Tractor Sizing Tractor for 1.2 acres

[Hermio]

I would make sure you get a hydrostatic drive. Makes loader work more efficient and safer.

 

[3inthedirt]

If you decide to research Massey, be sure to speak with Bruno's in Arkansas. Likely to beat any price you can get locally with free delivery to the lower 48. Worked well for me on a recent 1GC25 purchase. Three weeks from time of order to delivery to me in SC.

 

[mxr662]

Get the biggest tractor that will fit in the spaces you need it to fit. We have 2.5 acres and the LS MT125 works well. We have lots of tight areas to maneuver around in. I have been happy with the LS.

Andy

 

[oldnslo]

If loader work is one of the uses be sure to check how smoothly the loader controls operate. Can you feather the control for nice slow movement. Can you both raise and dump or lower and curl simultaneously? This is important when moving stuff with forks.

Some brands and models have terrible control and others are great.

 

[deerefan]

Looking to get a tractor witha FEL for doing basic chores around the house. I have an old garden tractor that would stay dedicated asa mower.

Tasks:
-Move mulch, dirt, gravel for gardens and other landscape activities.
-Move Snow on 100ft driveway
-Move brush and downed trees from edge of the property (forest lined)
-Build out garden beds for flowers and vegetables -Level ground for large fire/burn pit, and playground
-tree planting

Impliments:
-Loader w/bucket
-Pallet Forks
-Snow Pusher
-Grapple
-Stump Bucket
-Sub Soiler
I have tested out both the 1025r and B2601. The 1025r seem like plenty for my needs. The B2601 is the one step up in case my needs were to ever grow but likely overkill right now. Thoughts? Should stick with 1025r or step up to the B2601? always read people say go bigger than you think you need.

My dad bought a used 1023E John Deere for his 3 acres. It has a fel and belly mower. It works perfect for his needs. A 1025R is a little bigger and should suit you fine.

 

[deerefan]

I believe the Sub-Compact Utility Tractor (SCUT) will do all you want!

I do have a 2021 Massey Ferguson GC 1725 MB (the"B" designates a backhoe) it's an AWESOME little tractor!

Massey Ferguson has changed the model numbering system though they are now a GC1.__ the 23 or 25 is the basic HP and the 25 is a more deluxe version, over the more basic 23 ...

View attachment 5547748

John Deere also has a similar new numbering system ... They also have the more basic economy model called the 1E 23 with a slightly smaller engine.

View attachment 5547749

There 1M25 is the new 1025R ... The 1R25 is the new 2025R, which is closer in size to the Kubota B2601

One of the bigger challenges of my sized SCUT is the tiny tires, (18" front, 26" rear) since there is no suspension on these, the little tires make for a rather rough ride in bumpy ground, they also only provide about 6' of ground clearance ... The BX has those little tires, the B is roughly 23" and 32" ... But that means a bigger step to climb on too ...

The Kubota BX line is very slightly smaller foot print than the Massey and JD ...

One thing to consider is what do you want to lift with the forks? And to recognize that the brochure numbers probably don't mean what you might think ... The "pins" is a way most all loaders are "measured" it does not include the weight of the bucket/forks/grapple in that number ... The purple arrow is the "pin"! Notice that the load of logs I have on below starts quite a bit forward of that!

View attachment 5547750

Also be aware that the closer the load/weight is to the pins, the actual weight you can lift ...

This is as high as I can lift the forks, pallet and 15 bags of wood heating pellets ...

View attachment 5547751

Notice that by stacking the bags closer to the "pins" I can now carry an extra bag!

View attachment 5547752

Also notice that in all three of my pictures that I have some weight on the back on the 3pt hitch, this is critical to safe and effective front end loader (fel) use ... Read ... https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/how-much-ballast-do-you-need.659531/

What a well done post. Very informative. Thanks

 

[Deanes]

Looking to get a tractor witha FEL for doing basic chores around the house. I have an old garden tractor that would stay dedicated asa mower.

Tasks:
-Move mulch, dirt, gravel for gardens and other landscape activities.
-Move Snow on 100ft driveway
-Move brush and downed trees from edge of the property (forest lined)
-Build out garden beds for flowers and vegetables -Level ground for large fire/burn pit, and playground
-tree planting

Impliments:
-Loader w/bucket
-Pallet Forks
-Snow Pusher
-Grapple
-Stump Bucket
-Sub Soiler
I have tested out both the 1025r and B2601. The 1025r seem like plenty for my needs. The B2601 is the one step up in case my needs were to ever grow but likely overkill right now. Thoughts? Should stick with 1025r or step up to the B2601? always read people say go bigger than you think you need.

According to whether you just want a tractor and can afford it, to if so, that's a good plan. But you really dont need one. For those projects you can rent a machine when you need it. And perhaps another type of machine would be better at some things anyhow. Snow removal is a different thing. Rental probably would not work, but considering the long hours in the cold trying to move snow with a little tractor without a cab, maybe just contracting that job out is an option.
Think about it this way, Put $15,000 in an account and use it to just go rent any type of machine you need. That will be enough money to last a long time. And you have no maintenance expense or time.
After saying all that, I love that my tractor and loader are available to me anytime.
Buy one if you want, and enjoy.

 

[TxSteveS]

I was going to post the exact same thing. I can't see buying a tractor for a little over an acre of land.

Clearing a 100 ft driveway, purchased a nice snow blower.

Putting in water lines? Rent a trencher at home Depot for 250 bucks for the day.

If you want some of your land leveled out, hire a guy to come out for half a day. He'll do a great job you and you won't have to maintain the equipment.

Unless you just want to own a tractor which I can understand, I'm not sure it's worth it for you.

 

[HFK Farms]

My local Farm Store, Atwoods, sells a Summit Tractor. I have looked at them, as like most compact tractors they run a Mitsubishi diesel motor. They have a 25HP motor, with hydrostat, so your PTO horse power would be around 20. They come with a lot of options, that a dealer would charge you for like RimGuard in your rear tire, 3rd function on the loader, set of rear remotes, self leveling loader. The tractor with loader is $19,499, I have seen Atwoods put them on sale. The tractor with back hoe is $27, 499. The tractor looks well made. Take a look at this tractor on the internet, because I can tell you most compact tractors are not made by the big tractor manufactures.

 

[airbiscuit]

According to whether you just want a tractor and can afford it, to if so, that's a good plan. But you really dont need one. For those projects you can rent a machine when you need it. And perhaps another type of machine would be better at some things anyhow. Snow removal is a different thing. Rental probably would not work, but considering the long hours in the cold trying to move snow with a little tractor without a cab, maybe just contracting that job out is an option.
Think about it this way, Put $15,000 in an account and use it to just go rent any type of machine you need. That will be enough money to last a long time. And you have no maintenance expense or time.
After saying all that, I love that my tractor and loader are available to me anytime.
Buy one if you want, and enjoy.

Blasphemy!

 

[blehmann]

For 1.2 acres, I would buy a two wheel wheelbarrow and a two wheel cart. Honestly... You don't need a tractor with an end loader for keeping up such a small plot. I suspect that you just want a tractor. I want a small tractor for tilling the garden. My fiscally responsible brain says use the rototiller. It takes all of a half hour a year to till. The tiller is thirty years old and looks like new. Your tractor will likely be the same. If you have a good lawn tractor type mower, you can put a blade on it to push snow.

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I say ... Just go ahead and buy the overgrown diesel fueled hydraulic powered lawnmower, get the backhoe too!

Then in two years, you'll buy a much bigger tractor to keep the little one company, like I did ... Then ... Well now I'm contemplating either a third tractor, or a Mini-X ... Unfortunately I don't see (or want) a cure!

 

[ultrarunner]

When I bought my BX my home then was on about the same size parcel with significant downslope…

The BX moved enough dirt to make a riding arena plus grade extensive terraces and make connecting trails.

Never would have happened without the BX

Had a guy delivering dirt/rock in the evening with a full conventional rig and dump trailer and the next evening I had moved it all… he was dumbfounded until I showed him the BX… he had never seen anything like it…

 

[ultrarunner]

I say ... Just go ahead and buy the overgrown diesel fueled hydraulic powered lawnmower, get the backhoe too!

Then in two years, you'll buy a much bigger tractor to keep the little one company, like I did ... Then ... Well now I'm contemplating either a third tractor, or a Mini-X ... Unfortunately I don't see (or want) a cure!

I also bought a Deere 110 TLB but hardly use it at the new place because the BX is always ready to go and good in close quarters…

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I don't have much of "close quarters" at my place ... The big one is for mowing and hauling water ... The little one use to do it ... But the big one just does it better!

 

[AnotherBueller]

I was looking hard at all the sub-compact tractors available.... but in the end settled on a compact. Reason being is the machine weight. My Workmaster 40 is still small enough to drive anywhere and I can even haul it in my enclosed trailer. But it's got double the machine weight and power of a sub-compact which makes chores around the property a LOT easier.

I just looked at the new workmaster 25, and it has a 12 speed shuttle shift. I have a BX2370 and do and have or will get everything he wants. The hydrostatic transmission is much easier and faster to use with all the forward and reversing he will be doing.

 

[AnotherBueller]

I was interested in using the sub soiler to run a water line out to some remote parts of my yard for veggie gardens and a water source for a fire pit. I could probably get away without a grapple. The stump bucket (small one) I would use for small shrubs. Probably could get away with some edge tammers for the bucket. I honesty know I am crazy and some of this is just for fun.

Once you use a grapple, even the little bitty one like I have, you'll wonder how come you waited so long to get one. Remember every pound of implement you have on the loader is a pound you can't lift. My BX only has ~500 Lbs lift 15" in front of the pins. Even with that small a load it works much faster and easier than doing it by hand.

 

[AnotherBueller]

No regrets with my BX23 purchased years ago.

The backhoe has proved very useful doubling as a skyhook.

Only added a tooth bar and belly skid plate…

Add a cutting edge to the bucket no matter which brand/model you buy. Keeps you from bending the bucket floor in to a grin, which makes it almost unusable for scooping/ leveling, back blading etc.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

My Massey Ferguson came with a solid 1/2" cutting edge, I added the Piranha Tooth Bar to it ... No smiling tractor's!