It's getting close to decision time for me. I'm hoping I can get some thoughts on how much tractor I need and thoughts on brand bias to help me make a decision.
We have purchased and will soon close on 45 acres of raw land surrounded by national forest. We intend on taking the better part of the next five years to build our family homestead there. We will be keeping our present home thirty minutes away that I take care of myself. Lawn, snow, the basics. It's a small piece of property and easy to manage.
Some of the task I have in front of me are:
Timbering the land we want to cultivate
Milling lumber
Pulling stumps and clearing rocks
Prepare soil for planting
Building a barn, care takers cottage, large house, bunk house, wind turbine, observatory.
Two miles of class six road maintenance. (I'm going take the advice from is forum and get an old dump truck to plow)
Fencing
Live stock care.
This is a life long dream for us and this long list of projects are things I am looking forward to doing, call me crazy.
My current tractor is a Kioti CK20 HST with FEL and finish mower. I suspect it is to small. That said I like to try to use the least amount of tool necessary to to the job. If my 250 scooter can best get me to the grocery store no need to get an Ultra Glide for that. I guess I am saying I like to use the right tool for the job at hand and not go over board.
So far I have looked at a Kioti DK40 and John Deere 54xx series. Big difference in price and not really comparable as far as I can tell. The JD really grabbed me but the price put me off a bit.
I appreciate any thoughts you have on the subject.
We have purchased and will soon close on 45 acres of raw land surrounded by national forest. We intend on taking the better part of the next five years to build our family homestead there. We will be keeping our present home thirty minutes away that I take care of myself. Lawn, snow, the basics. It's a small piece of property and easy to manage.
Some of the task I have in front of me are:
Timbering the land we want to cultivate
Milling lumber
Pulling stumps and clearing rocks
Prepare soil for planting
Building a barn, care takers cottage, large house, bunk house, wind turbine, observatory.
Two miles of class six road maintenance. (I'm going take the advice from is forum and get an old dump truck to plow)
Fencing
Live stock care.
This is a life long dream for us and this long list of projects are things I am looking forward to doing, call me crazy.
My current tractor is a Kioti CK20 HST with FEL and finish mower. I suspect it is to small. That said I like to try to use the least amount of tool necessary to to the job. If my 250 scooter can best get me to the grocery store no need to get an Ultra Glide for that. I guess I am saying I like to use the right tool for the job at hand and not go over board.
So far I have looked at a Kioti DK40 and John Deere 54xx series. Big difference in price and not really comparable as far as I can tell. The JD really grabbed me but the price put me off a bit.
I appreciate any thoughts you have on the subject.