Buying Advice Seeking purchase advice - 200+ acres - tractor vs skid steer

[DML25]

We have recently bought a 200-acre hilly property in Virginia with about 30 acres tillable and the rest divided about 50-50 between woods and grazing land. We plan to do a small orchard, and use the land for a few grazing animals (horses, goats) and possibly outdoor events such as weddings. We are looking at a 100+ hp tractor or skid steer (with track). The work we plan to do includes:

- reclaim areas that have been allowed to go wild
- put in fencing throughout property
- clear trails in woods
- maintain gravel driveway, especially hilly areas
- work with compost/manure
- possibly dig pond
- clear/level sites for outdoor patios
- dig for planting trees, other tasks related to orchard

If we get a tractor, we would like to be able to use a 12-foot or larger batwing mower, and possibly hay some areas. Currently a neighbor hays in exchange for leasing part of the land, though we would like to eventually take that over. We received some advice that we ought to consider a 135hp or higher tractor for that job.

Thanks for advice.

 

[HCJtractor]

I'm no expert, but it seems your wish list of tasks is so broad, that no one tractor or skid steer will do all that ideally. Personally, I would go with a good basic tractor, say 70 to 90 horse, 4 wheel drive, with a FEL. That is a standard tractor that can do most anything. But nothing will do all those tasks well. Creating a pond, is work for a dozer, not a tractor or skid steer (although some have done this). Digging holes for trees requires a backhoe or excavator. But the other tasks could easily be done with a tractor and appropriate implements---a grapple, box blade, rotary cutter, bucket, and perhaps a rear blade, and auger. I think a 100 horse would be too big, especially for use in the woods and trails. (But I'm not sure what the minimum is for a batwing). A 100 plus horse is a serious farming tool, made for major ground engagement in agriculture, but too big for general common tasks around the farm. And while I'd love to have a skid steer, you need a tractor first. Traveling around 200 hundred acres would be slow, put wear on the tracks, and just not realistic. And you need a three point hitch and the myriad of implements that can be used with it. So use your tractor for your basic tasks and for digging a pond, planting trees, or clearing heavy timbered areas (if any) hire it done or rent the appropriate tool. If it were me, i would get a 70 to 90 horse Kubota, a good grapple about 5 feet wide, a bucket, a 6 or 7 foot heavy duty rotary cutter like a Woods BB 720, a 7 foot box blade, and if any budget left, a 8 foot rear blade with hydraulics, and a heavy duty rear auger. I would be sure the FEL had skid steer quick connect feature, and that you had ideally 2 or 3 rear remotes. I personally wouldn't want a cab if I was on trails in the woods a lot, but maybe would want one if I anticipated spending a lot of time in the hay fields. But I think a 135 horse is crazy. But this is my opinion. Others may disagree.

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[Luke'sScreenName]

I'm no expert, but it seems your wish list of tasks is so broad, that no one tractor or skid steer will do all that ideally. Personally, I would go with a good basic tractor, say 70 to 90 horse, 4 wheel drive, with a FEL. That is a standard tractor that can do most anything. But nothing will do all those tasks well. Creating a pond, is work for a dozer, not a tractor or skid steer (although some have done this). Digging holes for trees requires a backhoe or excavator. But the other tasks could easily be done with a tractor and appropriate implements---a grapple, box blade, rotary cutter, bucket, and perhaps a rear blade, and auger. I think a 100 horse would be too big, especially for use in the woods and trails. (But I'm not sure what the minimum is for a batwing). A 100 plus horse is a serious farming tool, made for major ground engagement in agriculture, but too big for general common tasks around the farm. And while I'd love to have a skid steer, you need a tractor first. Traveling around 200 hundred acres would be slow, put wear on the tracks, and just not realistic. And you need a three point hitch and the myriad of implements that can be used with it. So use your tractor for your basic tasks and for digging a pond, planting trees, or clearing heavy timbered areas (if any) hire it done or rent the appropriate tool. If it were me, i would get a 70 to 90 horse Kubota, a good grapple about 5 feet wide, a bucket, a 6 or 7 foot heavy duty rotary cutter like a Woods BB 720, a 7 foot box blade, and if any budget left, a 8 foot rear blade with hydraulics, and a heavy duty rear auger. I would be sure the FEL had skid steer quick connect feature, and that you had ideally 2 or 3 rear remotes. I personally wouldn't want a cab if I was on trails in the woods a lot, but maybe would want one if I anticipated spending a lot of time in the hay fields. But I think a 135 horse is crazy. But this is my opinion. Others may disagree.

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X2!
Very good advive.
70-90hp moder utility like the Kubota M series with loader shuttle shift and a LOTS of money for impliments. This would be machine number one. My guess is that would be a $100-120,000 investment financed at 0% over 6years. Will do the majority of your list.
Next machine would be a 50-70hp excavator in the 12-18,000lbs size. Another $100k new....

 

[LD1]

I am not real experienced with skidsteers, but they dont look like they would get along with hills real well.

And I think your 135HP may be a tad over-shooting for the work you describe.

Local farmer here farms ~600 acres of ground (beans and corn) And his largest machines are ~135hp deere 72xx series

 

[mikeharold]

I am not real experienced with skidsteers, but they dont look like they would get along with hills real well.

And I think your 135HP may be a tad over-shooting for the work you describe.

Local farmer here farms ~600 acres of ground (beans and corn) And his largest machines are ~135hp deere 72xx series

Actually tracked skid steers are quite good on slopes as the are built like tanks and have a low center of gravity. They are no good however on wet surfaces and in mud, at least rubber tracks. Steel tracks are much better for that.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Are you experienced using a tractor at all? Have you ever made hay before? How are you going to store it? Are you going to do your own wrenching? These all need to be answered before anyone can give you good advice on your questions.

 

[Redneck in training]

Tractors don't necessarily increase in size with power. There are tractors that are the same size and even engine but ranging in power from 80 to 135 HP. If the property is hilly you would be better of (and safer) with of with squat, forest or orchard tractor due to low CG.

 

[flusher]

Something like this would handle all your work

mFORCE 105P | Mahindra

For work on steep slopes, use dual rear wheels (dualies) to make the wheel track wider.

Good luck

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I would definitely go with a tractor instead of a skid steer. The tractor is more of a swiss army knife than a skid steer, has better rear visibility, is faster in getting from point to point on your property, and rides a lot better (a skid steer will beat you to death on rough ground). And while Cat II implements for a tractor are not cheap, implements for a skid steer are even more expensive.

It sounds like you will have approx 100 acres either in cultivation or pasture, and the rest will be woods. You don't need a 135hp tractor for 100 acres. Even something like a New Holland T4.75 would handle everything you described. I'd suggest looking at 75 - 100hp tractors.

 

[Ed of all trades]

I would think that from your post that you are very new to this (forgive me if I am wrong) and I would say get a smaller tractor say 35 hp and get used to it and learn on the easy flat parts. The things you are talking about are not toys that can be jumped on and safely run in rough conditions. Clearing land that has grown up some is a tough job for a person with years of seat time. Ask yourself if you have the skills to safely do what you are planning. Ed