Starting over - the allure of country!

[thunderworks]

We lived on a beautiful 80 acre farm for nearly 20 years. It was a labor of love. When we bought the ground, it was overgrown, abused, ignored . . . but we saw the potential and had a vision. We turned it into a truly beautiful place. I learned to drive farm equipment and worked my butt off to make our vision real. I bought a used Kubota L5030 tractor, box blade, mowers, grapple, etc. and felt it was the right scale for what I needed. I spent a lot of seat time on the tractor and it served me very well.

My wife and I are now in our 70's. We sold our beloved farm (and all the equipment) a few years ago and moved into town. Our town home is wonderful, but I really miss the country. We won't ever live in the country again - it's simply too much at this stage of life - but we just bought 30 acres of land, 10 miles from town. I want to build a pond, small cabin, recreate a Kansas prairie using native grasses and forbs, etc. My"wish list" might get accomplished before I die. It might not. But I'm going to see how much energy and time I can muster to fulfill my current vision for this recreational property.

I don't want, nor need the same scale of equipment that I used at our farm. The level of maintenance will be entirely different. I will hire a professional to build the pond, but I need to be able to clear brush out of the woods, mow trails in the timber and around the prairie field, mow around the eventual pond, etc. I'm looking at a machine similar in scale to the B2301 (Kubota). I'd use a field mower rather than a belly mower. Get a light duty loader with a grapple and bucket.

Does anyone have advice to offer about the limitations that a small machine like the B series Kubota's might impose? Can a tractor that small really get a lot of work done? . . . of course I suppose my own 70 year old plus body imposes far more limitations . . . so it's probably a stupid question.

I'm excited about this project at this phase of my life . . . we close on the ground purchase October 15th.

 

[D2Cat]

If I had 30 acres to play on I'd want an L because it would set a bit higher and get around a bit better. Where is your acreage, I might come and help!!

 

[MoKelly]

Congratulations on the new property. Good luck. I admire you beginning this at your stage in life. Work keeps you young - at least that is what my wife tells me!

MoKelly

 

[DieselBound]

I've got 40 acres and it was a HUGE mess when I bought it. Look at my avatar to the left. That's my relentless "brother-in-arms." B7800. That tractor has done an incredible amount of work. As they say, smaller tractors can usually do the job, but it just takes longer. But the B7800 (I curse lots of things about it, like the stupid 3pt "quarter inching valve") is indestructible. I've literally used the thing to pop out stumps, curling under as the rear end raises and then bouncing! Yeah, when I was younger and more stupid (but I was still old!). But, you know what? This tractor has never broken on me (other than a tie rod and one blown loader cylinder). And I'd bought it with 738 HARD hours on it already: I now have over 1,800 hrs on it. If I were to go to war again it would be with this B7800.

Ample ground clearance. I've surfed this tractor up an on top of brush and who knows what (and looking back I realize that this was insane, but I'm relentless and I won't be stopped!). Loader capacity is that of a small machine (800-ish lbs): this is why I got my Kioti- I required the ability to lift a lot more weight. 30 hp. Old school.

Pond? Rent an excavator. They're easy to operate (well, for me) and fun (to watch how much work you can get done, all the while knowing, just like with the B7800, that they really can be broken [unless some really, really stupid thing happens]).

Oh, and thank you for sharing your story and vision. I look around at what I've done and am really proud of it (the transformation can't be put in words). I know that one day I won't be able to stay here, but that don't matter. Anywhere we are we are but caretakers: do good and feel good.

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

I vote for an L or an MX. I went with an MX for similar property work on my 24 acres. An MX with a grapple will move a lot of brush pretty quickly. You are getting older and having something that can take the place of biceps is a useful thing. Never, ever, buy a too small tractor. The MX has the advantage of having much higher loader lift capacity than the L. Even at that I still can pick up a pallet of bricks. I have to off load about half onto another pallet.

I'd write a check for a guy to use a dozer to build the pond. Way too much dirt moving for a tractor and even an excavator. The excavator can dig, but not real good at moving the dirt where it needs to go.

 

[D2Cat]

Whatever you purchase make sure it has a flat platform (without a hump at the transmission) and a HST transmission.

 

[thunderworks]

OP here . . . thanks for all the input. It is much appreciated. I looked at a used B2301 today . . . it seems awfully small and light. . . I'm inclined to pursue the larger options as you have all suggested.

I drove by our land today, stopped, turned off the truck and just listened to the quiet sounds of rural life . . . regardless of how much of my vision gets accomplished, I know it will be a fun and gratifying effort. I can't wait to close on the ground (October 15th)

 

[Doughknob]

30 acres?..... go bigger.

 

[WranglerX]

Go out to the land, pitch a tent and never leave....

 

[ultrarunner]

L 3800 ???

Any concern about securing equipment with no one around?

 

[rScotty]

I think the right machine for landscaping is a Kubota TLB. Either a B26 or L47. That's what we got 12 years ago and it works well. Reason for the TLB is that as an over 70 guy who enjoys landscaping I find I need something easy to get on and off and an implement that will reach out and do something and then pick something heavy up and place it somewhere. That's what I do a lot of...whether dirt, wood, or rocks. Plus Kubota's TLB line are simply heavier built than a compact tractor, so their FEL works much nicer.
Be sure to get the hydraulic thumb on the hoe, and might as well get the 3pt kit....although I rarely use it.

I also have an old JD 2 cylinder for PTO and 3pt work.
And that's another way to go. I bought it almost by accident one day, and its a keeper.
That tractor didn't cost much compared to the cheapest new compact tractor. Old JD 2 cylinders run forever, and require nothing. The last models had power steering and modern hydraulics. But even when restored they just don't cost much.
With its wide front, power steering, and a nice OEM quick detachable loader that old JD 2 cylinder it is just about perfect as a backup. And incredibly stable. It will still do it all and is an oddly comfortable tractor.

 

[BackRoad]

Good on ya' Mr. Thunderworks!

Dreams and goals are what keep us moving forward. It's powerful medicine to keep one "living" rather than just being alive.

We're 65, and doing the same thing on our 35 acres. Clearing land, carving out walking trails, even have a spot for the pond, while living in an RV as we get ready to build in the Spring.

As you mentioned, sometimes I shut off the tractor (an MX as suggested above, which has been perfect for our needs) and just sit and listen to the quiet...

...or watch the Monarch butterflies...the deer with their fawns...or the local flock of wild turkeys as they relentlessly walk, de-bugging the property.

And the stars at night...un-countable!

Keep your dreams alive Mr. Thunderworks!

You'll find the right tractor, and the energy to use it...

 

[thunderworks]

L 3800 ???

Any concern about securing equipment with no one around?

Yes. I do have a place to store a tractor over this winter if I find something soon. After a pond gets sited, I'll figure out where a small machine shed and/or cabin will locate. I doubt I'd leave the tractor there before a locking shed is built.

 

[WranglerX]

Shipping container are great already constructed secure storage.... Paint it camouflage it will blend in to back ground and no one can see it....

 

[RalphVa]

A B2300 would do it for me and is what I may get after this JD 2025R. First tractor was an 18.5 hp 4010. Was fine for bush hogging and wood chipping, most of what I do. Only need full power for when digging in the dirt with the FEL. Otherwise, I run the 2025R and the 1025R before it at 2500 rpm instead of the "540" 3000 rpm because I don't need all that power.

 

[shooterdon]

IMO you will get a lot more tractor buying an LS, Kioti, TYM etc. in my case, I got anew machine for the same $$ as a decent used JD or Kubota.

I have 20 acres, bought my tractor 2 1/2 years ago and have 210 hours on it. I am 71 and will never wear it out. Suggest looking at the LS XR3000 series. I move 2000 lb totes of firewood and decided on the XR4000 as the price difference was not a lot to get more machine.

Good luck!

 

[CADplans]

I have 20 acres, bought my tractor 2 1/2 years ago and have 210 hours on it. I am 71 and will never wear it out.
Good luck!

I am the same age, and I have 40 acres,,
I ran into this JD 4105 when I was hunting for a machine for my daughter.

I lucked out, the dealer thought the tractor had a MAJOR problem,, and I got it cheap,, as a "project", so they thought.

A bushing in the hydro linkage was worn,, it only needed a 5 minute adjustment.

I have mowed with it for 6 summers, and I expect to own it as long as I can climb on it!!

JD's,, even CHEAP JD's,, can be found,,, the hunt is ON!!

 

[shooterdon]

I am the same age, and I have 40 acres,,
I ran into this JD 4105 when I was hunting for a machine for my daughter.

I lucked out, the dealer thought the tractor had a MAJOR problem,, and I got it cheap,, as a "project", so they thought.

A bushing in the hydro linkage was worn,, it only needed a 5 minute adjustment.

I have mowed with it for 6 summers, and I expect to own it as long as I can climb on it!!

JD's,, even CHEAP JD's,, can be found,,, the hunt is ON!!

My first tractor was a JD855 I got cheap ($3500) and it took a long time to find it. . Spent $2500 getting into decent shape I learned the value of size with that machine, and wound up getting $7000 when I traded it almost two years later. No regrets. I also learned I have no interest in wrenching on a machine...LOL...and not to buy my new tractor from the local JD dealer.

That 4105 you got looks great and LUCKY YOU!!! People who can wrench have a huge advantage over guys like me.

 

[Budweiser John]

I’m 78 my wife is 75 we have lived on our 80 acre farm for 50 years this November. About 12 years ago we seriously considered relocating but given the fact that would interrupt our life and cost a bunch of money we elected to stay put and looking at the trials and tribulations of several close friends who thought the grass was greener on the other side of the fence, I’m sure we made a wise decision.
Buy that new tractor and a have a ball. Age is only a number so don’t count the days, make the days count. As for me, I love projects and when my number is up my son and son in law are gonna have a ball sifting through a a shop full of nice tools and wondering what the hell did that ole fart have in mind saving all that sxxt.
B. John

 

[ljjhouser]

thunderworks,
My hats off to you. 70 is the perfect time to start another project. It may even keep you going to reach 90. Then you can sit on the bank and fish - pretending to care if you catch anything or not. Sometimes, without those projects, we don't last very long.
My wife tells me that when I an old she is going to walk me around the shopping center fountain so I will think I am fishing. Then, when I am gone, put me in a rocking chair in the dining room with my fly rod. She tells me that will work great - Finally, I won't have anything to say. I am 77. Good Luck Larry