Tractor Choice for Property

[JBjunior]

First off, I know that I should buy for what I need most of the time and possibly rent other equipment for the other projects. I have 40 acres in eastern NC so it is sand/loamy sand soil, no rocks or boulders or anything. Most of it is wooded. I have about 8 acres of it clear and plan to steadily get rid of the smaller trees and underbrush to make the other parts usable. The rest is managed pine forest.

Right now, I have a Kubota B7100 HST w/ FEL that I just put some money into to make perfect that I am contemplating keeping, for mowing/brush clearing in between tighter areas or small projects, or that I would be willing to sell. It isn't up to doing the larger brush cutting, FEL work that I am looking to do. Projects that I have planned:

1) Driveway maintenance
2) Brush clearing/mowing
3) Land leveling/site prep
4) Expanding my pond and digging drainage ditches
5) Farming
6) Random things around a farm

I was thinking something in the 35-55 hp range with a FEL and possibly getting a backhoe to play around with. I love Kubota and there is a dealer about 20 miles away. There is a Massey Ferguson dealer within my town. The LS tractor "hq" or plant is within a couple of hours. Kioti is also an option. I am open to anything that will do the job that was made between 1960 and today. Fuel efficiency and reliability is a priority, not sure on the newer emissions equipment. In a prior life I was a diesel mechanic so I do all of my own work and also have a vw diesel car, isuzu diesel truck, etc.

If you need any other information, please ask questions.

 

[ultrarunner]

We went with the L3800 and pleased... also bought the hoe which is OK

The L series seems to fit better for a small tree farm on 65 acres and the tires are large enough compared to the smaller Kubota offerings.

Most will say to go bigger and I can't argue with that... have a Deere 110 TLB at another location and the backhoe is excellent with only a few more HP.

 

[jeff9366]

This person has the same needs you have listed: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...8369-help-selecting-right-series-tractor.html

This thread will be helpful. Others will respond.

 

[JBjunior]

This person has the same needs you have listed: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...8369-help-selecting-right-series-tractor.html

Similar but some differences. Type of soil, I don't have rolling hills, he wants to mow his cleared land & I need to brush clear wooded land/lots, I have no snow, he isn't farming. Thanks for the link.

 

[teg]

How much "Farming" do you really plan to do? Are we talking, a large garden or 10 acres of row crops or hay field?

What's your rough budget? I like to drive tractors and don't mind taking my time on projects. I'm not making money (just spending it!). I like smaller sized tractors with plenty of attachments (Top and Tilt hydraulics, grapple / backhoe to name a few). I have an L2800 which does fine for me, although, it would be a bit small to farm with it.

It doesn't hurt to shop around. Get yourself behind the wheel of a few of them... also, Kioti headquarters is over by Wilson, NC

 

[dzimbric]

I am doing almost the same thing and in the neighborhood, are you near Burgaw?. I maintain over a mile of private road and driveway, clear land, chip brush and everything else that needs to get done around the property.

I upgraded to a Massey Ferguson 2615 after I bent the FEL and blew the hydraulics on my Massey Ferguson 1648 CUT. I was using RW60 cutter in woods and got the bucket stuck hard against one tree and the cutter hard against another. I powered out and bent the FEL. MY AGCO insurance policy totaled the loader and I traded it on on a bigger piece of equipment.

The Hardee RW60 always felt that it was a little more weight than the CUT should handle. I would definitely recommend something in the 48 hp range and my new tractor has a brush grab whiich I don't know how I ever got a long without. I would definitely recommend a tractor what will allow operation of a 4 in 1 bucket or a brush grab.

 

[JBjunior]

How much "Farming" do you really plan to do? Are we talking, a large garden or 10 acres of row crops or hay field?

What's your rough budget? I like to drive tractors and don't mind taking my time on projects. I'm not making money (just spending it!). I like smaller sized tractors with plenty of attachments (Top and Tilt hydraulics, grapple / backhoe to name a few). I have an L2800 which does fine for me, although, it would be a bit small to farm with it.

It doesn't hurt to shop around. Get yourself behind the wheel of a few of them... also, Kioti headquarters is over by Wilson, NC

Hmmm, not sure on the extent of farming. I would say 5+ acres at some point in the near future wouldn't be out of the question. Rough budget, I am thinking around $15K but I am open. My time is valuable, I am active duty military and I have a family. I also have plenty of projects, and while I enjoy working on a tractor, I don't want to spend time doing tedious work that I could do more efficiently. I knew Kioti was close, but I didn't know exactly where. Thanks!

 

[JBjunior]

I am doing almost the same thing and in the neighborhood, are you near Burgaw?. I maintain over a mile of private road and driveway, clear land, chip brush and everything else that needs to get done around the property.

I upgraded to a Massey Ferguson 2615 after I bent the FEL and blew the hydraulics on my Massey Ferguson 1648 CUT. I was using RW60 cutter in woods and got the bucket stuck hard against one tree and the cutter hard against another. I powered out and bent the FEL. MY AGCO insurance policy totaled the loader and I traded it on on a bigger piece of equipment.

The Hardee RW60 always felt that it was a little more weight than the CUT should handle. I would definitely recommend something in the 48 hp range and my new tractor has a brush grab whiich I don't know how I ever got a long without. I would definitely recommend a tractor what will allow operation of a 4 in 1 bucket or a brush grab.

I am "near" Burgaw, they are about 45 minutes away. Thank you for the recommendations.