Tractor Sizing Which Tractor to buy?

[rlyddane]

Hello there,
I really need your help with these questions, so bear with my ignorance.
Now, first and foremost, is there anyone who would like to lend me $15k to buy what I want? Oh well, it was worth a try. OK, here we go.

1. I live in the woods in Mead, OK on Lake Texoma. I have 1 acre of treed (Maple) land. Fairly hilly. High to low point is about a 15' differential. High point is where the house is. Low in front yard by road, about 10' drop, lower point in back yard, about a 15' drop. Property is rectangular 175' wide by about 255' deep. Gravel/cement circular driveway in front. Driveway is in a total state of dis-repair.
2. My plans are the following over a 2-3 year timeframe:
A. Cut all interior trees in entire yard, and keep perimeter trees. Trees average about 15" diameter and I have about 40 to cut.
B. Fell, trim, buck, split and carry all wood to my wood area for winter burning in my wood burning stove. Will probably need a heavy duty utility trailer or loader for some of this hauling.
C. Pull, burn, bury all remaining stumps. How would you cut trees in order to simplify this project? (For BH, loader, scrapper?)
D. Once all stumps are removed, I need to rough grade property for landscaping and final smoothing for lawn. I may need to have fill/top soil trucked in for proper smoothing. I am NOT planning on bringing yard to level, just gentle drops and rises. I figure I need a tiller for this, plus maybe a loader or box scrapper? I need your ideas on this.
E. Mow lawn (MMM) Fix driveway(box scrapper)
ANY and ALL advise is WECOME. Thanks.............Rich

 

[dodge man]

A BX or a smaller B series would be good for the long term. The main problem with your plan is the stumps. It takes a large machine to remove a lot of stumps. Think large construction grade backhoe to remove a lot of stumps.

 

[art]

I'd consider renting a excavator for a weekend to remove the stumps from the ground after you have removed the wood you want to burn.

Other wise a BX with loader could handle the rest of the chores.

 

[rlyddane]

Thanks, Do you think sub contract to someone for the stump job? Also, should I get a finish MMM? I am looking used on all the equipment. (Can't afford new)

 

[rlyddane]

Thanks, What are some of the smaller B models you would recommend? Should I try to find a package deal with most/all of the attachments? Or get basic tractor and purchase attachments in piece meal?

 

[DAY]

Others here say pushing them over with a big piece of equipment is better than cutting down, then digging out the stump.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

rlyddane,

Not exactly the same, but TBN REALLY helped me decide what to buy.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/216841-what-should-i-buy-many.html

Best of luck and Happy Tractoring!
David

 

[rlyddane]

Yes, I've heard that too, only a little different version. Cut trees and leave about 4' high stump for bull dozer to easily push over. That way, you can start work on cut trees right away, and deal with 4' stumps when all trees are cut and trimmed and bucked and hauled off, leaving ONLY stumps to deal with.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

rlyddane

Here is another where I asked many similar questions...
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/216379-what-best-way-clear-5-a.html

I decided on having a contractor come out and mulch all the stumps and slash. I had loggers harvest back in Nov 2010. The contractor is due here at my place any minute, so... Maybe I'll have updates to it also.

Be well,
David

 

[rlyddane]

Thanks David,
I'll look forward to what happened ................Rich