which tractor????

Anonymous Poster · Aug 29, 2001

I have recently retired and am looking for a new hobby. I purchased a plot of land and am looking to make this land more fertile and so i need a vehicle to do the job. As I am very unexperianced in tractors i am looking for help from you guys. I only have 7 acres and its very steep in places so i need something suitable. is Kubota the answer??? can anyone suggest any tractors or any other vehicles for this job?? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Bird · Aug 29, 2001

You'll have to tell us more, Richard, before we could make any specific recommendations. How steep is steep? Are you looking to "make this land more fertile" for grass, hay, vegetable garden, trees, or what? How much of the 7 acres are you going to cultivate? plow? clear? level? move dirt? Kubota, Deere, and New Holland are the big 3, but of course, there are other brands, too. As for which models, need to know what kind of implements you need to power or pull. Consider buying Muhammad's book, The Ultimate Compact Tractor Guide. That might be the best place to start.

Bird

Anonymous Poster · Aug 29, 2001

Firstly, the land is steep about 40 degrees at its worst if I had to give you some kind of measure. Its to cultivate the grass to become more fertile at the moment its poor quality grass and moorland. We will use a sprayer, grass topper and a broadcaster on the tractor so these will be the load. Tahnks for your reply and i am going to get the book you mentioned, hope i have given you the correct info you need.

Bird · Aug 29, 2001

Richard, 40 degrees is going to be tough for any tractor. You'll definitely want to only travel up and down; not across, that. And even then going up will be tough and can be dangerous. Register (it's free) and join the group; tell us where you're located. A grass "topper" sounds as if you might not be in the USA? If you have plenty of time, you won't need a very big tractor; B series Kubotas, TC New Hollands, or 4100 series Deeres, I'd say. Depends partly on what size you want those implements in. Maybe if you read through the book, then you can get specific and find lots of help from the other members here.

Bird

richard_lee · Aug 29, 2001

I live in the UK, Huddersfield, near manchester.

Bird · Aug 29, 2001

I thought so./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Welcome to the group! You may have some implements (or tractors, for that matter) that we don't have here (and of course some of the same implements with a different name)/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif. Of course, I have a Kubota and guess you have those.

Bird

richard_lee · Aug 29, 2001

THANKS for the wellcome!!! I took your advise and tried to download the book and it would not accept the credit card no idea why. But is there any information on the specific requirement which i need on a tractor for my land. I have been offered a B7100 Kubota with 300 hrs for £5500 how is that and what is this tractor like, is it stable and strong, and more important suitable for me???? All help appreciated.

MarkV · Aug 29, 2001

Richard,

Welcome to the group and I think that Bird has set you on the right track to start your tractor search. There are several other members, from your side of the pond, in the forum. Pretty land around the Manchester area. My wife flys for one of the airlines and is over there off and on.

MarkV

richard_lee · Aug 29, 2001

I have also been offered a B2150, 400hrs for £7800, a Deere model 755 (i think) 1200hrs for £4750, a B1550 1700hrs for £3000, a B1750 1800hrs for £4000, and an 8200 (? make) 1670hrs for £3800, are any of these good and which is perhaps the best of the lot. Thanks for your help so far, esp. BIRD. Cheers!!

MarkV · Aug 29, 2001

Richard,

I don't know all the models you are looking at, so I will offer some general comments. Given the land you will be working, I would look for a tractor with a wide stance for working the slopes you will be on. Most of us think of 20 degrees as the max safe angle to work a side slope. You will be able to work up and down a greater slope. Things that will reflect on the price or value of a used tractor are the type of transmission on the tractor. I feel better with a hydraulic system (HSD) when working on hills. You do not have to shift gears with HSD and the tractor stops when you take your foot off the foot control. To me, four wheel drive is a must on a small tractor working on hilly land. Do any of the tractors mentioned have a loader?(FEL) Most of us would not have a compact tractor without one. As you develope your land, you will find many uses for the loader. If you want a mid-mount mower (Belly Mower) you will have to see if the tractor has a mid-PTO. The other thing I would want is power steering.

As Bird has said, Muhammad's book would be a great start as you figure out what you need. Keep the questions coming, and you might want to do a seach on the forum for models you are interested in.

MarkV