Used tractor options

[Weedy Fields]

I have found a couple of used tractors that have caught my eye.

I plan on moving rocks, dirt and mowing about 3 acres of overgrown field in prep for planting native grasses/forbs.
I have to move rocks that I'm going to use for a rock wall. I've got a pile right now thats about 10ft high and about 40ft in dia. I did a rough measure of one of the larger rocks and calculated a weigh of approx. 3000 lbs. In reality it might be 2000-2500. Ive got about 100 yards of top soil that is mixed with rocks and roots that I'm going to need to sort thru. The rocks will go in the rock wall and I'll use the topsoil else where. These piles of rock and topsoil are in the 3 acre field that a new house is going into. I'm sure I'll get more rocks when the house is being built.

So with that in mind I've found the following.

1)JD 5210, approx 15 yrs old, about 2500hrs, 2wd, FEL. Approx 16K Missing extra hydraulics to run a grapple. Gear trans. approx 3000-3500 lift on FEL

2)JD 4105, approx 5 yrs old, about 400 hrs, 4wd, FEL approx 23K, has extra hydraulics to run grapple. hydro trans. approx 2000 lift on FEL.

I'd need to buy a mower and I'm thinking I'd need a grapple that I can use to sift dirt and rocks and move rocks around.

I'm retired and I have the time to putter around, no hurry to get things done.

My thoughts are this
I don't need the 4wd.
I can have the tires filled and add chains on the 2wd, if conditions are so bad that I still have to worry about getting stuck then I'll wait till things dry out.

I don't need the hydro, I drive a stick car and wouldn't take a car with a slushbox. I'm in no hurry so speed of operation is no concern.

I am concerned about the lift capability. I'm sure I could move these rocks around with the smaller tractor, it might involve using a rock sled and pushing, rolling the bigger ones around but it probably could lift 75% of the rocks. Alot more jagging around, but then again I've got all the time in the world.

I'm somewhat concerned about the hrs on the larger tractor. Looks pretty clean but I haven't gone over it with a fine tooth comb yet.

Another advantage in my mind is the older larger tractor is non-emissions. Simpler, easier to maintain.

So what is the thought on going older, larger, more lift vs smaller, newer less lift?

Thanks.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Sounds like you need a skidsteer not a tractor to me.

 

[Weedy Fields]

Sounds like you need a skidsteer not a tractor to me.

Skidsteer for mowing fields?

 

[CDennyRun]

2500 hours isn't much for a tractor. I'd go with the 5210. Not having enough tractor is a bummer. I'd take a good look at it, and make sure it works for you. The 4105 would be a great rig too. I'd look at both closely, and see what you really like the best.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

2500 hours is about 1/4 life for a well maintained ag sized tractor.

3000# rocks? You may not NEED 4wd, but you might wish you had it..

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Skidsteer for mowing fields?

Fair enough. I read over that part.

 

[CDennyRun]

2500 hours is about 1/4 life for a well maintained ag sized tractor.

3000# rocks? You may not NEED 4wd, but you might wish you had it..

Agreed on the 4wd. There are many occasions where I lift a weight at 2/3 my lift capacity, and my rears just spin (with a 5' brush hog on the 3-point). Throw it in four wheel, and now I'm in business. I seldom do loader work without 4wd locked in.

Chris

 

[GPintheMitten]

Rather than comment on the tractors, find the best implement to sift the soil, roots and rocks. A mixed pile of that could be difficult to separate efficiently.

I'm not sure what that tool is but others here will be able to advise. Perhaps a root grapple.

As to the big rocks, I think you are on the right track to consider using sleds etc for the extremely large rocks rather than buy a tractor to lift the largest.

I once used tractor tire chains to.make a basket to go around a very large rock, then drag it out of a hole and out of a lawn area with a Ford 2N. The rock was over 2 feet in diameter as I recall.

 

[Weedy Fields]

Well I ended up getting a tractor in between the 4105 and 5210. A 4610. comes with 460 loader and bale fork. I don't need the bale fork so I'll look into getting rid of it. Anyways the 4610 is 4wd, ehydro, has less than 2000 hrs. Rear tires have been filled. Bought it from the original owner. Looks to have been maintained well. Tires are originals, they are worn, about 1/4 of the tread left.
Have to go pick it up tomorrow.
Then I need to find a rock/root grapple and a flail mower and I'm all set to go once the weather warms up. In the mean time I'll go thru it and make sure everything is up to snuff.