Thoughts on adaptability of sub-compacts

[Brokermike]

I've breached this topic before and at that time simply decided to keep my Massey GC2310 because I was being cheap. However in the last several months I've continued to run into some of the same situations that made me rethink my purchase initially. Essentially the sub-compact just doesn't have the ground clearance to drive in the woods on my land. I'm in the woods frequently as it is the source of my firewood as well as slowly becoming a managed sugarbush. The GC is great around the house for moving mulch and digging drainage ditches and the small size allows me to sneak under trees etc. However I'm at the point where I need to resolve the woods issue and the way I see it is I either buy a small older dozer (JD 350/450 or similar) for the road maintenance and woods work or I upgrade to a larger (32? HP) tractor with ag tires. My land has some swampy areas that I'll be trying to navigate (MY GC gets stuck immediately) and I have no idea which would handle that best, nor do I know if I'd use the dozer enough to justify the maintenance and cost. Has anyone been in this spot before?

Any thoughts

 

[js5020]

I'd plan on keeping the GC or getting a lawn tractor, no matter which way you go, I have a bigger machine and I'm not happy using it for lawn stuff, it's big, heavy, hard to maneuver, not a lawn machine, at least not for me.

 

[Brokermike]

Sorry I should mention that I already have a lawn tractor that I mow with. The GC does not have a deck

 

[pitt_md]

I don't see any way around the swampy issue. Your going to have to avoid that no matter what you have. They all sink in a swamp.

You mentioned ground clearance as a problem. Maybe you could back in with a box blade and level out the rough spots so your GC can move freely?

If none of the above work out then I would opt for a larger 4WD tractor with ag tires AND a dozer to pull it out when you really get stuck.

 

[eanjay]

I began by looking at the MF2310, and then consideration of woodlot requirements took me to the 1523 for the extra bit of clearance it provided.

I now run it with a Firmi Logging Winch in the woods, with a BB and Box Blade for maintaining the woods roads etc. The BH comes in handy for ditching and culverts.

I would suggest that AG tires and probably chains are a 'must' in the woodlot - for a good part of the season around here anyway. Once you lose traction, you are gone - then you are glad of the winch to pull yourself out.

eanjay

 

[ChuckinNH]

I was faced with the same problems when I added another 10 acres of rough woodland to the 3+ acres of open yard that I had. I had a BX22, and ran into the same issues as you have. The choice then was to not do too much in the woods, and improve my logging roads /trails so I could use them with the BX, or sell that, and get something larger. I like the idea of a dozer, but maintenance on anything I could afford ruled them out. Next I decided that I wasn't going to do any "real" logging so that made choices easier. I ended up buying a Kubota B2620. Nothing magic about that of course, but I felt the weight, size, and power were best for my modest needs. It's too light to pull out tree length firewood, but does just fine if the trees are cut down to size a bit. I decided that the extra money for a larger tractor could be better used for things like my chipper, and perhaps a winch, and backhoe in the future. So far I have really been happy that I finally chose to sell the BX, and get something with more clearance, and more hydraulic power at lower rpm, and still have a tractor that I am very comfortable using aorund the yard (loaded R-4's) I loved my BX, but I wouldn't go back now.

 

[Soundguy]

Could always get a chinese 30hp job to fill in where the bx don't like to go.. then you wouldn't be out as much $$.

soundguy

 

[js5020]

Well with Chinese equip already thrown into the ring,,, how bout them China dozers?

 

[LBrown59]

I would opt for a larger 4WD tractor with ag tires AND a dozer to pull it out when you really get stuck.

Now that's a thought.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

They all sink in a swamp.

I agree. You'll always have to use your better(learned) judgement around marshy areas. My 32Hp 4WD with R4's gets stuck in a heartbeat in the mud. Usually I can inch worm my way out with the FEL. Sometimes not.