One Tractor To Do It All?

[MossRoad]

It came with a lightly padded strip around it when new. That got ripped off at some point. But really, I'm 6' tall, and I have a good 6" of head clearance when under it. But a couple times a year I'll be looking at something under the hood, or reaching for something and bonk my head on the edge. It's pretty solid. I stand on top of it on occasion.

I'm thinking of taking a 1/2" or 3/4" steel pipe and using a cutting wheel to slot it, then slip it over the edges and weld it on. That wouldn't prevent me from hitting it of course, but it would lesson the pain of the thin metal edge. Plus, I could use it for a wire chase to a rear-facing LED floodlight I have mounted under the canopy behind my head.

 

[Runner]

It came with a lightly padded strip around it when new. That got ripped off at some point. But really, I'm 6' tall, and I have a good 6" of head clearance when under it. But a couple times a year I'll be looking at something under the hood, or reaching for something and bonk my head on the edge. It's pretty solid. I stand on top of it on occasion.

I'm thinking of taking a 1/2" or 3/4" steel pipe and using a cutting wheel to slot it, then slip it over the edges and weld it on. That wouldn't prevent me from hitting it of course, but it would lesson the pain of the thin metal edge. Plus, I could use it for a wire chase to a rear-facing LED floodlight I have mounted under the canopy behind my head.

I notice that Modrob's new machine does have the rubber strip that may help some. Either that or a helmet.

 

[big bubba]

OP: decide on the largest & most demanding task you have. choose a suitable tractor model, then go one model up in size.

 

[gwstang]

I would like some input on whether I am making a smart choice or not. I think one tractor to do my chores would be better than my current set up of mowing with a zero turn and snowplowing with an ATV. Basically, downsize from 2 machines to 1.

I mow 6 acres with a 61" zero turn mower (Ferris IS2100z with suspension and suspension seat).

I plow with an ATV with 54" snowplow (Suzuki King Quad 500).

Both do the job, but would a tractor be better suited?

I would get a compact tractor with a cab (heat and air conditioning) and a 72" belly mower. Being exposed to the elements is not exactly fun. My allergies are bad during mowing season and getting cold and wet during the plowing season is getting old quick.

The mowing area is not smooth, so mowing wide open throttle on the zero turn is not an option. So, the benefit of the zero turn being faster is not really a reality.

My acreage is wide open. No trees to maneuver. I even am considering a large 3 point attachment mower 10 ft wide or so, but I know that requires a larger tractor. I do not have the space to store (indoors) a large utility style, high HP farm tractor. Plus, I do not want such a heavy tractor to tear up the yard.

My driveway is 450 ft of gravel, so maintenance is periodically required. I have no way to perform the maintenance now and either have to borrow or rent equipment to do it. Or pay a contractor. It seems like a front end loader and box blade combination would be great to have.

I think the Kubota LX line of tractors might be a good fit for my needs. I am open to other brands/models. I do not believe in paying the John Deere green premium, so John Deere is not an option.

Has anyone went from multiple, job specific machines to a tractor that can do it all? Any regrets?

Thanks!

Don't discount using a finishing mower, behind the tractor. I have a 5' finishing mower that I cut about 8 acres, with the Kubota L2501. It does a nice job. I have 68 acres overall and cut around 15 acres.

 

[MossRoad]

If I had an AG style machine, I'd opt for the rear finish mower as well. Easier to get into corners, back it under overhanging trees, etc...

 

[bsekf]

Keep in mind that with one tractor and a bunch of equipment for it, you will be changing equipment often and it not easy unless you have a helper.

 

[WinterDeere]

Keep in mind that with one tractor and a bunch of equipment for it, you will be changing equipment often and it not easy unless you have a helper.

With JDQA on the front and an iMatch quick hitch on the rear, I'd argue it's not so difficult anymore. Sure, you have the occasional driveshaft to connect, and hydraulic couplers get a little oil on your hands, but neither are a very big deal. At least I'm not manually nudging implements fore and aft to get them to line up with old 3-point lower link pins.

 

[Torvy]

Curious...any special reason the whole thing needs to be mowed?

Keeping it low an acre or so around the buildings makes sense.

Maybe plant something else, or just let it grow wild. It could save you a lot of diesel.

 

[EddieWalker]

Today I plan on using three different tractors, and then later on, the zero turn. I need all three. If I swapped implement around differently, I could by with two tractors and the zero turn, but having all three means that I can get more done, faster.

Backhoe with a grapple to clean out a bunch of debris in front of a culvert. Then clean up around the hay bale with the grapple. I'll leave the grapple on because I have several trees and branches that are down from storms.

Then the Deere with the hay spear and auger on the rear. I'll put out a bale of hay for my goats and horses. I need to do that every other week, so that's a dedicated tractor for that job. I also need to install a fence post, and that's also something I do a lot of, so I leave it on the Deere all the time.

The Massey has the dirt bucket on it right now and I need to clean up a drainage ditch with it and fill up a mud hole that's gotten out of control just inside the gate to the hay bale. Once I'm done with that, I'll remove the bucket, and the counter weight on the rear and connect the batwing. My open areas are over 2 feet tall and growing. If I get them now, the trees will just be saplings and mow easy. My goal is to mow the area around my pond and all around my property line. Then when I have time after work, I'll get the other areas and my trails.

Zero turn for our dog runs, back yard, the yards for both houses, driveway, around the hay bales and my entrance. That's every week, but usually I split it in half and get to each half each week.

I'm also clearing the land for my next section of fencing, and I need the backhoe for that. An excavator would be better, but they are terrible at hauling trees to the burn pile. The backhoe with a grapple allows me to remove the brush and trees, and haul it to the burn pile. I can put the bucket back on and haul dirt to the holes in the ground from the stumps, spread it out, pack it with my tires, and make it look like there was never a tree there.

 

[Torvy]

Better get it done today. Looks like more rain starting tomorrow, at least up here.