What DO I need??

[Dartagnan]

Hello Everyone,

Thanks for the many great posts, very informative.
Have to give up reading for a while though, after two months of reading the Wife is starting to think I have an Internet Girlfriend. So this may be long winded, I apologize in advance.

Situation:
A) I have ten acres I just purchased that are relatively flat, except for a swale down to a branch, that as of yet I have been unable to really get into and see just how bad it is because of the old brush and deadfalls. I have had about two acres cleared by a dozer for home/yard but they stinted on the final grade/cleanup and there is def som boxblade work ahead. All the downed wood was piled at the side of the prop, and I will need to clean that up. There are still some roots in the "lawn" area, and a lot of pieces of broken tree laying around to be cleanded up. I also have about six acres in White pine, planted way too close(old christmas tree farm that never got harvested) that I will need to thin out and hopefully be able get the remaining trees to grow into future lumber size trees. There will also eventually be a barn to clean, perhaps an additional 12 acres when it becomes avail.

B) I also have 14 acres farther south that are def not flat, lot of deadfall needs cleaning up, hollers need hogging, the bottoms stay wet, and some of the slopes are 50%, my neighbor has hogged some of it with his JD (model unknown at this time, wasn't as informed then as now)but its not 4wd, and evryone thinks he is nuts. This piece will be developed sometime in the future, right now it is just eating my wallet. (No, it's not for sale)

The problem is budget, I just transfered here from Florida and have prettymuch tapped everything getting the two pieces of property and the house done.

Abilities: No Tractoring Experience but Very fast learner, can wrench anything so chinese didn't scare me at first, but upon some more reading I'm having some second thoughts....

The wife insists on new, Safety being top on her list, warranty second. Makes sense if you look at it in a budget sense, buy new and you know what your costs are, used, maybe you get away with original purchase price and then again (I've got an Ebay truck that proves this out) maybe you spend as much as original price on delayed maint and other repair.

SO, the questions,
How much HP do I really need, is hydro really worth the extra$, Knowing that in 5-7 years I'm going to be working some serious slopes do I worry about that with this purchase or just plan on buying something else when I get the first one paid off?

I think Iv'e covered the bases, sorry it was so longwinded, but most of the posts I've read have been too short to be answered on first go round...

TIA
Dart

 

[SteveM]

You have a lot of land to tackle, which normally gets people talking 30hp plus - keep in mind it is not the HP that matters, it is the overall size and weight of the tractor built around it. Problem I see is that you also have a wide variety of tasks to do, which may lead to a compromise. Right off the bat, if the mowing around the house could be eliminated (buy a lawn tractor cheaper than a MMM attachment) than you can focus on a larger tractor. For someone on a budget, I would suggest looking up a Mahindra or Branson/Century or Kioti. The Korean/Indians are really putting out increasing quality, but still at a discount to the traditional Japanese tractors. The Chinese machines are not there yet in terms of quality, and I wouldnt recommend it for such high acreage. As for hydro, I think it is the easiest route for a new user, and for many tasks, the safest and most efficient. I currently have both, and generally like the hydro better for most tasks.

Do a lot of reading, ask lots of questions and enjoy the search.

 

[Boondox]

Nice, informative post! You should get some great feedback on this one!

Up front, since you mentioned barn cleaning for a barn yet to be built, you have a chance to design a barn for ease of cleaning with the size tractor you end up getting, ie, stalls wide enough so you can get the bucket or blade in there, etc. Most of us don't get that opportunity.

I drive a Kubota, so my comments will be in terms of orange tractors. This in now way detracts from the others, it's just that in my area the dealer I wanted sold orange. I think you might get away with a B2910. A little small, but a great power to weight ratio and plenty of ooomph. Personally, I'd go with a low to middle L-series like the L3130 or 3430. And all that junk down the slope? Why risk a tractor down there when a logging winch can bring it up to you on solid ground? The winch would also help you selectively thin those crowded groves.

Or rent something with tracks for the heavy work, then get a smaller tractor to maintain it all..? Just some thoughts.

Pete

 

[Bob_Skurka]

When I started reading your post I was leaning toward a 30hp to 35hp Kubota or New Holland tractor becuase those are the brands that I own. But the more I read of your post the more it seems like you don't want a traditional tractor.

I would NOT buy a regular tractor given the slopes you have to deal with in the future. I am a big fan of getting the right tool for the right job, rather than getting a swiss army knife and expecting it to fix my car and do household repairs. I think you could take my Kubota B2910 and mow your 2 acre lawn, and I think you could use it for moving the deadfall, but I think it is not the right tool for either given some of your circumstances.

You actually seem like an ideal candidate for one of the larger (30hp) Power Trac tractors. I don't own one, so I'm not one of the evangalists for PT. But my observations are these: You have a lot of wood to move, and much of it will be moved in the woods where you have rolling property and/or steep grades. Working in the woods is typically tight work with limited abiltiy to navigate. Those factors would automatically get me to dismiss any of my equipment and lead me to PT in a big hurry.

PT turns tighter, is MUCH more stable, and makes very quick work of front loader work like logging. Add to that the fact that a PT will mow your lawn nicely. And nothing works inside of a barn as well as an articulated tractor (Steiner, Ventrac or Power Trac) but only the PT, in my mind, is suitable for ALL the other tasks you have.

Please check out the Power Trac forum and post your message there, maybe those guys will send you back here? Maybe they will agree with me and aim you at the proper size PT unit. In any case, it is worth the minimal effort that it takes to post this message under the PT section.

 

[Moon]

Hmmmm, from my limited tractoring experience, I think a Kubota 2910 or L3130 would do a dandy job for ya. Transporting a 2910 would be a little easier from my view, since it is a tad smaller. 700 - 1000 lbs if I remember right. Both are around 30 hp tractors w/ 25 pto. Either could easily handle the cleanup work you mention.
I had the same apprehension about hills when I was shopping for my tractor. At least you will have gotten a good bit of seat time before you have to tackle your hilly areas. 4WD will be a must. I'm constantly amazed at how my L3010 handles the hills. I"ve bush hogged places I never dreamed I'd get to before buying a tractor. I actually considered a DR type walk behind mower/bush hog because of my hills. Now that I have the tractor I'm sure glad I did not buy one of those. The tractor does better than a DR ever could..
I think HST is worth it, but really, you need to try em out. Sit in a few seats and try HST verses gear / shuttle shift. I've used both and think HST is easier for everything.
The only reason I mention Kubota is because that is what I bought. Any of the 30hp flavors would work for you IMHO.
Hope this helps,
Moon of Ohio

 

[carluman]

I'd recommend doing plenty of reading in each of the forums here. I had it down to Mahindra or Branson/Century and I'm going to pick up the new Century (well Zetor now) next weekend. The Mahindra 4500 4x4 had what needed but was just a bit larger in size (not HP) than what I wanted. Since money is tight for you at this time, I'd strongly recommend you drive a shuttle shift (general have 8F/8R or 12F/12R) to give it a try over the hydrostat. Lots of good tractors out there but not as many good dealers so be sure you get a good dealer even if you have to drive a ways.

 

[Soundguy]

24 acers.. Nice.

I wouldn't go under 30 hp. And get 4wd and power steering... might need a loader too. 30 to 40 hp would be a good idea.. 6' rough mower.. perhaps a 7' finish mower.. if you want finished lawn area.. ( I rought mow mine.. and let the horses do the rest... plus a little weed eating... Havn't finish mowed in a year. )

good luck

Soundguy

 

[SnowRidge]

Hi Neighbor, welcome to TBN.

You've gotten some good suggestions so far. If you are interested in Branson/Century or Power Tracs, you are welcome to look at mine. I'm about ten miles southwest of Loudon.

I also have some opinions (good and bad) regarding some of the dealers in this area, which I am willing to share privately.

PM (Private Message) me if there is anything I can do to help.

SnowRidge

 

[BotaGuy]

I read your post and the responses so far. I know a lot of people here think because you have more acres, you need more tractor. I don't think many of these people have driven the larger tractors in tight woods....

I owned a Kubota B7500 when I had 63 acres. Did my chores and stuff admireably.

In this case, you have a lot of potential uses, and the best advice is to get something as soon as possible, and if later you need something else, then trade it and get something else. There is no "ONE" magically tractor that will be perfect for you. And consider the fact that you may alter your plans, or use down the road. Prioritize your use for the next 12-24 months....then figure it will take you DOUBLE that time to get to it, and pick the tractor that suits those needs first. I cannot tell you what HP to get....instead you should go sit on some, and maybe rent one for an afternoon to get a feel for the abilities.

Good Luck

 

[sweettractors]

Welcome to TBN--We are just North of Nashville about 1 1/2 hour on Interstate 65 at Exit 65--You are welcome to come up and get behind the wheel of several Kioti tractors--Kinda get the feel of the machines--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *Now 2 locations to serve our Customers better*