you will want ballast in the back. Like an implement or a weight box.

Also, loaders are not good for digging. They can scoop up loose material. You may want something like a box blade to pull up and move dirt.

 

[ndamico]

Thanks for all the replies! i really appreciate your time. So to clarify what i need to lift- i have a safe that is 800-900 lbs (not including pallet) that i need to pickup out of a truck bed and then move. Beyond that its just dirt that i'll be moving or potentially lifting an engine out of a car. it sounds like the 2501 can probably handle it. Does that seem accurate?

 

[Shawn T. W.]

The Kubota L2501 comes with a LA 526 loader has a lift capacity at the pins of 1082.0 Lbs at 94" at the pins ... But .. it will lift 1438 Lbs at the pins up to 59" (look at "W" below) but if the weight is 20" forward, only 1135 Lbs to the 59" 20" forward (look at "X" below)

Guessing a pickup bed about 36" off the ground ... ?

So yes it "should" work ... But remember you want close to the weight your picking up on the front, hanging on the rear three point ...

How is it getting in the bed? How do you plan on getting it off the pallet? Can you drive the tractor where it's gotta go?

 

[edgarrian]

For your lifting capacity get forks that will attach to your three point and remotes for the top link so controlling forks for picking up pallets is easy. It will also make the other implements better to handle. You will be looking at around 2000 more for the top link hook up.

I use my forks on my 3pt pretty often and i rarely see people on here doing it. Not only can you pick up more weight. It is much safer.

You will need to watch videos of how to work the fel. Get a tiller for the garden. Then when you are ready you can use that to till the area you want to expand by tilling the vegetation and then removing it with the bucket.

The most important part of owning is understanding this isn't a dozer or a skid steer. Make sure you get the owners manual and read it. Make sure you understand where all the grease zerks are. Pay attention as to where the hydraulic filter is located. If its underneath the tractor and susceptible to getting punctured. Purchase a skid plate.

 

[ndamico]

The Kubota L2501 comes with a LA 526 loader has a lift capacity at the pins of 1082.0 Lbs at 94" at the pins ... But .. it will lift 1438 Lbs at the pins up to 59" (look at "W" below) but if the weight is 20" forward, only 1135 Lbs to the 59" 20" forward (look at "X" below)

View attachment 5057320

Guessing a pickup bed about 36" off the ground ... ?

So yes it "should" work ... But remember you want close to the weight your picking up on the front, hanging on the rear three point ...

How is it getting in the bed? How do you plan on getting it off the pallet? Can you drive the tractor where it's gotta go?

it gets loaded at the origin by my friend with a big tractor. i can drive the tractor all the way to where its going!

 

[General Lee]

Thanks for all the replies! i really appreciate your time. So to clarify what i need to lift- i have a safe that is 800-900 lbs (not including pallet) that i need to pickup out of a truck bed and then move. Beyond that its just dirt that i'll be moving or potentially lifting an engine out of a car. it sounds like the 2501 can probably handle it. Does that seem accurate?

The L2501 is a good choice. Good compromise between size and strength. I wouldn't base your purchase on a one time lift of a safe out of the truck. Plus you can an engine hoist for the motors.

 

[rScotty]

Thanks for all the replies! i really appreciate your time. So to clarify what i need to lift- i have a safe that is 800-900 lbs (not including pallet) that i need to pickup out of a truck bed and then move. Beyond that its just dirt that i'll be moving or potentially lifting an engine out of a car. it sounds like the 2501 can probably handle it. Does that seem accurate?

Here's how to figure that out. Go to tractordata.com, enter Kubota 2501, and then to the attachments tag. You'll see that the 2501 uses a LA525 loader. Then look online for an owners manual for the real specs for that loader. Kubota posts them the real operating curves; not all brands do that. I have one, so I'll post below.

Most hydraulic systems are slightly derated from optimum. You are always wise to knock 10% off of any manufacturers numbers to compensate for lower hydraulic pressure, and don't forget to include the weight of the bucket.

Look at the attachments below. On the final graphs where you see two parallel lines, the right hand larger value is lift at the pins, the smaller value to the left is lift at the bucket edge...out typically two feet from the pins. For a safe, you would be lifting its center of gravity another foot out from the bucket edge, so mentally move that curve farther to the left.

Lets run through an example. Assume you need to lift a safe 1.5 meters - about 4 1/2 feet - to get it out of the truck on a pallet. By Kubotas graph below, you can lift about 500 kg at that height, which is 1100 lbs. Deduct 235 lbs for the bucket and you are at 865 lbs. So you might just be able to lift an 800/900 lb safe if everything goes right, and your hydraulic pressure is set at midrange...although usually a dealership will set the relief valve about 5 to 10% low for safety....but you are definitely pushing the limit.

Another thing in your favor is you are only lifting to 1.5 meters. Any higher than that and you will often find that the real world limit is tractor stability rather than weight.
enjoy the search,
rScotty.

 

[ndamico]

The L2501 is a good choice. Good compromise between size and strength. I wouldn't base your purchase on a one time lift of a safe out of the truck. Plus you can an engine hoist for the motors.

short of facebook marketplace, where is a good place to look for a used unit with the accessories i want?

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

For your lifting capacity get forks that will attach to your three point and remotes for the top link so controlling forks for picking up pallets is easy. It will also make the other implements better to handle. You will be looking at around 2000 more for the top link hook up.

I use my forks on my 3pt pretty often and i rarely see people on here doing it. Not only can you pick up more weight. It is much safer.

You will need to watch videos of how to work the fel. Get a tiller for the garden. Then when you are ready you can use that to till the area you want to expand by tilling the vegetation and then removing it with the bucket.

The most important part of owning is understanding this isn't a dozer or a skid steer. Make sure you get the owners manual and read it. Make sure you understand where all the grease zerks are. Pay attention as to where the hydraulic filter is located. If its underneath the tractor and susceptible to getting punctured. Purchase a skid plate.

How do you unload a pallet out of a pickup truck with the forks on the three point?

 

[anomad]

Thanks for all the replies! i really appreciate your time. So to clarify what i need to lift- i have a safe that is 800-900 lbs (not including pallet) that i need to pickup out of a truck bed and then move. Beyond that its just dirt that i'll be moving or potentially lifting an engine out of a car. it sounds like the 2501 can probably handle it. Does that seem accurate?

I wouldn't buy a tractor based on a one time safe move. There are plenty of safe movers around that specialize in that. Unless you don't want anyone knowing its final location, which I totally agree with. You could always rent something for that task. Lifting an engine shouldn't be a big deal unless you are talking a big diesel with everything still attached.

From your pictures and described tasks I think a Kubota LX2620 would be a great fit. The L2502 is heavier, but has less features. The B2601 is smaller than the LX but also worth looking at. I love mine. Just suggesting Kubota since that is what every man woman and child runs around here.

Do you like to buy fancy trucks and things with lots of features? Or are you ok a basic work truck as long as it has a few things you want? I like a basic work truck. As long as it has cruise control (thanks to knee surgery x2) and AC I'm good. Tractors are the same way. You can get them all decked out or basic. Go kick some tires and drive around lots.

Upstate SC is ~2 hours from me. One of my favorite jokes... We can't help but look down on South Carolinian's from here in North Carolina.

 

[Paystar]

Any SCUT or Compact under 26 horsepower and any brand that you have a good dealer for.

 

[dodge man]

I’m going to agree, don’t buy the tractor based on moving the safe. It might still be the tractor you want but you might also be buying a bigger tractor than you need.

 

[ndamico]

I wouldn't buy a tractor based on a one time safe move. There are plenty of safe movers around that specialize in that. Unless you don't want anyone knowing its final location, which I totally agree with. You could always rent something for that task. Lifting an engine shouldn't be a big deal unless you are talking a big diesel with everything still attached.

From your pictures and described tasks I think a Kubota LX2620 would be a great fit. The L2502 is heavier, but has less features. The B2601 is smaller than the LX but also worth looking at. I love mine. Just suggesting Kubota since that is what every man woman and child runs around here.

Do you like to buy fancy trucks and things with lots of features? Or are you ok a basic work truck as long as it has a few things you want? I like a basic work truck. As long as it has cruise control (thanks to knee surgery x2) and AC I'm good. Tractors are the same way. You can get them all decked out or basic. Go kick some tires and drive around lots.

Upstate SC is ~2 hours from me. One of my favorite jokes... We can't help but look down on South Carolinian's from here in North Carolina.

love it! and no, i like basic things. my favorite vehicle has manual windows and a manual transmission. i figure that way i have less stuff that can go break. if they don't exist they can't break!