Tractor Recommendation

[MtnHeightsWV]

youtz, agree and did pick up a mower. I'm still looking at which tractor... and i'm slowly coming around to the idea of renting a mini ex to handle someof the digging tasks... but would like to have the option to dig anytime i have time and not owrry about renting... buying a machine large enough to handle the rocks is pretty cost prohibitive... though i keep my eye open for them. will still be looking at an LS mT352 as my primary.. maybe cab, maybe open station... won't happen this year, maybe next at the earliest, but proably 3-5yr more realistic at this point...

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

well, the SA324 might lift some of the smaller rocks, but not the mid size or up.... it's a subcompact! The same class as the MT125.

Did you own an LS 125? Pretty strong statement....

Well, I had one.... 225 hours in less than 2 years. NOT ONE PROBLEM! That was grading a new homesite, grading/ box blading a new drive / parking area, then spreading over 100 tons of roadbase gravel. Then digging and installing a full septic system (another 65+ tons of stone), trenching water and electric lines. Then doing a final grade around the house.

That was all in addition to mowing 5 acres with a 6' finish mower, digging 50+ post holes, and carrying most all the materials for building the house. It did everything that I expected it to do plus some.

Then I sold it, for just $500 less than what I paid for it! And purchased another LS.

I now have 225 hours on my LS MT2 series TLB in less than 2 years. Again, absolutely trouble free!

To the OP, I think you will be VERY HAPPY with either an MT 2 or MT 3. Very capable for what you need to do. I would fix your mower to be used in the tight spaces, but recommend you get a rear finish mower for whatever tractor you get.

I wouldn't toss out the idea of a Kioti.... especially the CK2610. Very capable / nice machine. Really nice that you can get a belly mower on it in addition to being a strong machine.

Good luck with your search.

LS you should start a YT channel like the Morgans and see if you can monetize all those pet projects.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

youtz, agree and did pick up a mower. I'm still looking at which tractor... and i'm slowly coming around to the idea of renting a mini ex to handle someof the digging tasks... but would like to have the option to dig anytime i have time and not owrry about renting... buying a machine large enough to handle the rocks is pretty cost prohibitive... though i keep my eye open for them. will still be looking at an LS mT352 as my primary.. maybe cab, maybe open station... won't happen this year, maybe next at the earliest, but proably 3-5yr more realistic at this point...

Poster it's evident to me that you are on a budget. Have you ever gotten an estimate from heavy equipment contractors for doing the rock removal and land clearing?

 

[MtnHeightsWV]

Yes, like most i'm on a budget. Yes I have called a couple local landscapers (who do hardscapes) to come give me a quote... neither showed up, even after a follow-up call. This seems typical for contractors in my area. If I'd hazard a guess at costs, I'd est 7-9k to do the walls and earthwork, plus material for the patio... at that point, i'm 1/3 way to paying for the tractor. I've installed many myself when I was a landscaper (for 9years), so at this point, i'd rather do it myself, just need the equipment. I have thought about videos as well, but seems there are a bunch of people who do this already, not sure if the ROI is there...I don't think i'd have the content as letsdig18 or diesel creek, but closer to ohiohilltop... I am not ruling that out. All said and done, I recognize the tractor is a want, not a need. if the field gets overgrown, life will go on... but a tractor would be helpful to do some things I want to do and it would be fun.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

Yes, like most i'm on a budget. Yes I have called a couple local landscapers (who do hardscapes) to come give me a quote... neither showed up, even after a follow-up call. This seems typical for contractors in my area. If I'd hazard a guess at costs, I'd est 7-9k to do the walls and earthwork, plus material for the patio... at that point, i'm 1/3 way to paying for the tractor. I've installed many myself when I was a landscaper (for 9years), so at this point, i'd rather do it myself, just need the equipment. I have thought about videos as well, but seems there are a bunch of people who do this already, not sure if the ROI is there...I don't think i'd have the content as letsdig18 or diesel creek, but closer to ohiohilltop... I am not ruling that out. All said and done, I recognize the tractor is a want, not a need. if the field gets overgrown, life will go on... but a tractor would be helpful to do some things I want to do and it would be fun.

I understand wanting to handle it yourself if you have the knowledge and skills. However, let me ask you this, would you still have use for the tractor after you finished those pet projects?

 

[K5lwq]

I understand wanting to handle it yourself if you have the knowledge and skills. However, let me ask you this, would you still have use for the tractor after you finished those pet projects?

With 12 acres I could not imagine not having a tractor. He will always find a need for a tractor.

 

[MtnHeightsWV]

in my first post, i tried to lay out some of the tasks I have in mind, but mostly maintaining the field (not really hay at this point), and driveways. installing drainage tiles (also a backhoe/excavator project), re-grading the lawn areas, tilling the garden and tilling a few small areas for corn and pumpkins from the field, and the occasional snow clearing. if i get really adventurous, i could 'clean' a few areas of the woods to make them a bit nicer, clearing deadfall away from the creek/waterfall and improving the walking trails... etc. I'm fairly realistic, this is a want, not a need. I don't plan on making money or keeping myself alive (growing food) by getting a tractor, it would be a big, expensive toy (or tool).

 

[bearthebruce]

Love your realism @MtnHeightsWV. If you have the resources and can afford the expensive toy (or tool), I'd go for it! The wife will balk.. but hey, you need to enjoy your time on your land.

What toys does she want..? Get those first and then your toys will be permitted.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

I'm fairly realistic, this is a want, not a need. I don't plan on making money or keeping myself alive (growing food) by getting a tractor, it would be a big, expensive toy (or tool).

I appreciate your honesty.

What toys does she want..? Get those first and then your toys will be permitted.

Hahaha that's an idea

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

With 12 acres I could not imagine not having a tractor. He will always find a need for a tractor.

You have a point.

 

[MtnHeightsWV]

haha... the wife is non-existent, not having a wife is a blessing and curse...so all decisions, good or bad are mine alone. thx for the input

 

[dodge man]

I think in the long run you will want a tractor. I live on 3 acres and we have lived here 25 years. The first 12 years no tractor, just riding mowers. The last 13 years I had a tractor, started with a Kubota BX and now a JD 2025r. I don’t know how I got by without one. The older you get the more you need one also. N

 

[Torvy]

The T554 is also a Yanmar engine. It is the same frame size as the T494 and T574. They are really well featured and solid machines. I have about 20 wooded acres and the T494 is my primary target, but also considering Branson 4820, LS MT347, Kioti DK 4710SE. Most of the similar size tractors are too expensive for equivalent features.

 

[MtnHeightsWV]

I looked at the Kioti, the only reason I hesitate on that is they do not offer a hydro for that frame size machine. (another strike is the local Kioti dealer, whom, i'm not thrilled with). I'm not100% stuck on getting a hydro, but prob 98%! the shuttle sift from LS is also tempting, but for landscaping tasks, I think the hydro is more efficient. If I was mowing often or doing some row crop work, gear would be fine, but i'm not. Yep, sure looked at the kubota L series and deere 3 and 4 series. I've heard/read too many issues with the 3 series and 4 is out of my budget... unless i go to their economy line... but at that price point, i'd rather get a MT352 HC. I've seen a couple horror stories on some of the LS backhoes, but I think most LS owners would re-buy from what I can tell. I've thought branson or TYM as well, but just a bit more concerned about build quality / longevity compared to an LS or kioti.

 

[Torvy]

I looked at the Kioti, the only reason I hesitate on that is they do not offer a hydro for that frame size machine. (another strike is the local Kioti dealer, whom, i'm not thrilled with). I'm not100% stuck on getting a hydro, but prob 98%! the shuttle sift from LS is also tempting, but for landscaping tasks, I think the hydro is more efficient. If I was mowing often or doing some row crop work, gear would be fine, but i'm not. Yep, sure looked at the kubota L series and deere 3 and 4 series. I've heard/read too many issues with the 3 series and 4 is out of my budget... unless i go to their economy line... but at that price point, i'd rather get a MT352 HC. I've seen a couple horror stories on some of the LS backhoes, but I think most LS owners would re-buy from what I can tell. I've thought branson or TYM as well, but just a bit more concerned about build quality / longevity compared to an LS or kioti.

The DK4710SE has an HST variant.

DK4710SE HST | Kioti Tractors

www.kioti.com

An argument about available dealers in some areas would be valid for TYM/Branson. I think if you have build quality concerns, you should find a dealer and actually check them out. They are every bit as solid as any make out there.

 

[MtnHeightsWV]

It's been a while since i looked at the kioti... i guess the dealer left me a bad taste, so haven't been in a hurry to go back. my neighbor likes his tym and i've never looked at branson, not even sure where a dealer is... but i may look. I should also mention I looked at yanmar, but that gets into some green tractor pricing in a hurry... it would be a nice machine, but over my budget

 

[Torvy]

It's been a while since i looked at the kioti... i guess the dealer left me a bad taste, so haven't been in a hurry to go back. my neighbor likes his tym and i've never looked at branson, not even sure where a dealer is... but i may look. I should also mention I looked at yanmar, but that gets into some green tractor pricing in a hurry... it would be a nice machine, but over my budget

Take a look. TYM owns Branson now and dealers are starting to carry both brands. Good luck.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

Yep, sure looked at the kubota L series and deere 3 and 4 series. I've heard/read too many issues with the 3 series

This is the first I have heard of this. What have you read or heard? Please provide references/links.

 

[airbiscuit]

So, I consider the
2xxx John Deeres to be Small Frame CUTs
3xxx John Deeres to be Medium Frame CUTs
4xxx John Deeres to be Large Frame CUTs
So, are you looking for Small, Medium or Large frame CUTs?

 

[scootr]

I did extensive manufacture comparison last summer when deciding to buy. If I was buying new I would choose TYM or Kiote. I think both have all the features you need or want and the parts will be available for both. Local dealer is a problem for both. They are scarce but I'm not so much a dealer person. Oddly enough I bought a used Kubota and have 2 dealers within 10 & 25 miles. Kubota country.