All good replies and info.
Then realize that your "current" thoughts on what you might use it for, may change when you get it as the Chores seem to come from nowhere!
There is so much that a tractor can help you with in the managment of land that it is hard to think of all the needs you may have up front. So it is important not to limit yourself in the hp and capability of the tractor you choose.
Get something that fits your current and potential "Future" needs first. Don't do as I did and wast $$$ on something that "just barely" manages what you want from it at the present... then find you need something more substantial down the road and find that the initial purchase was a colosal waste of time, $$$ and your back!
A tractor makes MANY jobs significantly easier than anything else.
If you burn wood, it can haul rounds, skid loggs, (with splitter) split wood... everything but the felling, cutting and stacking. A substantial portion of the back breaking work!
If you have landscaping plans, it's a HUGE help in ditching, grading, moving material, and in general improving the overall appearance of the land!
If you are a gardener or have a desire to Brew beer and grow Hops.... It's a great help in garden prep, maint of said garden, and even harvesting!
If you live in a comunity of others where by you are the one with the only tractor.... you will get ample "Thank you's" for helping others with similar chores and good neighbors are sometimes hard to come by, so having them "Owe" you for help goes a long way in the non tangible asset of "Good Neigbor" quotent.
So in conclusion... only one thing. Buy as much HP as you can afford in a package that fits your bill for Size Tractor you need (as in 5 acres... doesn't require a 8wheeled behemoth that has 1000hp... but 12 isn't going to cut it either....
Then realize that your "current" thoughts on what you might use it for, may change when you get it as the Chores seem to come from nowhere!
There is so much that a tractor can help you with in the managment of land that it is hard to think of all the needs you may have up front. So it is important not to limit yourself in the hp and capability of the tractor you choose.
Get something that fits your current and potential "Future" needs first. Don't do as I did and wast $$$ on something that "just barely" manages what you want from it at the present... then find you need something more substantial down the road and find that the initial purchase was a colosal waste of time, $$$ and your back!
A tractor makes MANY jobs significantly easier than anything else.
If you burn wood, it can haul rounds, skid loggs, (with splitter) split wood... everything but the felling, cutting and stacking. A substantial portion of the back breaking work!
If you have landscaping plans, it's a HUGE help in ditching, grading, moving material, and in general improving the overall appearance of the land!
If you are a gardener or have a desire to Brew beer and grow Hops.... It's a great help in garden prep, maint of said garden, and even harvesting!
If you live in a comunity of others where by you are the one with the only tractor.... you will get ample "Thank you's" for helping others with similar chores and good neighbors are sometimes hard to come by, so having them "Owe" you for help goes a long way in the non tangible asset of "Good Neigbor" quotent.
So in conclusion... only one thing. Buy as much HP as you can afford in a package that fits your bill for Size Tractor you need (as in 5 acres... doesn't require a 8wheeled behemoth that has 1000hp... but 12 isn't going to cut it either....