Tractor Shopping

[Kevin1967]

Hello, new to the forum. I am looking for a small 25hp tractor. I live on 45 acres mostly wooded. I would like to make small trails to ride my Ranger on, make a food plot or two for wildlife, I have lots of down trees to pick up and cut up, dig out a stump or two and work on creek maybe dig a small pond if able. I have been looking at Kioti 1060, Branson 2515, and pretty much anything I can find locally. RK tractors, Kubota (was in there for 30 minutes nobody even asked if we needed help), TYM (was selling JD but is going to TYM). Branson dealer is farthest away about 45 minutes. I have two Kioti dealerships within 20 minutes, one Kubota dealership, and one RK. Any suggestions would be welcomed. I have rolling hills in TN, gravel driveway about 1/4 mile long and about 40 acres of woods which several trees were downed due to an ice storm several years before I bought the property. I have several other projects like a few stumps to remove however, my main goal are trails, food plots, garden, and removal of dead trees downed and standing.

 

[buck12]

I do not have a recommendation on brand as most make a good tractor. I owned Mahindra for 12 years and currently have a Kubota. Both gave me good service. A grapple is very useful tool when dealing with downed trees. You will need a third function installed to operate the grapple. It is easier to have the dealer install it.

You mentioned digging a pond. While tractors are great tools and can accomplish a lot, digging is not their strong point.

 

[Kevin1967]

I do not have a recommendation on brand as most make a good tractor. I owned Mahindra for 12 years and currently have a Kubota. Both gave me good service. A grapple is very useful tool when dealing with downed trees. You will need a third function installed to operate the grapple. It is easier to have the dealer install it.

You mentioned digging a pond. While tractors are great tools and can accomplish a lot, digging is not their strong point.

Thanks, I was looking at the grapple with third function. Recommendations on a backhoe? I don't think I will use it much after removing three stumps in my yard. I could rent an excavator for the $8k price tag. I would hate to have it sitting in my garage. They make a grapple with a quick attach skid steer mount that doesnt need hydraulics. Opinion on that?

 

[sea2summit]

45 acres is about 1/2 mile by 1/2 mile, how far do you plan to move all these trees? It will take you about 10 minutes do drive across your land traveling on trails with a load and realistically you only want to carry about half the FEL capacity for safety and longevity of your equipment (at least that's my rule of thumb).

As already mentioned this is not the tool you want to dig a pond with.

 

[Philm56]

Last year when I was shopping I looked at Kubota, Kioti and Mahindra. I was sold on the Kioti because it looked like a better value but after a month of trying they could not tell me when it would be available. I went an looked at the Branson 2515 and was impressed. I liked the joystick on the Kioti better but the Branson was heavier, had more powerful hydraulics and was a little cheaper. And he had 3 on the lot. The dealer put a good package together for me as well including the 3rd function (diverter) and a bucket, grapple, hay spike, hydraulic PHD and forks on the front and a hay spike for the back. I also run a Woodland Mills WC68 chipper on it but the 19hp PTO can't use all of it. I'm very happy with mine for my 5 acres. If I had 45 acres I might want something bigger. I'll probably sell the chipper and PHD when I'm done with them. The hay spike, forks and bucket are a must and the grapple is just too much fun. I did not need a back blade but if you're going to cut and maintain trails you will want one.

 

[Username Taken]

I think you need more tractor than you think you need. As to a backhoe; if you can afford it, go for it. You never know when you're gonna want to dig trenches for God-Knows-What. Plus, you'll be popular with your neighbors and you won't have to worry as much about what to do with trespassers.

OTOH, you can rent a trencher on the cheap and you can also dig out a stump with a good Grapple. Or just burn it out. Speaking of which, what make/model grapple you talking about that doesn't need hydraulics??

Buy your second tractor first.

 

[Seven Gables]

1/2 mile by 1/2 mile is 160 acres ,not that it makes much difference just saying

 

[Diggin It]

I am looking for a small 25hp tractor. I live on 45 acres mostly wooded.

I think we're gonna need a bigger tractor.

 

[sea2summit]

1/2 mile by 1/2 mile is 160 acres ,not that it makes much difference just saying

I need more coffee. My tiny 28 is triangular about .2 a side so bad estimate on my part.

 

[Kevin1967]

45 acres is about 1/2 mile by 1/2 mile, how far do you plan to move all these trees? It will take you about 10 minutes do drive across your land traveling on trails with a load and realistically you only want to carry about half the FEL capacity for safety and longevity of your equipment (at least that's my rule of thumb).

As already mentioned this is not the tool you want to dig a pond with.

If the tree was too big I would lift it, saw it and retrieve either with the grapple or load them into the ranger for removal. Thanks.

 

[Username Taken]

I need more coffee. My tiny 28 is triangular about .2 a side so bad estimate on my part.

Not your faut. We should have gone to the metric system when we had the chance.

 

[Kevin1967]

Last year when I was shopping I looked at Kubota, Kioti and Mahindra. I was sold on the Kioti because it looked like a better value but after a month of trying they could not tell me when it would be available. I went an looked at the Branson 2515 and was impressed. I liked the joystick on the Kioti better but the Branson was heavier, had more powerful hydraulics and was a little cheaper. And he had 3 on the lot. The dealer put a good package together for me as well including the 3rd function (diverter) and a bucket, grapple, hay spike, hydraulic PHD and forks on the front and a hay spike for the back. I also run a Woodland Mills WC68 chipper on it but the 19hp PTO can't use all of it. I'm very happy with mine for my 5 acres. If I had 45 acres I might want something bigger. I'll probably sell the chipper and PHD when I'm done with them. The hay spike, forks and bucket are a must and the grapple is just too much fun. I did not need a back blade but if you're going to cut and maintain trails you will want one.View attachment 690502

Thanks, I don't have a need for hay so spikes would not be used. I mostly have woods and house sits on two acres. No real marketable timber yet because it was harvested a few years back. Just wanting to have access to more of the property.

 

[Kevin1967]

45 acres is about 1/2 mile by 1/2 mile, how far do you plan to move all these trees? It will take you about 10 minutes do drive across your land traveling on trails with a load and realistically you only want to carry about half the FEL capacity for safety and longevity of your equipment (at least that's my rule of thumb).

As already mentioned this is not the tool you want to dig a pond with.

I don't think its 1/2 mile by 1/2 mile.

 

[Kevin1967]

I think you need more tractor than you think you need. As to a backhoe; if you can afford it, go for it. You never know when you're gonna want to dig trenches for God-Knows-What. Plus, you'll be popular with your neighbors and you won't have to worry as much about what to do with trespassers.

OTOH, you can rent a trencher on the cheap and you can also dig out a stump with a good Grapple. Or just burn it out. Speaking of which, what make/model grapple you talking about that doesn't need hydraulics??

Buy your second tractor first.

I like the trespasser idea.

 

[Kevin1967]

I think you need more tractor than you think you need. As to a backhoe; if you can afford it, go for it. You never know when you're gonna want to dig trenches for God-Knows-What. Plus, you'll be popular with your neighbors and you won't have to worry as much about what to do with trespassers.

OTOH, you can rent a trencher on the cheap and you can also dig out a stump with a good Grapple. Or just burn it out. Speaking of which, what make/model grapple you talking about that doesn't need hydraulics??

Buy your second tractor first.

Universal skid steer brush crusher | Tractor Attachments | Westendorf

Browse the Universal skid steer brush crusher and other Brush Crusher in the Brush Crusher at Westendorf.

www.loaders.com

 

[Kevin1967]

I think we're gonna need a bigger tractor.

Im afraid a bigger tractor wouldn't be maneuverable enough. Most of the stuff I want to take down is small seedlings. The place has been logged before. I just want to open up the existing logging trails. There are also some downed trees from a tornado last year and lots of debris in an old staging area that needs picked up and burned. I have a bigger tractor on my farm in Kentucky and it would be very tight getting it in my place here. I only have about two acres of yard. The rest is wooded.

 

[Kevin1967]

I am leaning more towards the Branson or Kioti. Branson because of weight and lifting capability. Just not familiar with them. Seems all tractor motors are from Korea and tractors are assembled in the U.S. Everybody mainly says they are all good just depends on the dealers customer service. The only tractor dealer really far away is LS in Maryvill, TN.

 

[Diggin It]

^^^ You're not going to do that with a big lawn mower. Trust me. I have one. As vesatile and capable as it is, there is plenty it can't do. I only have about 3 acres and there are times I wish I had a bigger one. 40+ acres of woods, clearing trails and downed trees ... nuh-uh.

 

[Username Taken]

Universal skid steer brush crusher | Tractor Attachments | Westendorf

Browse the Universal skid steer brush crusher and other Brush Crusher in the Brush Crusher at Westendorf.

www.loaders.com

I looked at it. Interesting. Looks like you lose about half the usefulness of a grapple with it. Your money, your call. Looks like a lot of people who bought the Deere 'E' series tractors like them. There's a reason.

Usually, on a new Tractor purchase, you can get the Dealer to put a 3rd function valve on your tractor pretty reasonable, near cost.

Good luck

 

[Philm56]

I looked at it. Interesting. Looks like you lose about half the usefulness of a grapple with it.

Agree. My grapple would not be near as useful if I couldn't tilt it once I lifted it.