Tractor for 25ac - hilly, previously logged - input greatly appreciated

[headleyj]

Ok guys have some questions. 1st of all I'd like to say I've done a ton of reading here and your input is highly valued and often times I find myself saying "huh, they're right, I would have never thought of that" so kudos! Keep it up!

My situation:
25 acres building a new house almost complete. Property was logged before we bought it tree tops are down everywhere. Terrain is all hills/ hollers with 3 creeks running through. Some hills are so steep I wouldn't take a truck down them (and we did some crazy stuff in the teenage years hittin the mud and the coal strip pits). These would be strictly 4wheeler territory if I had one.

I'd like to bring the usable logs up for firewood (personal and sell it maybe), maintain our 1400 gravel driveway, keep the logging trails in decent shape (some are steep but I wouldn't go up/ down anything I felt aprehensive about) and bush-hog the areas that are sprouting up that are seeing sun now due to the logging (which is a lot of area some on hills). We have several stumps not too worried about pulling stumps, but a FEL is desired to move/ get rid of the tree bottoms that are laying there.

So I've read get more hp than you think you need. Budget is 10-12k. 4wd is highly desired due to terrain. So I've looked at Kubota, Kioti, Ford, Long, JD all the main ones and some not so mainstream. I'm not opposed to getting an older one (cheap horsepower basically) but the older ones (ie: Ford 3000-4000 series) are a project waiting to happen basically. I'm mechanically inclined and have rebuilt motors and worked on trucks all my life, but I'm just not up for rebuilding a tractor to use. When I want to use it I want it to go, I don't want to have to dicker with X, Y and Z, pat my head and rub my tummy to get it to start ya know.

All that said I'd like to have 35-40 engine hp shuttle-shift preferred, std trans next, then hydro (I like simplicity and the hydro worries me a bit) I don't need cruise either. Ive found the following tractors:

1. JD 790 4x4, FEL, new, bush hog, std trans, R4, asking $13500 This seems a bit small and have read it's a bit tippy which with my terrain probably isn't the best choice.

2. 01 Kioti LK 3054, 650h, shuttle-shift, 4wd, R4, 5 bush hog, 5 yardbox, 6 BD, 12 PHD, FEL, $11k. The guy used to put yards in with it so its been used semi-commercially.
a. Is this a good price seems a bit high for the Kioti with this many hours.

3. 1997 Ford 2120, FEL, R1, 6'GB, pallet forks, PHD, remotes in rear, canopy, 650h, asking $14.5k
a. Why are these so expensive? It's 10 yrs old yes it's 43hp engine but just seems high..thoughts?

4. 0? Kubota 3400DT, shuttle (so I was told) FEL, 100 hrs, R4, FEL $13900 this guy doesn't act like he wants to come down at all so probably outside my $ range.

So there's what I've found. Weight would be a big help with the larger trees for sure and the R1's would be great for traction since 90% of the time it'll be in the woods not maintaining a manicured lawn or anything.

Now I'm leaning towards the Kioti since it's across town, the guy has a 16 Corn Pro trailer too he'd deal on and it has about every attachment I'd ever need. I'd really like to get the 2120 (or a JD 990 - $$$!!) because of it's size/ hp, but it just seems high for what it is.

Is there something I haven't thought of? Pros/ cons to the above units. Any input/ thoughts/ suggestions is greatly appreciated guys.

[3RRL]

I normally shy away from telling a guys to look at the new Chinese tractors sold by some of our reputable Chinese tractor dealers such as:
Tommy at Affordable Tractor Sales
Ronald at Ranch Hand Tractors
Chip at Artrac
Because most guys have a negative outlook on them from the start. That insures popularity and pricing remains low on those machines.
But there are a lot of no nonsense Chinese tractor owners on TBN that have gotten quite a bit of tractor (NEW, size, hp & 4wd) plus loader and a bunch of implements within your budget. You sound like one of those guys that could handle older technology and not afraid to turn a wrench. The new ones are EPA conforming and are very nice with lots of features found on much more popular and more expensive brands.

Your parcel is exactly the same size and sounds as rural/wild as mine. I went with a 55hp Kama and found it meets my needs quite nicely. I was looking at 35hp tractors from the big 3 but found this tractor instead and within my budget. I'm glad I went with the extra weight and hp. Sometimes I wish I had a larger tractor. The reputable dealers I listed carry a large inventory of parts, upgrades, and great service, so that is not an issue.

[SnowRidge]

From the description of your property, I would suggest looking at a Power Trac, if you could find a used 1430 or bigger within your price range.

[SLOBuds]

I think you have a lot to do on that parcel and might not be able to get all of those things done with the available budget. You've got the right idea in terms of implements.

The hp range you are thinking about would work, but it does seem a bit low in my opinion. I would feel better if you were looking at a 45-55 hp machine. But that's kind of subjective, and like I said, you will probably be able to get all of your work done with the smaller configuration. Just take longer.

'Yes' to 4wd. Hills and whatnot. I would definitely keep that on the 'must have' list.

Transmission - with the type of detailed work that you're looking at, it's going to be pretty busy up there with a manual transmission. You will be able to get larger HP per $ spent with a manual. Just be sure you know what you're getting into. LOTS of folks would have nothing other than manual.

Assuming your budget is fixed, maybe you could consider phasing in the equipment. Get tractor with loader first, then box scraper, then brush hog. 4x4, with as much hp as you can get.

So my opinion of minimal configurations would be 4x4, manual transmission, loader, largest hp I could get. Phase in box blade and brush hog. Box blade would be next. Brush hog last.

I myself like used equipment - but I have them checked out by an independent mechanic so I know it is solid.

Other than that - just keep on looking, and reading TBN, before you buy. You have a very good grasp of your basic needs - great job! But you might find slight changes to your opinions over time.

And your budget might increase too!

Good luck.

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

I think you're right that the JD790 is too small/light for what you want to do.
The Kioti sounds like a good deal, and the advice about chinese/Jinma tractors is also good - I have yet to hear anything but good about the 3 names 3rrl suggested - and what you'd be getting is a brand new "1950's" tractor there. Generally more wrench work required than the more expensive Korean & Japanese machines, but not as much as a 40-50 year old Ac or IHC machine. (and there are some killer "package deals" to be had on these things!)
Shuttle shift is still a manual tranny, it's just a lever on the column that lets you switch from forward to reverse without having to change gears. It's REAL nice to have. especially when doing loader work.

good luck and happy hunting!

[headleyj]

Hey guys thanks a ton for the answers so far - very good advice. The Chinese tractors I've heard to shy away from for resale, dealer network and reliability reasons. That's all heresay though. I will take another look at these. Power-Trac is interesting to say the least! A bit pricey for me though. I will investigate the Chinese tractors as soon as I can.

when I think of shuttle shift I think of my brother in laws JD 4320 (I think) with a Power reverser - makes loader work a snap!

[twabscs]

I'm with the guys saying to increase your budget and get the right tractor for the job. Tractors lose very little in value over the years, so finance what you need and be done with it - Appropriately equipped tractors are a JOY to have around and pay back in spades. I started with a TC40D with loader for my initial 40 acres and it was a bit small, IMO. I would go with something in the 40-50 HP range for your situation.

My two cents,

[john_bud]

Originally Posted by headleyj

I'm not opposed to getting an older one (cheap horsepower basically) but the older ones (ie: Ford 3000-4000 series) are a project waiting to happen basically.

For your needs and budget, a Ford 3910 or 3930 would be great. Much easier to find a 3939 in 4wd. I do disagree with your generalization that all old tractors are unreliable. They aren't. But like all used items, some are in pizz poor shape and others are close to new. The majority are some place in the middle. Go to a few tractor auctions and see what is available, you may be surprised.

jb

PS - if you do get a China tractor, don't lick the paint...



on edit -- I looked at prices of 4wd 3930's with loaders and they appear to be over your budget. Sorry!

[woodlandfarms]

You have a topo with scale of your property? I have a very hilly property and while a straight CUT would have been my desire, the hills killed the deal and I went with Power-Trac. Great machines, only downside is you have to be a hands on type.... There are a few wide track Tractors available but not very cheap.

I also thought about buying a TYM or less expensive CUT (chinese) and putting dualies on them...

Carl

[Northland]

Your property sounds an aweful lot like mine...complete with the skidder trails.

I bought a 30 HP Kubota B7800 because of the width and lenght (more stability) over most smaller CUTS. Even more important to me was that it has 15" of ground clearance and the bottom is fairly well shielded from damage. I have 1000+ cords of maple tree tops on the ground. I use a bucket grapple and carry-all to harvest them back to my staging area -see
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104654&goto=newpost

While I like my B7800 I wish I had bought a heavier tractor for the bush work -the L2800/3400 would have been perfect.

So, I would suggest you consider width, lenght, ground clearance and weight. I think any brand (at the right price) will serve you well.