Newbee Here...Buying Help

[chriss1069]

I just purchased 5 acres and need to do some basic clearing here in Cent. Florida...mainly saw palmettos, brush, and a few small trees. I am hoping to buy an older diesel tractor with a bucket. Appearance is no big deal, as long as its not a rust bucket and runs like a champ. I will keep this tractor around after we build the house for basic duties around the homestead.

I have never owned a tractor, and need some advice on make, models, and years. I have used a small Kabota years ago for bush hoggin, and have driven a loader a few times. A project tractor is OK...as long as it runs. Am I barking up the wrong tree with wanting to spend a few thousand and keep my new toy, or should I just spend the money on a contractor and be done with it? Any suggestions pulease!!!!

 

[Martian]

If you really want a older diesel, Yanmar is the way to go. Depending upon your budget, though I'd really suggest a newer model.

As far as a new tractor I think you'd be looking at a 2x20 series Deere or comparable. To each his own when it comes to brand. Each has its ups and downs, got to figure out which suits you best...

Good luck!

FYI, its Kubota, not Kabota too

 

[creekbend]

Just a thought? Have you ever attempted to dig up or remove Palmettos before? I spent almost 20 years working in Florida. They are most definitely a hardy plant. And I am stating this conservatively.

 

[chriss1069]

Yep...used to be a land surveyor down here....they need to be pulled out....was thinking a large rake could get under them. Their roots are usually only about two feet deep. These are the small saw palmettos that have the long snake like trunks...and will cut you too pieces...ask me how I know. =)

 

[creekbend]

Palmettos in the Landscape

 

[Gary Fowler]

Rather than dig them up, we used to just pour a cup of diesel into the top. It would kill it dead. Leave it a few weeks then just pull the soured, rotting top out of the ground. They never came back. That was about the only thing we ever found to kill a palmetto plant. These were small return growth plants that came back repeatedy from the roots after bush hogging off the big stalks.
Our soil was a hard clay so they werent easily dug up. Even in sandy soil, digging 2 feet down would likely need a backhoe or at least a FEL with tooth bar. You will get plenty of seat time digging them up with a FEL and then leveling the soil. Next piling up all the roots and tops for burning, otherwise they will take root again.

 

[Gary Fowler]

With regard to your tractor size, I would think any 4 wheel drive in the 20-30HP range would do the job for you and still be useful for working around the place mowing, moving dirt etc for many years. Smaller HP just means it will take longer but they will usually do the job of the larger tractors just in smaller bites. If you have sandy soil, you can use smaller HP to dig than if you have hard clay and rocky type. My soil is hard and rocky and a 50HP FEL without a tooth bar would hardly make a dent with the FEL but digs well WITH a toothbar. MY 70HP just muscles in without needing a toothbar. Therefore, my recommendation is look for one with a toothbar on the FEL or be prepared to purchase one later if you are going to dig with it. Also dont use the corner of the fel to try and root out trees etc as you WILL warp the frame. You can ask me how I know as my old Yanmar has torqued up FEL frame from doing just that. I have straightened it a bit but it is still not quiet right.

Make a list of your tasks for now and later and you can get some good advice, just be aware of tractor color prejudice here when recommendations come in as JD owners will always recommend JD and so forth. Look at your local Craigslist for local buys, shop local dealers for a sit and feel type of shopping. You want to be comfortable on the tractor you choose whatever the color. You can also shop Tractorhouse.com for listings to get an idea of price. I find most tractorhouse listing to be a bit higher than reality though, same with most Craigslist pricing. THey leave lots of room for haggling in most instances.

 

[KU Gator]

If he doesn't provide a reply on his on, you might want to PM Soundguy. He is into Ford tractors. He lists Central Florida as his location.

I grew up in Lake County FL. Dad bought lots and built houses. My brother and I were the primary palmetto clearing devices without the aid of a tractor. So I don't have a lot of fondness for them. Make sure if you have scrub jays or gopher turtles you don't tell anybody or you will have an activist infestation along with big brother.

 

[LD1]

What is the budget you have in mind?