flusher
Super Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2005
- Messages
- 7,538
- Location
- Sacramento
- Tractor
- Getting old. Sold the ranch. Sold the tractors. Moved back to the city.
Hi,
We just bought 25 wooded acres in hilly WV. We need a tractor that will be used mostly for clearing and building the first couple of years and then basic farm work there-after. Backhoe is top priority. This property will be our homestead and we will be doing all the building and clearing ourselves and there is a fair amount of rocks( not to bug though). My husband has some previous tractor experience but being a woman I want to add my 2 cents in so I'm trying to get A basic knowledge of what brands/models to look at. Thanks in advance!!!
How many of those 25 wooded acres do you plan to clear? If it's more than a couple, get yourself a used tractor loader backhoe (TLB) like a Deere 310B. The 310 is construction equipment that is a lot stronger than a compact utility tractor (CUT). YOu can find one usually for under $10K, use it to do the heaving clearing, and then sell it for pretty much what you paid for it.
For your farming, a 40-50 hp (pto) CUT from any of the reputable tractor dealers in your area will do. Get one with hydrostatic tranny, 4WD, power steering, 6-ft wide front end loader (FEL) with skid steer quick attach, dual or triple hydraulic rear remotes, cab if the weather is a problem in your area. Figure $30-35K for a new tractor, $20K for pre-owned specimen.
And watch it on the hills. You want a tractor with a wide stance but with high enough clearance to work on uneven ground or in the presence of stumps and other debris.
Good luck.