new tractor-need advice

[rgludwigsen]

I am a first time tractor buyer and need some advice. I have been reading this forum for about 2 weeks now and think this would be a great place to start. I know very little about tractors and would greatly appreciate some help. My situation is as follows: I need to clear 5 ac. of my property. My lot is very heavily wooded with alot of loose rocks. I need to take down about 100 trees (6"-18" in dia.)and most of the rocks I need to move can be lifted by two people, but far too many to move by hand. After clearing I plan to expand my yard so I will need to take out stumps. Also, I have a spring that flows 9 mo. out of the year so maybe a pond someday. Knowing nothing about tractors I went to the closest tractor dealer (MF) to see the actual size of a compact tractor. The dealer suggested the 1455(55hp). After searching the internet I am hooked on the kioti dk series and I'm guessing the tractor he suggested is similar to the dk 55. Is this tractor available and is it too big? I am far from wealthy but am willing to spend whatever is necessary(within reason) to get the job done. I am very gentle on the vehicles I own and plan to go easy as there is no time frame to finish. I see a tractor as a good investment with alot of use down to road for general landscaping, fencing, planting trees and building the stonewalls my wife always wanted on our property. I would also like to know how well these tractors are built. Chances are there will be no more than 50 hours per year put on this tractor and it will be kept inside. At 36 will my tractor out live me? Again any help would be appreciated. My email address is rgludwigsen@yahoo.com if anyone would like to send info. or if there are any dealers that are reading this post who would like to contact me with options and packages. To all that took the time to read this post- Thank you.

[Pacesetter300]

I guess where are you would be a start. I think the MF dealer suggested the larger tractor because to go less is a big step down. I think 1440, when I looked it was 1260. Any of the big three korean tractors will get you the most bang for your buck. I almost went for a DK45, then held off and stumbled into a great price and financing on a Century 3045. Even those are a lot of tractor for five acres. I would look more at the Century-Branson 35 HP series, Kioti DK35 and Mahindra 3510. You should be looking at about a $15K price range. A big step down from MF I'm sure. Best though to get comfortable with a dealer as well.
Pacesetter

[Woodbeef]

Well now......I'd look into getting someone professional in to do the really big stuff first off. Then once that is done you can do the clean up yourself. You want your tractor to last awhile,so do not beat it to death on it's first job!!

Just how large is your total piece of land?

[Bob999]

<font color="red"> 100 trees (6"-18" in dia.) </font>
Large trees and large rocks are best dealt with with large equipment--a large bulldozer (Cat D-8 sized) and/or a large tracked loader (Cat 963 sized) would be what I would suggest. A contractor or skilled operator could probably clear the 5 acres in a couple of days at a cost of 5-600 per day for equipment and operator. In my area such work can be contracted on an hourly basis or fixed price by the job. Removing 18" trees is really outside the capabilities of a midsize tractor unless you have a backhoe--and then it is really slow going.

[rgludwigsen]

Thanks!

[Kiohio]

I would think a 45 or 50 hp Kioti with a 1590 ldr would do you fine. The loader is strong and self-leveling. The Kioti's are heavy and well-built. I don't think you would be dissappointed. The 55 is nice but it is quite a bit larger than the 45 or 50. The 55 is alot closer to a farm/utility tractor than a compact.
Bob999 is right on the money about the land-clearing.
KO