Suggestions for 2 acre tractor

[JakeCT]

Hi all. New member here. I am in need of a tractor for 2 acres of land and would like suggestions on the size of tractor I will want. I will need to move snow from my driveway and sidewalk, haul dirt/gravel/firewood/rocks, clear forest, eventually till, and maybe some digging. The land is mostly forest that I will be clearing for garden space. There is very little grass but I have a push mower to take care of that. I have a standard garage space to store the tractor.

I've mostly been looking at Kubotas since there is a dealer close to me. The B series I've been researching. There are also close JD dealers. 20 miles away there are more various dealers.

As a side question, will moving snow off a sidewalk that is maybe 3 ft wide ruin the grass on the edges if I use a tractor?

 

[newbury]

I've got two tractors. one a B7610 (23HP) which I keep on my 1/4 acre lot and one a M4700 (50HP) which I keep on my 1/2 acre lot, both in Northern Virginia.

However I'm planning on moving both down to Mississippi where I've more than 300 acres.

For 2 acres you can probably get buy with a BX or a two wheel tractor for maintaining it. However if you have to clear 2 acres of mature forest (40' plus trees) you'll need something bigger to start with. Probably something in the 40HP plus range.

Make a list of things which must be done once (removing mature trees) and things which will be done often (move snow from driveway and sidewalk, haul dirt/gravel/firewood, till).

And you'll need a narrow tractor to move snow off a 3' wide driveway.

 

[Cherokee140]

If your are removing mature trees you might talk around....I had some pretty large oak trees taken down and got quite a bit of money out of them.

You could be sitting on the tractor bought out right if you have the right size and type of trees on your land.

 

[roadiestar]

Look at the Mahindras at Ellington Agway. Thats not to far for you.

 

[JakeCT]

If your are removing mature trees you might talk around....I had some pretty large oak trees taken down and got quite a bit of money out of them.

You could be sitting on the tractor bought out right if you have the right size and type of trees on your land.

Yup. I've already taken down (4) 100 year old oaks (2 red and 2 white) and cut into 12' logs. The portable sawmill is stopping by in the spring to make me some 1" and 2" thick boards. I'll probably make some workbench tables, new kitchen table, some built-ins, etc. after they dry.

What might be able to pick up or drag a 12' oak log? Can a BX handle that?

 

[TripleR]

I really hate to pick out any particular tractor because there are probably thirty that would work well and at least that many that would do it OK if not optimal. If you are new to tractors, go rent something for a weekend of about the size you think you will need to get a baseline for comparison.

I like different models of different makes and there are some really good ones about which I know nothing.

We own two BX's and JD2305 and none wold be my choice and wouldn't go below one of the heavier Kubota B Series or equivalent, but as mentioned it is mind boggling how many would be great choices.

Good luck.

 

[super55]

If you don't plan on having to mow with it I would look into a smaller compact tractor like the kubota B's or L's and the JD 30's series or any similar sized tractor from a different manufacturer.

My reasons are being being this.
Increased lift capacity on FEL
Increased tractor clearance
Increased 3pt lift capacity
Small Cat 1 implements are virtually the same price as Cat 0 ones for subcompacts.

My kubota L2500 handles everything I need of it around the house. It's not a fancy tractor but it is a workhorse. I had some logs milled as well and it was capable of lifting 10' 24-30" diameter oak logs on the portable mill. I skidded 18" diameter trees by just cutting them down and dragging them off without any limbing. Is small enough I can run all over the yard without leaving ruts even with ag tires and even with 2' of snow on the ground I can still get to my woodpile without having to snowblow a path.

I would stay clear of the BX series or the JD 20's not because they are are bad tractors but because subcompacts generally don't have a lot of clearance. If you have stumps around and any significant amount of snowfall you will appreciate the added clearance.

As for bare ground on each side of the path from snowblowing don't worry one bit about it. The first couple snows until the ground freezes you might scrape some of the turf but once it freezes you are good to go. I snowblow a large portion of my yard with my 5' snowblower mounted on back because if I don't my drive will drift in and in the spring you cannot tell the difference from what was buried under snow and what was kept clear.

 

[Baby Grand]

When you say a 12' log, what diameter?
Fresh cut red oak is about the same density as water - 62.4 lbs/ft^3.
a 24" log, 12' long weighs approx 3.14*(1^2)*12*62.4 = 2350 lbs.

 

[JakeCT]

When you say a 12' log, what diameter?
Fresh cut red oak is about the same density as water - 62.4 lbs/ft^3.
a 24" log, 12' long weighs approx 3.14*(1^2)*12*62.4 = 2350 lbs.

All are probably 18-24" diameter. Hard to tell without measuring. But the arborist who cut these ones (they were dangerously close to the house) was able to pick them up with his skid steer Bobcat with some type of claw attachment.

 

[murphy1244]

What Dealers are within 50 miles of you? Moving 2000Lb logs are out of the B range Kubota;s reach

 

[JakeCT]

What Dealers are within 50 miles of you? Moving 2000Lb logs are out of the B range Kubota;s reach

Kubota, JD, New Holland, Bobcat are the ones I'm aware of.

 

[roadiestar]

Massey in Pomfert , Mahindra in Ellington

 

[newbury]

If you want to pick up a 24" x 12' red oak log with your FEL figure on 2,307 lbs.
Timber and Lumber Calculators at WOODWEB

There's 2 common ways to "carry" a log - pallet lift on the 3 pt or forks on the FEL. Otherwise you need log arches or you drag them. The 3pt can usually lift about twice the FEL. More lift, more HP more $$$.

Without getting into brand wars Kioti is generally heavier built then Kubota per hp.

 

[El Wood]

You might consider hiring in some heavy equipment for the timber work. Once that is done, buy a tractor based on the maintenance needs of the property.

I hired a dozer for the heavy land clearing on my property one time. After he left, I cleaned up the aftermath with my JD 3320. I now use the JD for property maintenance.

Once you narrow down your decisions to a few tractors, go to the dealer and drive each machine. I was down to a few tractors and within minutes of driving each one I knew the JD was for me.

 

[Gary Fowler]

TO handle a 2500 lb. log safely , one would need a tractor capable of about 3500 at the pins (this is where most lift capacities are determined and listed). In order to get that much you are into Utility class tractors and you sure don't need something that big for 2 acres. I would forget about handling logs and just get someone with the proper equipment to come in cut down, haul and saw them up.
For about anything else on a parcel of your size, a B series Kubota would be the maximum size that you would need for normal chores of hauling dirt, mulch, rocks etc. They have adequate ground clearance to take into the woods for clean up of brush.

 

[theSeb]

A bit off-topic, but you guys can cut down oak trees? They are protected on this side of the pond.

 

[murphy1244]

A bit off-topic, but you guys can cut down oak trees? They are protected on this side of the pond.

That's because you only have 1 left.

 

[E3A]

Kubota, JD, New Holland, Bobcat are the ones I'm aware of.

In addition to the ones roadiestar mentioned...
There is an LS dealer in Waterbury
There are several Yanmar dealers in CT
You can hit 2 Kioti dealers with that 50 mile mark also
There is also a couple of TYM dealers in the state, and they also make the ones you can see at Cabelas in East Hartford.

I'm looking pretty closely at the LS right now. A good amount of tractor for the money.

 

[murphy1244]

In addition to the ones roadiestar mentioned...
There is an LS dealer in Waterbury
There are several Yanmar dealers in CT
You can hit 2 Kioti dealers with that 50 mile mark also
There is also a couple of TYM dealers in the state, and they also make the ones you can see at Cabelas in East Hartford.

I'm looking pretty closely at the LS right now. A good amount of tractor for the money.

You get any seat time yet?

 

[E3A]

You get any seat time yet?

Been driving all over looking at every color of the rainbow! Narrowing down my choices, hoping to make a purchase soon as long as the taxman doesn't put the screws to me too bad.