UTV or SCUT - New Land Owner and First Time Buyer

jxwilliamson · Apr 14, 2016

Hi All -

Here's my situation and equipment that I have researched and believe could meet my requirements. However I appreciate any and all input that this group might have for me.

I am now the proud owner of 35 acres of land that's mostly wooded with some hills (not mountains but decent size hills) and a 3 acre field. I live in house on the property and my driveway is approx 1,000 feet of gravel. We can get a lot of snow and at times heavy snow for 3 to 5 months.

What I anticipate using the equipment for.
1) Move some dirt around
2) Move some small boulders (could rent a skid steer for this work)
3) Build and maintane 3 or 4 small 1/4 acre food plots in various locations
4) Snow removal
5) Bush hog and till the 3 acre field for additional food plots (could hire a local farmer for this work)
6) Maintain the gravel driveway (spreading new gravel and leveling it off etc...)

The equipment options:
1) Demo 2013 Polaris Brutus HD PTO with bucket, land plane, grapple and snow blade
2) New 2016 LS XJ2025H tractor with loader, rear blade, tiller (direct PTO), box blade and bush hog (direct PTO)

Both packages are almost identical in price and everything is new. If I go with a tractor I will eventually need a UTV or something to buzz around on.

This is all new for me and will be a learn as I go situation. Thank you for taking the time to read this and giving me feedback.

bcp · Apr 14, 2016

Welcome to TBN.

Get a real tractor, and an ATV with trailer.

Bruce

jxwilliamson · Apr 14, 2016

bcp said:
Welcome to TBN.

Get a real tractor, and an ATV with trailer.

Bruce

Thank you Bruce. Two days ago I was about to pull the trigger on the tractor package then the Brutus deal fell in my lap so I'm taking a step back to get opinions and ideas from others, thank you for yours.

ovrszd · Apr 14, 2016

Tractor first. It's a necessity. UTV is a luxury.

newbury · Apr 14, 2016

This is a tractor forum, it would be difficult to get support for a Polaris if you don't have a tractor.
Many of us us use our 4 wheel drive tractors to "buzz around on", as well for accomplishing real work.

ovrszd · Apr 14, 2016

newbury said:
This is a tractor forum, it would be difficult to get support for a Polaris if you don't have a tractor.
Many of us us use our 4 wheel drive tractors to "buzz around on", as well for accomplishing real work.

Until I could afford a UTV, constantly.

dickfoster · Apr 14, 2016

I suggest a bit more tractor for that much property, CUT class anyway.

You should also shop other brands and more importantly dealerships attempting to determine what kind of support you're likely to get after you've bought the tractor. What looks to be a good deal now can end up costing you more than you expected in the long run. You'll just have to go there to ferret this kind of thing out. Get on and drive all the different tractors to see what fits you best and what you feel comfortable on and operating as far as contol layout etc.

If you're gonna dig a backhoe would be a very nice to have option but not cheap, as would a cab if you can afford it for dealing with that snow and cold in the winter time. I understand it can get pretty nippy up your way.
A cab will make getting around in the woods a little more difficult if you intend to take it there. The cab complicates the backhoe a bit and you'd have to remove the hoe to plow and do the other tasks you have listed.
Always a loader or what they call a FEL here, don't leave home without one.

It's easier to get too little tractor than to get too much. I have a 38HP Mahindra for just five wooded acres and don't think I got too much tractor. I've also been told that slopes can complicate hydrostatic drive for some things so I got a shuttle but many here will dispute that. I think in the end it's more a matter of personal preference and what you're gonna be doing with the machine.

This board is a great and invaluable source of info for everything tractor so look it over very well the time you invest here will pay off. Good luck.

nybirdman · Apr 14, 2016

Polaris does make good snowmobiles.....................

brasco426 · Apr 14, 2016

For the money and the value of owning your own tractor for me a utv is just a nice way to zip around. A tractor is like a Swiss Army Knife for your land. You can get a really nice tractor that will work circles around a comparably priced utv. It's your choice, and your money. The utv has its place and the tractor has its.