Tractor rec needed for new land

[kjg26]

We just put money down on roughly 54 acres in north east georgia. Our family thinks were are nuts. Once the kids are done with school we will be moving out there. For the time being we will be getting everything back up and running. I am including aerial shots of the property as well as the breakdown of the land. As you can see there is an old house on it that is not uninhabitable at this time. Land is majority pasture, fairly flat. Back portion is fairly overgrown in parts with small saplings, brush, and some bamboo. I would like to get most of it cut back to use it for hay. Anyways i think i will be getting a LS tractor as they have been the most peasant to deal with and seem to have most bang for buck. So....what HP rating? Also what size cutter? Any other suggestions. Wanting to go cab tractor.

Front with house is roughly 19 acres and back is roughly 34. Front has the house.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Nice, congrats. 50 hp min tractor.

 

[kjg26]

Was thinking xr4155 hc. Thats hydrostat and cabbed. Has 44 pto horsepower. The shuttle shift only has 47.3. Thinking for the wife the hydro would be easiest. Also looked at a couple brush cutters.
10 ft with hp rating 40 to 120. 2 in cutting capacity.

7 ft with hp rating 40 to 120. 3 in cutting capacity

5 ft with hp rating 40 to 150. 4 in cutting capacity


Also considering the xu series that is 46 to 60 pto hp. It is significantly larger and more money. I dont want to size myself out of smaller jobs.

Do i get a smaller tractor like the Xr series and then buy a massive older tractor for the fields on the long run?

 

[MickeyDBC]

How many acres of it do you think you will mow on a regular basis? If what you are cutting is very deep that 10 footer will be a little much.

 

[kjg26]

How many acres of it do you think you will mow on a regular basis? If what you are cutting is very deep that 10 footer will be a little much.

Id like to keep most of it groomed. Maybe grow hay on the back and maybe up front. But for now just trying get everything back in shape.

Most is maybe hip to waste deep. Way in the back its small stocks of bamboo that is well over my head. Figure some hand or grapple work will be needed back there.

I plan to purchase a grapple and cutter with the tractor. Figure i can pick up the rest as i go

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Dig out the bamboo.

 

[jeff9366]

Here is a developed thread from another Georgia land owner in your situation:

T-B-N ARCHIVE: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...isons/384358-new-50-70hp-utility-tractor.html

 

[N80]

I have a basic 45hp Kubota that I manage 240 acres with. However, not much of mine is pasture. Things to consider: 1) How large a mower you will need. Look at both PTO capacity and the capacity of the rear pistons to lift it if it is a 3pt mower. 2) 4wd vs 2wd. If you can afford it, get 4wd. 3) FEL? The answer is yes. 4) If you will cut hay, what size bails? Large round bails require a heavy tractor with plenty of lift capacity and ballast if only lifting from the FEL. 5) Will you tow it? This is a significant consideration since it is very easy to buy a tractor that is too big for an average 150 or 1500 pick up to tow safely. Consider my situation: I have a truck capable of towing 7000 pounds (03 F150). My tractor is very light compared to other 45hp tractors. But, with the loader, filled rear tires and a box blade it is close to 5000 pounds. Add a 2000 pound trailer and you're at the maximum. If you go to a beefy 55-65 hp tractor with a beefy loader and big implements you might have to step up to a 250/1500 level truck. $$$ 6) Will you use it in the woods and or along woods roads. This can be tough on cabs and big tractors. I use mine on narrow woods roads and quite often in the woods. I would have destroyed a cab the first day I owned the tractor and every day since then. 7) Finally, what is your budget?

 

[kittyhawk]

I'm in a similar situation as you. We just purchased 104 acres in Buffalo Tx, with roughly 65 cleared and the rest thick woods. I plan running cattle and mowing most of and cleared on a regular basis to keep the weeds down and hay the smaller field, roughly 20 acres. I've shopped around and looked at most of the big brands of tractors and decided on the same tractor your looking at. I think for the price, warranty and location of an LS dealer has me sold on it. I was at first going to get an 8' mower but have been looking and think since I'm not going to be getting in the woods with this tractor and nothing to thick or cutting brush I can get by with a 10' drag begind or 12' batwing. I getting a cab with hydro for several reasons, first it's Hot in the summer here, second is we plan on having my father in law move up. Being 81 and smoked his whole life he doesn't need be out with all the dust and gunk getting in his lungs. Third the hydro is so dam easy to drive I can even get my wife to drive it with out worry of clutch issues while doing some post hole and loader work. Good luck on the new LS.

 

[kjg26]

I have a basic 45hp Kubota that I manage 240 acres with. However, not much of mine is pasture. Things to consider: 1) How large a mower you will need. Look at both PTO capacity and the capacity of the rear pistons to lift it if it is a 3pt mower. 2) 4wd vs 2wd. If you can afford it, get 4wd. 3) FEL? The answer is yes. 4) If you will cut hay, what size bails? Large round bails require a heavy tractor with plenty of lift capacity and ballast if only lifting from the FEL. 5) Will you tow it? This is a significant consideration since it is very easy to buy a tractor that is too big for an average 150 or 1500 pick up to tow safely. Consider my situation: I have a truck capable of towing 7000 pounds (03 F150). My tractor is very light compared to other 45hp tractors. But, with the loader, filled rear tires and a box blade it is close to 5000 pounds. Add a 2000 pound trailer and you're at the maximum. If you go to a beefy 55-65 hp tractor with a beefy loader and big implements you might have to step up to a 250/1500 level truck. $$$ 6) Will you use it in the woods and or along woods roads. This can be tough on cabs and big tractors. I use mine on narrow woods roads and quite often in the woods. I would have destroyed a cab the first day I owned the tractor and every day since then. 7) Finally, what is your budget?

No plans to bail hay off the bat. Maybe in the long run. As for a truck already got that covered. 16 ram 2500 diesel. FEL and 4wd are a must. As far as cutter size im thinking as big as possible due the amount of pasture. Is it better to have a smaller cutter that the tractor is sized for or a larger cutter that a tractor just barely meets specs for? Budget is 500 to 600 per month for everything. Cutter and tractor. Wouldnt mind a trailer for towing it.