Scotty Dive
Platinum Member
I will throw my two cents and for what it's worth 
. I was in the same boat you were although I don't have as much property you have but I do have a pond and I do have a sizable hill that approaches 30° of angle. Every winter we have to face the fact in Connecticut that there's going to be a significant amount of snow so snow removal is an issue as well. I use my tractor for anything and everything I can think of ....typically includes wood removal, logging, leveling the property, removing myself when I'm stuck, Pond maintenance, snow removal, lifting engines out of cars, moving wood woodstoves,....you name it they can do it. I truly lucked out when I found my tractor but I knew also what I was looking for. I upgraded from two Sears 1970s era garden tractors, 2 Wheel Drive with loaded weights in the rear etc. etc. it but I just couldn't do what I needed to get done. I ended up with a YM 2020D, basically breaks down to a 24 hp engine and 20 hp at the PTO, Power shift, loader, and no power steering (although I have the kit from hoye ready to install) I immediately removed the rice tires and upgraded both fronts and backs to turf tires. I loaded it with beet juice in the rears and I run four link chains all year long. This set up allows me to go anywhere on the property at any time from muddy marshy areas to going up my large hill to snow plowing all while not damaging my lawn. This tractor, with the turf tires and new rims is 60 inches wide and runs my six-foot backplate for snow removal, a 42 inch brush hog, and a (850#) wood chipper and a 48 inch box blade. I don't see a lot of this model for sale, but what I wanted to let you know is that the 20 to 24 Horse power yanmars are really a stout well-built well engineered and very capable tractor.
I also have an excel spreadsheet I have been building for years with notes and spec's of the gray and domestic models you may find useful. If you want a copy of it pm me with your emails address and I will send it along
. I was in the same boat you were although I don't have as much property you have but I do have a pond and I do have a sizable hill that approaches 30° of angle. Every winter we have to face the fact in Connecticut that there's going to be a significant amount of snow so snow removal is an issue as well. I use my tractor for anything and everything I can think of ....typically includes wood removal, logging, leveling the property, removing myself when I'm stuck, Pond maintenance, snow removal, lifting engines out of cars, moving wood woodstoves,....you name it they can do it. I truly lucked out when I found my tractor but I knew also what I was looking for. I upgraded from two Sears 1970s era garden tractors, 2 Wheel Drive with loaded weights in the rear etc. etc. it but I just couldn't do what I needed to get done. I ended up with a YM 2020D, basically breaks down to a 24 hp engine and 20 hp at the PTO, Power shift, loader, and no power steering (although I have the kit from hoye ready to install) I immediately removed the rice tires and upgraded both fronts and backs to turf tires. I loaded it with beet juice in the rears and I run four link chains all year long. This set up allows me to go anywhere on the property at any time from muddy marshy areas to going up my large hill to snow plowing all while not damaging my lawn. This tractor, with the turf tires and new rims is 60 inches wide and runs my six-foot backplate for snow removal, a 42 inch brush hog, and a (850#) wood chipper and a 48 inch box blade. I don't see a lot of this model for sale, but what I wanted to let you know is that the 20 to 24 Horse power yanmars are really a stout well-built well engineered and very capable tractor.I also have an excel spreadsheet I have been building for years with notes and spec's of the gray and domestic models you may find useful. If you want a copy of it pm me with your emails address and I will send it along
