Tractor thoughts....

[manganos]

Hello all! I'd like to start out saying I've owned a Yanmar 1702d, Kubota BX22 and then a Kioti LK3054 before. For some odd reason I thought I was done with tractor ownership but the boss (wife) and myself have come to the conclusion that I probably need to buy another tractor.

I currently live in a neighborhood and have a 4 acre lot. The lot is fairly level and broken down by 1 acre of grass that I cut with a John Deere mower. 2.5 acres of planted loblolly pines and the rest is powerline right of way. My main goal is to bushhog the planted pines as well as the powerlines. I'm thinking around a 30hp tractor with HST and loader and 4wd as the powerlines is kind of messy. I'll also be prepping for another 3 car garage so I will be using the loader/boxblade to level that section of land.

Any thoughts on a tractor? I had no issues with any previous purchases.... also something to keep in mind is my friend owns a rental equipment store a few miles up the road so if I need a backhoe or skidsteer it is mine for the taking.........should I not get the loader if I have access to a skidsteer?

Thanks!

[slate mike]

I think you're on the right track and wish I had the same kind of "friend." I would get the FEL on the tractor. They are just too handy and can do so many things you never thought of until you have one.

[BigD23]

Which ever color tractor you choose, it sounds like you know exactly what you want/need......Your wife is a gem.

Don

[KU Gator]

It would seem to me that a BX size tractor with the loader would be a good fit. The loader is the attachment I use the most on our 3 acres where we live because I mow with the garden tractor. Of course most of what I use the loader for I could do with a shovel and wheel barrow, but the loader is a heck of a lot more fun and does save your back. If the bx was a bit undersized for the initial brush hogging, you could rent or borrow that from your friend and then do the maintenance with the BX from then on. I have a B2920, but bought that size primarily for the other property we own, which is much rougher. With the bx size, if you bought it with the MMM or RFM you could mow your yard with it to and sell the JD.

[manganos]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to go bigger then a BX for ground clearance alone. I forgot to mention I'm in the process of buying 8 acres in the mountains of VA so I'll be transporting this new machine back and forth a few times a year. That land requires 4wd for sure and ground clearance because of the rocks etc....

[KU Gator]

That is why I went with the B. It is pretty easy to trailer, but our other property required more clearance in some rougher areas and clearing downed trees and brush is better with the B. And it is still pretty easy to get into tight spaces. I would stay with the suggestion of getting the FEL with the tractor. When I am going to use it for any relatively heavy work, I put the box blade on to counter balance it. The only thing I am not that crazy about with the B2X20 series is the 1/4 inching valve. I think I would prefer the other system for using the rotary cutter.

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

TYM 293, Kioti CK30 (or comparable BobCat), Mahindra 2816 or 3216, kubota 3010 (or current incarnation)?

[ChuckinNH]

"The only thing I am not that crazy about with the B2X20 series is the 1/4 inching valve. I think I would prefer the other system for using the rotary cutter."


I'm not either! I do usually set the lower limit travel stop when I use the rotary cutter though, and at least that keeps it at a pretty consistant height. It is located under the seat on the right hand side. I lower the cutter to where I want it, mark the shaft, and then set the stop just shy (on the up side) of the mark. Sometimes it takes a couple of trys to get it where I want it, but it is worth the effort. I don't like the 1/4 inching for box blading, or using my middlebuster either. It seems that there is no movement, and then the movement is too much, but I'm learning, and maybe it will get better.

[Soundguy]

Buy a tractor with 80% of your uses in mind.

if you plan on moving lots of dirt or material ( mulch, horse bedding/muck, etc. ) then get the loader.. if you will only occasionally be moving materials.. a rear scoop may be a possibility. Mind you.. a loader is a great swiss-army-knife tool.. it's a crane, a carry-all.. etc. it's great for knocking pine trees over and hitting fences and cars when trying to maneuver to mow as well.. so think anout it.

soundguy

Originally Posted by manganos

Hello all! I'd like to start out saying I've owned a Yanmar 1702d, Kubota BX22 and then a Kioti LK3054 before. For some odd reason I thought I was done with tractor ownership but the boss (wife) and myself have come to the conclusion that I probably need to buy another tractor.

I currently live in a neighborhood and have a 4 acre lot. The lot is fairly level and broken down by 1 acre of grass that I cut with a John Deere mower. 2.5 acres of planted loblolly pines and the rest is powerline right of way. My main goal is to bushhog the planted pines as well as the powerlines. I'm thinking around a 30hp tractor with HST and loader and 4wd as the powerlines is kind of messy. I'll also be prepping for another 3 car garage so I will be using the loader/boxblade to level that section of land.

Any thoughts on a tractor? I had no issues with any previous purchases.... also something to keep in mind is my friend owns a rental equipment store a few miles up the road so if I need a backhoe or skidsteer it is mine for the taking.........should I not get the loader if I have access to a skidsteer?

Thanks!

[whistlepig]

Get the loader. Once you have one you wonder how you ever lived with out it. The wear and tear a loader saves on your body is priceless.