Buying Advice What do I need

[cyclonengineer]

Hi! Great site!

I just bought a 5 acre property and am looking for a tractor. I have no idea what I need, but can tell you what I want:

1. The driveway is close to 450' long. A bucket or blade attachment is a must. The driveway is also brick, if you have any advice on not destroying that one.
2. Mowing. We're moving from a 1/2 acre property to this one. The prior owners were keeping about 2 - 2 1/2 acres in lawn and the rest in native grass. Ideally, I'd like to be able to mow with one attachment and vary the technique as required.
3. Lifting. I'm a car/home improvement guy. It'd be nice to be able to fork a full pallet (<2000 lbs) to save my aging back.

I have no brand loyalty. Some of my farming/hobby farming co-workers have been making recommendations about Allis and Massey. I'm pretty open.

I am siding towards a gas tractor to keep things as simple as possible, but I have some limited diesel experience if turns out to be the better option.

Thanks!

Brooks

[dave1949]

Brick driveway, all 450' of it? Maybe a power broom would be handy?

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Hi! Great site!

I just bought a 5 acre property and am looking for a tractor. I have no idea what I need, but can tell you what I want:

1. The driveway is close to 450' long. A bucket or blade attachment is a must. The driveway is also brick, if you have any advice on not destroying that one.
2. Mowing. We're moving from a 1/2 acre property to this one. The prior owners were keeping about 2 - 2 1/2 acres in lawn and the rest in native grass. Ideally, I'd like to be able to mow with one attachment and vary the technique as required.
3. Lifting. I'm a car/home improvement guy. It'd be nice to be able to fork a full pallet (<2000 lbs) to save my aging back.

I have no brand loyalty. Some of my farming/hobby farming co-workers have been making recommendations about Allis and Massey. I'm pretty open.

I am siding towards a gas tractor to keep things as simple as possible, but I have some limited diesel experience if turns out to be the better option.

Thanks!

Brooks

You are going to need a tractor with about 3000# loader lift capacity to lift 2000# on a set of forks.

[cyclonengineer]

Brick driveway, all 450' of it? Maybe a power broom would be handy?

All of it. Hand laid. Someone crazy lived there before me.

[cyclonengineer]

You are going to need a tractor with about 3000# loader lift capacity to lift 2000# on a set of forks.

That seems like a pretty large tractor. If I skip the fork abilities, what are my best options?

[Ed of all trades]

Sub compact from a dealer near you.

[jpm1]

Personally i would down size the lift cpacity a bit, go with a nice Hydrostatic 4 wheel drive and look for a tire scraper to put on the front end loader. There used to to scrape manure on concrete floors in barns. This would work nice on paver driveway. . . .John

[jrdepew]

Brick driveway, all 450' of it? Maybe a power broom would be handy?

The local university uses power brooms on skidsteers to keep the sidewalks clean in the winter. They do an amazing job. I wonder how much snow these can move? How much snow does it take to become too much for a power broom?

Joe

[Baby Grand]

If you don't need to lift the forks/pallets more than 18", then you can probably achieve 2000# lifting with 3 point forks on a reasonably sized tractor.

[DKCDKC]

Talk to your neighbors and find who they say are the best tractor dealers. Check out farm stores and the like. Pick a good dealer. Then start talking tractor. Sounds like a good CUT would do for your needs. You have a pick of the mowers and brush cutters available. One might meet your requirement. Don't forget to actually drive the tractor before you buy. If it feels awkward or not right, try another size or another brand. But do buy from a good dealer. Service and advice will be very important for a new tractor owner.

I had experience only with gasoline tractors until 2000, then got a diesel. It was old, but a wonderful tractor. Diesel require so little maintenance that you have lots of time to figure it out. In 10 years I had one significant repair - and I got a neighbor to do that. Bought a new diesel CUT earlier this year because I was having trouble getting on the big unit.

I have seen local government folks plow brick or cobblestone streets with a blade with wooden skids or shoes on it. Seems to get all but a little snow, the rest melts or is bushed off. Lot depends on the smoothness of the pavers.

I'd go with forks on the 3pt hitch too. Even most CUTs can handle all you want.