RTV or Tractor

[Pushing_Tin]

My husband and I just moved to a 20 acre property in Western Oregon. Most of it is fairly hilly and wooded. We know we need some kind of machine for hauling things, but we think a tractor may be overkill, and may not be as useful in the woods and on the hills.

Most of the things we'd need a tractor for would occur so seldom, or perhaps not at all, that we'd probably be better off just hiring someone with a tractor to come do the work (burying a dead cow, grading the driveway, and so on).

We've been looking at the Kubota RTV 500 & 900. Looks like the 900 has attachments available that would dig fence holes & do some light grading (or at least remove snow from the driveway since it snows infrequently here).

The one thing we haven't figured out yet is how we'll turn the compost pile without a tractor/loader. Anyone have any ideas/suggestions/recommendations that don't involve a pitchfork?

Welcome to the site! Where in Oregon are you? I'm west of Eugene in Veneta. I only have 5 acres and could not do without my tractor, in fact I have upgraded to a bigger tractor this past summer. I also have a 4x4 truck to fill in when needed.

As far as composting, we have two large bins that we bought on craigslist for $100, they were hand made in town. We also have worm composting bins that work really well too, not sure if you've looked into that. There is a guy in Eugene that makes those too, sends them all over the country.

Dan the worm man

 

[TripleR]

Hostile territory for tractor owners I guess. Experience with an ATV has taken me down even lower. And I seem to need to be "sifted". I may need some therapy after this.

Do you not "sift" through posts based on each individual's knowledge and personal experience?

We own several tractors, three UTV/RUV and three ATV'S. I have also had times when I owned a tractor and no ATV as well as a tractor and no ATV/UTV. I have learned through experience that what I thought I knew was often changed by personal experience. It is this and the OP parameters that I based my opinion. In the end the only opinion that matters will be that of the OP.

 

[rd_macgregor]

When I first started reading this thread, the first thought that came to me was "toolcat". No, I don't own one and don't sell them, either (and maybe couldn't afford one!), but it would provide a lot of the functionality of both a tractor and a UTV...especially the ability to carry two people.
When I looked at these before buying my Kioti DK45SC, I was impressed by everything but the price!

I have my sights set on eventually getting a UTV for fence cruising and woods work, but the manure pile from several horses needs a tractor for maintenance, then there's pasture mowing...plus, we get a bunch of snow in the winter.

BOB

 

[firefighter jim]

If you had to chose only one, definitely a tractor over a utility vehicle. MUCH more useful............Had a Kubota RTV and got rid of it in favor of another tractor.............If you only wish to bebop around your property,,,,,,then maybe a utility vehicle is for you...

 

[8404]

I always wonder how a Tool Cat would do if you used it for tractor work, it llike a RTV but you can get it with a 3 point hitch in the back and a FEL in the front, AC cab and all. I might not be any more money than buying a RTV and tractor separatly.

 

[whistlepig]

Do you not "sift" through posts based on each individual's knowledge and personal experience?

We own several tractors, three UTV/RUV and three ATV'S. I have also had times when I owned a tractor and no ATV as well as a tractor and no ATV/UTV. I have learned through experience that what I thought I knew was often changed by personal experience. It is this and the OP parameters that I based my opinion. In the end the only opinion that matters will be that of the OP.

Now let's see here. You have several tractors. Three UTV's. And three ATV's. Maybe a dozen or so farm working vehicles (plus or minus) to start your day every morning. Maybe some of us have to start our day with just one. To me someone that has all of these options available is way out of touch with my world. I can only afford one beast. And it has to do it all. Sift that any way you wish.

 

[TripleR]

Now let's see here. You have several tractors. Three UTV's. And three ATV's. Maybe a dozen or so farm working vehicles (plus or minus) to start your day every morning. Maybe some of us have to start our day with just one. To me someone that has all of these options available is way out of touch with my world. I can only afford one beast. And it has to do it all. Sift that any way you wish.

Well first, as a young man, I was homeless and would loved to have had anything. I am now in my sixties, so I have finally accumulated a few things though some are pretty old. As I said in previous posts, there have been times when my options were very limited. At one point my "equipment" consisted of a Poulan chain saw borrowed from my brother and a pair of Red Wing work boots; no tractor, ATV or even a pickup. My first acquisition was a used ATV to use in our woods and on our property. We had owned a tractor when my brother and I were farming, but had to sell it. After several years, my brother and I were able to get another tractor, a well used NAA for $1800; we still have it.

Like I have said, I have been with and without, so I base my advice and opinion on my experience when I had to make such choices. I don't understand why you are offended or are taking this so personally as I have always found your posts interesting and informative.

 

[Soundguy]

Now let's see here. You have several tractors. Three UTV's. And three ATV's. Maybe a dozen or so farm working vehicles (plus or minus) to start your day every morning. Maybe some of us have to start our day with just one. To me someone that has all of these options available is way out of touch with my world. I can only afford one beast. And it has to do it all. Sift that any way you wish.

I would think having multiple machines would give one a good idea of what each can do vs the other.

there are things i can do with both my CUV and my tractor.. though some are better suited to one or the other.

when you can do a side by side comparison.. it's easy to see that.

soundguy

 

[rd_macgregor]

Generally I would pick the tractor because of its versatility. There are at least two areas where the UTV is superior: carrying two people and joyriding(recreation).
It is also handy that the UTV comes equipped with a box/bed...something you'd have to add to a CUT if you wanted to haul things (fencing materials, chainsaw, etc.).
BOB

 

[Soundguy]

Generally I would pick the tractor because of its versatility. There are at least two areas where the UTV is superior: carrying two people and joyriding(recreation).
It is also handy that the UTV comes equipped with a box/bed...something you'd have to add to a CUT if you wanted to haul things (fencing materials, chainsaw, etc.).
BOB

a tractor's pretty much a tool carrier anyway. even if you are using a drawbar.. it's an implement.

easy to add a carryall to the 3pt for carrying materials.

soundguy