Trying to choose the correct machine

brainsore · Sep 26, 2011

Hello all ,

I am a member and a long time lurker around here . I love to look at the projects done by other members along with the insight everyone is willing to share . I now am faced with a decision on what tractor to buy . We are currently building a house with a 1/4 mile driveway (dirt) on a 15 acre wooded lot .
I would like a machine that can come or have the ability to have a backhoe implement , a front end loader , a york rake and be able to hold back going down a decent incline . I have an old road going through the property that will need improving and stone walls to build . I have a stone harvesting ledge outcrop I plan on hauling from but it is in the back of the property . so either a big stone sled or wagon/ full bucket .. Along with fire wood removal / tree removal in full length .
I have been on Used Farm & Agricultural Equipment - John Deere MachineFinder and there are many options but would rather not go into the purchase sight unseen .
Maybe a few sizes and model numbers would be a great start for me . and I was also thinking about snow removal . blade, bucket , or blower ?
I live in NH and we tend to get some snow

Thanks for looking guys /and gals .

brainsore

charleyfarmall · Sep 26, 2011

In the Deere Range I would look at the 3000 and 4000 series tractors. You probably don't need more than 40hp to do most of what you have outlined. Kubota, Massey, and Kioti all have good tractors in that size.

You need to come up with a realistic number on what you can afford, a cab is a wonderful thing in New England, especially if you are going to move snow. Most manufacturers have a front mounted snow blower available in this class of machine.

Taking a stab at what you wrote, I would choose a cabbed JD 3520 with a front mounted snow blower.

tomd999 · Sep 26, 2011

Hiya,

I would suggest you look a cab tractor. I'm on a mountain in NH, I have a 3320 cab with the front blower. Up until I got the cab, I used a loader mount plow and a 3pt blower on an open station tractor, it took care of the snow but it wasn't fun by any stretch, especially when the wind was 30mph and blower put all the snow in the air

The 3x20 series will do everything you said in your post with ease.

My 2 cents,

Tom

Gobblin Tom · Sep 27, 2011

I have 22 acres and a 1/4 mile long uphill driveway, I use my 2520 on it and it does everything I ask of it! From skidding out logs in rough terrain to regrading my driveway and cutting the lawn. I had a lot of people tell me to get a 3000 series tractor but I wanted new and that's what I could afford...

devildog1 · Sep 27, 2011

Hey Gobblin,
any word from the JD people with the slipping issue? Been reading the posts and lost track of the repair or fix.
DevilDog

Gobblin Tom · Sep 27, 2011

devildog1 said:
Hey Gobblin,
any word from the JD people with the slipping issue? Been reading the posts and lost track of the repair or fix.
DevilDog

One of the members took his in and they said it was a button if some kind that needed replaced. I want to wait and see if it works for him before I send mine in....

devildog1 · Sep 27, 2011

Gobblin Tom said:
One of the members took his in and they said it was a button if some kind that needed replaced. I want to wait and see if it works for him before I send mine in....

Well Good luck I was hoping you and JD could correct your issue, and by the way you are 100% right that no matter what, the slipping out of 4 wd SHOULD NOT HAPPEN no matter what.
DevilDog

Gobblin Tom · Sep 27, 2011

devildog1 said:
Well Good luck I was hoping you and JD could correct your issue, and by the way you are 100% right that no matter what, the slipping out of 4 wd SHOULD NOT HAPPEN no matter what.
DevilDog

Thanks! We will see how it goes... Other than that I really like the tractor, it's an amazing machine to it's size!

Egon · Sep 27, 2011

Well, it's obvious that you do not want a John Deere with a slipping problem!

:laughing:

Probably 25 to 40 Hp, four wheel assist, Hydro?, front end loader, back hoe with subframe Are things to consider.

For snow removal the bucket will do the job. Snow blower is fastest but expensive. The blade will also work well but deep snow will tend to pile up at the sides and be hard to move. Can end up with a pretty narrow road.

The bucket allows you to load and carry snow to get it out of the way.

If used do a lot of shopping and be patient. If all is not what you want wait. There will always be another one come along.

I have a John Deere 4200 at 26 HP with FEL and backhoe. Serves me well for my situation.