Tractor Sizing Now I stepped in it, I need everything

[ruffdog]

#15.....nice property! I wonder if the owner had animals keeping the pasture looking that good or what equipment did they use? Like how clean it is right to the ponds edge. Was it cleaned up for the sale? Anyway, this is a good site with plenty of help and opinions for you. When you ask about a project, pictures are worth 1000 words. Have fun!

 

[Diggin It]

My problem is sizing, I have no idea what is going to be adequate.

Be careful with Professor Orange's masses of words and links. They can be less helpful than they may appear.

 

[Leejohn]

You'll have to be very, very careful there. Work with the local Ag or Extension offices. If you let trees take root, you may regret it 10 or 15 years from now. Consider managing for bees and other pollinators, but keep everything low growing and not woody in case you want to plant other crops there later.

Don't plan on getting a giant tractor, field cutters and related tools now. Look at having a someone nearby lease some of the acreage for a few years and let them do that until you get the homestead area under control.

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I feel the same as you do. His mind well change a 1000 time with what he well want to do.

 

[ruffdog]

You'll have to be very, very careful there. Work with the local Ag or Extension offices. If you let trees take root, you may regret it 10 or 15 years from now. Consider managing for bees and other pollinators, but keep everything low growing and not woody in case you want to plant other crops there later.

Don't plan on getting a giant tractor, field cutters and related tools now. Look at having a someone nearby lease some of the acreage for a few years and let them do that until you get the homestead area under control.

.

^^agree^^ We have a company called Tallgrass Restoration nearby and they are very helpful with long term land management. A friend had them turn 80 acres into wildflowers and another friend had them clean a woods out and plant native shade plants. Here is the link:

Prairie Grass Restoration - Lawn Restoration | Prairie Restoration

 

[Number15]

I feel the same as you do. His mind well change a 1000 time with what he well want to do.

I agree as well

 

[jeff9366]

MOWING THIRTY ACRES } TBN ARCHIVE: mow bush hog thirty acres site - Google Search

 

[bcp]

Buy a tractor for tractoring.

Buy a lawn mower for lawn mowing.

Bruce

 

[buck12]

Do not rush to buy. Decide the work to be done. Select the implements to accomplish the work. Then match the tractor (weight and horsepower) to the implements. Tractors are always a compromise. You match the tractor to the primary tasks and usually make do for other jobs. I strongly recommend a front end loader, four wheel drive, and a cab.

 

[airbiscuit]

Do not rush to buy. Decide the work to be done. Select the implements to accomplish the work. Then match the tractor (weight and horsepower) to the implements. Tractors are always a compromise. You match the tractor to the primary tasks and usually make do for other jobs. I strongly recommend a front end loader, four wheel drive, and a cab.

I agree with everything above, but am ambivalent about the cab. I kind of like being out in the open air. If I was in TX or FL, I would want a cab and air conditioning.

Your property looks beautiful and well kept. Not sure what your budget is, but TBNrs are always happy to spend other people's money. It looks like mowing will be a large part of what you will be doing. What kind of equipment did it in the past? You are actually going to enjoy doing it, so it's not the end of the world if it takes a little longer. You can manage it well enough with a 5' or 6' rotary cutter. You can obviously do it faster with a 7', 8' or 12' mower but that is going to cost substantially more for tractor an that and other equipment.

If you are new to Compact Utility Tractors (CUTs), I Would take the time to test drive several different brands and models first just to get the (zen) feel of things. John Deere would be a good place to start because their Model numbering system has a certain logic to it.

1xxx series - Sub-Compact (SCUT)
2xxxx series - Small Frame CUT
3xxx series - Medium Frame CUT
4xxx series - Large Frame CUT

If I was lucky enough to have your property, I would be looking at a 40-60hp Large Frame CUT with a 6' rotary cutter (or 7' flail mower).

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Thanks guys, I appreciate you not making me feel like a dumb a** for doing this.

I can say for sure I will not be growing crops or at least what I imagine to be rows and rows of corn, plants etc.
At least 10 acres will be horse pasture for 1 horse.
There is about 20 acres that right now I would like to let it go back to nature. Understanding that does not mean just letting it go but actively encouraging the right species of plants. I will reach out to those more knowledgeable than me once I am local.

I will want to keep about 30 acres grass and will need to mow. So that leaves the rest and those pieces are yet undetermined and something I need to think about. I do want to encourage wildlife and there will be no hunting. Also I want to grow some different trees, they would not necessarily be for "crops" but if I could get some fruit trees that would be bonus. Also as I said I might have a small vegetable garden.

All of this of course is if this plan is reasonable which really can only be figured out once I talk to local people coop extension etc.

All I know at this point is there is a lot to mow. I will be reading this forum I guess for the next few weeks to "learn up"

Your in the same situation I was last year. Bought farm property that also has 30 acres to mow. My solution... Kubota MX and a Land Pride 12ft rotary cutter...