Sanity check - tractor for ~10 acres of use

[Shazbat]

So I know I asked 5 years ago about a tractor for nearly 100 acres, and I appreciate the advice given, but that wasn't in the cards for us. (Never was able to get broadband)

Moving to a new piece of property in southern NH of about 20 acres soon with the following areas of tractoring need that I can see "right now":

1000ft of driveway to clean from snow and perhaps maintain, it's shared and the neighbors that share it are 800ft farther back but I believe they pay for someone else to plow in the winter now - however I need to be able to get out on my schedule, not the plow company's.

5-6 acres partially cleared starting to get overgrown, 80 ft elevation change from top to bottom (About 600ft in length), I would _really_ like to keep this mowed down for hiking and dirt bike trails.

Lots of deadfall that I'd like to drag to the house and burn.

Existing brush piles need to be moved and cleaned up.

Some internal roads, not sure of length.

1/4 acre of flat lawn (I'm not picky on a fancy golf course lawn so if a rough-cut mower could hanlde this, that'd be fantastic)

1/4 acre flat area that I'd like to put a garden.

1/2 acre of mostly flat overgrown area that I'd like to become lawn-like (See above).

The remainder of the land is heavily forested, and with the exception of maybe making small trails through it I would like it to remain as such. There are some existing internal roads that at one time were gravelled and taken care of, but I'm not sure of the extent as I've not been able to walk them due to not being properly dressed for the deer flies.

__________________________________________________________________________

After reading posts here until my eyes bleed, I'm thinking that again, a 30-40 hp tractor would probably handle 80% of my chores with a 2-bottom plow, back blade, FEL (of course) with a grapple, MFWD, and a rotary mower. I'm leery of going with a SCUT, even though I think it could handle all of my tasks (Albeit slowly) because of the ground clearance.

A front-mount snowblower would be ideal I think if I can swing it, but I don't think I can afford a factory hard-cab, so a soft cab may be an option there.

Dealers nearby from what I can tell are NH/Tym, JD(Two, but one only appears to have SCUT's on the lot), NH/Kubota, and Bobcat slightly farther away - I don't mind doing smaller services myself, but any major repairs I'd prefer to have someone more knowledgeable than me handle it.

Please let me know if I'm losing my mind or not =) thank you.

 

[jenkinsph]

Sounds like a perfect job for a nice used 790 to me.

 

[Shazbat]

Thanks, a 790 (Or 3005) keeps crossing my mind, I'd actually prefer gear since darn near everything I own has a clutch.

 

[rswyan]

Moving to a new piece of property in southern NH of about 20 acres soon .....

Pics .... we need pics ....

After reading posts here until my eyes bleed, I'm thinking that again, a 30-40 hp tractor would probably handle 80% of my chores with a 2-bottom plow, back blade, FEL (of course) with a grapple, MFWD, and a rotary mower. I'm leery of going with a SCUT, even though I think it could handle all of my tasks (Albeit slowly) because of the ground clearance.

I think your thinking and premise above is good - I'd say 30 to 40 hp CUT would work fine - based on your stated intentions ..... a SCUT might be just a bit on the small side. Ground clearance could be an issue in the woods working deadfall and brush ....

I'd say if your really into gardening consider a tiller and skip the plow. A landscape (York) rake might be handy too ....

A front-mount snowblower would be ideal I think if I can swing it,

Yup, it would - I'm doing about 800' to 1000' of driveway with a rear mounted blower ..... it's tolerable ...... but we may not get nearly as much snow as you will.

but I don't think I can afford a factory hard-cab, so a soft cab may be an option there.

...... or a snowmobile suit .......

Please let me know if I'm losing my mind or not =) thank you.

LOL ..... nah, I'd say you've got a pretty good handle on things ....

 

[fredhargis]

We had just moved to a 15 acre property, and I went through the same thought process. I wound up with a 29 HP CUT, and at this point am quite happy with my choice. My choice of implements is likely different than yours since I'm have no woods at all, and mow 4 acres. That said, it seems to me that in smaller mowing areas an MMM is much more manageable....but that's from a tractor newbee. In any case, you're on the right track.

 

[TripleR]

I believe you are pretty well on target with the 30-40 CUT. My inclination would go more towards the upper end, but that's just my personality.

I agree to stay away from a SCUT as though I really like my BX2660, I am well aware of it's capabilities and limitations.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Wow! You found a place in NH that has almost an acre of nearly flat ground on only 20 acres? It looks like you are on the right track tractor wise, but I might include the 25-30 hp B series Kubotas, 2000 series JD's, etc. too. I would also add that you should be looking for something with a QA loader bucket so you can add forks. They are night, and day improvement over using a bucket on brush, and deadfalls, and way cheaper than a grapple set up. I also agree on the front mounted blower for snow since you probably don't have a lot of extra room to plow banks back. If you go with a blower you should probably start at the larger B series Kubotas, or JD 3000 series because you will want at least a 60" blower. That way one trip out, and back will get you out in the morning at least, though an extra trip out, and back really should only take 45 minutes-1 hr total, and I sure have put more time than that behind my walk behind to get out some mornings. I agree too that you might want to look at rototillers instead of the plow/harrow set up if your land is rock free enough to use one. Even a light duty 48" will be much faster than the plows, and much easier to set up, and use. Shopping is one of the really fun things to do with tractors so have some fun with it, and good luck with your choice.

 

[jbford]

We have 10 acres

3 to finish mow
2 to bush hog
5 woods (lots of briars and honeysuckle needing clearing)

looked at NH T1510
JD 3032E
Kubota L2800

all with FEL, 4wd & HST

went with Kubota but all 3 looked very good.
use bush hog, tiller, finish mower, blade, log chain, sprayer.

 

[dmay]

IIUC you have two distinct phases of needs to address on your new property. First phase is a fair amount of overgrown and deadfall ground and roadway/path clearing and general acreage cleanup. Second phase you simply want to mow your lawn, till a garden and clear snow from your driveway.

Phase 1 and phase 2 really call for two different tractor sizes. So do you:

A) buy a tractor in the 30-40HP range which becomes somewhat OVERSIZED for your ongoing phase 2 requirements?
B) contract phase one out and buy a tractor in the 25-30HP range (saving $$$) that easily meets your ongoing phase 2 requirements?

Unless you have further ongoing need for a phase 1 sized tractor that you have not shared, I would recommend you go option B. To me this might be a John Deere 2520/2720 or Kubota B2630/B3030.

The key here is phase one could be short and sweet. Hire someone with BIG equipment to come in and take care of all your initial needs in one weekend. Might cost you $1,000. Then get what you need to maintain and enjoy your property.

 

[TripleR]

IIUC you have two distinct phases of needs to address on your new property. First phase is a fair amount of overgrown and deadfall ground and roadway/path clearing and general acreage cleanup. Second phase you simply want to mow your lawn, till a garden and clear snow from your driveway.

Phase 1 and phase 2 really call for two different tractor sizes. So do you:

A) buy a tractor in the 30-40HP range which becomes somewhat OVERSIZED for your ongoing phase 2 requirements?
B) contract phase one out and buy a tractor in the 25-30HP range (saving $$$) that easily meets your ongoing phase 2 requirements?

Unless you have further ongoing need for a phase 1 sized tractor that you have not shared, I would recommend you go option B. To me this might be a John Deere 2520/2720 or Kubota B2630/B3030.

The key here is phase one could be short and sweet. Hire someone with BIG equipment to come in and take care of all your initial needs in one weekend. Might cost you $1,000. Then get what you need to maintain and enjoy your property.

Yep, just depends on whether your goals are doing it or having it done. I have done both.

"Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it."