Where do I start? 7 acres...

[spooons]

So my wife and I are expanding our small urban farm to 7 acres (we are moving from the city to the semi-country). We recieved a grant to purchase a tractor (well, its enough to put a substantial downpayment). We dont think we need anything extraordinary or large and have been looking at what most manufacturers classify as "Utility Tractors". We have been looking heavily into Kubota B and BX models but dont have any brand preference at this point.

We need some help determining what would be the best option for us. We have about $7,500 to put down and dont want to spend more than $15,000 (I know most places have 0% financing). We would like it to be used for the following things (initially):

• Tilling
• Bucket for moving mulch/rocks/dirt/whatever
• Something for basic digging
• ability to have other implements attached easily
• ability to pull - such as removing a stump

Keep in mind this is about 6 acres of tillable land and we aren't doing one large crop, so there will be smaller .5-1.5acre sections that we utilize. Some will be row crops, some wont be.

Id also like to mow my lawn with it if possible...

 

[bcp]

I wouldn't be happy with a BX on row crops. I want higher clearance and narrower tires, preferably adjustable tread. I would look at a B or smaller L to see if any versions are better than others for row crops.

Bruce

 

[McREBEL]

Take a look at a Kubota B2601. If you would consider used then something like a B7800, B2620, or B2920. The B2920 I have is a great little tractor, however; I will not be pulling any stumps with it unless they are small or rotted. That would take a backhoe or much bigger tractor. I don't discount other brands. Kubota is what I am most familiar with. I heavily considered an LS XJ2025 when I was looking but found a good deal on a used Kubota B2920. Kioti, Mahindra, MF, and JD all make good small compact tractors. Happy Hunting.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

BX and B are in the SCUT or CUT lineup. How are you planning on prepping the soil? The loaders on those machines are capable just not overly powerful or fast when moving over larger distances. What do you mean 'basic digging'???? All tractors with a 3pt accept 3 pt implements so thats not to helpful.

Neither of those tractors is big enough to pull stumps without ALOT of prep work. You would be lucky to do that with a 100hp tractor. They are alot tougher than they look. What are you specifically looking to pull?

 

[jeff9366]

For tilling you need a PTO powered roto-tiller.

In BX, B and L size tractors probably 90% are sold with an FEL + bucket when new.

A Piranha (brand) tooth bar bucket attachment will permit your bucket to do some digging, as wide as the bucket only.

A Ratchet Rake bucket attachment will allow you to remove small stumps, up to 3" or so, after roots decompose one year. Ratchet Rake is also excellent for pulling brush and can be used for minor grading.

It can be a struggle to attach implements in the restricted space behind a BX or B size tractor in any brand. You have to move up to one of the 'L' size tractors before sufficient space for easy implement mounting and less strenuous PTO joining is there.

Besides space, shop for Three Point Hitch RIGID STABILIZERS which both TELESCOPE and have PIN ADJUSTMENT, not turnbuckles.

You will almost certainly want a single-row, row-crop cultivator. Personally, I like the flexibility of modular tool bar cultivators which can form raised beds.

If this ground will provide a livelihood, rather than be a hobby, buy enough tractor so you work efficiently.

 

[McREBEL]

You might consider sending a pm to this guy:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-buying-pricing/341213-2008-kubota-b7800-la-402-a.html

He is in Michigan and is selling his low hour Kubota B7800.

 

[spooons]

So the stump thing I guess was a wishlist item and wouldnt be something I would do frequently. I understand now that its not something a smaller tractor would handle well. They would be smaller stumps, more like "roots" of some trees on the edge of the property - nothing giant and mature. That is ok!

 

[spooons]

@RedNeckRacin - planning on running disc through the soil. As far as digging, I have no clue, just an idea if I wanted to make a hole. I have no clue what I may end up using the tractor for besides discing, mowing and moving stuff around.

 

[jeff9366]

cres of tillable land and we aren't doing one large crop, so there will be smaller .5-1.5acre sections that we utilize. Some will be row crops, some wont be.

You do not want a Disc Harrow. You need a PTO powered roto-tiller which will do soil prep in small areas in one pass.

DISC HARROW LINK: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/308251-disc-harrow-selection-18-45-a.html?highlight=

 

[spooons]

I looked into that, I am more familiar with roto-tillers for smaller areas of land but thought a disc was more appropriate/quicker? I am all for getting a tiller attachment instead.