Yet another "What do I need?" thread

[Shazbat]

Yet another \"What do I need?\" thread

Hello everyone, great forum here, thank you.

My wife and I have purchased an old farmhouse in upstate NY with roughly 100 acres of land, I'm not too good at guessing acerage but it appears to be roughly 30 acres of wooded hills, 20 acres of pond, and the balance in rolling fields with some streams crossing them.

Things I think I will probably need a tractor for include:

Some of the fields are in use by a local farmer for hay, others will need to be brush hogged / mowed

Clearing snow from 150' of driveway, and 200' of internal paths

Fixing and maintaining said 150' driveway which is currently pothole-ridden mud =)

Dragging felled trees from the wooded hillside for firewood

Plowing and planting at least a 2 acre vegetable garden

Digging holes for planting trees, and for deck supports

There is a stream that runs seasonally that I'd like to dig a more permanent trench for.


There are probably more things that I'm not thinking of, or have already forgotten about that need to be done, I can think of a zillion little uses for a FEL so that will be a given, a backhoe I'm not too sure about.

I'm thinking in the 30-40HP range since the prices seem easier to swallow, I would appreciate opinions from you folks on the matter

Thanks!

 

[Maka]

Re: Yet another \"What do I need?\" thread

I would certainly look at something bigger HP wise if it is the budget. Take a look at the Montana 4940 and 5740 tractors. Both available with or without cab. These are 49hp and 57hp and will take care of that property right nice.

Heavy for plowing, run larger implements and get the work done faster and more efficiently. You will find a lot more to do with it than you probably realize but in my opinion anything under 40 will be a bit small.

Good luck,
Maka

 

[KiotiJohn]

Re: Yet another \"What do I need?\" thread

I'm not sure if you're going to be brush cutting the "balance in rolling fields..." or not, but if you are, you're going to want/need at least a 45 HP tractor in my opinion. You're going to need to pull a pretty good sized brush mower to handle that, and even then, it's going to take some time to do all that cutting.
Yes, you could get by with a smaller tractor, but you'll be over taxed on time to do things with smaller implements.
My suggestion would be to get in the range of 45 up HP, in a heavy model which will be good for logging, ploughing, brush cutting etc.
Recommended would be the Kioti DK45 with preference for DK55 cab or ROPS models available in each, with ROPS a good bit less expensive. You'd be surprised that the differences in price are not always that much to go up in HP, and over the many years you'll use it, it becomes almost a non-issue per year cost.
There are many other fine brands out there, but make sure you take into account what each actually offers for the money. I like Kioti because:
It's a well made tractor, good fit and finish, good ergonomics (controls easily reached etc.), it offers a lot of standard features that are extra on other models (remote hydraulics, joystick and main valve body, telescoping hitch arms and stabilizers etc.), has at least a 50 amp alternator (easy to hook up extra lights and other electronics), and on and on, and it usually (some exceptions) priced less than comparable models where you have to pay for the extras.
By all means look at, and try out, other brands in this HP range and find what you feel you can be comforatable using for many years. There are still some good financing rates out there to be had, and now is probably a good time to buy since interest rates are only going up on a steady basis.
John

 

[Soundguy]

Re: Yet another \"What do I need?\" thread

At that size land.. 30hp is getting to be a tad small. Just imagine yourself mowing with a 5' mower.. up to 50 acers. Never know what the future brings. I'd look at 40-80+ hp range.

Or a combination of a small-medium new CUT tractor, plus a larger ag tractor. For example a 30/40 hp tractor with a loader, and a 65+hp ag tractor.. say a ford 7000/8000 case 1xxx MF 11xx etc. Those old brutes are strong and great for mowing.. pulling large timber, etc Many of those larger tractors.. even the older ones may even have rops or fops.. unlike many older tractors.. etc. Heck if you get lucky, you might even find a large ag tractor with a loader.. etc.

You've got the 'big 3' pretty much NH, kubota, JD, and MF.. then the 2nd brands.. kioto, mahindra.. possibly even branson farmtrac.. etc. Then the thrid brands.. jinma, eicher, benye, foton/futian, etc. LG.. etc.

If you do alot of mowing.. look for a decent sized one.. unless you like seat time. If you get a 50+ hp tractor.. you can get good deals on larger ( 8+ feet ) inexpensive mowers from 'economy' brands like Howse.. etc.

Not sure what your budget is.. bt one thing.. don't underbuy.. It would be terrible to sing 20k in and then find out a couple years down the road that 25k might have been worlds better.

The new/used small/big option can be a money saver if you find a good condition ag tractor.. perhaps at a dealer.. you might find both tractors and get a deal.

Post back with yor thoughts on all the recomendations you've gotten so far... we'll help you spend your money! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Soundguy

 

[Egon]

Re: Yet another \"What do I need?\" thread

Maka:

Do you perhaps sell Montana Tractors?

Egon

 

[psuedofarmer]

Re: Yet another \"What do I need?\" thread

sounds like you where i was a few years ago. i purchased a large farm with a circa 1740 farmhouse. after years of research (and asking the same questions you did), i choose the Kioti DK55 cab model.

i found it was the best machine for my use, and it fit my budget nicely. i now have over 300 hrs on the tractor with no complaints.

your use is different than mine (my farm was/is a MAJOR restoration effort), but i use the tractor to maintain a long driveway and interior trails (using a Kioti box blade), skid trees out of the woods, split firewood and dig holes using a backhoe (stump removal, tree planting, etc).

buy the largest tractor your budget (and comfort level) will permit. i think you'll need a tractor in the 50 HP range. check out the various models out there, quite a few manufacturers to choose from.. just make sure you include the Kioti in your search. it's an excellent machine at a tremendous value for the $.

good luck.

pf

 

[Charlie_in_TX]

Re: Yet another \"What do I need?\" thread

I am thinking like soundguy. Start with a medium CUT (JD4310 size every manufacture makes something in this 30hp range) with a FEL. Then get an used 70hp up to 150hp farm type tractor. When you get in these bigger tractors and used, more weight dosen't have to cost more.

 

[Varmintmist]

Re: Yet another \"What do I need?\" thread

I think you are in the ball park HP wise unless you are going to change to dirt farming all 100 AC in the future.

Your drive isnt real long so a 6ft back blade will cover it. It is slower than a blower, and slower than a front blade, but you can get a light duty one from TSC for about 215-230 bucks that will do about anything you want snow wise. A back blade will work for the driveway also. A lot of people move a lot of snow with a back blade and a FEL. I'm one of them. I also have a good friend in New Hampshire that does it with a NH TC24 so I guess you can move a LOT of snow with one /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif We havent been hit to hard since I got the FEL so the back blade has done the work. If it is dry enough and the banks of your stream are not steep, you can rechannel it with the blade. I have made swales in my yard and woods with mine. Same principal.

For the drive a box blade is probably a better tool. You can pull the fines up with the scarfires and smooth it with the box.

How often are you going to brushhog the fields? If you are figuring every two weeks then get a big tractor and a BIG brushhog. If you are going to beat them back twice a year, then you can do it with a 5 foot no problem. There is also no reason that you cant get the same farmer that is cutting hay to turn them and get them ready for hay also. You will have to make the investment, but if he wants to buy the hay then you have a farm business going and your first loss for tax purposes. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Any tractor that can run a post hole digger can dig holes. That is pretty much any tractor regardless of size.

Same with dragging trees, if your tractor wont pull them, cut them smaller. I have found that I dont like skidding mine as much. I bought a carry all and cut them to about 6 foot lengths and haul them out that way, or I take the trailer into the woods with me cut to firewood length and drag it back out. I still skid some, it really depends on where I am pulling the tree from, if I have room to work them up where I want to skid them to, how much mud the tree is going to get on it. 35HP will skid a good sized tree/trees without grunting.

You could pull a 2 bottom plow, a small one, for the garden. Or a big single bottom. Its only 2 ac to plow, you can do 1/2 that much behind a horse on a Sunday if you get talked into it (dont ask how I found this out /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) Its a lot worse on you than even a small single bottom that you ride in front of. Gee Haw my butt. Gimme the cupholder /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Would I like to have a hoe?? Yes. Do I really have the use for one to justify the cost? No. That is a big investment that you have to decide if you have the need.